Comments on: Are Swedes really that horrible ? http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/ Musings about Life in Socialist Sweden - Oh Yea, It's Awesome Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:11:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gregory http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/#comment-126039 Gregory Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:34:34 +0000 http://lostinstockholm.com/?p=294#comment-126039 I am not swedish but I live in Malmö. All I can say is that Sweden is an almost perfect country. A few years ago, before the things that have happened lately with muslims especially here in Malmö, the swedish society was voted as the best society in the world. And yeah, it's just perfect. You don't get hated here like in other places of the world (like the US for instance) if you wear something that is not really common or if you do something that is rather uncommon. People here are very open minded (especially swedish, but immigrants too, I am in good terms with everybody, wether he/she is a christian, atheist, muslim, jewish and so on). The only thing that makes it being "almost perfect" and not perfect is that everything is so expensive here. A bread here is about 6 to 10 times more expensive than in my home country. But if you manage to work here, then you'll get a good income too. I am not swedish but I live in Malmö. All I can say is that Sweden is an almost perfect country. A few years ago, before the things that have happened lately with muslims especially here in Malmö, the swedish society was voted as the best society in the world. And yeah, it’s just perfect. You don’t get hated here like in other places of the world (like the US for instance) if you wear something that is not really common or if you do something that is rather uncommon. People here are very open minded (especially swedish, but immigrants too, I am in good terms with everybody, wether he/she is a christian, atheist, muslim, jewish and so on). The only thing that makes it being “almost perfect” and not perfect is that everything is so expensive here. A bread here is about 6 to 10 times more expensive than in my home country. But if you manage to work here, then you’ll get a good income too.

]]> By: Sam http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/#comment-125934 Sam Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:09:56 +0000 http://lostinstockholm.com/?p=294#comment-125934 If you talk to a group of Swedes and tell them you're from another country, they will most likely be nice to you. Unless you're a complete asshole. My experience is that some Swedes are very nice and friendly, and some are not. Just like everything else. I've been in Sweden four times and I think it is a very beautiful country with a lot of beautiful girls and handsome boys. (yes I'm bi, do not judge me) If you talk to a group of Swedes and tell them you’re from another country, they will most likely be nice to you. Unless you’re a complete asshole.
My experience is that some Swedes are very nice and friendly, and some are not. Just like everything else.
I’ve been in Sweden four times and I think it is a very beautiful country with a lot of beautiful girls and handsome boys. (yes I’m bi, do not judge me)

]]> By: Sapphire http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/#comment-124903 Sapphire Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:50:12 +0000 http://lostinstockholm.com/?p=294#comment-124903 @Louise - Sorry dear, I haven't read your whole response yet but regarding your question about minor vs minority, it is minority. I fixed it for you. I do like the winter in Sweden :) @Louise – Sorry dear, I haven’t read your whole response yet but regarding your question about minor vs minority, it is minority. I fixed it for you.

I do like the winter in Sweden :)

