World's Most Famous Cheese Launches Gecko Technology - you've gotta love the Swiss!


If you ask people to use three adjectives to describe the Swiss, humorous is not usually the first word that comes to mind. Reserved, responsible and modest -- yes. Amusing, creative and progressive -- no. Although, as a token Swiss-by-marriage, one thing that I will say about my fellow countrymen is that they have a quirky tendency to catch you off guard when you least expect it. It's part of their charm. It also explains why I wasn't too surprised to learn from Patricia H that the producers of Emmental cheese, also known as Swiss cheese, had masterminded an April Fool's Day prank viewed by over 100,000 people throughout Europe.

During the week prior to April 1, Emmentaler AOC advertised its latest development: Emmental cheese with added gecko guard. How does it work? Watch the Youtube clip and find out!

People were so convinced that gecko guard was real that nearly a thousand curious citizens showed up at the Bärenplatz in Bern to sample the technologically advanced cheese. The Swiss - you've gotta love them. I know I do!

Many thank to Patricia for calling my attention to this cunning April Fool's Day joke. I don't know how I missed it while I was in Geneva.

It reminded me of another prank pulled by the Swiss National Tourist Office a couple of years ago when they posted a video to recruit mountain cleaners to help keep the Swiss Alps immaculate. At least they don't mind poking fun at themselves and their reputation for cleanliness.

Comments

  1. OMG...these were both fantastic. The mountain cleaning video had me laughing aloud when they were "flossing" the stones...very clever videos indeed. Thanks for sharing!
    nancyb

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    1. I'm so happy that you enjoyed a bit of Swiss humor. The part where they're flossing the stones always makes me laugh too! I can't wait until Stephane gets home so that I can show him the first video and watch his reaction. For some reason, the slapstick part where they swat the flies on the cow in the gecko technology video always cracks me up...and I've watched it quite a few times now!

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  2. A great way to start a grey Wednesday morning! Thanks for sharing those, Mary, they were brilliant. I shall be getting geckos for my llamas for this summer!

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    1. With your blog posts about French cheese and all of your livestock, you were in my thoughts when I watched the video! Just remember to introduce the llama to the gecko at an early age so that it isn't frightened by its new friend!

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  3. :) :) :)
    of course one MUST love them.... and especially the HEAVY 'high German' accent really did it to me (you wd have to watch the film in the Original)

    I have something to enjoy for you too:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ifVOZEjv2g&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LLA3BJ2rIqMKdroiZEriqBAg

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    1. Ha! The improv video is great - even though I was surprised to see so many sets of identical quadruplets, I thought that it was real based on the astonished reactions of the other people. Thanks for sharing it.

      Even though I haven't seen the Gecko Technology film in German, I loved when the scientist said, "Gel (sp?), Florina?" to the cow. For some reason, that cracked me up.

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  4. I just viewed the Original Felsenputzer video too - never saw that one either!!!! you're a gem, Mary Kay - I shall make many, many people in Switzerland very happy by sending them the two links! Thank You
    Love, Kiki

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    1. You're welcome, Kiki! I'm glad that I could share something "new" about Switzerland with you!

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  5. so funny. It seems obvious that it's not real, but that's because I know it's not real. It could be a good Saturday Night Live skit--maybe they'll see your post and it will be. You'll get a 'producer' credit!

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    1. You're right, it does have the same offbeat sense of humor as a Saturday Night Live Sketch. Maybe that's why the videos appealed to me so much! As for the "producer" credit, I guess that would have to go to the Swiss!

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  6. The scientist in the gecko technology clip is a hoot! I also enjoyed the mountain cleaners in the other clip. Who knew the Swiss were so into April Fool's pranks! They are really good at this!

    Regards,

    Patricia H

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    1. The Swiss are full of surprises - and always when you least expect it!

      Thanks again for telling me about gecko technology!

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  7. I think I might have been a mountain cleaner in another life. Loved it.

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