I hadn’t been to the US in 3 years… Here’s what I noticed
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- Опубліковано 5 чер 2024
- After not having been to my home country for over three and a half years, I finally made the trip back to see family, friends, and view American culture through an entirely new lens after having lived in Sweden for the majority of my adult life! In this video, I discuss the things that surprised me.
It’s actually illegal for waiters in Sweden, and I think the EU to take your card and walk away with it now that they have portable card terminals. It’s a way to avoid scamming.
According to which law?
It is illegal to take a customer/ guests card and walk away with it
In Sweden it's not illegal but you have to sign it with your Pin code anyways (if it isn't contactless transfer, which has a limit of 200-400SEK)
But it is illegal to just sign on the receipt.
@@jancmyon4240 It is illegal for waiters and waitresses to walk away with your card. You either pay with your card at the table or you pay at the register.
Can’t card skimmers be installed in portable readers as well?
The reason why you can't turn right on red lights in Europe is that it's really dangerous for pedestrians.
And there are a lot more pedestrians in Europe than the US, so it makes sense. Being a pedestrian in the US, you're putting your life on the line!
Dangerous for pedestrians and bicyckles because that is when they move forward the spots where there is separately trafficlight as some have.
I've lived many years in both the US and in Sweden. Right on red works just fine. It helps the traffic flow and the safety aspect is not an issue. A car comes to a full stop first and has plenty of time to determine that the coast is clear. Far easier than when the light is green and the driver has to look "in flow" to see if there are bikers or pedestrians.
@@buckstraw925 There have been studies saying that the risk of injury for cyclists and pedestrians increases when allowing turning right on red. So it doesn't "work just fine"...
@@Sundain There are studies about everything. Did the studies you looked at evaluate the positive aspects of "right on red"? For example. the positive impact on the climate. Was that evaluated? Also, how did the increase in risk compare with the normal risks for pedestrians/cyclists when cars make right turns with a green light? I'm sure there is an increased risk but that increase needs to be evaluated vs. the potential "good".
Sweden dont have turn right on red because it would be dangerous. When its red the people walking or bicycling will have green. Instead we put a green arrow on the side when its safe to turn right on "red". we also have sensors in the road so they can feel when a car comes close and if its free the light will turn green. You will never sit alone at a red light when its clear from all sides. (if not the light is broken)
I would love to have turn right on red here. You still have to give way to pedestrians and cars going straight.
But about the small talk thing. I’m a Swede. Don’t know if I’m “Lagom” or not but I often chat with people both on the bus or on planes. Not all the time of course. Also I do Uber here in Stockholm some weekends. There I often have deep conversations with riders about everything. Total strangers Swedes and foreigners alike. But I do understand where you’re coming from here. The 1 every second seat on buses and you know. Americans in general are more chatty. I’ve been 6 times to the us so I can compare too.
It does saves lifes having the rule that you can't turn right on a red light.
Another thing is, other countrys find it silly that we have to have our car lights turnded on during the day, it's proven that you can spot a car from further distance if it's turned on, even during daylight.
@@zpitzer well problem is that it’s not always as you say where there is a turning arrow. Most of the time you get green and pedestrians around the right corner does too. They have the right of way and we have to wait for them. If there is a turning arrow it is sometimes on when it’s red going straight or left and then pedestrians have a red light but in the same intersection you can also turn right on green without the turning arrow being lit. This can be confusing. In the US you can always turn right on red but you have to yield to everyone else except when there is a sign explicitly stating “No turn on red”. Which is more logical to you?
@@zpitzerTotally agree about the low beam, I live in a wooded area with winding roads, you can see the lights through the bushes when driving.
@@zpitzer the headlights during daytime also serves as an indicator that this car is "on" and an active component of the traffic, meaning you have to pay more attention to it, unlike a parked car which is "off" and you don't have to pay any more attention to than any other item which is part of the environment, like a park bench.
Here in Sweden, if you get a driver's license for manual vehicles, you can drive both manual and automatic. But if you take a driver's license for automatic vehicles, you may only drive automatic vehicles.
Same in the UK, which is why nearly everyone learns to drive and takes their test in a manual.