]]> By: Louise http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/#comment-124897 Louise Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:36:05 +0000 http://lostinstockholm.com/?p=294#comment-124897 Hej! I'm a swede, and it's true that we are kind of stiff and "boring" people - IN OTHERS EYES. when we say jokes, we say it with a straight face, which makes the whole joke only silly. I - personally- don't like obvious jokes like : - two tomatoes walked over a road...etc. they are just no fun i look like this everytime i hear those : <:| every country have their own sense of humour, and in sweden, the humour tends to be sarcasm, ironic and not so obvious jokes. we like it that way, and if you've gotten aquantainced with some swedes you should know that. everyone of you "haters" only appears blind to me. I am a swede, and I ALWAYS say SORRY or FORGIVE ME if i bump into a person! every person I know (swedish friends) do that too. if you're living with a swede and they tend to be sloppy and disgusting, they probably feel comfortable around you. and that they feel that you don't judge. and that our country is cold- is not something that the swedish population can do anything about. let me tell you, we scandinavian countrys are famous for actually having seasons. when it's winter we can have -25C. (some winters, also this one didn't have any snow at all :/) when it's spring, the snow melt and the trees gets flower buds, and such stuff. it's full of colour. when it's summer we can have really hot ones (atleast in my eyes) the last summers It's been like 25-35 C! and in autumn, the trees gets naked. Swedes can appear stuck up and have that aura "i'm too good for you" but it's almost always girls in their puberty :/ they have a lot of make-up on and look arrogant. as a girl who don't wear make-up, they can even appear scary and judging to me :( but I've been told that it's never like that! (okay, assholes exists in every country, and i've come across some here too but whatever) I finally got to talk to this girl that always seemed to bitchstare me, and she was amazingly nice 8| we became friends, and one day I told her that I didn't like her so much before, and I was scared of her since it seemed like she didn't like me and she was like "WHAT? what are you talking about? I only stared at you because I liked your clothes.." I am a pretty big observer too, and I somehow likes to guess the reason for people's actions... so I would like to start to say sorry to every foreigner that have felt like they've been ignored and hated on. because, swedes often avoids contact with people - especially foreigners. that's because foreigners (not all) can be loud and noisy. and if we're dealing with some stubborn ones they can start calling random people on the street racist. I saw foreigners treat swedes badly on a train once. it was horrible. it was a group of guys that walked up to two swedish guys, mocking them and started an unreasonable fight. they screamed "Svennejävlar" (kind of like swedish swines) to them, and started to kick them on the ground and abusing them. I was alone, so the only thing I could do was to call the police... it was so scary, and I was only 13 at the time. since then I've always been a little scared of foreigners, since they often seem like they are looking down on us... there's a lot of nice foreigners too, but what I want to say is that we are only afraid of people, we are scared to not be enough. we don't want to hurt the other person (also why we act kind of cold, if we do that we can't accidentally hurt someone) And I've had a lot of bad experience with people's worts sides too. being bullied, my friends have treated me badly and done many hurtful things to me ( that's past though) but right now I'm on good terms with them :) HAHA and a funny thing my brother experienced: he was just walking down the street, minding his own business and then he passed by some foreigners and suddenly one of them turned around and yelled "CARROT HEAD" to him! he was like "haha, funny fella" he's a ginger for your information. and if you're going somewhere for the first time... if you're looking for nice views, you can go to Stockholm, but the people there are rich and yes, they act kind of stuck-up. if you're looking for nice people, you should go to smaller cities. they are friendlier, northern sweden have funny fellas! they accent is so weird XD Sincerely A 15 year old friend from Sweden. P.S I don't know about other people, but I always say thank you when i receive something. doesn't matter what! And okay, i'm sorry if many appears dry and racist, but personal experience can be a reason for that, and i'm sorry that some of us don't want more refugees here. but seriously, even I wouldn't want my people to be a minority in my own nation. is that so weird? Hej!
I’m a swede, and it’s true that we are kind of stiff and “boring” people – IN OTHERS EYES.
when we say jokes, we say it with a straight face, which makes the whole joke only silly.
I – personally- don’t like obvious jokes like :
- two tomatoes walked over a road…etc. they are just no fun i look like this everytime i hear those : <:|
every country have their own sense of humour, and in sweden, the humour tends to be sarcasm, ironic and not so obvious jokes. we like it that way, and if you've gotten aquantainced with some swedes you should know that. everyone of you "haters" only appears blind to me.
I am a swede, and I ALWAYS say SORRY or FORGIVE ME if i bump into a person! every person I know (swedish friends) do that too.
if you're living with a swede and they tend to be sloppy and disgusting, they probably feel comfortable around you. and that they feel that you don't judge.
and that our country is cold- is not something that the swedish population can do anything about. let me tell you, we scandinavian countrys are famous for actually having seasons. when it's winter we can have -25C. (some winters, also this one didn't have any snow at all :/)
when it's spring, the snow melt and the trees gets flower buds, and such stuff. it's full of colour.
when it's summer we can have really hot ones (atleast in my eyes) the last summers It's been like 25-35 C!
and in autumn, the trees gets naked.

