Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Residence card photo (mugshot?)

While most people can relate to the sub-par drivers license photo, I think I took things to another level with my Swiss resident ID. Given that you actually bring your own photo for the card (similar to when you get a new passport), one would think that the issue of a bad picture wouldn’t really exist. However, given the strict Swiss photo requirements (specific photo size, specific face size and angle, absolutely no smile, etc., etc., etc.) the picture that I brought wasn’t acceptable. As a result, I had to go to the photo booth in the lobby and take some “compliant” shots.

Unfortunately for me, the photo booth setup was fitted for someone around 5’4” and not 6’. Thus, I had to contort my body awkwardly into the booth while trying to: (1) align my head at the appropriate depth and angle and (2) press the touch-screen that initiates the photo (all instructions were in French, mind you). Not surprisingly, the end result was not so good: I now have a picture that can best be described as one of those terrible celebrity mug shots in which I basically look like a hardened criminal. Should I ever be suspected of a crime here and the jury sees my ID, I’m definitely in trouble. And no, the picture will not be posted…

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