Magic of new beginnings

Surströmming for beginners

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:30:47 GMT

A simple guide to navigating the world's stinkiest food

What is surströmming?

Surströmming is an infamous Swedish delicacy made of fermented Baltic sea herring. The fish are caught in spring, then preserved in a series of salted water solutions for two months. After this initial process, they are transferred to airtight tins where they continue to ferment for up to a year.

This fermentation process is what gives the fish its famously strong smell and flavor. The name itself is a clue: "sur" means "sour" or "soured," and "strömming" is the Swedish name for Baltic herring.

Interestingly, for many years, a royal decree stipulated that the year’s batch could not be sold before the third Thursday in August. While this rule is no longer in place, that date is still celebrated as the official premiere day, particularly in Sweden's High Coast region, the birthplace of this unique tradition.

The story behind the stink

There are a few stories about how surströmming came to be, but the most likely reason is rooted in history. In the 1500s, salt was expensive and hard to come by, particularly during King Gustav Vasa's Rebellion. With limited salt for preservation, Swedes had to get creative. Fermentation proved to be a reliable, salt-free method to keep fish edible for the long, cold winters.

This tradition, which started out of necessity, evolved into a source of cultural pride. While it's no longer a "poor man's food," it represents a connection to Swedish history and a more self-sufficient way of life.

How to pronounce surströmming

The word can look intimidating, but it's easier than it seems. Say it like this: "Sur-stroh-ming."

"Sur" sounds like the first part of "sir" but with a rounded, almost German "u" sound.
"Strömming" sounds like "strew-ming," with the emphasis on the "strew." The Swedish "ö" sound is similar to the "e" in the English word "her" but with your lips rounded as if you were about to whistle.

The surströmmingsskiva: a social event

In Sweden, eating surströmming is not something you do alone. It's a social activity, a community rite of passage. Many Swedes participate in a surströmmingsskiva (surströmming party) from the third Thursday of August through September.

This social aspect is a key part of the tradition, and it's a great way to understand a different side of Swedish culture. The collective effort of preparing the fish, assembling the sandwiches, and making it through the experience together is a bonding ritual in itself.

How to eat surströmming

If you're brave enough to try it, the key is to prepare it correctly. Here's a quick guide to a traditional surströmming meal.

Open the can outside. This is non-negotiable. The gases inside can cause the can to burst, and you don’t want that smell trapped indoors. The safest way is to submerge the can in a bucket of water before puncturing it.
Clean the fish. After opening the can, you'll need to gut and fillet the small herrings. This is often the most challenging part for beginners.
Assemble your meal. Surströmming is rarely eaten plain. It's served on a type of flatbread called tunnbröd , either soft or crispy. The most important part is the toppings, which are used to balance the strong, salty flavor.
Add toppings. Traditional accompaniments include boiled potatoes, finely diced red onion, sour cream, and fresh chives or dill. Many people find that a generous amount of these toppings is the only way to make the fish palatable.
Pair with drinks. To wash it all down, Swedes often drink cold beer and a shot of akvavit , a traditional Swedish spirit.

With the right preparation and the right mindset, surströmming can be a surprisingly complex culinary experience. It's savory and acidic, and while it might taste exactly as it smells to a beginner, enthusiasts insist the flavor is far richer and more nuanced.

Is it safe to eat?

Yes, surströmming is completely safe to eat. The fermentation process acts as a preservation method. Just be sure to check the expiration date on the can.

Trying surströmming is more than just tasting a weird food—it's an act of cultural immersion. It's about stepping outside your comfort zone, challenging your preconceived notions, and participating in a deeply rooted tradition. So, if you're ever invited to a surströmmingsskiva, don't just run the other way. See it as an opportunity to connect with Swedish culture on a truly memorable (and smelly) level.

Are Scandinavians really so happy?

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 22:05:06 GMT

The new World Happiness Report is out.

A nd these are the world's 20 happiest countries:

Finland
Denmark
Iceland
Sweden
Netherlands
Costa Rica
Norway
Israel
Luxembourg
Mexico
Australia
New Zealand
Switzerland
Belgium
Ireland
Lithuania
Austria
Canada
Slovenia
Czechia

According to the latest results, Finland has remained the happiest country since 2018.

Sweden moved up from sixth to fo urth place last year and remains there in the report released on Thursday.

The top rankings have seen few changes overall.

Notably, the USA, Israel, Ukraine, Lebanon, and Palestine have dropped in the rankings, while Russia has risen. Afghanistan is once again the least happy country.

(It's important to note that no surveys were conducted in countries like Sudan and Syria due to safety concerns.)

The World Happiness Report measures subjective well-being based on three main indicators: life evaluations, positive emotions, and negative emotions.

I wrote about this a year ago. To sum it up:

Scandinavia consistently ranks at the top in happiness due to a combination of generous welfare states and a strong sense of empowerment. Danish researcher Christian Bjørnskov suggests that true happiness comes from feeling in control of one's life, aligning with the historical Viking spirit of self-reliance.

This sense of control is encouraged through strong work-life balance, flat hierarchies, entrepreneurial spirit, and community involvement.

Scandinavian societies encourage this mindset through education, social norms, and access to resources, emphasizing individual agency alongside social support.

Sort of conclusion was that true happiness lies not just in what you have, but in feeling empowered to shape your own path.

The measures for the World Happiness Report are generally consistent; and while the core measures remain the same, additional factors and themes may be highlighted in each annual report.

One specific measure the survey considers in 2025 is different types of kindness, such as the expectation of having a lost wallet returned. In the Nordic countries, both the expectation and actual return of lost wallets are the highest.

"People are kinder than we think they are, and realizing this naturally makes us happier. It also changes how we think about our neighbors. You are more likely to see a stranger on the street as a friend you haven't met yet, rather than a threat," says John Helliwell, one of the report's main authors, to CNN.

But why is Finland at the top year after year?

Anna-Lena Lauren from the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter tried to answer this question:

"This year, we have once again been named the happiest people in the world, for the eighth year in a row according to a UN report. Sweden also ranks high – 4th out of 147 countries. Yet, Finland consistently tops the list year after year.

The reason is simple. If you expect everything to go wrong, or at least partially wrong, you won't be disappointed.

This often leads to cultural clashes between Swedes and Finns.

In 2013, I interviewed Finland's then-President Sauli Niinistö for Svenska Dagbladet. The photos were taken by Tor Wennström from Hufvudstadsbladet. When the article was published, I was a bit surprised that it didn't get as much space as I thought it deserved.

"I told the Swedes not to expect more than one or two good pictures at most," Wennström informed me.

"Are you crazy!? You should never say that in Sweden! You should say: 'My work will be the best in the world!'" I exclaimed.

"I wanted to lower expectations to then be able to surprise them."

The poor photographer thought that the Finnish ideal – be humble and let the work speak for itself – works in Sweden. It doesn't. In Sweden, high expectations are part of the job. There is a much greater belief in Sweden that things will turn out as they are said to.

Many Finns find it hard to understand why Sweden debated for so long whether the wreck of the Estonia (the ferry that sunk in the Baltics) should be salvaged. It was clear at an early stage that it would be impossible. But because Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson had carelessly promised this, the belief persisted that it would be possible. The Prime Minister had said it, after all.

I wonder if this explains why no Finnish ministers say there could be a war, while Swedish ministers do. In Finland, it is considered unnecessary; we had a war 80 years ago, and everyone understands what it entails. In Sweden, there seems to be a belief that without expectations of war, it is impossible to raise funds for defense.

Finns always expect the worst, prepare for the worst, keep quiet about it, and are satisfied when it doesn't turn out as bad. The path to happiness? Apparently."

Finland lyckligast i världen – igen - DN.se

Anna-Lena Laurén: Det här är hemligheten bakom lycka - DN.se

The World Happiness Report

Being a Woman in Sweden

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:37:25 GMT

This picture perfectly shows what is expected from women in the Balkans.

I came across this picture the other day (from my previous work at the Croatian ministry) and thought about how it perfectly shows what is expected from women in the Balkans .

Girls are expected to be perfect daughters, sisters, girlfriends, and eventually wives to one man (and of course, to take his last name, except in situations where an emancipated woman adds her own surname). They are expected to earn the love of his family and then be the perfect mother, grandmother, and aunt.

Women in interviews often talk about how they excel in household chores and successfully balance family obligations and careers; they cook better than Gordon Ramsay and look like sex symbols.

Regular church attendance is also a must.

One thing is always common for women in the Balkans: guilt. They can be judged in an instant, targeted by comments, and always blamed for something.

It's a very complex role that women are expected to fulfill, while men are often forgiven in advance.

As a Generation X woman, I like to think that many things have changed over the decades. Sadly, the rates of femicide and the marches for women's rights to make decisions about their bodies and lives remind me that there is still much work to be done.

So, for me, being a woman in Sweden is a relief. It's also often confusing.

Scandinavian countries top any chart on equality. All the numbers are impressive by Balkan standards, and the policies are smart and long-term.

I knew all this, but I was still often surprised by the equal treatment in practice.

Everyone addresses both me and my partner equally: in stores, institutions, and situations where I was used to being invisible as a woman.

My first real culture shock came when a handyman, during some renovation work, asked what do I think. This happened while my male partner was standing right next to me. :)

This equal treatment was both surprising and refreshing. It made me realize how deeply ingrained certain expectations were in me.

I felt seen and heard in ways I hadn't before.

I felt unseen and unheard in ways I hadn't felt before, too.

This new environment challenged me to rethink my identity and my role as a woman.

Sweden is seen as one of the most gender-equal countries in the world. They have the longest paid parental leave (16 months), with at least three months for dads. Daycare, schools (including university), and afterschool programs are free. Swedes are very liberal about household duties: men and women share responsibilities, and there are no stay-at-home moms.

Despite all this, it might be naive to expect that there is no gender bias. I just read an article by Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede where she says that Sweden's reputation for gender equality might not be as good as it seems. *

She claims: "A female researcher still encounters gender biases in Sweden. How many men have been suggestively approached by a senior colleague? How many men have gotten teaching evaluations with comments on being “hot” or on their choice of clothes? How many men have been mistaken for a secretary when they were really the chair of a meeting?"

What I find different, though, is that this is not an unwritten norm, and there are no women here (I hope) who will say to take it as a compliment, as I have heard many times before at my previous jobs.

There’s still a pay gap at work, with men getting paid nearly 10% more than women. But the gap is shrinking, with the Swedish Women’s Lobby being one of the actors promoting equal pay.

What I see in schools is that equal rights and opportunities for everyone is a guiding principle.

Other things I notice:

no one thinks women's soccer is silly;

sports commentators on TV are often women;

women over 50 are also present on TV, looking however they choose;

high heels are not mandatory,

and there is no catcalling on the streets, even when passing construction sites.

No one is personally offended by women's decisions about whom to love or whether to have children.

Good enough for me. :)

Happy International Women's Day!

*https://www.biophysics.org/blog/is-the-gender-gap-solved-in-liberal-sweden

The #Swedengate Story

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 20:44:23 GMT

A cultural clash over dinner

What is #Swedengate? How the Internet reacted to Sweden's dining tradition

#Swedengate became a trending topic after internet users discovered that Swedes often do not feed their house guests. This revelation sparked a heated online debate about Swedish hospitality.

The controversy began on Reddit, where a user asked, “What is the weirdest thing you had to do at someone else’s house because of their culture/religion?” One response stood out: a user recounted being asked to wait in a friend's room while the family ate dinner. This post quickly went viral, and the hashtag #Swedengate started trending on Twitter. Thousands of people shared their experiences, with many non-Swedes criticizing the practice and Swedes defending it.

Do Swedish people not serve food to their guests?

While it may seem surprising to many, not serving food to guests is a common practice in Sweden. This tradition is rooted in the desire to avoid disrupting the guest's own family dinner plans.

Linda Johansson explained in an op-ed for The Independent that Swedes prefer to eat with their own families and avoid interfering with the routines of others.

Many Swedes confirmed this tradition online, emphasizing that it is not about being inhospitable but about respecting the guest's family plans. One user tweeted that Swedes cook precise portions for their families and appreciate advance notice if guests will be joining them for a meal.

Another person explained that this practice shows respect for the visiting child's parents, who may have already planned dinner.

Family mealtime is considered an important part of the day in Sweden, and disrupting another family's meal is seen as inconsiderate.

Why was there outrage?

As the discussion gained traction, many users were offended by Sweden’s tendency not to serve their guests. Some believed that children, even if they are guests, should be fed in case they haven’t eaten all day.

One Twitter user questioned, “But why are you inviting children for a playdate without the thought that you NEED to feed them? Kids get tired and hungry after playing.”

Another person, raised in Stockholm to Persian parents, shared that their Swedish neighbor left them alone and hungry in her bedroom while she ate dinner with her family: “I had a good friendship with my Swedish neighbor FOR SEVERAL YEARS & every time I was at her house during dinner-time she would leave me ALONE in her bedroom NOT SAYING A WORD TO ME, left me alone for about 20-30 minutes while I sit upstairs with a hungry stomach.”