Swedes can appear stuck up and have that aura "i'm too good for you" but it's almost always girls in their puberty :/ they have a lot of make-up on and look arrogant. as a girl who don't wear make-up, they can even appear scary and judging to me :(
but I've been told that it's never like that! (okay, assholes exists in every country, and i've come across some here too but whatever)
I finally got to talk to this girl that always seemed to bitchstare me, and she was amazingly nice 8| we became friends, and one day I told her that I didn't like her so much before, and I was scared of her since it seemed like she didn't like me and she was like "WHAT? what are you talking about? I only stared at you because I liked your clothes.."

I am a pretty big observer too, and I somehow likes to guess the reason for people's actions…
so I would like to start to say sorry to every foreigner that have felt like they've been ignored and hated on.
because, swedes often avoids contact with people – especially foreigners. that's because foreigners (not all) can be loud and noisy. and if we're dealing with some stubborn ones they can start calling random people on the street racist. I saw foreigners treat swedes badly on a train once. it was horrible. it was a group of guys that walked up to two swedish guys, mocking them and started an unreasonable fight. they screamed "Svennejävlar" (kind of like swedish swines) to them, and started to kick them on the ground and abusing them. I was alone, so the only thing I could do was to call the police… it was so scary, and I was only 13 at the time. since then I've always been a little scared of foreigners, since they often seem like they are looking down on us…

there's a lot of nice foreigners too, but what I want to say is that we are only afraid of people, we are scared to not be enough. we don't want to hurt the other person (also why we act kind of cold, if we do that we can't accidentally hurt someone) And I've had a lot of bad experience with people's worts sides too. being bullied, my friends have treated me badly and done many hurtful things to me ( that's past though) but right now I'm on good terms with them :)

HAHA and a funny thing my brother experienced:
he was just walking down the street, minding his own business and then he passed by some foreigners and suddenly one of them turned around and yelled "CARROT HEAD" to him! he was like "haha, funny fella" he's a ginger for your information.

and if you're going somewhere for the first time… if you're looking for nice views, you can go to Stockholm, but the people there are rich and yes, they act kind of stuck-up.
if you're looking for nice people, you should go to smaller cities. they are friendlier, northern sweden have funny fellas! they accent is so weird XD

Sincerely
A 15 year old friend from Sweden.

P.S I don't know about other people, but I always say thank you when i receive something. doesn't matter what! And okay, i'm sorry if many appears dry and racist, but personal experience can be a reason for that, and i'm sorry that some of us don't want more refugees here. but seriously, even I wouldn't want my people to be a minority in my own nation. is that so weird?

]]> By: William http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/#comment-124620 William Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:42 +0000 http://lostinstockholm.com/?p=294#comment-124620 Well, not all swedes are rude and ignorant, and thinking that is..well, ignorant. and rude. If you want a tip - Don't visit Stockholm the first time you travel to Sweden, visit one of the smaller cities, like Karlstad, Jönköping or Malmö. In Stockholm, you usually meet the rich, prude swedes, that believes they're better than the rest.(with some exceptions ofcourse.) The swedes in the smaller cities, such as the one i live in, are much more friendly. Sure, we're not likely to walk up to you and start a conversation, as we swedes are very "shy". We do care alot about our personal space. If you decide to go to Sweden, do visit the smaller cities first, believe me, it's much better. Well, not all swedes are rude and ignorant, and thinking that is..well, ignorant. and rude.
If you want a tip – Don’t visit Stockholm the first time you travel to Sweden, visit one of the smaller cities, like Karlstad, Jönköping or Malmö.

In Stockholm, you usually meet the rich, prude swedes, that believes they’re better than the rest.(with some exceptions ofcourse.)

