Paul Bilton

Born in Southport, Lancashire, Paul Bilton recently became what is known somewhat unaffectionately as a paper Swiss. (First marry a Swiss, then live in the country for five years, fill in forms, wait another 18 months, and finally hand over several hundred Swiss francs in cash for the paper which grants you Swiss nationality to the local postman when he delivers your mail.) A short career in magazine publishing was preceded by an even shorter career in advertising (Fergusons Fertilizers...See more

Born in Southport, Lancashire, Paul Bilton recently became what is known somewhat unaffectionately as a paper Swiss. (First marry a Swiss, then live in the country for five years, fill in forms, wait another 18 months, and finally hand over several hundred Swiss francs in cash for the paper which grants you Swiss nationality to the local postman when he delivers your mail.) A short career in magazine publishing was preceded by an even shorter career in advertising (Fergusons Fertilizers Fertilize Faster). In the 1980s he launched a business to manufacture plastic products under his own patent, and later left both the business and Britain to become an Auslander in Switzerland. His book The Perpetual Tourist - in search of a Swiss role is published by Bergli Books of Basel, and between writing, broadcasting and giving talks about Swiss life, he gives odd English lessons. He tries hard to worry more, but still cannot understand why it is frowned upon to redecorate his nuclear shelter himself. He and his Swiss wife live an idyllic life by the Zurich lake-shore where he collects coffee creamer tops while she embroiders car cushions. They enjoy a near perfect diet of muesli and Rosti, but never on the same plate. See less