Others cited their own cultures as reasons to never leave a guest hungry. An Instagram account, @LoverofGeography, created a map highlighting which European countries are more likely to feed their guests. Scandinavian countries like Norway, Sweden, and Finland were marked as “very unlikely to give you food,” while Mediterranean countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece were deemed “almost always” likely to serve food to their guests.

Ethnologist Håkan Jönsson's explanation

Ethnologist Håkan Jönsson, one of the few experts on Swedish customs regarding food, was bombarded with questions. Were Swedes stingy?

Håkan Jönsson conducted a research project on the criticized custom, making him aware of how special the main course at dinner was in meal contexts. The friend who had to wait in the room was called down for dessert if the children had been playing for a couple of hours. There was always coffee and snacks offered; anything else would have been impolite.

The reason for not inviting the child's friend was based on respect for the family's integrity, not interfering with other families' habits or how they raised their children. Implicitly, it could suggest that the child might not get food at home if invited for dinner.

“Therefore, you didn’t send home a full child. There was a kind of unspoken respect for the other family's meal, especially between the mothers,” says Håkan Jönsson.

Culturally conditioned

He explains that the custom was one of the most common stories that emerged in the Culture Clash Cushion project conducted in 2013.

“It was perceived as the most odd – something you didn’t understand at all if you came from another culture,” says Håkan Jönsson.

The custom had never been properly researched but is relevant as it highlights many aspects of the meal, the view of the family, silent norms, and cultures in transformation. Before the summer, a questionnaire was sent out via the Folklife Archives to investigate the matter.

“Usually, 70 to 100 responses come in, but this time 400 responses came in within a week.”

The survey showed that many had experienced the phenomenon but had perceived it differently.

Different perceptions

“For some, it was very strange and unpleasant. Some said their parents didn’t want them to play with Swedish friends. It was sometimes perceived as rude or directly hostile not to offer food,” says Håkan Jönsson.

For others, it was nothing they thought about; it was just the way it was, or it was something exotic and cozy. They got the chance to look at their friend's toys or play computer games.

Practical reasons could be why the friend was not invited for dinner. Perhaps the dinner was planned for four people, or the table was too small.

"No free lunches"

But if you dig a little deeper, the custom is about a strong focus on independence, as the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch. The meal is fundamentally something given as a gift to create alliances. Not feeding someone else’s child was a way not to put the other family in debt.

Long ago, there was something that might explain the Swedish coffee culture, according to Håkan Jönsson. Coffee has been offered for a long time, but a tradition of spontaneously eating dinners at someone else’s house has never existed. When cooked food was offered, it was under regulated circumstances.

“The origin of this is probably found in the storage culture. In the Nordic countries, it was necessary to produce food for twelve months within only four months, and then it was essential to keep a close eye on how the food was consumed,” says Håkan Jönsson.

Silent customs should be explained

If this hypothesis holds, the phenomenon of not inviting your child’s friend for dinner should exist in the other Nordic countries.

“It does, but now it was apparently time to be horrified over Sweden. It is also very convenient to criticize someone with such high self-esteem as Sweden has,” says Håkan Jönsson.

Customs often have more complicated explanations than Swedes being a bunch of stingy people. But that doesn’t stop many immigrant children from feeling they weren’t invited to eat because of their background.

“Obvious habits are rarely verbalized; you almost can’t. We need to get better at verbalizing silent customs – things we just do,” says Håkan Jönsson.

Who are immigrant children?

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 19:37:29 GMT

The story of immigrant kids

I recently came across a brilliant reel that says, "We're not just immigrant kids, we're also calling assistants, trades apprentices, translators, landscapers, furniture movers, financial advisors, technology experts, winemakers."

The comment section did not disappoint either.

One person wrote, "Me on the phone with the immigration lawyers at the age of 9. My dad: 'What do you mean you don't understand? What do they teach you in school?'"

Another person shared, "I'll never forget getting yelled at for not knowing how to do my parent's taxes at 13. I was in shambles."

A third person wrote, "This is why we're so great at adulting. We've been adults since we learned to read." And another added, "This whole comment section just triggered me, because why were we doing our parent's taxes, being everyone's translator, emotional mediator, and IT personnel at 10 y/o? Being parentified but also being treated like a child was a wild ride bro. I was burnt out by the time I moved out, and I rarely visit anymore."

There are more than 3,200 comments on that reel, showing how many people found themselves in the content. One person wrote, "Is there a children of immigrant parents support group lol there has to be!!!!"

I find these comments touching and sufficient; I even wanted to leave the blog only with these lines, as they are, in a way, sufficient. But I want to round it up and see why it can be good to be a child of immigrants, backed up by some research, and explore the difference between immigrant children and Third Culture Kids.

Immigrant children grow up in a culture different from their parents' homeland. This duality can be both enriching and challenging. On one hand, they have the advantage of experiencing multiple cultures, which can make them more adaptable and open-minded. On the other hand, they may struggle with a sense of belonging, feeling caught between two worlds.

This duality is a common theme among immigrant children. They often feel the pressure to fit in with their peers while honoring their family's cultural heritage.

The term "immigrant children" encompasses a wide range of experiences. Some may have been born in their parents' home country and moved at a young age, while others are born in the new country but raised with strong ties to their heritage. Regardless of their specific circumstances, these children share the experience of navigating multiple cultural landscapes.

In the 21st century, the movement of people across borders is more common than ever. This means that many children grow up with a foot in two (or more) cultures. They might speak multiple languages, celebrate different holidays, and have a broader worldview.

It can also be challenging. Immigrant children may face identity crises, feeling like they don't fully belong to either culture. They might struggle with language barriers, discrimination, or the pressure to assimilate. These challenges can shape their experiences and influence their sense of self. *

The experiences of immigrant children are diverse and multifaceted. Their journeys may be challenging, but they also offer opportunities for growth, understanding, and connection.

Research shows that children of immigrants often surpass their parents and move up the economic ladder. **

They tend to have a strong work ethic, resilience, and adaptability, which are valuable traits in today's globalized world. Being bilingual or multilingual is another significant advantage, opening up more opportunities in education and the job market.***

I recently wrote about Third Culture Kids (TCKs), and you can read that specific blog post as well. Just in short:

Difference between immigrant children and third culture kids

Immigrant children :

- Typically move from one country to another permanently

- Focus on integrating into a single new culture

- Feel torn between their native and new cultures

Third culture kids (TCKs) :

- Often move multiple times across different countries

- Integrate aspects of multiple cultures into their identity

- Feel a sense of belonging with other TCKs who share similar experiences

Immigrant children are more culturally adept and possess a wealth of interpersonal skills.

They are often more empathetic, adaptable, and globally aware.

The challenges that they face can become their greatest strengths, illuminating their paths and enriching their lives.

As the poet Rumi beautifully said, "The wound is the place where the Light enters you."

* https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-hidden-stress-of-growing-up-a-child-of-immigrants-v26n3/

**https://time.com/6182715/immigrants-children-us-mobility/

***https://www.elitedaily.com/life/culture/four-benefits-raised-immigrant-parents/734616

Sweden in December

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:25:08 GMT

A timeline of everything traditional that happens in Sweden during December

December in Sweden is filled with many traditions:

December 13: Lucia Day

Lucia Day, or St. Lucia's Day, is celebrated on December 13th and marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Sweden.

This day honors St. Lucia, a Christian martyr who symbolizes light.

The celebration involves a procession led by a girl dressed as Lucia, wearing a white gown and a crown of candles symbolizing the arrival of light during the dark winter period.

She is followed by attendants, also in white, singing traditional songs.

The atmosphere is serene and filled with the scent of saffron buns (lussekatter) and ginger biscuits.

Advent Sundays

The four Sundays leading up to Christmas are known as Advent Sundays.

Each Sunday, a new candle is lit on the Advent wreath, symbolizing the countdown to Christmas. Everyone gather to enjoy fika (a coffee break with sweet treats), often featuring lussekatter and gingerbread cookies.

Time for cozy gatherings and preparing for the festive season.

December 24: Julafton (Christmas Eve)

Christmas Eve, or Julafton, is the main day of celebration in Sweden.

The day starts with families gathering to watch the traditional Disney Christmas special, "Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul" (Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas), which has been a beloved tradition since 1959.

After the show (or before the show), the festive meal, known as Julbord, is served.

This buffet includes a variety of dishes such as Christmas ham, meatballs, pickled herring, and Janssons frestelse (a creamy potato and anchovy casserole).

The evening concludes with the arrival of Jultomten (Santa Claus), who delivers gifts to children.

December 25: Christmas Day

While Christmas Eve is the main event, Christmas Day is a more relaxed affair. Families often spend the day enjoying leftovers from the Julbord, playing games, and spending quality time together. It's a day of rest after the excitement of Julafton.

December 31: New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve, or Nyårsafton, is celebrated with friends rather than family.

The evening typically begins with a special meal, often featuring luxurious dishes like lobster and champagne.

As midnight approaches, people gather to watch fireworks and ring in the New Year.

One unique Swedish tradition is watching "Grevinnan och betjänten" (Dinner for One), a short comedy sketch that has been broadcast on Swedish television every New Year's Eve since 1980.

Beyond food and celebration traditions, there are notable differences in decorating styles.

Candles and light decorations are a big part of Swedish Christmas tradition because, in the Stockholm area, there are only five to six hours of daylight during the winter months, unlike the summer months when there are up to 18 hours of daylight.

It is common to use a lot of lights and lamps, especially on windows. Window lights, light garlands, and Christmas lights create a warm and bright atmosphere. All those window lights and fairy lights that illuminate Sweden during these dark winter months create a fairy-tale atmosphere.

The Swedish Christmas interior has won me over with its minimalist charm and natural materials.

Decorations use materials such as wood and linen, and the colors are more subtle and neutral.

Interestingly, in Sweden, gifts are opened on Julafton, Christmas Eve, December 24th. This is the day when families gather and people congratulate each other.

Swedish celebrations are subtly toned and typically Scandinavian. If you're hoping to celebrate New Year's Eve in grand style on the streets of Stockholm, you might be a bit disappointed. There are no bands or loud music, just a simple yet beautiful firework display at midnight.

It's a more quiet, reflective way to welcome the New Year, perfectly in line with the simplicity that defines Swedish culture.

Does language change who we are?

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 10:46:27 GMT

Cultural frame switching: How different languages bring out different sides of us

Recently, I conducted an Instagram poll asking a simple (or not so simple) question:

Does speaking different languages mean having different personalities?

89% of respondents said yes .

Those who agreed tried to explain how their personalities shift.

Here are some of their responses:

“I am way more careful because of how they will be perceived…”

“In Swedish, I’m way more cool. Like, I don’t care how people see me. In French, I choose my words.”

“In English, I’m less sensitive. I can easily say ‘I love you’ but never ‘Je t’aime.’”

"Jag är dum på svenska!” (I’m stupid in Swedish.)

“100% fördomor och inget annat? (100% prejudices, nothing else?)

“I can distance myself more when I speak English. Therefore, it is easier to talk about deep/personal topics.”

“I lose part of my personality.”

“It’s about sense of humor! I can be a lot more witty in my own language.”

“I don’t know about myself, but my former boss could speak Italian, English, German, French, Spanish, Croatian and was a completely different person with each language. Her whole body language would change, like she was a split personality, unbelievable.”

“I am way more flamboyant when I’m speaking Spanish! And more demure in French! :)”

“I guess it’s like acting. Now I’m a German dictator, or American drama queen, or Esmeralda.”

These insights were incredibly valuable to me. I could particularly relate to the person who said, “Jag är dum på svenska!” because that’s exactly how I felt until I reached a certain level of language mastery. For a long time, I felt like a six-year-old adult retelling a movie way too long.

Once on a bus ride from the Croatian south coast to the north, I met Julia, an Italian who spoke German and English too.

As we chatted, her phone kept ringing, and I witnessed something amazing.

First, she spoke in Italian—full of passion and hand gestures, like a scene from an Italian drama.

Then, she switched to German, becoming all serious and precise, like a strict schoolteacher.

Finally, she answered in English, sounding relaxed and witty, as if she were chatting at a casual coffee shop.

It was like watching a one-woman show, with Julia transforming into different characters with each language. By the end of the trip, I felt like I had traveled through three countries without leaving my seat. A fun reminder of how language can bring out different sides of our personalities.

The science behind language and personality shifts

The idea that our personalities shift with the languages we speak is not just anecdotal; it’s backed by scientific research. Studies have shown that bilinguals often feel and behave differently depending on the language they are speaking.

This phenomenon is known as cultural frame switching .

For instance, a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that bilingual Hispanic women categorized themselves as more assertive, self-sufficient, and extroverted when speaking Spanish compared to English. This suggests that language can act as a cue that activates different culture-specific frames.

Linguistic relativity :

The theory of linguistic relativity, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, suggests that the structure of a language affects its speakers’ worldview and cognition. This means that the language you speak can influence how you think and perceive the world.

