Chatting from balcony to balcony, on bustling marketplaces, and during casual conversations: this is how people in Italy exchange messages through phone calls.
In the 1970s, holidays in Switzerland, particularly on picturesque islands like those found in Lake Lucerne, were a world apart from our connected modern-day experiences. Communication, a crucial aspect of any vacation, was managed through more traditional means due to the absence of mobile phones.
Landline Telephones
Fixed-line telephone networks, operated by regional telecom providers, were the primary means of voice communication. Telephones were installed in hotels, resorts, and sometimes public booths, allowing visitors to call mainland or local contacts.
Postal Services
Letters and postcards were popular for maintaining contact. Traveling guests commonly sent postcards home or wrote letters, which were collected and delivered through Switzerland's well-established postal system.
Radio Communications
While amateur radio existed as a hobby, it was more specialized and not generally used by holidaymakers for everyday communication. However, it could have been useful in remote areas or emergencies.
The infrastructure for mobile phones was essentially non-existent in 1970; mobile cellular technology only began developing significantly later in the 1980s. Switzerland, including holiday islands, would have been connected primarily by the national telephone and postal services at that time. Larger resorts and tourist facilities tended to have telephone access to facilitate communication with the mainland.
Navigating Emergencies
To be reachable on a holiday island in 1970, one had to know someone with a landline connection and their willingness to take calls and relay messages if necessary. This system, while less immediate than today's mobile connections, ensured that guests could be reached in case of emergencies.
Swiss and Italian Cultural Differences
In contrast to the Italians, who were known for their frequent shouting in 1970, Swiss culture was characterized by a preference for quieter communication. Shouting was considered acceptable only in cases of imminent danger or on the football field.
In today's digital age, it's easy to forget the communication methods of the past. However, understanding these historical methods provides a fascinating glimpse into the past and the evolution of technology that has shaped our modern world.
Note:
[1] Major hotels such as those in Lucerne were already well-equipped with telephone services by the mid-20th century to support guests. (Source: Tourism in Lucerne)
In the absence of mobile phones, one could apply technology like landline telephones to communicate in Switzerland during the 1970s, since fixed-line telephone networks were the primary means of voice communication, with phones installed in hotels and public spaces.
Postal services were also prevalent for maintaining contact during holidays, as letters and postcards were commonly used due to Switzerland's well-established postal system.
