so the lights are on when the pedal is not pressed? just kidding

you are partially right. I didn't really want to get into details, but here
I am assuming you are talking about normally closed switch Vs. normally open switch
so the switch either grounds or provides the power
you have 2 kinds of brake light switches.
one where the switch provides power to the circuit and then it grounds via the light bulbs
then there is the kind that provides a ground to the light bulbs to turn them on
most imports that i deal with have normally closed switch.
anyways im not trying to argue with you but yeah maybe mk3 do have open switch? I dont really remember i barely see mk3 in our shop. in fact theres one black mk3turbo sitting in the stall for valve adj..i think
who's black mk3 is it~? :P