The swedes in the smaller cities, such as the one i live in, are much more friendly.
Sure, we’re not likely to walk up to you and start a conversation, as we swedes are very “shy”.
We do care alot about our personal space.

If you decide to go to Sweden, do visit the smaller cities first, believe me, it’s much better.

]]> By: Alex http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/#comment-124074 Alex Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:27:16 +0000 http://lostinstockholm.com/?p=294#comment-124074 I dont really know why we swedes are so reserved. I think its becouse that we are very picky with who we let close. Maybe we are very stiff and suspicius with a great need of "private space" becouse of that. And mayby thats why we love to get drunk, becouse we loosen up and have easier to open up to others. And it kind of funny, i can get irritated if someone wants to be too helpfull when shopping. And by too helpful i mean, "do you need help? Do you find what you looking for?". If i do or if i dont, i ask you myself! I have never been to the US, but i suspect that it would be a nightmare for me. A too friendly stranger wants something from me and cant be trusted. Also he interfers with my personal space if being too pushy. But once friends we trusts eachother 100%. And ofc, you cant trust every friendly person who you meet. Thats why we are so reserved i think. I dont really know why we swedes are so reserved. I think its becouse that we are very picky with who we let close. Maybe we are very stiff and suspicius with a great need of “private space” becouse of that. And mayby thats why we love to get drunk, becouse we loosen up and have easier to open up to others.

And it kind of funny, i can get irritated if someone wants to be too helpfull when shopping. And by too helpful i mean, “do you need help? Do you find what you looking for?”. If i do or if i dont, i ask you myself!
I have never been to the US, but i suspect that it would be a nightmare for me. A too friendly stranger wants something from me and cant be trusted. Also he interfers with my personal space if being too pushy.

But once friends we trusts eachother 100%. And ofc, you cant trust every friendly person who you meet. Thats why we are so reserved i think.

]]> By: Simone http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/#comment-123341 Simone Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:58:17 +0000 http://lostinstockholm.com/?p=294#comment-123341 I have the same experience as joycer87. I have lived for many years in Sweden (different big cities) and always got along better with other foreigners or immigrants. Swedes are so reserved that it takes years to get friends with them. I also have a feeling they are quite judgemental, if you are different or express different opinions the theirs, they won't accept you. I am also from a country that they don't find cool (like the US for example) and I feel that matters as well. I find Swedes nice to work with though, they are usually helpful and try to keep a nice atmosphere at work, without unnecessary conflicts. I have the same experience as joycer87. I have lived for many years in Sweden (different big cities) and always got along better with other foreigners or immigrants. Swedes are so reserved that it takes years to get friends with them. I also have a feeling they are quite judgemental, if you are different or express different opinions the theirs, they won’t accept you. I am also from a country that they don’t find cool (like the US for example) and I feel that matters as well.

I find Swedes nice to work with though, they are usually helpful and try to keep a nice atmosphere at work, without unnecessary conflicts.

]]> By: joycer87 http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/#comment-123172 joycer87 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:15:25 +0000 http://lostinstockholm.com/?p=294#comment-123172 Hi All, I have some insight to share. The article is extreme and the writer is obviously writing it while having an emotional reaction to his issues with Swedish culture. Here is what I have experienced since moving to Stockholm from Boston 6 months ago: Firstly, I am a very social person. I thrive off of social interaction, its how I energize. When I interact with anyone, even a stranger, I treat them as I would want to be treated, with warmth and my full attention. I also approach everything with this mindset "I could meet a new friend today, or a future girlfriend, or a fellow musician, Ect" The world is full of amazing people, why not meet them? Fast forward 6 months later. I have given up that attitude. I really don't want to seem like an arrogant American, but I have to give it straight up. Stockholm people are cold. And Rude. Its difficult to meet anyone when you automatically get negativity and a thick wall to break through. I have met many nice expats from many different countries here, but I have not made a single Swedish friend. And I am good at making new friends. They just won't let me in. To me its not something to get angry about, its just quite sad for me, its not my way of life. how do people meet, become friends, fall in love in this country? I can't figure it out. I guess I find it sad because I moved here willing to fully give myself to new people and accept many new friendships. I guess my advice would be to not expect that and meet expats! Hi All,
I have some insight to share. The article is extreme and the writer is obviously writing it while having an emotional reaction to his issues with Swedish culture. Here is what I have experienced since moving to Stockholm from Boston 6 months ago:

Firstly, I am a very social person. I thrive off of social interaction, its how I energize. When I interact with anyone, even a stranger, I treat them as I would want to be treated, with warmth and my full attention. I also approach everything with this mindset “I could meet a new friend today, or a future girlfriend, or a fellow musician, Ect” The world is full of amazing people, why not meet them?

Fast forward 6 months later. I have given up that attitude. I really don’t want to seem like an arrogant American, but I have to give it straight up. Stockholm people are cold. And Rude. Its difficult to meet anyone when you automatically get negativity and a thick wall to break through. I have met many nice expats from many different countries here, but I have not made a single Swedish friend. And I am good at making new friends. They just won’t let me in.
To me its not something to get angry about, its just quite sad for me, its not my way of life. how do people meet, become friends, fall in love in this country? I can’t figure it out.

I guess I find it sad because I moved here willing to fully give myself to new people and accept many new friendships. I guess my advice would be to not expect that and meet expats!

]]> By: MenVadIHelaJävlaHelvete http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/#comment-122779 MenVadIHelaJävlaHelvete Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:38:03 +0000 http://lostinstockholm.com/?p=294#comment-122779 Hej, It's a bit shocking reading all this hateful comments about Swedish people and Sweden. One thing that people don't get is that our reaction to things is also a big part of our humour. We are extremely dry and ironic, sarcastic in Sweden. The facial expression doesn't always change that much when we make a joke. That's why many people doesn't follow. I could go on the whole day but i have to go being, lecturing, ignorant, unfriendly, boring, tightfisted, humourless, soulless and a bit of a racist like a true swedish person! If you think Swedes are the rudest and most boring people on earth it probably says more about yourself! Best wishes from a Swede! Hej,

It’s a bit shocking reading all this hateful comments about Swedish people and Sweden.
One thing that people don’t get is that our reaction to things is also a big part of our humour.
We are extremely dry and ironic, sarcastic in Sweden. The facial expression doesn’t always change that much when we make a joke. That’s why many people doesn’t follow.
I could go on the whole day but i have to go being, lecturing, ignorant, unfriendly, boring, tightfisted, humourless, soulless and a bit of a racist like a true swedish person!

If you think Swedes are the rudest and most boring people on earth it probably says more about yourself!

Best wishes from a Swede!

]]> By: Adriana http://lostinstockholm.com/2009/05/27/are-swedes-really-that-horrible/#comment-121063 Adriana Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:23:07 +0000 http://lostinstockholm.com/?p=294#comment-121063 I love the swedish. I was in Stockholm for a few weeks this summer, and I've never felt so at ease in an european capital. I am quite shy, and the swedish are the least intrusive people I've seen. I could walk in a busy street and no one looked at me, or made snarky comments or whatever. People just let you be on your own, which is rather liberating. On the other hand, I had to ask for directions a few times, and people were more than helpful and nice. I don't know about that guy, but I don't think he has the legitimacy to call anyone "rude", when he's the one who's making a sweeping offensive generalization of an entire country. I love the swedish. I was in Stockholm for a few weeks this summer, and I’ve never felt so at ease in an european capital. I am quite shy, and the swedish are the least intrusive people I’ve seen. I could walk in a busy street and no one looked at me, or made snarky comments or whatever. People just let you be on your own, which is rather liberating. On the other hand, I had to ask for directions a few times, and people were more than helpful and nice.
I don’t know about that guy, but I don’t think he has the legitimacy to call anyone “rude”, when he’s the one who’s making a sweeping offensive generalization of an entire country.

]]>