Emotional Distance :

Research has shown that people tend to make more rational and utilitarian decisions when using their second language because it has less emotional impact and requires more cognitive effort.

Humor and wit :

Many people find that their sense of humor and wit are more pronounced in their native language. This is likely because humor often relies on cultural nuances and linguistic subtleties that are easier to grasp in one’s first language.

So, yes, the way we express ourselves can indeed change with the language we use.

Whether it’s being more careful, cool, sensitive, or witty, our personalities are fluid and adaptable.

Isn't this interplay between language and personality fascinating?

So, next time you switch languages, pay attention to how your personality shifts.

You might discover a new facet of yourself that you never knew existed. :)

Lera Boroditsky, TED Talk on how language shapes the way we think.

Veritasium, “How speaking a different language changes the way we think.”

Stockholm University, “Hej, hello, hola: Does your personality change when you speak another language?”

When cultures collide

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 17:33:06 GMT

Kulturcrockar 101: A guide to cultural clashes in Sweden

The subtitle “Kulturkrockar 101: A guide to cultural clashes in Sweden” might seem a bit ambitious. There’s so much to say about cultural clashes that it could fill an entire book,

In this blog post, I’ll share some personal experiences of kulturkrockar that I’ve encountered in Sweden.

A kulturkrock is a cultural clash.

It’s what happens when people from different cultures meet and their different ways of thinking, behaving, or communicating cause misunderstandings or conflicts.

For example, if someone from a culture that values punctuality meets someone from a culture where being late is normal, they might experience a kulturkrock.

Direct communication vs. indirect communication

Swedes are known for their direct and straightforward communication style. They value honesty and clarity, often getting straight to the point without much small talk.

Potential clash : Individuals from cultures where indirect communication is the norm might find this approach blunt or even rude. On the other hand, Swedes might perceive indirect communication as evasive or unclear.

When I first came to Sweden and started my job, I noticed that all the emails began with a simple “hej” and got straight to the point. This was a stark contrast to my previous job at a Croatian ministry, where emails were very formal. They always started with long introductions, asking how I was and setting the context before getting to the main point.

Initially, I felt disrespected by the Swedish approach. It seemed too abrupt and impersonal compared to the personal, detailed emails I was used to. My partner and some books helped me understand that this directness is a cultural norm in Sweden. Swedes value efficiency and clarity and that is reflected in their communication style.

Even though I understood the reason behind it, the feelings of discomfort lingered. This experience alone showed me how deeply ingrained our cultural habits are and how they shape our perceptions and reactions.

Social interactions and personal space

Social interactions in Sweden are often reserved, and it’s common to maintain a certain physical distance during conversations.

Potential clash : People from cultures with more tactile or close-knit social norms might find Swedish interactions distant or cold. Swedes might feel uncomfortable with what they perceive as overly familiar or intrusive behavior.

Coming from Croatia, I’m used to a culture where people often dive into intimate questions very quickly. It’s common to ask about family, personal life, and even opinions on sensitive topics like religion and politics early in a conversation. While I’m not a big fan of this myself, it’s a norm I’m familiar with.

In Sweden, however, interactions often feel more like formal meetings. Conversations tend to stay on the surface, avoiding uncharted territories like religion, politics, and intimate life. These topics are generally considered private and are better left untouched in casual or professional settings.

This difference can feel quite stark. For example, when I first started interacting with Swedes, I noticed that conversations rarely went beyond safe topics like the weather, work, or general interests.

It felt a bit distant and impersonal compared to what I was used to.

We can talk about more examples of cultural clashes, like:

Hierarchy vs. equality in the workplace
Approach to time and scheduling
Gift-giving etiquette
Approach to conflict and disagreement

....and many, many more.

I just wanted to scratch the surface and showcase how deeply our culture is ingrained in us, often stirring our emotions and reactions whether we realize it or not.

Understanding these cultural codes and values helps us navigate interactions more smoothly and avoid misunderstandings.

By learning about other cultures, we can build more respectful and meaningful relationships, appreciating the diversity that makes our world sometimes confusing, but at the end of the day rich and interesting.

Yes, cultural differences can be challenging, but understanding them is the first step towards bridging the gap.

Why boating is affordable in Sweden

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 19:55:01 GMT

Here, you can s ail away without breaking the bank.

When people think of Sweden, perhaps images of Vikings, forests, and minimalist design come to mind.

But there’s more: Swedes adore boats.

The numbers speak volumes: Sweden has over 800,000 registered leisure boats, from sailboats to kayaks. And they don´t need to be registered. There are over a 1000 boating clubs along the coastlines, lake shores, and riverbanks, many of them founded more than a hundred years ago.

During my first summer in Stockholm, I was really surprised: it seemed to me that the whole city had moved to the water, including my sambo. I thought to myself: boating is woven into their DNA. And, given their viking heritage, maybe it is. More important, though, is that owning a boat is not a luxury reserved for the wealthy elite.

In Sweden, boating is accessible to all.

The price tag isn’t astronomical

Sure, you can find luxurious yachts and mega cruisers, but that’s not the whole story. Here, boats come in all shapes and sizes, catering to various budgets. Whether you’re eyeing a classic wooden sailboat or a practical motorboat, there’s something for everyone. The secondhand market is your treasure trove—well-maintained boats at reasonable prices.

Non-profit boating clubs: community matters

Non-profit boating clubs in Sweden are not after big profits; they thrive on camaraderie and shared love for the water. The non-profit scene in general is huge and important in Sweden, but that, my friends, is a whole different post.

Here’s how they make boating accessible:

Community spirit: It’s more than owning a boat—it’s about belonging to a community that celebrates wind, waves, and water. Members chat, swap stories, and lend a hand with boat maintenance.

Docks and mooring areas:

Many clubs manage their own docks or mooring spots. Joining means easy access to these facilities. Docking your boat without hefty marina fees—that’s the magic of community-driven spaces.

Lower fees:

Non-profit clubs keep costs reasonable. They’re not chasing profits, so your membership dues won’t break the bank. Instead, they invest in safety courses, social gatherings, and shared resources. What you as a member need to do is help out with whatever needs to be done: painting the club house, being on the board, doing night watch, workong out on the club island. etc. Yes - many clubs actually own islands in lakes or the sea accessible to their members.

Sweden’s boating culture reflects its core values: community, resourcefulness, and togetherness.

And the heartwarming part for my slavic soul: everyone waves.

Whether you’re in a kayak, a sailboat, or a motorboat, when eyes meet across the waves, hands lift in greeting.

They say it’s universal, this silent hello. But in Sweden, it feels like a secret language and makes a cold Baltic sea a little warmer.

Religion in modern Sweden

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:04:11 GMT

Tradition, diversity, and freedom

When I told my Swedish sambo that I was going to write about religion in Sweden, he said, “Well, that won’t be a long post!”

It is true that Sweden today is more of a secular society than a spiritual one. Still, most children are baptised (with a small family party afterwards), most weddings are celebrated in churches and most funerals take place either in a church or in a funeral home with religious services.

Here's a brief overview of religion in Sweden today:

Not a state church

The Church of Sweden (Svenska kyrkan) is Evangelical Lutheran and headquartered in Uppsala, a city that has been a religious hub since the Middle Ages.

Since 2000, the Church of Sweden has been separated from the state, meaning Sweden no longer has an official state church.

Around 52% of Swedes are members of the Church of Sweden. However, membership has been declining as younger Swedes are not replacing older members. Surveys also show that fewer Swedes attend religious services regularly.

The traditional role of religion

In Sweden, religion often shows up during traditional rituals like christenings, weddings, and funerals. Cultural traditions such as Lucia also include church services and hymn singing. The calendar is dotted with Christian holidays, though many Swedes celebrate them without attending church.

Other big religions in Sweden

While the Church of Sweden’s membership is declining, other religions are growing. Islam and Judaism have notable communities, and there are also smaller groups of Buddhists, Hindus, and other faiths. (sweden.se)

Judaism and Islam in Sweden

Judaism and Islam have established communities in Sweden. The Jewish community has a long history, while the Muslim population has grown significantly in recent decades due to immigration.

Church finances and faith support

The Church of Sweden is funded through a church tax paid by its members. This tax supports various church activities and maintenance of church buildings. Other religious communities also receive some state support.

The Church of Sweden and equality

The Church of Sweden is known for its progressive stance on equality, including gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. It was one of the first churches to allow female priests and to bless same-sex marriages.

Religious freedom in Sweden

Sweden is a country that values religious freedom. Since 1951, freedom of religion has been enshrined in Swedish law. Studies show that a strong majority of Swedes believe everyone should have the right to practice their religion freely. (https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/swedish-culture/swedish-culture-religion)

Secular Swedes

Sweden is highly secular, with many Swedes identifying as non-religious. Despite this, there is a strong belief in the right to religious freedom, reflecting the country’s commitment to individual rights and freedoms.

Even as Sweden becomes more secular, the moral framework established by the Church of Sweden continues to influence societal norms.

One of the key areas where the Church of Sweden’s morals are evident is in the strong emphasis on social welfare and equality. These values align with the principles of the Swedish welfare state, which prioritize social equality, comprehensive healthcare, and education for all. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12134-023-01053-5)

Concepts such as “lagom” (moderation) and “jämställdhet” (equality) are deeply ingrained in the Swedish psyche.

To promote a balanced, fair, and just society is to echo the ethical teachings of the church.

Sweden is a unique blend of secularism and moral tradition.

Hungry for culture

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 16:58:21 GMT

Why is culture so much more expensive in Sweden?

I remember one weekend in Sofia, Bulgaria.

On Saturday morning, I wandered through a guest exhibition of Auguste Rodin.

The afternoon was spent in an art cinema, where they screened Fellini films. (for free!)

That evening, I went to a concert of the Buena Vista Social Club.

The next day, after a late lunch with friends, we spontaneously ended up at a comedy show in a local theater.

It was Sunday, and I remember seeing elegantly dressed pensioners strolling through the city streets, heading to restaurants either before or after their theater visits. These weren’t fast-food joints but 24-hour restaurants where you could enjoy a multi-course meal at two in the morning, starting with a soup. These places were always bustling with people.

Despite Bulgaria not being a wealthy country, none of these cultural events felt extravagant or out of reach, even on my modest university salary.

This accessibility to culture wasn’t or isn't unique to Bulgaria.

I experienced similar things in Croatia and Serbia.

In Belgrade, two chairs were magically produced for a friend and me at a sold-out theater play by Tena Štivičić, which we decided to see on a whim.

On the Croatian coast, my Swedish partner and I went to see an Israeli film. The subtitles were in Croatian, and when the ticket seller overheard us debating whether my partner should go in, he simply waved us in without a ticket.

In Greece, I walked Aristotle’s paths at Aristotle’s School for free with my student card, but even without it, the entry was cheap. The Byzantine Museum and Greek National Opera also offered free entrance for everyone.

Even in Germany, culture felt accessible.

But not in Scandinavia.

In Sweden, I do go to the movies and occasionally to a theater or a show.

I haven’t been to the opera yet.

It feels like this kind of culture is reserved for a select few, and the prices confirm that. While there are occasional free cultural events, they only seem to highlight the disparity. There are no pensioners regularly attending theaters or operas unless they have significant financial backing, often linked to high-status jobs.

Growing up in Croatia, going to theaters and operas with school was a regular part of my education.

I guess that this early and regular exposure to culture created an appreciation and hunger for it.

When I’m back in Croatia, I maniacally visit every cultural event I can, trying to satisfy this hunger.

So, why is culture so much more expensive in Sweden?

Sweden has one of the highest costs of living globally, driven by high wages, strong social welfare systems, and high taxes. These factors make goods and services, including cultural activities, more expensive.

Culture is not heavily subsidies by the goverment.

I believe that art is a necessity: to have a shared space for people to experience stories and performances together has important social purposes.

Sweden offers a high-quality cultural experience but it comes at a price that makes it less accessible to the general population. This creates a cultural divide, where only certain people can regularly afford it.

Me don't like it. ;)

The tourist and the fisherman: A tale of two worlds

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 13:42:33 GMT

"And then?"

The first time I heard this story, it was about a Greek fisherman and a German businessman.

Afterwards I heard many versions, so it's hard to say which is the original story. Perhaps the one by Heinrich Böll published in 1963 and translated as "Anecdote Concerning the Lowering of Productivity" (or Anecdote on Lowering the Work Ethic” (Wikipedia).

Here is Böll's story:

***

In a port on the western coast of Europe, a man wearing shabby clothes lies in his fishing boat and dozes in the sunshine. A smartly dressed tourist takes pictures of the idyllic scene. The tourist is concerned about the welfare of the man in shabby clothes.

Tourist: “You won’t put to sea today? Do you not feel well?”

Fisherman: “I feel splendid. I’ve never felt better.”

Tourist: “But why, then, do you not put to sea?”

Fisherman: “Because I already put to sea this morning.”