@@blotskiit is slowly changing. Most new cars are automatic, so more and more feel that it is easier to just get the licence for only automatic
Same here in Finland
As a Swede in America, I can definitely say that the two-party political system forces an us versus them mentality to take hold, making it hard for people to stretch their boundaries and change their views. Americans also let their religion guide them to a large extent which often keeps society stagnant. And when it comes to Americans being open and very easy to talk to I agree. In America, you're considered rude if you don't talk to strangers. In Sweden you feel rude if you do. But if you ignore that social norm and begin a conversation with a Swede, they usually have no problem opening up. They actually really love the fact that you take the initiative. Thanks for yet another really interesting video.
For real. My American friend is literally suffering because of it.
@@ElectrostatiCrow i feel their pain! I would love more political options. How about a common sense party?
Our system in Sweden is nowhere better, maybe it even makes things even more complicated. Now you got a block of 4 parties and they all want something different, which means nothing gets done. And sometime they all think the same but then it goes against what the people voted for. We (the swedes) voted for the other side in the last election because we wanted change, and what really happened was that the smaller parties within the coalition blocked out the party that got more votes and now things are worse than when the other side had the power.
@@OpenBASED Yes Sweden sure is going through some really challenging times at the moment. So, what's the solution? I wish I knew. One thing I do know is that although it's never wrong to work together and to listen to others, at some point, you have to come up with a common-sense solution. No matter how uncomfortable it might be.
@@AnnaISmith To be honest, I'm done with "democracy", what ever that is. No matter where in the west the so called "democracy" rule it ALWAYS goes against the people. Don't matter which country, and then some people (from other countries) scream out "you get what you voted for!", no I didn't, no one of us (the majority) did.
Do people genuinely enjoy „smalltalk“ and getting to lifestories so soon…?
I‘m a German who moved up to Sweden and I love that there is less smalltalk - but still people chat about sports, weekend-activities, music and what’s to be found in the forest at a certain time of the year 😊
I'm from the Netherlands and live in Sweden. I to love that there is less smalltalk over here. I'm an introvert and kind of dislike smalltalk. But the older the people in Sweden, the more you get spoken to, but that is sort of normal everywhere you go in Europe. It's always the oldies that talk a lot to strangers. And it also really depends where you live. In small towns where everyone knows each other everyone is friendly. And in cities everyone is always in a hurry.
@JustAEuropeanWanderer Not all Americans enjoy small talk with strangers. As an American in Denmark, I find it a relief that it's okay to skip the chit chat.
no one really enjoys the small talk. It's useless. The only reason why it's so rampant in USA is because people often feel lonely, don't feel social connection, drive in their cars alone a lot. So when they see someone they crave to have a small talk to feel like humans again. That's why so many Americans are depressed and on anti-depressants - the society is too individualistic and there's no real sense of community. Everyone competes constantly with the others to be more successful and richer. Bragging culture. :-(
Your English has the ever so slightest Swedish accent undertones now. So interesting how that happens! Only on some words but I can hear it!
Especially his L’s are sounding very Swedish😄
Yeah, it’s very interesting! When I first started watching I though, wait, is this guy American or Swedish? How cool how we can change our way of talking
For a time I thought he was just a Swede pretending to be an American.
@@ElectrostatiCrow
Ouch...
@@ChristinaChrisR
Not always so cool...
I'm like a parrot, so my English turns from British to Aussie, to American, without me thinking about it...
Same with Swedish, Danish, German, and Spanish.
My middle name should be "Polly"....🦜🤪🇳🇴
Swedish children and most of the european children aren't required to recite a pledge of allegiance to the flag every single day at school. I think the American government is responsible for the extreme patriotism that we see there.
"Swedish children and most of the european children ..." The exception was Germany for a while, some 80-90 years ago.
@@dsludge8217 And the old salute in US schools was the same as in Germany 1933-45...
I don't think saying the pledge causes it. It's just words you mouth, it's blah blah blah. Forced demonstrations of patriotism are inherently hollow.
That being said, if you see someone who leans on the whole flag thing really hard, people who have flags paraphernalia all over the place...be a little wary. Their ideas about patriotism will have very little nuance.
To many Americans, that is a sign of true patriotism. However, when you pull back and really look at it. It resembles like a Nazi salute. To many in the world it is kind of odd.
