One major difference between the Swiss and the Germans is, while they both have the most incredible collection of rules for society that must always be obeyed precisely, the Swiss manage to make you feel that they are soooo sorry, that they would make an exception for you if they could, that they understand your frustration and pain and anger, and if only they could. The Swiss will also try to help you by thinking of alternatives to make the situation less miserable for you. That's what makes the insane mountain of rules here bearable, gracious caring. People really care, there's no sense of that pervasive German shadenfreude. And that makes all the difference.