Tourist: “Did you make a good catch?”

Fisherman: “My catch was so good that I need not put to sea for a second time. I had four lobsters in my baskets and caught nearly two dozen mackerel. I even have enough for tomorrow and the day after.”

Tourist: “I do not want to meddle in your personal affairs, but just imagine you put to sea today for a second, a third, or perhaps even a fourth time—and you catch three, four, five, maybe even ten dozen mackerel. Just imagine that!”

Fisherman: “And then?”

Tourist: “You put to sea not only today but tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, indeed, on every favorable day two, three, or perhaps four times.”

Fisherman: “And then?”

Tourist: “In one year at the latest you would be able to buy a motor, in two years a second boat, in three or four years you may have a small trawler—with two boats or the trawler you would catch a lot more. One day, you would have two trawlers.”

Fisherman: “And then?”

Tourist: “You would build a small cold store, perhaps a smoke-house, soon afterwards a marinating factory, fly around with your own helicopter, making out the shoals of fish and giving orders to your trawlers.”

Fisherman: “And then?”

Tourist: “You could buy the fishing rights for salmon, open a fish restaurant, export lobster directly to Paris without a middleman, and then…”

Fisherman: “And then?”

Tourist: “Then you may relax here in the harbor with your mind set at ease, doze in the sunshine, and look out on the magnificent sea.”

Fisherman: “But, that is what I am doing now. I relax here in the harbor with my mind set at ease, doze in the sunshine, and look out on the magnificent sea.”

The tourist became thoughtful and went away, for he used to think he worked in order that, one day, he need not work any more—and there remained in him not a trace of pity for the fisherman in shabby clothes, only a little envy.

***

This story, whether set in Greece, Croatia, or any other coastal region, highlights the contrasting approaches to life and work between the North and the South.

In the North, there is often a focus on productivity, efficiency, and long-term planning. The mentality is shaped by a climate that demands preparation and resilience. Work is seen as a means to an end, with the end being a secure and comfortable future.

In the South, life tends to be more relaxed and centered around the present. The warmer climate and abundant natural resources allow for a lifestyle that prioritizes enjoyment and community. Work is integrated into daily life, but it doesn’t dominate it. The emphasis is on balance and savoring the moment.

These cultural differences are not just about geography but also about historical and social development. Northern regions, with their harsher climates, developed a culture of hard work and foresight. Southern regions, blessed with milder weather, fostered a culture of leisure and immediate gratification.

Every morning during my stay on the Croatian coast, I found myself drawn to the sight of a fisherman. He would set out early, his small boat bobbing gently on the waves, and return with his catch just as the sun began to warm the shore.

Watching the fisherman each morning, I couldn’t help but reflect on these differences. His contentment with his simple routine was a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life that many of us are accustomed to. It made me question the true meaning of success and happiness.

The story of the tourist and the fisherman is a gentle reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to life. It encourages us to find our own balance between ambition and contentment, work and leisure. Whether we are from the North or the South, the key is to understand what truly brings us joy and fulfillment.

( This version of the story is paraphrased and lightly edited from Hansjörg Bittner’s translation of “Anekdote zur Senkung der Arbeitsmoral” by Heinrich Böll; from the And then? Short Story of the Tourist and the Fisherman | Sloww )

Swedish summer

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:55:37 GMT

Best things to do in Sweden in summer

"I love Swedish summer, all three days of it!"

Jokes aside, while they may not be known for a tropical climate, Swedish summers are truly special. Sure, the weather can be a bit moody—some rain here, a little wind there—but that's just part of the charm.

And yes, many of Swedes do jet off to guaranteed sunnier spots for their holidays.

Summer in Sweden typically runs from June to August, with temperatures ranging from a comfortable 15°C to a warm 30°C. July is when the cities quiet down; everyone's either on vacation or enjoying the tranquility. It's the perfect time for visitors who prefer a slower pace.

(But if you have planned to get anything meaningful done in July, plan again. ;)

Remember, life picks back up in August, just in time for the new school year.

So, what to do in summer in Sweden?

Join the Midsummer Party

Midsummer is a big deal in Sweden. It’s all about dancing, singing, and eating under the sun that barely sets. Picture lots of flowers, happy music, and tasty picnics. It happens around June 23, and it’s the perfect time to feel the Swedish summer spirit.

Take a swim in nature

Sweden’s got tons of lakes and a long coastline, so finding a spot to swim is easy. Chilling by the water, surrounded by forests—it’s super peaceful. In Stockholm? Island-hop and swim in the wild!

Chill at outdoor cafés

Summer’s when Swedish cities get really relaxed because many locals are away. Enjoy ‘fika’—coffee and a cinnamon bun—outside and watch the world go by.

Beach time

Yes, Sweden has beaches! The best ones are down south, with white sands and clear waters, many hidden gems with beach huts and pine trees.

Get moving

Love the water? Try kayaking or sailing. Thanks to ‘allemansrätten’, you can freely enjoy these activities.

Prefer land? Go for a hike. There’s the famous King’s Trail in the north for the adventurous, or the Gotaleden trail near Gothenburg for a mix of nature and towns.

Biking is another great option, especially in eco-friendly cities like Gothenburg.

Take it easy on a boat

Just want to chill? A boat trip is perfect. Check out the Stockholm archipelago or Gothenburg’s two archipelagos. The Göta canal offers a historic ride through beautiful scenery. Or, go big with a Baltic cruise to Estonia and Finland!

And when it comes to beloved Swedish summer traditions, if you miss National Day on June 6th or Midsummer celebration you can still enjoy the crayfish premiere (the crayfish party season traditionally began on the first Wednesday of August) or the day of the Swedish meatballs (Köttbullens dag) on August 28th.

So, whether you're here for the festivities or the peaceful days, välkommen to summertime Sweden!

Nordic noir reading list

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 15:03:23 GMT

Immerse yourself in the enigma of Nordic noir

Now, confession time: Nordic Noir isn’t exactly my literary comfort zone. While some sip their coffee and dive into twisted murder mysteries, I prefer the cozy embrace of good old British comfort crime. Give me an idyllic English village, a nosy amateur detective, and a cup of Earl Grey any day.

After reading Scandinavian crime stories, I find myself pondering life’s mysteries – not in a morbid way, mind you :). The intricate plots, the bleak landscapes, and the brooding detectives make me question existence. But fear not, dear reader, I won’t be leaping off any fjords anytime soon.

So, w hat is Nordic noir?

Nordic noir, also known as Scandinavian or Scandi Noir, is a genre of crime fiction set in the frosty landscapes of the Nordic countries. Dark narratives, murky settings, and troubled protagonists – it’s like stepping into a snow-covered labyrinth of secrets.

Nordic noir often uses plain language, avoiding metaphor, and it's typically set in bleak landscapes. This results in a dark and morally complex mood, a tension between the apparently still social surface and the patterns of murder, misogony, rape, an racism.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it? :)

Here is the list, so give it a try.

Where to start? Try Norway's Jo Nesbo, Sweden's Stieg Larsson and Denmark's Anders Bodelsen.

The New York Times’ Guide

All credit goes to The New York Times for their article on Nordic Noir by Marilyn Stasio.

She compiled an extensive list of recommended books with the words: "If you’re looking for a dark, chilly read, pluck one from this list.":

Denmark

Jussi Adler-Olsen
One of Denmark’s most popular crime authors, Adler-Olsen brings great inventiveness to the depiction of sadistic brutality in his disturbing Department Q novels.
Must Read “The Absent One”

Sara Blaedel
Her best-known series is about a Danish homicide detective, Louise Rick (a housebroken Lisbeth Salander), who often takes up the cause of marginalized women in her cases.
Must Read “The Midnight Witness”

Leif Davidsen
The foreign correspondent’s trenchant novels offer an intrigue-filled look at European politics.
Must Read “The Russian Singer”

Soren and Lotte Hammer
This brother-and-sister writing team delivers a solid series about the melancholy homicide chief at the Copenhagen Police Department.
Must Read “The Vanished”

Peter Hoeg
It wasn’t Stieg Larsson who sparked Americans’ current love affair with Nordic crime novels. It was Hoeg, whose Greenland-set crime thriller “Smilla’s Sense of Snow” became a surprise best seller when it was translated into English in 1993.
Must Read “Smilla’s Sense of Snow”

Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis
Their disturbing novels, all exposés of social injustice, are led by the righteous Red Cross nurse Nina Borg.
Must Read “The Boy in the Suitcase”

Soren Sveistrup
Sveistrup, the creator of the Danish crime show “The Killing,” has written only one book, a graphic, gruesome police procedural about a body-part-collecting serial killer.
Must Read “The Chestnut Man”

Finland

Kati Hiekkapelto
Her novels are a bracing mix of crime and social commentary, but what sets Hiekkapelto apart are her narratives, a dizzying blend of twists, switchbacks and turns.
Must Read “The Defenceless”

Matti Joensuu
Joensuu, a Finnish cop, wrote beloved, fantasy-laced books starring Detective Sgt. Timo Harjunpaa of the Helsinki Police Department’s violent crimes unit.
Must Read “The Priest of Evil”

Leena Lehtolainen
In Lehtolainen’s edgy series, the personal life of cop-turned-lawyer Maria Kallio keeps interfering with the crimes she’s trying to solve.
Must Read “Copper Heart”

Jarkko Sipila
Not many volumes of Sipila’s biting, dry Helsinki Homicide series have been translated into English, but the ones that have are excellent.
Must Read “Against the Wall”

Antti Tuomainen
You don’t expect to laugh when you’re reading about terrible crimes, but that’s what you’ll do when you pick up one of Tuomainen’s decidedly quirky thrillers.
Must Read “The Man Who Died”

Iceland

Viktor Ingolfsson
In his best books, set in remote parts of Iceland, Ingolfsson weaves in strands of history, folklore and sociology; you’ll learn how to collect eiderdown from duck nests and gather kittiwake eggs.
Must Read “The Flatey Enigma”

Steinar Bragi
Bragi’s psychological thrillers, tinged with an almost Lovecraftian sense of horror, are as much about the ills of contemporary society as they are about individual crimes.
Must Read “The Ice Lands”

Arnaldur Indridason
Loss and abandonment bedevil Indridason’s detective, Erlendur Sveinsson, who is haunted by the childhood disappearance of his younger brother in a snowstorm.
Must Read “Arctic Chill”

Ragnar Jonasson
Although he specializes in classically crafted whodunits, Jonasson has a gift for describing his starkly beautiful Icelandic settings.
Must Read “Snowblind”

Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Like many of her fellow Scandinavian writers, Sigurdardottir has created a memorably depressed police detective.
Must Read “The Day Is Dark”

Norway

Samuel Bjork
Books by Bjork — the pen name of the Norwegian novelist, playwright and singer-songwriter Frode Sander Oien — check all the Scandinavian noir boxes. The real pleasure comes from deciphering their plots, which are as deviously tricky as a 500-piece puzzle.
Must Read “I’m Traveling Alone”

Thomas Enger
In his series, Enger follows the high-octane exploits of an investigative journalist named Henning Juul, who gets involved in some of the best chase scenes ever written.
Must Read “Burned”

Karin Fossum
Fossum writes suspense novels on abnormal-psychology themes, but in a perversely delicate style that brings Ruth Rendell to mind.
Must Read “Black Seconds”

Anne Holt
This author and former minister of justice — best known for procedurals that are written with an easy, unforced style — has created one of the genre’s most memorable detectives, a prickly police officer named Hanne Willhelmsen.
Must Read “1222”

Jorn Lier Horst
Horst, a former Norwegian police detective, is often compared to Sweden’s Henning Mankell for his moody, sweeping crime dramas.
Must Read “Closed for Winter”

Jo Nesbo
The best-known novels from this Norwegian rock star-turned-crime writer feature Harry Hole, a macho homicide cop in perennial pursuit of foaming-at-the-mouth psychopaths.
Must Read “The Redbreast”

Pernille Rygg
In Rygg’s atmospheric yet delightfully offbeat thrillers, a young scientist becomes an amateur sleuth after the unexpected death of her father.
Must Read “The Butterfly Effect”

Gunnar Staalesen
Staalesen isn’t very well known in this country, which is a shame, since his series, starring the hard-boiled Bergen detective Varg Veum (whose name in Old Norse means “the outlaw”), is as searing and gripping as they come.
Must Read “Wolves at the Door”

Sweden

Karin Alvtegen
A personal tragedy led Alvtegen — the great-niece of Astrid Lindgren, of “Pippi Longstocking” fame — to pick up a pen for the first time. (“Finding the ability to write felt similar to have suddenly discovered a secret room in which I had never been before,” she has said.)
Must Read “Missing”

Arne Dahl
Jan Arnald, a Swedish literary critic and novelist, writes the grisly but blackly comic Intercrime novels — about a team of Swedish investigators — under the name Arne Dahl. Must Read “Misterioso”

M.T. Edvardsson
Best known as a Y.A. author in Sweden, Edvardsson has had only one book translated into English: “A Nearly Normal Family,” the story of an 18-year-old girl who’s been accused of murder.
Must Read “A Nearly Normal Family”

Kerstin Ekman
In Ekman’s powerful, evocative novels, the brooding landscapes become characters in their own right.
Must Read “Blackwater”

Kjell Eriksson
While Scandinavian thriller writers are famously unemotional, Eriksson’s police procedurals demonstrate extraordinary compassion for those caught up in serious crimes.
Must Read “The Cruel Stars of the Night”

Camilla Grebe
Though she sometimes teams up with her sister Asa Traff to write novels, Grebe’s best books — the slow-burn ones starring the profiler Hanne Lagerlind-Schon — are her own.
Must Read “After She’s Gone”

Lars Kepler
The husband-and-wife team behind Kepler — Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril and Alexander Ahndoril — has a taste for the macabre and a surefire recipe for the lurid serial-killer thriller.
Must Read “The Sandman”

Jens Lapidus
His Stockholm Trilogy is a good old-fashioned gangster story about the godfathers of Sweden’s criminal underworld.
Must Read “Easy Money”

Stieg Larsson
He revived the craze for Scandinavian mystery with “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” and his political paranoia and sadomasochistic sensibilities continue to influence the genre.
Must Read “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”

The Zlatan Paradox

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 09:53:23 GMT

Zlatan Ibrahimović is a fascinating study of a man who defies cultural norms yet remains essentially Swedish.