If you show the slightest pride in being swedish here you will get called all of the isms and phobes.
Hi from Germany. I appreciate your comments. I think it´s time that the USA in general opens up their minds again and get rid off the "America first" attitude (unhealthy patriotism). Keep on going!
I think the problem with American "patriotism" is the idea that loving your country must be uncritical and unconditional, a very jealously guarded love that seems weirdly angry. You can never examine your country and look for ways to improve it, or learn from others who may be doing things better than we are, because you're not allowed to admit that anything about America is not the best. Or give anyone else credit....Americans talk about "freedom" with a conviction that they are the only ones who have it.
@@moonlily1 that is well put
LOL!
Turning right on a red light is very dangerous for pedestrians. Drivers in the USA aren't famous for paying attention to them.
Maybe because they are so rare...?
More reason to keep an eye out or not turn right on red.
I didn't deserve to be born in Sweden. Actually nothing I do or don't do will make me more or less swedish. Therefor I see no point in being proud of it. It's just a matter of fact. I'm proud of a lot of things: my degree, my working skills, finding a nice husband who loves me back, being able to keep great friends, to live a quite good life despite hard times et.c. I do good stuff and that make me proud.
It's been great fun to follow you these years, from your first vlogg till now. It hasn't only been a way of getting to know you and what it can be like to come here, but also to know a little more about us, i.e. Swedes.
One thing that I think would be really interesting is to hear about how (if at all) your friends and relatives in USA think that you have changed.
Yay! You have a new video up ! I have to say your videos helped me so much in my process of moving to Sweden from Texas. I been here 2 years and love it. I had the same feelings you did when I went back to Texas in April and I have not even been here as long as you have. I too feel like a citizen of two different worlds. Have an awesome rest of your day!
Did you get my reply
Hello be curious 2000. I’m in Tx I would like to move to Sweden. Since you did it. Can you help me with that. Advice etc. Hope to hear from you. Thanks
@@marwan6767 yea hi there😃. I do not know why the but I keep getting error 404 when I reply . I have my own UA-cam with information there 😁
I live in Texas and plan on moving to Sweden as well! I love that I found someone who did the same thing I aspire to, it makes it seem more real and feasible!
@@somebody_that_you_used_to_know nice! Hope you can make it work 😊
Make sure to get double citizenship if you haven’t already.
As a Canadian, I must say I am much more sympatico with Sweden and am becoming increasingly disenchanted (I’m being polite here) with the US. US pride in my opinion is borderline arrogance. My advice to you…STAY in Sweden.
Yes, i totally agree. A country that has had the world's largest economy the last 180 years, has exported more soft-power influence than any country in likely the same amount of time. A country that has invented rock n roll, the airplane, hip hop, jazz, the blues, techno, house music, skate boarding snow boarding, mountain biking, the personal computer, e-mail, MRI's, we could literally be going for days. I think the citizens of that country should forget all of that, focus on the negative, and learn to hate themselves as much as other countries do.
@@cbeary2000 LOL
@@cbeary2000 no American immigrants invented things. You invented exactly zip, except a dumb comment. 😂
@cbeary2000 Knock 80 years off your largest economy claim. The list of 'inventions', apart from being, in large part, inconsequential is also questionable. It's an example of the, often inaccurate, bragging we dislike.
@@gerrygallen5911 I just checked to make sure i was close to accurate on my claim of how long the US has had the largest economy. It seems the answer is 1871. The soft power and globe changing inventions are "selectively" inconsequential to you. It doesn't denote how influential and impressive they have been on the planet as a whole.
I've read that the turning right on red causes a lot of problems for pedestrians in the USA. Although people walk less the death rate for pedestrians is weirdly high in the USA compared to everywhere in Europe. There are many reasons but one of them is that everything is designed to keep the traffic moving rather than keep pedestrians safe. Turning right on red is a prime example.
bikes too.
some states or cities you can't like New York City it's illegal to turn on red.
Hi, Swedish-American family here too ☺️
About the flags: They're a visible sign of the "pride in your country" that you talked about, aka patriotism. Flags in schools, pledging allegiance, military planes flying over sports venues, parades... These are are all typical of countries that need people to feel honored to send family members to war instead of questioning military efforts and spending. Once you see this, it makes sense why the US is so different from Sweden in that regard and more similar to other, more militaristic countries they might even consider "the enemy".
