Zurich: now with more guns! And fewer pigeons!

We previously mentioned our pesky pigeon neighbours, and while we are usually the type to live and let live, the 4am avian wake-up calls have incited us to kill kill kill! We only had enough gumption to destroy the nest opposite our bedroom window -- we knew we brought that hockey stick here for a reason! -- but luckily for us, one of our human neighbours decided to get more serious about fixing the problem...by shooting some of the pigeons with his air rifle at 5am yesterday morning.

The Swiss pride themselves on being good neighbours -- do NOT attempt to flush your toilet after 10pm, lest you disturb somebody! -- so the early morning gunfire was certainly out of character. Come to think of it, though, this situation is a fairly good example of the inherent contradiction that is Switzerland...

A peaceful, historically "neutral" country...with personal ownership of guns mandatory for all militia personnel. There are approximately half a million assault rifles stored in private homes in Switzerland.

A strong public/private sphere division (it's uncommon to be invited into a Swiss person's home; you'd meet at a bar, restaurant, or park)...but an astonishing proliferation of stigma-free sex stores and sex cinemas.

An overtly xenophobic (and at times racist) attitude towards foreigners of all types and stripes...but 1/4 of Swiss residents are foreign born.

To provide a visual example of the oddness, I attach a picture I snapped yesterday on the way to school. I was passing by a jewelry store, and I saw a very interesting juxtaposition of items. As always, click to embiggen.

Yes, you can buy earrings for your grandmother, or miniature glass penises, possibly also for your grandmother. At very reasonable prices, too!

And, to bring this post full circle, please note that the penises are advertised as "Soldiers."