When Zlatan Ibrahimović signed for LA Galaxy, he announced his arrival in a way only Zlatan could. He took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times, simply reading, "Los Angeles, You're welcome".

And after his iconic goal against LAFC, which won the 2018 MLS goal of the Year he declared: "I came, I saw, I conquered".

Both moves were very Zlatan-like, a reflection of his larger-than-life persona that many perceive as arrogance.

But let’s rewind a bit. Before Zlatan became the larger-than-life figure in LA, he had already left an indelible mark on the footballing world. From Malmö to Milan, from Barcelona to Paris, Zlatan’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

The Arrogance Debate

Zlatan’s perceived arrogance: some call it confidence; others label it hubris. But what sets him apart is his unwavering belief in his abilities. Zlatan doesn’t just think he’s good; he knows it. And that’s where the cultural clash begins.

Enter Jantelagen—the unwritten social code ingrained in Swedish culture. Jantelagen dictates that one should never consider themselves better than others, avoid standing out, and downplay individual achievements. It’s a collective mindset that values humility over self-promotion. But Zlatan? Well, he’s the antithesis of Jantelagen.

Zlatan vs. Jantelagen: A Clash of Titans

Zlatan’s defiance of Jantelagen is both fascinating and perplexing. How can a man with such outspoken nature, contrary to Jantelagen have such an appeal in Sweden? Swedes, by and large, value cooperation and a sense of belonging. So, a guy who boasts about his brilliance like Zlatan seems like a total mismatch, right?

I believe that the answer lies in his immigrant background.

Born to Bosnian and Croatian parents in Malmö, Zlatan grew up in the Rosengård neighborhood—a melting pot of cultures. His upbringing was far from conventional, and perhaps that’s why he never fully embraced Jantelagen. He didn’t fit the mold, and he didn’t care to. Zlatan’s identity transcended borders; he was a Swede, but he was also something more—a global citizen.

And Swedes admire Zlatan's exceptional talent and appreciate his authenticity, his unapologetic self.

He's on of their most decorated footballer, a national hero on the field. His raw ability and success on the global stage make them proud. There's a grudging respect, a sense of "well, he can back it up."

A new Swedishness

"Zlatan stands for a new Swedishness,” says Aftonbladet journalist Johanna Franden.

"There were many generations of immigrants before him, but he became the symbol for people with an immigrant background.

He represents a big group, who are raised in Sweden, who speak other languages than Swedish at home and who had problems identifying themselves with Sweden prior to Zlatan’s breakthrough. Zlatan, even though he was born in Sweden, has become the immigration story in Sweden; his success, personality and charisma have made him the symbol for many things in Swedish society."

In a country where the collective rules: both in football and in society, Zlatan has fundamentally affected both his people and his sport.

Another Swedish football player, Henok Goitom, says: "Before, the collective was the most important thing and you couldn't take a big space (individually); if you did so, you could be seen as a problematic person.”

"Instead of helping kids with big personalities who walked their own way, it was easier to get rid of that kind of person. Zlatan changed this. Thanks to Zlatan it's much easier to make individualists a part of the collective and after Zlatan’s performances people with an immigrant background have had an easier way into the Swedish national team.”

Zlatan created a new way of being Swedish and gave people from an immigrant background a compelling reason to identify with Sweden.

And that is the most important thing Zlatan Ibrahimović will leave behind.

Who are Third Culture Kids?

Mon, 13 May 2024 06:37:25 GMT

"Third Culture Kids" are adaptable and understand different cultures well, but it can also be hard for them to feel like they truly belong anywhere.

Have you ever seen the movie "Call Me by Your Name"?

The main character, Elio Perlman, played by Timothée Chalamet, is a great example of someone called a "Third Culture Kid."

Third culture kids (TCKs) are people who grow up in a culture that's different from their parents' culture and the culture of their passport country.

Elio fits this perfectly. In the movie, he lives in Italy with his American father and Italian mother. He speaks English, French, and Italian fluently.

This mix of cultures can be amazing. TCKs often see the world from many different perspectives and can be really adaptable. But it can also be confusing. Elio sometimes feels like he doesn't quite belong anywhere. He switches between languages and cultures depending on who he's with, like trying on different hats; almost like having different personalities.

We see this in his relationship with Oliver, the American graduate student. Elio speaks English with him, but with his girlfriend Marzia, he speaks French and Italian. It's like he has different versions of himself for different people.

Even though "Call Me by Your Name" is about Elio's first love, a coming of age story, it also shows how his unique upbringing shapes who he is. As a Third Culture Kid, he's constantly searching for his place in the world, and that's a journey many Third Culture Kids can relate to.

The movie's director, Luca Guadagnino, might have had something to do with how Elio is portrayed. Guadagnino himself is a Third Culture Kid too. Just like Elio, Guadagnino moved around a lot as a kid, living in Ethiopia, Rome, Palermo, Milan, and even London.

Guadagnino explains that being a filmmaker is partly about understanding what shapes you as a person. He tries to imagine what it would have been like to experience his own childhood in all these different places, and that inspires the complex stories he tells.

If you ask any Third Culture Kid, they'll tell you that it's like having many different selves inside you. You learn to pick the one that best fits the situation, kind of like an actor playing a role. It's a way to connect with people, even if it feels a little fake sometimes.

In the 1950s, a sociologist named Ruth Useem came up with the term "Third Culture Kid" for kids who move around a lot overseas while growing up. These kids' parents might be diplomats, military, or work for other countries. They often go to international schools where they meet kids from all over the world. This creates a special kind of culture that mixes elements from many places.

"Third Culture Kids" are adaptable and understand different cultures well, but it can also be hard for them to feel like they truly belong anywhere. Their experiences are unique and can be hard for others to relate to, even though they feel comfortable connecting with almost everyone.

In her book "Sidewalks," Valeria Luiselli, who grew up moving around a lot with her diplomat parents, talks about the struggle of finding home. Even though she picks Mexico as her country, she admits it's more of a sarcastic choice than a real feeling of belonging. She admits she’s never felt true allegiance to anywhere she’s lived, and she just knows she'll keep roaming from place to place.

Writer Pico Iyer has spent a lifetime examining feelings of cultural crisscrossings.

In his book "The Global Soul" he explores the crisscrossings that take place within.

Unlike others who focus on the struggles of moving between cultures, Iyer found a sense of calm by accepting that "home" wasn't a place, but rather the things you love.

He explains, "Growing up with a mix of cultures, I realized I could define myself by what I cared about, not where I was born." While he might never fully belong to any one culture, this freedom allowed him to build his identity on his own terms. He describes it as both challenging and liberating. Without a clear-cut "home" based on location, he had to focus on his values, close relationships, and the things that truly mattered to him.

Some Third Culture Kids, like writer Pico Iyer, find peace by focusing on their personal passions and connections, realizing "home" isn't a place but a feeling built over time.

Others, like Barack Obama, embrace their ability to connect across cultures. Obama's memoir "Dream From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritence explores the challenges and freedom of belonging to many places, and ultimately finding a sense of belonging in the space between them.

This "in-between" space is where Third Culture Kids can truly shine. They can see the world from many angles, understand different cultures, and bridge divides. Leaders like Obama, with their mixed heritage and ability to consider multiple perspectives, show the strength that comes from this unique experience.

In a world that can be suspicious of globalism, Third Culture Kids show us the power of connection and understanding that comes from growing up between cultures.

The Silicon Valley of Europe?

Mon, 06 May 2024 08:29:05 GMT

"Den of innovation, startup capital of Europe, the home for impact startup investment...."

There are reasons why this Scandinavian nation is producing some world class companies.

Think of the tech you use daily and you'll see Sweden's fingerprints all over it. From music streaming giant Spotify to the communication app Skype, Swedish ingenuity made our lives easier.

Maybe you didn't you know but these everyday items also hail from Sweden:

The Tetra Pak cartons that hold your favorite juice box
The Bluetooth technology
The design of the Coca-Cola bottle
The zipper that keeps your jackets and bags closed
The life-saving three-point seatbelt
and the list goes on...

Spotify, Skype (acquired by Microsoft for $8.5 billion) and Klarna (recently valued at $46 billion) have emerged from Sweden. The country has the third highest startup rate in the world (20 startups per 1,000 employees) behind only Turkey and Spain. It also enjoys the highest three year survival rate for startups across the world (74%).

Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, is second only to Silicon Valley in terms of unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion) per capita (0.8 per 100,000 people compared to 1.4 in Silicon Valley).

( Equity Mates Media , 2021 )

What is behind Swedish innovation success?

One crucial element is the government's proactive approach to digital literacy.

In the late 1990s, a visionary policy aimed to equip a quarter of Swedish households with computers. This initiative, delivering over 850,000 computers, laid the foundation for a population comfortable with technology. This early exposure proved invaluable as the internet age dawned, creating a fertile ground for future generations of tech-savvy individuals.

Sweden recognized the critical role of infrastructure in fostering innovation. The government's strategic investment in nationwide broadband connectivity ensured the country was well-positioned for the rise of streaming services like Spotify. While competitors like Apple's iTunes relied on downloads, Sweden's robust internet infrastructure allowed Spotify to fully embrace the streaming model, ultimately propelling it to global dominance.

Some other factors that played a role:

Strategic Government Investment:

The Swedish government isn't just a passive donor. It strategically invests R&D funds in critical areas like bioscience, technology, and climate change, ensuring maximum impact.

A Collaborative Ecosystem:

Innovation agencies like Vinnova and The Knowledge Foundation play a crucial role. They fund research projects and foster collaboration between universities, businesses, and entrepreneurs, creating a fertile ground for ideas to flourish. As one successful tech company emerges, so too does a pool of experienced entrepreneurs and investors. These individuals then reinvest their time, talent, and capital into the next generation of startups, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation.

Thinking Outside the Box:

Sweden's vast size and relatively small population have fostered a "necessity breeds invention" mentality. People have had to find creative solutions to challenges, leading to innovations that benefit the global market.

Education: Seeding the Future:

Sweden's education system emphasizes critical thinking and innovation from a young age. This cultivates a population comfortable with new ideas and equipped to tackle challenges.

Beyond the tangible elements, Sweden's generous social safety net plays a significant role. This system allows aspiring entrepreneurs to take calculated risks without facing financial ruin. Knowing they have a safety net to fall back on, individuals are more likely to pursue innovative ideas and launch startups. This is great for fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit and a culture of calculated risk-taking.

Sweden's ascent to the top of the tech world is not a stroke of luck but rather the result of a well-orchestrated strategy and its success story offers valuable insights for other nations.

In short, Sweden has created an environment where ideas can flourish and entrepreneurs can thrive.

How to swear like a Swede

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 10:13:28 GMT

All you need to know

First of all, you don’t need to know much.

I grew up in the Balkans: we have countless different ways to curse a person’s mother, father and all the members in someone’s family. Colorful metaphors involving various body parts are practically a national pastime. So no wonder that I've always been fascinated by how cursing works in different cultures.

In Japanese, you can insult someone badly just by using an inappropriate form of ‘you’.

Bill Bryson’s book Mother Tongue has a chapter on swearing, in which he says: “Some cultures don’t swear at all ... The Finns, lacking the sort of words you need to describe your feelings when you stub your toe getting up to answer a phone at 2am, rather oddly adopted the word ‘ravintolassa’. It means ‘in the restaurant’.”

Make no mistake, Finns have rude words: like saatana (Satan), perkele (devil – converted from the name of a pre-Christian thunder god), and helvetti (Hell).

These are also the basic set for cursing in Swedish, Norwegian and Danish.