I always thought that the US has all those things, because the US is a country of immigrants, so people who come all over the globe and from many different countries. And since the roots of Americans are all over the place, they need something in common and that's where the US patriotism and the different manifestations of it come to play.
U.S.A. is a very young nation. It's only 247 years old. I bet you there was flag-waving going on also in Sweden back in the day. Blue and yellow have been used as Swedish colours at least since 1275. Let's recap on the matter in 500 years.
No, when flags started to be raised at public places in the late 1800's many Swedes criticized it since they felt that flags belonged on ships at sea. Flags being used by the general public outside private homes etc. became popular first around WW2.
@@FINNSTIGAT0R I se you believe the myth that the USA has more diversity than other nations. In fact the USA isn't even in the top 80 of countries with diversity. Most countries in Europe have a more diverse population than the USA. Even Canada has more diversity than the USA.
So no, it has nothing to do with immigrants but all to do with indoctrination.
Such a niche channel for me being from Portland and obsessed with Sweden 🤙
There are special rules if you weant to have the Swedish flag up. You can only have it out during the day for example, so that's why it's more common in the summer I guess.
There are pennants that you're allowed to have up all the time, so those are pretty common as well.
For those who may wonder:
“Flag times
The board of the Swedish Flag Day issued recommendations that should be followed and which are based on the regulations of the military’s long tradition, international flag customs and the general perception of the flag as a respected national symbol.
From March 1 to October 31, the flag is raised at 08:00
From 1 November to February 28(29), the flag is raised at 09.00.
All days of the year, the flag is lowered at sunset, however no later than 9 p.m.
If the flag is illuminated, it may be hoisted after sunset.
However, the formalism must not go so far that flagging is omitted. Lowering the flag for the night shows respect and reverence for our national symbol.
The flag must be treated with respect. It must be hoisted properly at the top against the flagpole knob with the flagline stretched. Only one flag may be hoisted on each pole. The flag must be whole and clean and with the colors intact. If a flag is no longer in usable condition, it should be dignified burned or given to the flag maker for destruction and certainly not left in the garbage.”
When I did my military service we were not allowed to have the flag touching the ground either. That part seems to have been removed nowadays…
@@SkiierMike In the US (people say) that if the flag is flown at night, than it needs to have a light on it. Compared to other countries the US can be a bit overbaord with there patriotism. It is almost like a contest to who is more patriotic. Having been to other countries throughout the world. That is unique.
The actual law is very brief and doesn't mention most of the rules, including when (not) to hoist.
Another rule is that the flag must be folded in a way that no yellow is visible. 😊
Now that you have been back to the US, I would love to hear how you realzed that You changed; your personality or your likes or your thoughts of the world. I lived in Sweden 1989-90, but now live in Tennessee (grew up in a very small town in upstate NY). It was easy for me to fall back into life in the US but I wasn't there for so long. I enjoy listening to your experiences and plan to retire to maybe Portugal with a decade. Thank you for your content. Good to see you back. (PS I agree with the person that said you have a twinge of a Swedish accent in your English ❤)
The safety of card payments in Europe has changed a lot for the last 20 years. It used to be like you described, then the portable version came and then Swish here in Sweden.
Were I only addressing to you, and not to the host of your followers, I might just as well use my native language. But I guess that the majority is not Swedish, so here goes:
Unfortunately far too many drivers seem to shun the extreme right lane on multi-lane roads, which sometimes makes overtaking quite an adventure. Maybe it is worse in the US, but anyway.
We are not allowed to turn right on red, but that does not seem to apply everywhere. Once, on a job in Italy (I am a journalist, but by now an emeritus) I was happily driving a Fiat demo car in Torino (Turin in Swedish and probaly in English) with a Fiat-employed "guide" in the right seat.
I stopped at a red light, but he urged me not to stop, "because noone is coming in the other street".
