I have already told you how long it took for our marriage to be registered in Switzerland in my original The Swiss (In)efficiency post. This time I discovered that we physically had to go to the consulate simply to renew Second Daughter’s identity card.

As obtaining a new passport entails having your fingerprints scanned nowadays, I totally understand that there is no other way than a visit, really (for the moment at least!). But an ID card? This could be done in a much more practical way. We had to bring with us a long list of documents and official papers, but nothing that could not have been copied and sent through the post together with the expired ID card and the necessary photo. And it would not be that difficult to provide an on-line ordering form that the person can fill in, print and sign, right? You can then imagine either electronic payment facilities or a bank transfer at the time of the order. This method could of course be applied to other official documents that you might need to order at some point in your life. But no, you have to get in your car or on the train (in our case, the consulate is about an hour away from our home) and waste at least half a day on such a standard procedure. Not to mention that it makes the new identity card quite pricey.

We had of course made an appointment, so we got there with Second Daughter and announced ourselves at the door before being buzzed in. The consulate was empty. Still, we had to take a number and wait five minutes before being called to the counter. I thought this was really funny!

The whole process took quite a while, but the lady was very friendly and to be fair, although we were told it would take two to three weeks for the new identity card to come through the post, it arrived a week later. Also, Second Daughter and I turned into a day out what originally was a hassle, having lunch together on a nice sunny terrace and doing a spot of shopping, so it was quite nice in the end.

I am however curious to see if next time we need an official document the system will be less archaic? What are your experiences? Is it the same in every country?

I thought it was about time to write about my fellow adoptive countrymen again. Today, I will go for one positive story and a less positive one, shall we say.

Let’s start with the good one. Quite a while ago, Sexy Hubby was on holiday and therefore at home with us during the week (hurray!). He totally surprised me on the Monday by saying that we would go out that night and that I would really enjoy it. Go out? On a Monday night? Where? Picture my raised eyebrows and the puzzled look on my face. I questioned and probed, to no avail, all I got was: “It is a surprise”.

The evening came and off we went. We arrived to a lively bar/restaurant and I thought: “Cool, new place to have a drink and a chat, like it”. When I mentioned this to Sexy Hubby he replied: “Oh but we are not staying here, we will move next door soon”. Now I was mystified… We went down a corridor, arrived at the door where Sexy Hubby paid the entrance fee and walked into a huge place. Believe it or not, every Monday night you can go and listen to live music there. The place was absolutely packed, and we realised that should you want a table you definitely have to book it in advance. One of our favourite musicians, Stefan Ullmann, was playing that night, and we had a blast. As we left shortly after 1:00, the venue was still rocking. So much for the Germans going to bed early to be in top form for work the following day!

They do have their lapses, though… As mentioned in my “What A Show” post, Bon Jovi told us that ending their concert twenty minutes over the curfew the last time was enough to have neighbours complaining and the authorities deciding that there would be no more open air concerts in that location. The ban lasted eight years… Eight years for twenty minutes? Come on, people, how about a little bit of understanding and flexibility? Especially when knowing that curfew is at 23:00 on a Saturday night, and concerts had been scheduled once or twice a year… This time, the band took no chances and finished exactly on time, a few seconds before the church bells rang eleven times. And I am certain that seventy decibels limit was checked and re-checked many times! I did read in the papers than some nearby residents could not understand their counterparts either and had very much enjoyed the concert sitting comfortably on their terrace or balcony. There were also actually hoping that this would happen more often.

Now that is the spirit!

Related posts

The Truth About The Germans – Part I
The Truth About The Germans – Part II