SIR – A colleague, who has lived for some time in Switzerland, recently inadvertently passed at excessive speed through a radar trap. The policeman who stopped him began to address him in Swiss German.
When my friend protested that he did not understand that language, the officer checked his computer and then reminded him, in perfect English, that he had lived in Switzerland for four years and that it was, therefore, time he spoke the language (Letters, January 1).
He continued in his native tongue and issued the on-the-spot fine accordingly.
Dr Barry Mulady
Heron’s Ghyll, East Sussex
No doubt, in this country, the traffic policeman would have had his knuckles rapped for exhibiting a 'racist attitude'!
The lesson here, which it would not hurt all our immigrants to adopt, is this - you want to live in this country, then assimilate; and not just by learning our language, but also in behaviour, attitude and way of life, to name but three!
If you don't like it here for whatever reason - LEAVE!
2 comments:
Scary level of information at the policeman's fingertips though
Very true but then I put that down to Swiss Efficiency! Your point however is well made.
Post a Comment