Flags: I have a flag outside my house, and more often than not I abide by the Swedish national flag rules. Most people do, so there are no national flags hoisten after 21 hrs - 9 pm to Americans. We tend to hoist the flag on certain "ALLMÄNNA FLAGGDAGAR", national flag days, e.g. The National Day, The King´s, the Queen´s and the Crown Princesse´s birthaday. Futhermore Christmas Day, the Nobel Day, Midsummer´s Day, and -a liite oddly, November 6, in rememberance of our king Gustavos Adolphus II, who was killed in the battle of Lutzen this day in 1632.
Since Sweden has been around for a while, 2023 we celebrate 500 years of the present"version" -from Gustav Wasa´s ascension of the throne in 1523, we take Sweden more or less for granted, earlier variants emerging some 500 years before that, including unions with Norway and Denmark.
Swedes (I am too) might be proud of being Swedish (we often are) but, we do not brag about it, since bragging is not (in my mind) a Swedish thing - rather an American.
A the English say: "The proof is in the pudding". Let us not just talk about it, but taste it.
Hans Strömberg
A very senior journalist (age 77) in Stockholm, Sweden
How the blooming F, can one claim that a woman flashing her breasts, would be disrespectful to the US soldiers that fought in a war 80 years ago?
Would it possible to ask THEM, they would most certainly shout encouragements and applaud the woman, and say: "that is what we fight for! Wohoo!"
Another a Crocoduck moment from Cameonron.
My thought exactly!
Kind of similar to the certain previous US president blaming Joe Biden for the team USA losing to Sweden in football (soccer) 😜 No correlation at all but the polarization is on that level.
Great video. Nice to see you again. Must been awesome to visit your family and to see your homeland after 3 years❤
As an American with Swedish relatives I really enjoy your channel and the perspectives you bring. Coincidentally, I also live the Pacific Northwest. Keep it coming because as time goes on it's going to be super interesting to see how you evolve. Thanks!
People from the US often mention the size of the country as a reason why so few Americans travel abroad. But a lot of Europeans will travel to the USA, Canada, Thailand, Australia and many other places outside Europe. I don't think distance is the deciding factor why Americans don't travel as much.
Speaking for myself, the bio- and geo-diversity is the main reason why I do not travel outside of the US much. Full disclosure: my husband and I are nature people. We're into stunning scenery and wildlife.
We DO travel a lot, within the country. So far this year, we've been to Marco Island, Florida in January and Utah and Arizona in March to see the Vermillion Cliffs (the first time), the Horseshoe Bend (the 2nd time), the Monument Valley (the nth time), Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks (the 3rd time). We made our annual cross-country drive from Georgia to Montana in April-May, crossing 10 states, covering 2,000 miles one way, and 2 time zones. My husband made his annual summer drive to and from Maine in June-late July. In late July to early August, we flew into Wyoming and vacationed there and in Montana, covering Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks and the Beartooth Highway. In October we're going to Houston to visit my family. In November and December we're flying to Florida to visit my husband's side of the family. Towards Christmas, we're going to Southern California to see my best friend.
We have a cabin in Montana--on 19 acres and surrounded by snow-capped mountains--and a cabin on a lake in Maine, surrounded by dense forest and offers excellent fishing opportunities. In Montana, we routinely see elk and pronghorn antelopes coming to our property. World-renowned trout fishing can be had in the nearby Madison River. Yellowstone is a mere 30-minute drive and Grand Teton 2.5 hours away.
In Maine, we can hear loons on the lake at night. A couple of times my husband saw a black bear swimming across the lake while fishing from his boat. Once he saw a moose walking outside of his cabin at 4 o'clock in the morning.
We also own a plot of land, where our future winter home is going to be, in the Mount Lemmon area of Tucson, Arizona. Our land is studded with giant saguaro cacti and frequented by coyotes, javelinas, and sometimes mountain lions.
Originally from China, I am not particularly drawn by history and huge crowds. Granted, Europe has some fabulous historical sites. However, the situation with pickpockets and the crowds just makes the prospect not appealing to me. We'd much rather hike in back country, where you'd be lucky to encounter 12 people in an hour and the possibility of spotting a moose or a bear is very real. We do carry bear spray on those hikes.
To each their own.
A lot of Americans don't travel outside the country because America number 1 lol
They charge Americans double to book the same trip from the US to Europe than vice versa, typically. Not sure why, but airline booking websites do that. So that could be a factor.
