Sour Apple; Grattimaa Queue Sets Record; Fines Add Up

News For 11 December 2018

Despite their success, large retailers like Apple and Zara, do not contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of Christmas decorations in Basel.  The retailers have been criticized for their stinginess when it comes to lifting holiday spirits, and presumably loosening purchasers' purse-strings - despite the commercial taxes the companies pay.  When contacted for comment, neither Apple nor Zara replied, with comment.  However, it appear that the companies have not singled out Basel, and do not contribute to decorative budgets in any city where they operate.

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Last Thursday was Santa Claus day in Basel - which means the annual pilgrimage to your local bakery to buy the traditional Grattimaa...a brioche in the shape of a man.  Traditionally, Baselers eat the bread instead of dinner on the evening of the fest.  One bakery above all sets the standard for the finest Grattimaa: Bakery Gilgen in the Spalentor area had a queue of hundreds by their opening and sold more than 5000 of the pastry by the end of business hours.

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Swiss weekly magazine Schweiz am Wochenende announced the results of their study of cantonal police fines.  Leading the pack was Zurich, where the canton's budget expects 2019 income of 152 Swiss francs per person for ordinance violations related to traffic, garbage disposal and noise pollution.  Basel Stadt, according to its budget is expecting close to 79 Swiss francs.  President of the Swiss police federation (VSPB), Johanna Bundi Ryser, was critical of the fines, saying they are meant to discourage bad behavior, not create a revenue source for cantons.