Weird Cultural Differences: A Californian in Sweden
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- Опубліковано 15 сер 2018
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Sweden is one of the best places in the world. We laugh a lot about the differences between our two home countries, Sweden and America, and even Sweden vs. California. Here are just a few of Lauren's favorite things she's noticed about being a Californian expat living in Sweden.
From my experience it's not that swedes are particularly literal in their speech compared to others, it's just that Americans are not.
I’m from Norway, and I drive 5-6 hours to get that Swedish candy! No joke. Swedish candy is seriously the best.
Oh my goodness, I almost forgot this interaction I had with a Swedish man! I am South African, Zulu. We greet everybody! It's disrespectful not to greeet. I had been in Sweden for about 2 weeks and I made the mistake of greeting a stranger. He looked up in shock and nodded when I said hello. I then made a grave mistake and asked how he was! At this point his shock had turned into disgust and he said "talkative aren't we??" The funniest interaction I've ever had in LIFE!
Finn here. Salty liquorice makes everything better.
"I'm asking a swede how their day is going and they assume that i actually ask how their day is going". Well ofc, you literally ask how our day is going :O
Swedes never ever sit next to each other at buses, trams etc. We cant even wait for the bus in one group, we rather stand as far as possible from each other! No eyecontact no talking
Things you missed. I'm a Californian. Your village dances (polskor, etc. )and music are the absolute best. We travel to Sweden just for the dancing and playing in Dalarna. Surstromming is good. Swedish sil is far better than U.S. or Canadian pickled herring. Messmor is great and absent in the U.S. Midsommar potatoes are generally better than anything in the U.S.
The clapping at events is so true. I get extremely irritated when I watch American car launches. The crowd screams and whistles etc. As a Swede this is simply not acceptable behaviour. You pay attention and do NOT interrupt the presenter.
I thought I had that typical British reserve until I moved to Sweden. In fact, we're positively gregarious in comparison. I love to smile sweetly at the elderly because we're told they become invisible to the young. Instant suspicion, if indeed they ever look at you. I can't stop holding doors open for people following (to their surprise) even as the one in front of me closed in my face. I passed the pickled herring test but not the salty liquorish. I think the Dutch version is even saltier & yes, I had that pushed on me as "it's delicious, a delicacy, really tasty"! One similarity to London, I'm always the last on the bus as I refuse to push my way on.
We watched this in school and it made so many of the students happy to see that they took a video from a lgbt couple, because that would never happen before
I’m a Swede living in Spain, and one typical Swedish thing I do all the time is that I say “tack” (thank you) so much... Like a real Swede 😂
You two are so cute!!! I'm from Southern California and married a Swede last year. So I've been living in the countryside (middle) of Sweden for almost 10 months, and I can totally relate! Another thing I've noticed is that there is a LOT less eating out here... so not many restaurants but lots of pizza places and fika places that only have sandwiches & sweets to eat. I'm not big on coffee, candy or sweets (and I do NOT like salty licorice!) My favorite parts of Sweden: the abundance of forests, the feeling of safety and how people trust each other 😊
On my master`s degree registration day I expected the usual formal process, but it turned out to be my very first iNtEnSe fika with all the renowned professors, who introduced themselves with their first names. Same for the work environment, where we started off on first-name basis with the superiors right away. In my experience, the moment you need to work together with Swedes in academic or professional terms you are considered a team without a forced gap between different ranks. That took some time getting used to, but I cherish it immensely. <3
haha watching this as a swede is pretty funny, all these things are so normal to me 😂 and I will never ever understand the "how are you doing?" as a hello. like, that's a question! about ones we'll being! how is that a hello?! and I think it's super embarrassing when I've been abroad and someone says that and I'm like "oh I'm okay I guess" and they're just like "..... ok then"
Born and bred American here who has never felt at home in my own country. After watching this video, it is clear to me that I would be better suited for life as a Swede. I hate small talk and intrusive customer service, am very introverted and keep to myself, prefer language that is to the point and not overly effusive, and well....bulk candy aisles sound like paradise to me. Ditto, being surrounded by stylish, good looking, cultured people. The only drawback for me would be the cold weather.
I've also found saying "I love you" isn't as frequent as it is for Americans. Early on I'd say it at the end of phone calls and my bf wouldn't. When I questioned him on it he said Swedes don't need the constant reassurance and I should know he loves me because he calls me älskling. He's become more Americanized with it as time has gone on. 😂
Love salty licorice!!!
Sweeties, what a fresh, funny topic! Loved it! Definitely shoot more such videos and I MISS LAUREN SPEAKING IN SWEDISH, SHE IS ADORABLE! Every time I have experienced cultural differences, it made me feel as learning precious new things way more valuable than the textbooks. Have not yet been to Sweden, but if you don't mind it, I'd love to come to Stockholm when you are there to both see it and to meet you. ❤💋
I don't know whether it is the same in Sweden, but here in Iceland when everyone starts clapping in unison it means "again", "more", "encore" or something like that.
GIRL that 'how's the day going' drives me crazy! my in-laws are latinos and they're constantly asking 'como te va' but you're not supposed to answer that! it's a way of saying hello. now dude, i'm italian and if you ask me how i'm doing i'll tell you, just like a good swede! 😂😂😂