u/baba3eesa

Never expected to see this in Switzerland, but today this guy had his bare foot up on the seat opposite him.

Not shoes. Not socks. Straight bare foot. On the fabric seat where other people sit.

I don’t really understand how this keeps happening in shared public spaces.

Its super confusing how travelers nowadays don’t even bother to learn about the etiquette and culture of the countries they are traveling to.

A train seat is not personal space. It is used by hundreds of people a day and basic hygiene and respect should be a given.

And I will say it clearly, race aside: just because it’s okay in your country, doesn’t mean you get to force it in others. That applies to everyone, regardless of where they are from.

There is a minimum standard of behaviour when you are using public transport. I believe that bare feet on seats crosses it.

SBB trains are generally very clean and well run, which is exactly why this kind of thing stands out even more.

Has anyone else seen this becoming more common?

Hi everyone. I’ve been researching the Bernese Oberland area pretty heavily for an upcoming trip this June, but I’ve reached the point where firsthand experience from people who know the area well is probably more valuable than another blog or YouTube video.

My mother and I will be staying in Mürren for 4 days. This will be our first hiking-focused trip in the Swiss Alps. We are not total beginners since we’ve done a number of moderate hikes in the U.S., but we are completely new to alpine hiking, mountain rail systems, cable cars, fast-changing weather, and the overall logistics of hiking in Switzerland.

We’ve already done a decent amount of research and a few hikes keep coming up repeatedly:
- Northface Trail
- Mürren to Gimmelwald
- Schilthorn / Birg area
- Kleine Scheidegg region
- Lauterbrunnen Valley trails
- Possibly Oeschinensee as a day trip

Right now, we’re trying to figure out which experiences are genuinely worth prioritizing when time is limited versus what mainly became popular because of social media.

We care more about unforgettable scenery, atmosphere, mountain culture, and memorable experiences than trying to maximize mileage or collect famous tourist spots.

A few things I would love advice on from people who know the area well:

- If you only had 4 days based in Mürren, which hikes or routes would you personally prioritize?
- Which trails realistically offer the best scenery-to-effort ratio?
- Are there any hikes in the area that are beautiful online but disappointing or overcrowded in person?
- How early do you usually start hiking in June to avoid crowds and get the best weather?
- For moderately experienced hikers, which routes feel rewarding without becoming exhausting?
- Is Oeschinensee worth sacrificing a full day outside the Mürren/Lauterbrunnen area?
- Since Mürren is car-free, how practical is it for groceries, snacks, medicine, rain gear, and other basics?
- Any mistakes first-time Swiss Alps visitors commonly make that you wish you knew earlier?

One thing I’m already realizing from researching is that flexibility seems important with Alpine weather, so we’re trying not to over-plan every hour and instead focus on making the most of the best conditions each day.

Really appreciate any advice, recommendations, hidden gems, pacing tips, or lessons learned from people who’ve spent time there. This trip means a lot to both of us and I’m trying to make the experience as memorable as possible.

Is this normal now?

Too many options, too many opinions!