Cleanliness, Safety, and... Curiosity*. They should put it on the Swiss flag right under the white cross.
I, as a 6'5" foreigner with no visible signs of a care in the world, am often the subject of their collective gaze.
Yesterday, I was particularly stare-worthy because I was wearing my Kerry Wood t-shirt. Every seat was taken (school had just let out) when I got on the tram to go to they gym, so I stood at the front of the tram facing the back. It wasn't long until I noticed about thirty pairs of eyes (young and old alike) staring bullets at my chest. They'd stare at my chest, confused looks would ensue, then they'd whisper amongst themselves. Stare again... confusion... whispers...THAT'S ENOUGH!
I finally had to just turn my back to the whole car. I don't mind some staring, but too much is just too much.
I was thinking of wearing this t-shirt today. I don't know... The words are in Finnish, and the print is pretty small so they'll have to strain. Perhaps it'll be too much for the locals (and me) to handle.Maybe I'll just wear it next week instead and give us all a little break.
*That's me being nice. I'd vote for nosiness, but I don't think it would go over too well.
14 comments:
Oh boy, the Basel stare. I was walking in our neighborhood yesterday with the baby in her stroller and had to wait for a tram to pass with the whole tramload of Swiss people staring out of the windows at us. It's a wierd feeling to be the object of all of those dead-eyed stares. Just writing this is sending a little shiver down my neck again. Liz
TBF: Two points.
1. You are sounding a little paranoid.
2. Where did you get that cool shirt that everyone was staring at???
Liz - I think all the people staring at you were just envious of your hair!
CB -
1. See above comment. It's not just me.
2. Your father-in-law
LOL.. I love both your t-shirts.
I guess you know that the Finnish text translates to "my grandma is from Parikkala", right? Well now you know - just in case one of your public-transport admirers chats you up. ;-)
And for the record, here's where Parikkala is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parikkala
Yup, that's like saying my grandma is from the boondocks. lol
Rrraj - I completely understand it. Kyllä minä puhun Suomia. I just don't read or write it very well.
Rrraj - Oh, and BTW... thanks for the link. I learned something today!
Germans do the same thing. It's quite annoying.
TBF....
OMG!! The French LOVEEEEE to stare, too! I always get stares and I don't think it's for my dazzling beauty, either!! Mostly, they stare at my shoes... Yeh, go figure!!!
Leesa - Yeah, I find the Swiss staring at my shoes a lot too. Sometimes I'll be on the tram, someone will be staring at my shoes, and then I'll stick my foot out so that they can have a better look. Then they notice that they're staring and start staring at something else.
I have been in Switzerland so long I have started to stare at people!
DP - I often wonder if people think I'm staring at them when I'm actually looking at them staring at me.
TBF here is a good shirt to wear around town:
http://www.zazzle.com/keep_staring_i_might_do_a_trick_tshirt-235835544669025904
Carl
Carl - I like it, and I think I'm going to order one.
Do you still like to yell "Boo" at some of those who stare?
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