The term for female genitals is one of the rudest words available in all Scandinavian laguages.

I would say that on the cursing spectrum between the Balkans and Japan, Swedes are much closer to Japan.

And maybe it's mellow compared to the Balkans, but Swedes do swear.

Traditionally, Swedes used words like "fan" (the devil) and "helvete" (hell) to express annoyance.

These days they're considered pretty tame.

Imagine your grandma freaking out because you said "darn!" That's kind of what it would have been like to curse in public Sweden in the 1800s.

Today, though, nobody bats an eye at these "mild swears" hanging out with friends. However, just like anywhere else, there's a time and place. Dropping a "helvete" while ordering a fika probably won't get you arrested, but it might raise some eyebrows.

Here's where things get interesting: unlike Balkan cultures where creativity with insults is an art form, Swedes tend to stick with the classics. Many see only the religious-based words as "true" swears, while others are just considered "bad" words. Words like "skit" (shit) fall into this category – a bit strong for polite conversation, but not earth-shattering.

Sex-related insults, on the other hand, are a different story. While they might be more common in some cultures (ahem, Balkans!), Swedes tend to find them more childish and even more offensive than the religious ones. So, if you're aiming for impact, maybe avoid them – you might just end up sounding like a teenager.

The mystery, of course, remains: why do Balkan nations have a whole Bible of swear words, while other cultures use only ten or so basic forms? There are many explanations, but one thing is sure: cultures that swear a lot also tend to be extended-family rather than nuclear-family societies.

And all extended-families are, to paraphrase Tolstoj, disfunctional in their own ways. What can you do but swear a lot? :)

One of the interpretation say that those who cannot have freedom seek an illusion of freedom in swearing. A kind of Cartisian "I swear, therefore I am!"

Anyhow, here’s the list of (some) Swedish curses that shows how nice Swedes really are (they never fornicate with your relatives or God) but they do have a problem with number 17. ��

damn: attans (aht-tans)
damn it: förbaskat (foehr-bas-kat)
f*ck: fy (fee) *round your lips when emphasizing the /ee/ sound
devil: fan (faahn)
satan: satan (sah-tahn)
devils: jävlar (yav-lar)
f*ck: jävla (yav-la)
f*cking hell: helvete (hel-veh-teh)
shit: skit (hweet)
seventeen: sjutton (hoo-tohn)
ass: röv (ruuhv)
butt: stjärt (hoo-wet)
asshole: rövhål (roehv-hol)
idiot: idiot (ee-dee-yot)
stupid person: pucko (pu-koo)

Books & Cultures

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 06:26:08 GMT

The powerful purpose of books from other cultures

I don't know exactly when and how, but I fell in love with books very early.

For me, they were magic, and maybe corny, but true, a portal to new worlds.

To this day, they remain magical; or as someone wrote:

How you ever realised how surreal reading a book is?

You stare at marked slices of tree for hours on end hallucinating vividly.

To be transported from your children's room to the farthest corners of the world or an unknown galaxy... the reader really lives thousands of lives.

That’s why I love the expression “armchair travel”. The essence of it is that a good story has the power to unite us with the characters and their world, giving us a sense of shared humanity.

It is also said that we read so much about some places that, once when finally there, we come to recognize them again, as if we were not seeing them for the first time.

But when it comes to fiction, short stories, or novels of hundreds of pages, we don't recognize only Paris or Stockholm. We don't just virtually walk the streets of those cities, we enter the houses, people's lives, their families, struggles, tragedies and comedies of everyday life, their culture.

As I lived the lives of characters from these faraway places, a fascinating comparison game began.

How did their lives mirror mine? How were they different? How would I react in their situations?

It was a game fueled by pure childhood wonder, but one that, in retrospect, fostered a crucial skill: empathy.

My literary journeys continued as I grew older, taking me across countries.

A couple of years ago I found myself living in Sweden, a world away from the childhood in every possibly way.

The constant companion of books remained. Reading about different cultures wasn't just a nostalgic pastime, it was a tool for understanding. It still is.

Literature holds the immense potential in bridging cultural divides.

Book can be your guide to customs, holidays, and everyday quirks.

You can travel through time: Books can take you back in history and show you how people lived. You'll learn about important events and understand why things are the way they are today. Why society is shaped the way you see it today.

You can see language coming alive: Textbooks teach you grammar rules, but books show you how people actually talk. You'll discover slang, different accents, and how language is used in everyday situations. This can help improving your vocabulary. It’s about language in its natural habitat.

You can spark your curiosity: A great book can make you want to learn more about a different culture. You might get interested in their music, art, or food because of the story. Books can be a jumping-off point to explore a new culture in more depth, inviting you towards a deeper cultural immersion.

Books set in other countries open doors to different cultures, faiths, and perspectives.

We witness not just the beauty, but also the realities that make up a culture. Books remind us that the world is an amazing mosaic, and that its beauty lies in the richness of its diversity.

By reading stories, by stepping into new worlds, we move closer to a future where everyone is seen not as "the other," but as part of the human family.

At the end, despite of all the differences, there is so much more that connects us than separate us.

Maybe you can't really walk a mile in someone else's shoes, but that's why we have books.

So that you can walk miles and miles in thousands of other people's shoes.

Isn't that amazing?

Lonely in Sweden

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 07:15:28 GMT

Is it you, or is it them?

For someone who is an extrovert on the verge of a clinical diagnosis (not my words :) Sweden is a place where you must discover your introverted side.

Sure, I heard all these stereotypes about Scandinavian coldness and loneliness, but before that I lived and worked in Germany and I was sure that I had cracked the Germanic social codes.

I've arrived in Sweden eager to build a life, a community, a place to call home. I joined online groups, smiled at neighbors, shared fika with colleagues, did all the textbook moves. I did everything I used to do, in my homeland and in other countries.

Yet, for the first time in my life, I felt very lonely.

Forget smiling at random passers-by, cheerfully calling your neighbors and spontaneous conversation on public transport - in fact, make sure you don't sit next to someone, if you have enough free space to put your bag next to you. Because your bag is going to be your only friend in the beginning. ��

This isn't just my experience. Statistics paint a stark picture: foreigners in Sweden often report feeling lonelier, isolated from the close-knit circles Swedes seem to have. Lots of internationals find themselves surrounded by friendly faces, but struggle to crack the inner circle.

I suddenly understood why it was a recurring theme in all the Swedish courses I attended: How and where to meet Swedes? I found it a bit irritating at first: are Swedes unicorns, some elusive mythical creatures? Many immigrants will tell you they are.

Is it you, or is it them?

Is Swedish friendliness a myth, or is there a deeper cultural undercurrent at play?

This "Swedish coldness" is a well-worn topic in expat forums and academic circles. The country consistently ranks low in surveys on making friends as an expat. Looking at sunnier climes – Mexico, Brazil, all Mediterranean countries – it seems like warmth isn't just geographical, but social too.

Professor Åke Daun identifies a clear separation between public and private spheres in Swedish culture.

Swedes can work with someone for years without ever stepping foot in their home, a concept baffling to many outsiders. This "work friends" concept adds a layer of complexity. Your friendly colleagues might not be your off-the-clock companions.

There's no magic formula to find friends in Sweden.

It's not about becoming "Swedish," but finding those who enrich your life, share your passions.

It's about fika, lunch and brunch dates, community events, putting yourself out there, brick by emotional brick, building a place where you belong.

Recent research offers a surprising twist:

Brülde and Fors suggest that Swedish individualism might actually foster stronger friendships.

Swedes, free to choose their inner circle, prioritize quality over quantity, making each friendship a deeper commitment.

Perhaps the loneliness we feel isn't a reflection of Swedish coldness, but a facet of their approach to connection.

It might be slower, more deliberate, but no less meaningful. Friendship in Sweden might be a slow dance, but the final embrace could be all the sweeter; you could find your ride or die friend here.

So: Is it you? Is it them? Is it a matter of culture?

It’s a combination of all that, but it’s mostly you.

Swedes are not elusive mythical creatures, they live by unwritten cultural rules and codes, just like you and me.

But at the end of the day, “everyone is a world”, as their famous poet Gunnar Ekelöf would say.

“In every soul thousands of souls are trapped,

In every world thousands of worlds are hidden”

And it’s up to you to discover it all.

How Swedes raise children

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:34:50 GMT

Beyond parental leave: Raising independent thinkers in Sweden

I've heard it many times: Sweden is the "best place to raise kids".

And for good reason.

Generous parental leave policies and a strong emphasis on shared childcare between both parents are positive things.

But for me, there's a whole other side to the story – one that goes beyond the well-known benefits.

I am more interested in understanding Swedish child-rearing culture and exploring how it fosters a generation of independent thinkers.

So, how do Swedes raise their children?

Nature's classroom: learning through all seasons

One thing I noticed, immediately upon arriving in Sweden, was the courtyards of kindergartens. As you stroll past a Swedish kindergarten, what might surprise you isn't the sweet laughter, but the sight of bundled-up children playing outdoors, rain or shine.

Swedes see nature as a vital learning environment, encouraging exploration and resilience from a young age.

This might seem extreme to those coming from warmer climates, but it reflects a core value: building children who are adaptable and comfortable in their own skin.

Discipline with respect: a different kind of authority

Physical punishment is not just frowned upon in Sweden; it's illegal.

This might be a stark contrast to cultures where spanking is considered a normal disciplinary measure.

Here, the focus is on positive reinforcement and open communication.

Swedish parents strive to build trust and understanding with their children, fostering self-control rather than enforcing obedience through fear.

Finding your voice: the power of "Jag vill inte!"

In my culture, a child constantly saying "I don't want to!" might be seen as rebelliousness.

But in Sweden, it's a sign of a healthy self-expression. From preschool onwards, children are encouraged to voice their opinions and participate in decision-making.

This doesn't mean they get their way all the time, but it does equip them with the confidence to advocate for themselves and develop critical thinking skills.

Schools as playgrounds for learning:

Swedish schools actively cultivate these independent spirits.

Forget rigid classrooms – learning often happens through play and hands-on activities.

Breaks are plentiful, and classrooms often have designated "active zones" to release energy.

Teachers prioritize fostering a love of learning, encouraging teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. It's a far cry from a system solely focused on rote memorization.

Learning from mistakes: the space to grow

Swedes embrace the concept of "failing forward." In other words, they teach them how to fail.

Helicopter parenting takes a backseat, allowing children to experience setbacks and learn from them independently. This might seem counterintuitive for parents from cultures where protecting children from disappointment is paramount.

But in Sweden, the emphasis is on building resilience and fostering a growth mindset.

So, the next time you hear a Swedish child say "jag vill inte!" remember, it's not defiance – it's the first step on a path to becoming an independent, confident, and self-assured individual.

This cultural shift might take some getting used to, but who wouldn't want to raise a child who embraces challenges, explores the world with curiosity, and is comfortable in their own skin?

In my beginnings in Sweden, in one of the many groups for learning Swedish, a colleague complained:

"I think the school has a bad influence on my child". She complained to her husband who simply answered her: "Would you say that the Swedes are doing badly in life?"

Why not to brag in Sweden

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 07:36:56 GMT

Jantelagen: The Unwritten Rule That Keeps the Swedes Humble (and Maybe a Little Stifled?)

I have a competitive nature: if I'm playing a quiz or a sport, I'm playing to win.

I liked to think that this is a positive character trait: if I lose, I have no negative feelings; I simply do my best in any competition.

O f course it's important to enjoy yourself, but isn't it even more fun to win?

After my arrival in Sweden, I soon started learning Swedish. I was delighted with the concept (Swedish for academics, if you are looking for a good course) and I would often say to my Swedish partner: " I wrote the test the best! " or " I knew all Bergman's films on the quiz! "

My partner did not really share my delight. Once, tired of my self-praise, he said: Do you think it has nothing to do with the fact that everyone else is at least 20 years younger than you ? (*mic drop)

I didn't understand it then, but now I do: in Sweden, people simply don't brag.

To understand why you should not brag in Scandinavia, we need to address the social norm that is almost social unwritten rule: a concept of Jantelagen, also known as the Law of Jante.

Yes, Scandinavian society is a society where bragging is a bigger faux pas than forgetting to greet the neighbour.

That's kind of the vibe with Jantelagen.

It's a set of unwritten rules, not actual laws, that emphasizes modesty, equality, and keeping your head down.

Coined by Danish-Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in his 1933 novel "A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks," Jantelagen boils down to this: Don't think you're better than anyone else.

What does this mean in everyday life?

Well, Swedes tend to be pretty low-key. Loud talking or boasting about your achievements is a surefire way to raise eyebrows. Think "concealed carry confidence," not "look-at-me" loud. The focus is on the collective good, so while individual success is great, don't expect a parade in your honor.

Now, for everyone coming from more individualistic cultures, this can be a bit of an adjustment.

Jantelagen might feel like a constant game of downplaying your awesomeness.

But here's the thing: Jantelagen also fosters a strong sense of community and equality. Everyone's on the same playing field (think IKEA furniture – all those flat packs, no divas!).

