A wealthy man buys a hotel that is not very profitable. To check that everything is in order, he gets himself hired as a hotel porter without revealing his identity.

The film tells several interconnected stories of Swiss people who fall in love with foreigners but struggle to maintain their relationships due to prejudice and social norms. The narrative culminates in a conciliatory scene in which the characters overcome their differences and recognize the importance of love across national borders.

When the innkeeper Egli hears that his daughter has set off on a boat trip with the sailor Lukas, he sets off in pursuit. He confronts the two and offers them the chance to take over the "Ochsen" inn. However, given the constant friction at home, the young couple soon change their minds...