Been watchin' your content for a long time. I really liked this clip. Of course you now have a very good grip on both countries (continents even). I think you absolutely nailed it here. Very interesting. Fairly complex matters (in some of the cases) presented in a very approachable way.
The payment terminal coming to the table is one thing I truly appreciated about Europe. I told my husband, "Why aren't we doing this in the U.S?!" However, I see it happening more often now in the U.S.
Right turn on red is extremely deadly for pedestrians and bikes. In the US they just decided a long time ago that only cars matter and they don't need to consider other users on the roads.
That doesn't even make sense, you have to be driving rather slow to make a right turn and anyone who isn't blind can see the pedestrians walking and the green pedestrian light combine that with pedestrians who are not blind.
@@butWhyDad Most people turning right aren't looking right, they're looking left at crossing traffic for a break. I've caught myself a few times surprised by a pedestrian walking up to start crossing when I don't expect it. Fortunately I have always stopped in time but I've seen incidents where the driver hasn't. The other issue is if the car turning right sees cross traffic stop for the red light, then decides to go at the same time that the pedestrian gets a walk sign and they meet in the middle. If drivers never made mistakes it would be fine but unfortunately a lot of drivers aren't always watching where they're going. It's better to just prevent the situation.
@@peterjorgensen3 So your own driving skills and and let's me be generous and say 100 other people you know represent 300 million Americans since you claim "most people".
I never do such mistakes it is extremely easy to see if there are pedestrians waiting to cross or not unless you are oblivious and a horrible driver as much as you will be in denial it doesn't change the reality. Also idk what you are even talking about with ped light turning green at a bad time that doesn't make sense, pedestrians also have the legal obligation to be careful before walking into the street.
Your argument is saying it takes two oblivious people to cause an accident which is almost always the reason accidents happen so it has nothing to do with red turns it has to do with bad drivers and bad pedestrians being themselves.
Also another argument to show you are wrong is US is one of the countries with lowest traffic accidents involving pedestrians, so if it is such an issue why isn't there higher pedestrian accidents? My point is you have no data nor good argument except your very uncredible anecdote.
@@butWhyDad If your driving skills are so impeccable you clearly are never in a hurry and have no problem waiting until it's your turn to go to make the roads safer for those around you.
@@peterjorgensen3 Thanks 😆
I had no idea you were originally from Vancouver, WA. I'm also a native, a graduate of FVHS. Thank you for a fascinating commentary. I'm glad that you've found contentment in Sweden. All the best.
Stefan’s parents met at FVHS in 1989 as student teachers!
@@cristythyron7289 I'm always amazed at what a small town Vancouver really is, Cristy. I'm a teacher myself, recently retired, and I love running into old students around town. Thank you for the kind reply.
Are you related to Stefan, then?
As a scandnavian, I don't mind small talk now and then with strangers when traveling and so on. But like on an airplane I like to relax, and like to spend 80%+ of my time there 'relaxing', not talking) Someone sitting next to me getting into life stories, naaah, it's info I do not need to fill my head with, with all respect, let's not go that deep
Nice video! I believe that when you get older, you'll very likely to move back to the US. That is what happens a lot for us from Finland, although as for me, I came to Sweden with my parents and was a child. I often watch your videos, you always have something sensible to say. Wish you luck! 🤗
Great channel…I really enjoy your content. Your a very humble young man too, very pleasant to listen too. Thank you for the videos.
It used to be like that with credit cards / restaurants in Sweden too - but like 25 years ago. Since portable technology became more and more common that older credit card technology was phased out..
I am from Camas and will be moving to Sweden; appreciated finding your video & perspective!
As Swede I would never move to America. I have travelled there two times and of course I loved many parts of the experience… And I love many of the American friends I have… I just can’t imagine living there.
Look at Kingsburg, CA. There you see an abundance of Swedish and American flags everywhere you look! It’s a Swedish settlement in California where everything reminds you of Sweden! 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 equally on display together with Swedish county shields and windmills all around. Most names are Swedish and the kids learn Swedish in school!
