In the Secret Garden of Sweden
“Before I ever set foot in Sweden I knew for sure that Swedes were socialists, that they drank themselves to death and that they had sex anywhere at any time. Now that I’ve been here for a few years I know that only one of these is true.” — Colin Moon
Last year I read the book In the secret garden of Sweden, in which communications expert Colin Moon looks at everyday ‘normal’ things in Sweden from a different perspective. While I don’t agree with all of his observations on us Swedes, I must say many of them were spot on.
Swedes always talk about the weather
We do. At least frequently. With such distinct seasons and at times unpredictable changes in weather, we have a lot of sub-topics to draw from.
Swedes don’t like to brag
I feel uncomfortable bragging and I bet the majority of Swedes feel the same. We would much rather let our accomplishments speak for themselves. It’s considered tasteless to brag about your achievements or how financially successful you are.
Every Swedes mobile phone call starts with the obligatory question “Where are you?”
And if we don’t ask “where are you?”, we say “what are you doing?”.
In the summer, Swedes ignore dress-codes and walk around semi-naked
Pretty much true. Travel to Malmö, Båstad, Halmstad or any other city in southern Sweden during the summer and you will understand what Colin means.
Swedes will ask you about weekend plans as early as Wednesday afternoon
On Monday and Tuesday, we have the whole week in front of us. But on Wednesday, the weekend is basically here.
When a Swede says anything with the word ‘process’ on the end, you know that the whole procedure is going to take some time
Correct. The decision making process in Sweden takes time.
“Let me have some time to think about it. I’m not really sure. It depends. What I can do now is give you a definite maybe.” — a Swedish boss
If Swedes skipped their coffee breaks, they could retire five years earlier
A funny guesstimation. We do enjoy our coffee breaks. Very. Much.
Swedes like to be in time and on time
Nearly all of us value punctuality and dislikes those who show up late.
Swedish teenagers express a burning desire to be different by dressing exactly the same
I couldn’t help but laugh when I read this. Looking back, I remember the majority of my friends shopped in the same clothing stores and it was more a norm than a rarity that someone wore an identical skirt/top/sweater/dress as you.
Swedes are the world’s greatest individualists
For Swedes, independence is important. According to the World Values Survey by American sociology professor Ronald Inglehart, no other country is as individually oriented as Sweden. Family is important but we believe that relationships between people have to be based on equality. Real love can only be possible if one partner isn’t dependent on the other.
A typically Swedish person is bureaucratic, inflexible and indecisive
Yes. Pretty much so.
Swedes will gladly talk about their aches and pains as many times as possible
Unfortunately I have found this to be true (and I was once one of them).
Swedes are good and safe drivers
I couldn’t agree more. Apart from these and other observations, Colin Moon shares misconceptions such as that all Swedish girls have blonde hair and blue eyes (far from true), different quotes on Swedes, and various facts about Sweden.
“Golf and sex are the only two things Swedes can enjoy without being any good at them.” — A Swedish golf-player
Some interesting facts about Sweden according to Colin Moon:
“At the time of the writing 276,131 were called Johansson — the most common family name in Sweden.”
I would love to have a less ordinary name. Like ‘Summer. I was born in the summer and I love summer, so what name could be better!?
“Every year, evening papers print pages and pages with complete details of the income, tax bills and wealth status of the rich and famous.”
I have never been included on any of these lists.
“Swedes have a fair share of public holidays. In a good year they take as many days off in May and June as most Americans take in a year.”
And this we are incredibly grateful for.
“A well-known recipe book, Sju sorters kakor (Seven types of cake) is outsold only by the bible.”
I read this book on several occasions as a kid.
Before wrapping up, I want to point out one of the observations I don’t agree with.
If a stranger smiles at a Swede in the street, he or she is either a) drunk b) insane c) American
Not far from true but people do smile at each other more and more these days — without getting accused of being neither of the above.
Well written, excellently researched and repeatedly amusing, In the secret garden of Sweden offers an insight into Swedes’ habits and the Swedish culture.
Well, I’m definitely not a Swede, but I am a quick study.
Having spent a a good deal of time in and out of the country and being married to a Swede, all these observations are totally spot on.
The whole “not bragging-lagom” thing, which is actually slllooowwllly changing, is still essential to Swedish culture.
You’re also right. Swedes don’t complain or talk about their aches/pains in public unless in the privacy of home/spouse/sambo.
Looks like a fun read!
.-= Lola´s last blog ..Helping Haiti and Quantifying Help =-.
It IS a fun read! It’s rather amusing to hear about how another person view your own country and culture. And I know what you mean about the whole “lagom” thing. I wonder how many other countries have a word for that term.
Being a norwegian, I can also conclude that many of these observations are spot on! And weekends actually start on wednesdays!
.-= VagaBen´s last blog ..Top 5 Travel Inspiring Music Videos =-.
Yes, I’m impressed how accurate Colin was in his observations!
LOL! I’ll have to agree with Lola, I know my wife fits the bill on many of these. Consequently Turks tend to be the opposite with many of them – especially being on time.
.-= Anil´s last blog ..A Chat With Roger Middleton About RoomAtlas, Hotel Booking Google Maps Mashup =-.
Are Turks following Arabic time? I saw a film the other day, The Visitor, in which one of the main characters told her boyfriend not to follow Arabic time. Apparently, when you’re on Arabic time you’re always an hour late.
It’s close, I’d say 30-45 minutes is standard
.-= Anil´s last blog ..8 Great Motorcycle Books That Will Ignite Your Wanderlust =-.
HAHAHAHAA all of that really is spot on, especially the coffee breaks, or “fika” as we call it in Sweden. And I’ve only been to one other place in the world where the people talk more about the weather than in Sweden (where is is always either too cold or too warm), that was Christchurch in New Zealand, where all conversations circulated around the north-eastern wind and south-western wind and so on.
Thanks for a great read,
Sofia (from Sweden)
Hi Sofia,
Yes, we do LOVE fika here in Sweden. No wonder there are so many cafés and coffee shops everywhere. And if/when I make it to Christchurch, I’ll remember your comment.
Thanks for dropping by!
ROFLS! Interesting observations. I have a friend who’s Swedish of Chinese descent. I think I’m going to have to run these by her to see what she thinks.
Good idea. I’d be curious to hear whether she agreed.
hehe I can’t wait to see Sweden this year and find out if some of these are true.
Enjoy your trip to Sweden!
WoW!
Spot on! I lived in Gothenburg for 4 years and I can say that I understand Swedes a great deal more after my lovely experience living there. When I first starting working there, the whole fika thing used to drive me nuts! I’d was so into doing my work, totally concentrated and then BOOM! FIKA TIME! I couldn’t stand the interruption…but I later learned to love it.
Thanks, Erica!
Felicia
.-= Felicia S.´s last blog ..Inspiration Comes From: Richard Powers, Photographer =-.
I have seen many places, they really awesome.
1). Stockholm
2). Uppsala
3). Gothenburg
4). Crystal Country
5). Gota Canal
6). Kalmar
7). Swedish Lapland
Scandinavian Airlines is the main airline company that operates in the country and also overseas.
Thanks for sharing your list! I’m yet to see Uppsala, Crystal Country and Kalmar.
SAS is a great airline.
when more I read about Sweden I have more desire to go!!!
Antoni´s last [type] ..Ciudades de Suecia
Do visit! Sweden is especially beautiful in the summer.