And while we're at it ...

I've moaned about mentioned Swiss hospitality before.
I don't mean meeting the Swiss in their homes (chance would be a fine thing - they are very, very reserved) I mean Restaurants and Hotels.

I had some training to do at a company in St.Gallen one November before I moved here and, because it was a three-day-course I had to stay at a local Hotel.
The hotel is well known as one of St.Gallens high class hotels.

On the last day of the course we finished early and I decided to drink a coffee in the hotel restaurant before going for something to eat.
The restaurant was empty and I sat at a table in the window.
A waitress came along and asked if I was expecting company. I said no and she asked me to sit in the middle of the restaurant at a table for two - I was at a table for six.

I pointed out that the restaurant was empty and I would like to enjoy the remainder of the sunlight ...
She repeated her request for me to move and offered to turn the lights on for me.
I moved - I drove into town and drank my coffee there.

I ate, went to the cinema and returned to the hotel at around 22:00.
At the hotel bar I ordered a beer.
I drank the 0.33 Litre within five minutes and asked for another.
The look the barmaid gave me was withering - she asked if I wouldn't prefer to use the mini-bar in my room - she wanted to finish for the evening!

In my experience that is typical of Swiss hospitality.