This can be a great thing for social harmony and creating a society where everyone feels like they belong.

Jantelagen Today: Relic of the Past or Still Relevant?

Jantelagen's grip on Swedish society has loosened in recent years.

Globalization and the rise of entrepreneurship have pushed Swedes to embrace their inner showman a bit more.

But the core values of modesty and togetherness are still very much alive.

So, is Jantelagen outdated? Not necessarily.

It's a reminder that there's a fine line between healthy self-confidence and obnoxious boasting.

For those of you coming to Sweden, embrace the Jantelagen spirit – be kind, be humble, and maybe avoid the office karaoke unless you're really good.

But don't be afraid to shine either! Swedes appreciate a good talent, just maybe share the spotlight with your equally awesome colleagues.

Remember, Jantelagen is more of a cultural guideline than a rulebook.

Think of it as a way to understand the Swedish psyche and navigate social situations smoothly.

With a little understanding and a dash of your own cultural flair, you'll be fitting right in with the fika crowd in no time.

If you want to. :)

The benefits of learning a language in a group

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 07:26:55 GMT

If you've ever learned any foreign language, then you must have felt from time to time like you were stuck in first gear. You might have picked up some "fossilized mistakes" early on – fossilized mistakes are stubborn errors that linger because you learned them incorrectly at the beginning.

Sure, in this digital age, you can learn a language solo with apps, movies, different online sources. But when you learn language on your own, there's a secret weapon missing: the power of the group.

Why not combine the benefits of the digital age and utilize the power of the group at the same time?

Here's why learning Swedish with others and a language/cultural guide is the key to unlocking fluency:

1. Boost Your Memory:

Think of your brain like a muscle. Discussing, debating, and role-playing in Swedish with others gives your brain a workout, strengthening those memory pathways and making what you learn stick.

2. Speak Like a Local, Not a Textbook:

Languages are about culture. A group setting lets you explore traditions, etiquette, and the unspoken rules that make you sound more natural.

You'll become not just a Swedish speaker, but someone who understands its soul.

3. Avoid Common Pitfalls:

Imagine having a Swedish mentor by your side, pointing out those sneaky mistakes you might miss. Group classes with cultural experts do exactly that, helping you steer clear of common roadblocks.

4. Stay Motivated:

Learning a language takes time and dedication. Sometimes, solo study can feel isolating. In a group, you'll find a supportive community to keep you accountable and motivated. The shared journey makes learning more fun and keeps you on track.

5. Speak with Confidence:

The more you practice speaking Swedish in a safe and supportive environment, the more confident you'll become. Group classes provide a platform to overcome inhibitions and get comfortable using your new skills.

Learn the language correctly from the very beginning. Avoid making fossilized mistakes and optimize your fluency potential.

Join our "Sweden and Swedish for Beginners" course!

In just 8 sessions, you'll combine language learning with cultural exploration, helping you navigate both seamlessly.

Language & Life: Lost in Translation

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:24:29 GMT

Understanding culture is essential to learning a language. That’s the reason why most universities and even high schools invest in exchange programs to allow students to learn languages in the right environments.

What makes Sweden Swedish?

Everything about it. Its background and politics, its food, holidays, art, everyday life. And language, of course.

Yes, most Swedes speak English, but (understandably) prefer Swedish and you will miss out on a lot of Swedish life if you cannot understand the language.

If you hope to work or study or socialize in Sweden, it’s difficult to do any of these things without the language.

Understanding culture is the key to truly unlocking a language.

Sure, you can memorize verbs and conjugate like a pro, but if you can't tell "fika" (coffee break) from "flytta" (move), your Swedish experience might be a little... bland.

The land of Vikings, cold winters and people, ABBA, Bergman's movies: Sweden is so much more than that.

If you learn about the culture, you will get pass the stereotypes and labels and discover a whole lot of cultural nuances that make learning the language so much more than just grammar drills.

Think of Swedish as a puzzle. Words like "lagom" (just right) or "smällkarameller" (exploding candies) don't quite translate directly. They're pieces of a cultural mosaic, reflecting Swedish values of moderation, fun, and a touch of quirkiness.

Without understanding these pieces, the language itself remains incomplete.

Imagine navigating a fika without knowing the rules. You might skip the crucial cinnamon buns or miss the chance to connect with colleagues. Or picture trying to understand a joke about "surströmming" (fermented herring)

– hilarious to Swedes, baffling to outsiders.

Cultural knowledge bridges these gaps, turning awkward silences into meaningful conversations.

But learning Swedish isn't just about avoiding blunders. It's about unlocking a deeper understanding of Sweden itself.

Appreciating the melancholic beauty of remote landscapes, knowing of Swedish literature and films or noticing the different body language or speech patterns than in your own culture. Language becomes a gateway to a whole new world.

So, how do you crack the Swedish code?

Forget boring textbooks and dive into the cultural tapestry with us!

Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Sweden, and the language will start to click.

Remember, Swedish is more than just words. It's a reflection of a unique culture, waiting to be explored. The true magic of speaking Swedish – it's not about mastering the language, it's about the experience.

Because language learning is a journey, not a destination. By embracing the cultural landscape, you'll navigate with confidence, build meaningful connections, and discover a side of Sweden you never knew existed. It's the difference between being a tourist and becoming a part of the community. Unlocking a doorway to another culture means to learn about your own and yourself.

Isn't that of great value?

Why are Scandinavians so happy?

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 07:09:33 GMT

Scandinavia consistently sweeps the top spots in happiness rankings.

While many attribute this to their generous welfare states, Danish researcher Christian Bjørnskov, in his article

"The Secret of the Viking World," proposes a surprising alternative: empowerment.

Sure, universal healthcare, free education, and robust social safety nets contribute to a sense of security.

But Bjørnskov argues that true happiness arises from feeling in control of your own life.

This aligns with the historical Viking spirit of self-reliance and responsibility.

While the welfare state provides a safety net, Bjornskov suggests it's the freedom to chart your own course that brings lasting joy.

This sense of control manifests in several ways:

Strong work-life balance: Scandinavians prioritize ample personal time, fostering mental and physical well-being. Flexible work arrangements allow for pursuing hobbies and passions.
Flat hierarchies: Collaborative workplaces encourage participation and individual initiative, contributing to a sense of ownership.
Entrepreneurial spirit: Many Scandinavians embrace starting their own businesses, driven by a desire to shape their own destinies.
Community involvement: Strong social connections and active participation in civic life build belonging and purpose.

It's not just about having things, it's about feeling capable and empowered. This mindset isn't just innate. Scandinavian societies encourage it through:

Education: Emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal development fosters a "can-do" attitude.
Social norms: Collaboration, equality, and open communication support individual expression and responsibility.
Access to resources: Investments in affordable housing, healthcare, and childcare remove barriers to pursuing personal goals.

While the welfare state plays a role, Scandinavian happiness hinges on a deeper cultural value of empowerment. This insight challenges the "something for nothing" stereotype and emphasizes the importance of fostering individual agency alongside social support.

The takeaway?

True happiness may lie not just in what you have, but in feeling empowered to shape your own path.

Perhaps this "Viking secret" holds valuable lessons for all of us seeking greater well-being.

Why is moving such stress?

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 07:09:36 GMT

Moving for me was, and still is, an opportunity for a new life, a new beginning. I like finding the “newness” in some other place, I like the lure and excitement of exploring a new place. Or maybe I see moving as an opportunity to find a new me.

Whatever it is, it's clear to me that the image of moving in my head is idealized, because when the move finally happens, I end up experiencing a whole range of emotions.

It doesn’t matter if you move frequently or almost never, if you're moving to another part of town or to an overseas country; moving is always an intensely emotional experience.

It is even considered one of the biggest stressors in life and experts say that only divorce and the death of a loved one cause greater stress.

That sounds rather grim, doesn’t it?

Why is moving considered to be such an emotional trigger?

- with moving comes THE big change; and changes create anxiety. Deep down we all fear unknown.

- it can feel like your life is on a temporary pause; you focus all your attention and energy on moving

- you can experience decision fatigue, similar to one while choosing the movie on Netflix; but it just involves more stress and money

- relocation depression is also real; a sense of overwhelming sadness that could manifest for years

Housing and moving are filled with symbolism, the hope for new beginnings, sometimes disappointments, loss, anxiety and fear.

There are many tactics to make your next move less anxiety inducing and you can easily find them.

Of course, each person has their own reaction to moving. Some may become sentimental, or happy.

As for me: I always think about moving.

Psychologists have interesting things to say here:

People who choose to move frequently are likely to be risk takers.

If they moved a lot as children, they may be experiencing what Freudian analysts call “repetition compulsion,” or a Goldilocks complex, always looking for the just the right place.

Some therapists, borrowing a term used in Alcoholics Anonymous, call frequent moving “pulling a geographic,” seeking external changes to change internal problems.

But never move to escape anything, because no matter how much you move, you still take yourself with you.

References:
Cohen, S., Murphy, M. L. M., & Prather, A. A. (2019). Ten Surprising Facts About Stressful Life Events and Disease Risk. Annual review of psychology, 70, 577–597.

Kershaw, (2010.) The Psychology of Moving - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

English in Scandinavia and Sweden: The Secret Behind Swedes' Proficiency

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:08:05 GMT

Scandinavia has long been known for its exceptional English proficiency, and Sweden, in particular, stands out as a country where English fluency is remarkably high. This linguistic phenomenon has fascinated many language enthusiasts and researchers.

How come?

Why almost everyone in Sweden has impressive command of the English language? What kind of role English has in Scandinavia?

1.Educational System:

One of the primary reasons for the Swedes' proficiency in English lies in their educational system. English is taught as a mandatory subject from an early age, starting as early as elementary school. Students receive comprehensive instruction in grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills, allowing them to develop a strong foundation in the language. Furthermore, the emphasis on practical usage and communication in English classes enables students to become confident speakers.

2.Exposure to English Media:

Another factor contributing to the Swedes' English proficiency is their exposure to English-language media. Swedish television and radio often broadcast programs in their original language with Swedish subtitles, providing ample opportunities for Swedes to immerse themselves in English content from a young age. This exposure enhances their listening comprehension and helps them develop a more authentic accent.

3.The Prevalence of English in Daily Life:

In Scandinavia, English has become deeply integrated into various aspects of daily life. Swedes encounter English in advertising, signage, music, and the internet. English loanwords have seamlessly infiltrated the Swedish language, making it common to use English terms for technological, scientific, and cultural concepts. This constant exposure to English outside the classroom creates a natural environment for language acquisition and reinforces the practical relevance of English skills.

4. Emphasis on Multilingualism:

Scandinavian societies, including Sweden, place a strong emphasis on mul tilingualism. From an early age, children are encouraged to learn multiple languages, and English often takes center stage due to its global importance. This cultural mindset fosters a positive attitude towards language learning and motivates Swedes to become proficient in English.

5. Globalization and Travel:

The Swedes' proficiency in English can also be attributed to their outward-looking perspective and high level of international engagement. Sweden is known for its active participation in global trade, international collaborations, and tourism. English serves as the lingua franca in these interactions, driving the necessity for Swedes to communicate effectively in English to thrive in an interconnected world.

Through a combination of these elements, Swedes have cultivated a remarkable level of fluency and accuracy in English, making them highly proficient speakers of the language. Their success serves as an inspiring example of how a strong language education system, combined with cultural and societal factors, can contribute to a nation's proficiency in a foreign language.

So, you will definitely communicate without problems anywhere in Scandinavia just using English, but if you want a better understanding of your working environment, society and the country you are in, you will have to embark on a language learning adventure. :)

Is culture shock a real deal?

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:12:42 GMT

Is culture shock a real deal?

Yes, yes and yes!

First, what is a culture shock?

It’s a phenomenon, a pattern in which a person has negative reactions on contact with another culture. It's not a superficial assessment or feeling as an outsider. It’s much much more and it’s not to be underestimated.

It’s about strangeness of the new culture.

When we change cultural context, we lose all our familiar signs, symbols and cues that adopted while growing up and are as much as part of our culture as the language we speak. Cues can be words, gestures, facial expressions and million little things of daily life: what to say when we meet people, when to give tips, how to give tips, how to make purchases, when to accept invitations, what is rude, what is acceptable and what is an absolute faux pass.

I experienced culture shock every time I moved to a new country; I also experienced it when I moved three times within the same country, although to a lesser extent.

The concept of culture shock, more specifically the U-curve of culture shock explained by Alex Matveev can be applied to all my experiences when moving to other or within the same country. My degrees of adjustment went from being enchanted with the new surrounding to the stage when I felt uneasy and depressed before I felt good again.

Bottom of the U-curve wasn’t an easy place to be; feeling confused and frustrated with the new culture I even started to feel hostility.

Experiencing cultural shock(s), I also experienced a kind of existentialist crisis where I questioned myself as a person. I liked to think of myself as a kind, non-judgmental and empathetic person, open to new experiences and here I was, grumpily complaining about new circumstances.

