WELCOME TO 2-2-2 TUESDAY
Here are 2 Cultural Highlights, 2 Quotes, and 2 Brief Stories for you to enjoy.
Inspired by Romont, Switzerland
2 CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
1.
Fondue Vending Machines?:
In the wild year of 1867, when top hats and corsets ruled the fashion scene, a maverick named Simeon Denham rocked the world by snagging British Patent No. 706. What was the fuss about? He only went and conjured up the very first fully-automatic vending machine! Picture it—a machine that spat out stamps like a magician pulling rabbits from a hat. Little did Denham know, this quirky invention would spark a vending revolution that would shake the future.
Denham’s machine was like the Beyoncé of its time—it dropped jaws. No more waiting in tedious queues to get those darn stamps! Thanks to Denham, folks could now snag their postage magic at the push of a button. And that, dear readers, was just the tip of the iceberg.
Zoom ahead a century and a half to Switzerland—a land where the cows are happy, the watches are snappy, and the chocolates are, well, life-changing.
Imagine you stroll up to a vending machine, your tummy rumbling for some Swiss goodness. This machine isn’t slinging chips; it’s dishing out the holy grail of Swiss cuisine. Craving some fondue to melt your heart? You got it. How about raclette that’ll have you singing in cheesy bliss? The machine’s got you covered. But hold on, the feast doesn’t stop there. You can snag the freshest bread and perfectly-sized potatoes. What about dessert? There’s always room, right? Do not fret. Push the right button and you will get…Meringue with double Creme.
It’s where the past meets the future, where tradition dances with technology, and where every button push leads to a mouthwatering adventure.
2.
Recharging Batteries:
Imagine a world where taking a break from work isn’t just a luxury but a fundamental right. A place where you can close your laptop, pack your bags, and embark on a much-needed vacation without the fear of repercussions. Sounds like a distant dream, right? Well, welcome to Switzerland – a country that takes its commitment to employee well-being to a whole new level.
Here’s the scoop: no matter if you’re a part-time barista or a full-time banker, whether you earn a modest income or have a six-figure salary, Switzerland believes in the power of taking time off. In this charming country, the law states that every working individual is entitled to a minimum of four weeks’ vacation annually – and that’s a baseline requirement. This does not include paid holidays. Guess what? But wait, it gets even better.
For those youthful souls under the age of 20, Switzerland ups the ante by granting a generous five weeks’ vacation. And we’re not talking about “use it or lose it” situations; these vacation days are sacred, meant to be cherished and utilized for recharging your physical and mental batteries. It’s an acknowledgement that life isn’t just about work, and that a well-rested workforce is a happier and more productive one. That’s not all. They also have laws mandating significant time off for both maternity and paternity leave.
While speaking to a successful Swiss business owner last week, I asked him if he was frustrated about having to shell out so much money for his employer’s vacation time. His answer surprised me. “Not at all,” he replied. He continued, “My workers are productive and happy.”
After a few more questions, he elaborated on his belief that this factor contributes to the robust economy. He pointed out that Swiss citizens rarely take sick leave and exhibit a remarkable loyalty to their jobs, preferring stability over job-hopping. This loyalty, he emphasized, significantly bolsters the nation’s economic well-being.
These policies seem almost unbelievable when I contrast them to my first professional job. Guess how many hours of PTO (paid time off) medical professionals receive in most Arizona Emergency Departments? Zero. Zilch. Nada. The policy is more brutal than a cactus hug. After nine years, I switched to a job with three weeks of paid vacation and I felt like river dancing.
What do you think? In the end, do benefits matter? If you’re searching for a job, what type of company or career do you want to pursue? If you’re an employer, how do you plan to keep your employees happy, productive, and loyal?
Food for thought.
2 Quotes to Consider
- “Knowing how to look is a way of inventing.”- Salvador Dali
- “A reader lives 1000 lives Before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”
– George R.R. Martin
2 Brief Stories
1.
The Allstar Airline Agent:
Ready, set, GO!
We sprinted out of the train doors fifty minutes before the scheduled departure of our flight.
How did we get here?
Almost three hours and two trains earlier, my wife and I casually boarded a direct train to Geneva airport. We expected to be super early for our flight, but we didn’t mind relaxing in a place with great people watching.
Then, life happened. Sadly, a train accident ahead of us stopped us in our tracks (quite literally) for a couple of hours. We were stranded without any information or updates as the clock ticked away.
Our massive buffer of time dwindled into nothing.
Feeling a bit helpless, I decided to get my mind off the situation and calm my nerves by diving into a good book. Suddenly, a frantic voice instructed all passengers to get off the train. We scrambled to grab our massive bags, and scurry over to the next platform along with hundreds of other passengers. Without any alternative trains heading to the airport, we decided to board the next train to Geneva central station to bring us closer to our destination.
Frustration set in with the realization that we’d have to transfer again in Geneva onto an airport bound train. But that was a future problem. Now, in this moment, we were pushed back into an overcrowded train like sardines. The doors wouldn’t close. I let go of my second bag to brace myself on the wall and prevent falling on the oblivious infant lying in the stroller behind me. To make matters more interesting, the bag was now lost in the crowd and out of my reach. I watched it, hoping nobody would take it.
As we slowly chugged our way to the Geneva central station, I glanced at my watch and ran through some different scenarios.
At the next stop, we found a connecting train to the airport. Almost immediately, a seven-minute delay was announced. Ouch. Reality was setting in. We would probably miss our flight.
My wonderful wife and I looked at each other. Without words, we communicated the following: “We might miss our flight, but let’s go for it.”
Eventually, we made it to the airport train station. We sprinted with heavy luggage about a half mile, ran up a couple of stairs, and didn’t stop until we reached to the check-in counter. There was probably a line, but I didn’t see it.
The experienced airline agent must have recognized the look of urgency on my face, because she politely asked for our passports before I even finished request. We handed them over, and she started typing away. Seconds later, she printed our tickets and sent us on our way to the correct gate.
We rushed through security, customs, and to the gate before our boarding group was called.
A HUGE thanks to the most helpful airline agent we’ve ever met!
2.
Cheers To A Fantastic Father-in-Law:
Three cheers to Daniel for showing us a great time in Romont, Switzerland. He shared his time, energy, and barbecue skills during our three-week stay. He drove us to some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen, and allowed us to borrow a car to adventure on days he had to work.
He also introduced us to E-Bikes, which we used to explore farms fields, forests, and faraway parts of town. This was an absolute game changer while exploring the hilly and mountainous terrain!
Sunday mornings were for swimming. Each week at 9am, we walked to the local pool so that we could swim laps, dive off the high platform, and play games of catch with water polo balls. The pool was usually packed, so the three of us shared half of a lane as we performed our best frog imitating breaststroke. With just a few yards of separation, we swam one after another after another. We often couldn’t stop laughing as we experimented with different flotation devices and swimming styles.
On my birthday, he prepared a cake and candles for a home-style small celebration. He and Farah sang Happy Birthday in French and English.
To help us fulfill the dream of climbing in the Swiss Alps, he let us borrow Via Ferrata gear.
Perhaps the most unexpected highlight was our fierce dart competitions. Luckily for the wall behind the dartboard, we were not using metal tips.
In short, we had a great time.
Thank you Daniel! I’m grateful to have such a funny, thoughtful father-in-law. Until next time, merci beaucoup!
Thanks for tuning in to 2-2-2 Tuesday!
If you have any feedback, comments, or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you. Have a wonderful week.
