Life — September 23, 1920 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Sightseeing in Switzerland" - Life Magazine Satire This page presents humorous vignettes mocking wealthy American and European tourists in Switzerland. The cartoons depict: **Social satire targets:** - Aristocratic pretension: "Distinguished kings and dukes are as thick as flies in Switzerland," drawing crowds of curious sightseers - Class anxiety: A waiter confronts the "Gookins" about etiquette violations at breakfast - Tourist desperation: Miss Aurora Swan hiding for three days to photograph herself as "Crown Prince's third assistant chef" - Social climbing gone wrong: Mr. Fipps of Chicago embarrassed after being mistaken for someone important at the Hotel de Suisse The humor lies in exposing the absurdity of wealthy tourists seeking status through European travel while committing embarrassing social blunders and fabricating credentials. It satirizes the era's obsession with Old World aristocratic prestige and nouveau-riche American aspirations.