My coping strategies were always the same: lots of interactions, walking and sport. Interactions with people, especially locals, help to feel like a part of society, Walking is my way of interacting with both people and architecture/the outside. Sport helps to reach instant happiness chemically, using your hormones instead of drugs. :)

Sweden proved to be the toughest; it was very hard to interact with locals. I set up my life in Sweden with my Swedish partner; I was convinced that it would be easier than in other countries. I was mistaken. :) My partner has many social contacts and a family, but they interact in a way that I couldn't relate in the beginning. It was nice to have someone to explain things from the first hand, but the culture shock couldn't be avoided.

I used to think that if I prepare well, read books by local authors, learn as much as possible about the culture I'm coming to, there won't be any obstacles.

Reading local authors is probably good and desirable, but if I had known then what I know now, all this theory behind my feelings, it would certainly have been easier for me.

It can be a hard journey, but well worth the effort. After emerging on the other side of U-curve I felt like I have a part of the new culture within me, enriched and wider.

Ten questions for Marija, a Fifteen-Year Iceland Resident

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 20:24:44 GMT

We've all heard about the Iceland in the news lately, right? News headlines have been dominated by the volcanic eruptions that have put this picturesque country into the global spotlight.

Iceland is usually mentioned as a dream holiday destination, so we all now about stunning landscapes and unique culture but living there must be another story.

I recently took a trip to the Iceland: I've never been so cold in my life (and I've lived in Sweden for a while, so I know how to dress for the weather). The wind... I felt it in my bones and beyond.

How lucky I am to have a friend who lived in the capital of this extraordinary country for a decade? She's got a husband, three kids, and had a front-row seat to all the volcanic drama.

Marija is originally from Serbia; after fifteen years in Iceland, they moved to Sweden, where they have been living for 9 years now. She is the ideal person to examine the basic differences in the way of life between these two countries.

I asked Marija about the highs, the lows, and everything in between on Iceland.

The biggest difference in everyday life between Sweden and Iceland?

On Iceland work is closer and you use rarely the public transport. Instead you go by bike, car or simply walk. In Sweden, public transport is indispensable. I guess it's because of the size of the cities. Reykjavik is actually not big (it has a population of around 140 000) and everything is close at hand.

Have your three daughters experienced any changes in school or social life after moving to Sweden?

The oldest, who was 12 at the time, felt as if she had fallen from Mars, as we say in the Balkans. Everything was different, the language, way of life, social life, climate. At that time, she was training basketball and the coach was from the Balkans, which meant at least one less complication in communication. The other two were small, especially the youngest, who was 19 months old. The transition was easier for them.

Did you have to adapt to the difference in climate between Sweden and Iceland?

When we moved to Sweden in October, I remembered the autumn of fallen leaves of different colors, like in my childhood in Serbia, while the children experienced it for the first time. Also, the winter was colder compared to the one in Reykjavik. Unlike the one in Iceland, the winter in Sweden was windless. We didn't have thick jackets for the big minus, but more jackets for wind and rain, so that first winter was a surprise and we had to buy different winter jackets.

How do you cope with the frequent changes in light throughout the year in Iceland compared to Sweden?

It's pretty much the same, there is just more darkness in the winter in Iceland and more sun in the summer.

Any anecdotes or a funny situation that happened because of language misunderstandings?

There are a lot of "false friends" between these two languages, so there were minor misunderstandings when we started speaking Swedish. There were more unusual questions about life in Iceland: one girl most seriously asked my oldest daughter (they trained together) if we lived in an igloo in Iceland. Iceland is exotic even to Swedes.

Any cultural differences between Sweden and Iceland?

There are some minor differences, but I find Iceland culturally Scandinavian in most major ways. I would say, however, that they are still more open and approachable than the Swedes.

How about the class gap?

I think that Icelandic society is much more equal than Swedish, there are no, for example, private schools. The most important factor in all of this, in my opinion, is the homogeneity of Icelandic society – probably due to its size.

Food prices, prices in general

Groceries are very expensive in Iceland and everyone who comes to visit complains about it. Almost no fruit and vegetables grow in Iceland, everything is imported. (Except maybe fermented shark which is an Icelandic delicacy.) But it's not just groceries that are expensive: Iceland has a complex economy, it's hard to get top-quality items (there's no Amazon, eBay, Starbucks or McDonalds), and the items you can find cost too much. Alcohol, for example, can only be bought in special shops, as in Sweden. There are not many of them, they close at 8:00 p.m. and are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

But it should also be said that the salaries are very high.

Things you miss from Iceland:

Swimming in geothermal pools, efficient administration, absence of crime and mosquitoes.

Sweden or Iceland?

Every country has its advantages and disadvantages. Iceland was a perfect country for us at the time. The country was something new to us, we were a young family that just started life together, children were born there…So it was a very beautiful and emotional period of our life. Afterwards we wanted to move to the continent, but preferably to Scandinavia because of the school system, and easier transition.

So, here we are in Sweden, it’s bigger and it has more opportunities for the children and us.

Nowhere is ideal, but you should always look at the positive side.

This is the most appropriate sentence to finish our little conversation because it perfectly describes Marija's life attitude: find the best in everything and don't complain. Perhaps this attitude is the reason why Icelanders rank so high in all happiness surveys.

Iceland & movies

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:33:10 GMT

Hollywood on ice: movies shape culture

Ever since I can remember, I have loved stories. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I fell in love with cinema, too.

Iceland is a nation of storytellers with their famous sagas.

Now, enter me in Iceland: Imagine my delight when I saw the Big Lebowski bar on the streets of Reykjavik.

I wasn't sitting at the Big Lebowski bar in Reykjavik, sipping on an Icelandic brew (I thought we had time and would come later; we always have less time than we think.) so it hit me later just how deeply Hollywood movies have infiltrated the national cultures of Nordic countries. The bar itself is a testament to this influence, named after the iconic Coen Brothers film and adorned with memorabilia from the movie. It got me thinking about the profound impact that popular culture, particularly cinema, has on the way people live and perceive their world.

Hollywood's Love Affair with Iceland

One of the most striking aspects of Hollywood's influence on Nordic cultures is its fascination with the stunning landscapes of countries like Iceland. Over the years, Iceland has served as a backdrop for numerous blockbuster films, from fantasy epics like "Game of Thrones" to science fiction spectacles like "Interstellar." The otherworldly beauty of Iceland's landscapes has become a staple in Hollywood productions, and in doing so, it has introduced audiences worldwide to the wonders of the Nordic region.

Some tour companies offer tours tailored to film locations. Or just google it, you could walk around your favorite movie location.

The Nordic Love for Cinema

Iceland, in particular, stands out as a prime example of how cinema plays a pivotal role in the lives of its people. Despite having a relatively small population of about 359,000, Icelanders are among the world's most frequent cinema-goers. This is a testament to their passion for storytelling and their deep connection with the medium of film.

Iceland's Film Industry: Punching Above its Weight

What's even more remarkable is that Iceland, with its modest population, produces more films per capita than any other country in the world. This prolific output speaks to the creative spirit that thrives within Icelandic society. The success of Icelandic cinema is not only a source of national pride but also a reflection of the unique stories and perspectives that emerge from this small and vibrant culture.

The Cultural Exchange

The influence is not a one-way street. Just as Hollywood leaves its mark on Nordic cultures, these cultures also impact the global cinematic landscape. The fusion of Hollywood storytelling with Nordic sensibilities has resulted in some truly remarkable films. Take, for instance, the works of directors like Ari Aster and Joachim Trier, whose films blend elements of Nordic darkness with Hollywood-style storytelling, creating a cinematic experience that is both haunting and thought-provoking.

As I wasn't sitting in that Big Lebowski bar, I marvelled at the interconnectedness of the global cultural tapestry. Hollywood movies have a way of transcending borders and shaping the way people perceive the world. In the case of Nordic countries, this influence has not only introduced the world to their breathtaking landscapes but also fostered a deep love for cinema within their societies. So, the next time you watch a Hollywood blockbuster set against the backdrop of a Nordic wonderland, remember that it's not just entertainment; it's a cultural exchange that enriches us all.

Living a cashless life

Sun, 21 May 2023 06:59:33 GMT

In Sweden, the future is already here.

Imagine strolling through the streets of Stockholm, stopping at a café for a cup of aromatic coffee.

As you approach the counter, you notice a sign displaying a QR code.

You simply take out your smartphone, open the Swish app, and scan the code. With a few taps, the payment is made, and you're ready to enjoy your delicious brew.

No need to fumble for loose change or wait for the cashier to handle physical cash.

Later in the day, you decide to visit a local farmer's market. The vibrant stalls display an array of fresh produce, handmade crafts, and local delicacies. As you browse through the stalls, you find a handmade pottery piece that catches your eye. The vendor, equipped with a smartphone and a Swish account, happily informs you that they accept digital payments. With a swift transfer using Swish, you make your purchase, supporting local artisans seamlessly and efficiently.

Now, let's imagine a scenario where you're planning a spontaneous dinner gathering with friends. As you make your way to the grocery store, you realize you've forgotten your wallet at home. However, you remain unfazed because you know that most supermarkets in Sweden accept mobile payments.

With your smartphone in hand, you shop for ingredients and make the payment using a digital wallet or mobile credit card app. No cash or physical card needed. The checkout process is quick, and you're on your way to enjoy an evening of culinary delights with friends.

These real-life examples highlight the convenience, speed, and ease of using digital payment methods like Swish and mobile wallets. Whether it's a café, a local market, or a supermarket, the transition to cashless payments has transformed these everyday transactions into seamless experiences.

Beyond these scenarios, Swedes also embrace digital payments for larger transactions.

Rent payments, utility bills, and online shopping are effortlessly handled through digital platforms, providing a level of convenience that was previously unimaginable.

Sweden's journey towards a cashless society is deeply ingrained in its culture and way of life.

Swedes value efficiency, simplicity, and technological advancement. By embracing digital payment methods, Sweden has redefined the financial landscape, making transactions faster, more secure, and convenient for individuals across the country.

Of course, there is a unique connection between a cashless lifestyle and Swedish non-conflict culture.

Ella Johansson, professor in Ethnology at Uppsala University, explains that cashless society has much to do with the relation between friendships and resources:

‘ Swedes see exchange of money and debt as a threat to friendship. In other cultures, like Italy for example, people would fight over being the one to pay the bill for the sake of keeping up the friendly relations.’

However, not everyone is enthusiastic about the cashless society.

Some say that with everything digital, you can not only being tracked or lose your privacy, there is a risk of a country being completely locked down, too.

Either way, the future is already here.

Magic of new beginnings

Mon, 01 May 2023 08:01:53 GMT

Ah, new beginnings! It's like being given a blank canvas and a fresh set of paintbrushes.

The possibilities are endless, just like the confusion and chaos that comes with moving to a new country. Especially if you're moving from the Balkans to Sweden.

Let's just mention a few obvious ones.

First off, the weather . In the Balkans, we're used to sunny days and hot summers; not to mention that we're used to having four seasons. But in Sweden, it's a whole different story. The seasons only theoretically exist. You'll need to get used to freezing temperatures, snow up to your knees, and a never-ending darkness during the winter months.

On the bright side, at least you'll have a valid excuse to wear that ridiculous-looking fur hat you bought as a joke back in the day.

And then there's the language . We have our own unique way of speaking, filled with passion and emotion.

In Sweden, however, everything is so calm and collected, it's almost as if they're whispering all the time. You'll need to learn a whole new set of words and phrases to communicate effectively. But don't worry, just keep practicing and soon you'll be able to ask for directions without accidentally insulting someone's mother.

Food is another thing you'll need to adjust to. We're all about the meat, cheese, and carbs. Here they love their fish and vegetables. You might find yourself missing the taste of your grandma's homemade burek or pita, but trust me, you'll get used to the taste of pickled herring eventually.

But despite all the challenges, moving to a new country is an adventure like no other. You'll meet new people, experience new cultures, and most importantly, you'll learn to appreciate the little things in life.

Like the warmth of a cozy blanket on a cold winter night, or the satisfaction of finally understanding a Swedish pun.

So, to all my fellow compatriots out there who are considering a move to Sweden, don't be afraid to take that leap of faith. Embrace the new beginnings, and who knows, maybe one day you'll even start saying "fika" instead of "kafa".

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, baby steps.

Magic of new beginnings

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The New York Times’ Guide

Denmark

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The benefits of learning a language in a group

Language & Life: Lost in Translation

Why are Scandinavians so happy?

Why is moving such stress?

English in Scandinavia and Sweden: The Secret Behind Swedes' Proficiency

Is culture shock a real deal?

Ten questions for Marija, a Fifteen-Year Iceland Resident

Iceland & movies

Hollywood on ice: movies shape culture

Living a cashless life

In Sweden, the future is already here.

Magic of new beginnings

"Third Culture Kids" are adaptable and understand different cultures well, but it can also be hard for them to feel like they truly belong anywhere.