I've actually heard this the case for most immigrants, regardless of race. Would you say it's the case in the entire country, or more so the rural areas?
There are somewhat separate issues here: racism/xenophobia and standoffishness.
Regarding the first: Yes, I'm sure it exists, including, to some extent, in government representatives. It can express itself in more stark ways in rural areas (If you want to get naturalized and live in a rural village, the village gets to vote on your application; it larger places, the process purely bureaucratic). OTOH Switzerland is not a particularly violent country, so generally the racism does not express itself in physical violence.
The standoffishness is a big cultural thing. When we moved back to Switzerland after 8+ years in California, this was something we had to get used to again. OTOH, as others said, 25% of the population is foreign born, so you can always socialize with those… and, who knows, maybe over time you'll develop a taste yourself for keeping your distance and playing your cards close to your vest ;-)
Regarding the first: Yes, I'm sure it exists, including, to some extent, in government representatives. It can express itself in more stark ways in rural areas (If you want to get naturalized and live in a rural village, the village gets to vote on your application; it larger places, the process purely bureaucratic). OTOH Switzerland is not a particularly violent country, so generally the racism does not express itself in physical violence.
The standoffishness is a big cultural thing. When we moved back to Switzerland after 8+ years in California, this was something we had to get used to again. OTOH, as others said, 25% of the population is foreign born, so you can always socialize with those… and, who knows, maybe over time you'll develop a taste yourself for keeping your distance and playing your cards close to your vest ;-)