They do have an annual Swedish festival in Kingsburg, but 99.9% of the people there don't speak any Swedish and they definitely don't learn it in school. That may have been true 100 years ago. Source: I live close to Kingsburg, CA and know people that went to school there
@@aeedin intresting. Have been there too in the late 90s. Back then i talked to some people and their kids did leran swedish as an extra curriculum activity. So no. Not a hundras years ago. They said it had been introduced some 5-10 years ago because of younger kids wanting to learn more about their ancestry. We have a long running TV show here in sweden called Allt för Sverige with Americans of Swedish descent compete in Sweden for the grand prize which is a family reunion with living relatives here. This has been running for over 10 years with more than a hundred contestants. There are currently around 6 million descendants of Swedes living in the US. More than 5 times the immigrants. And more than half the current Swedish population.
I live 20 miles from Kingsburg. It's a great town.
Australia is a long way from Europe too but a high percentage of Australians have passports and travel around the world. Having 4 weeks annual leave and 3 months long service leave makes a difference I guess.
Tack för en intressant video. Kul att se dig igen. Vi växlade några ord på restaurang Kasai för några veckor sedan.
I thought you were going to talk about the humanitarian crisis homeless situation in Portland, things have gotten crazy
In several countries in Europe it is actually required to keep as close to the right side of the road as possible, otherwise you could be fined. It is less strict in the cities, but if you drive a highway which has 3 lanes and you drive on e.g. center one and you're not passing anyone that's on your right side, then you could be fined (afaik especially in Germany).
About the flags. Swedes have them and have special flags days. Of they are in the top its some kind off celebration (birthday, name day things like that) or the regular flag days. If its on half its grief. Someone has died or funeral
Your English has changed! Your accent is still American, but has touches of Swedish and British, vowels in particular. Did anyone in the US make a comment on that when you were back? Or you adapted quickly back on American soil?
You see the Canadian flag in Sergels Torg is not strange because that is where the Canadian embassy is.
I've always wanted to visit Sweden. I'm living vicariously through you 😊
I guess I´m a typical swede then because I feel absolutely NO need of smalltalk with strangers on the bus, at the store, standing in a line/queue(had to check the spelling on that lol) and I REALLY dont wanna talk about personal stuff with someone I´ve never met before. I just dont understand the want/ need to do this because I enjoy being silent sometimes and rest my mind...I guess I just like my own company too much haha!
Waitress in the US here🤚🏼I can’t bring the card scanner to the table bc it’s attached by cables/wires to the POS system (the little computer we enter orders into) 😂 but honestly I have had a guy just walk up to the POS with me and use Apple Pay right there. So you can probably just ask your server if you can pay at the POS yourself if you have that kind of nervousness with your financial details. 😊
In some larger junctions in Sweden, there are short, “curved” lanes for turning right (separated from the lane going straight by a curb) with a give way sign at the intersection. There, you are of course not dependent on any traffic light and it would be our “equivalent” to americas turn right on red I guess
I lived in Vancouver WA for 15 years, recently moved back to Serbia/Europe. I'm so sad that USA is going down in some ways. I consider USA as my home , big part of me. Still missing beautiful nature around Vancouver. I hope things are going to be better in States❤
Some places we have an additional light for right turn only. It's a regular round red yellow green and on the side you have a yellow arrow green arrow pointing right for right turning traffic.
We also have tons of roundabouts. They are much more efficient and safe.
Swedish flags are only supposed to be up when sun is up, you are historically not allowed to have it up in the dark I believe. I don't know if that could have something to do with it. If you want something up all the time you have a pennant flag.
Sök efter: riksarkivet flaggningstider
I love stefans videos. Want to go to Sweden for sure.
My biggest culture shock coming to America was how chatty and friendly everyone is. I was on tour with a band for a month on the west coast and just loved how random people started talking with you about everything and nothing, everyone wanted to connect over something. "Oh you're swedish, my grandparents are from Scandinavia", then you'd get offered a ride somewhere or place to stay or whatever. Came back to Stockholm, walked into a supermarket and it was like hitting a cold wall - everyone seemed unfriendly and distant and wanted to be left the hell alone. To be honest it's been 6 months now and all I want is to go back, "home" just doesn't feel like home anymore.
Some places in the US also bring the card reader to the table. Otherwise, I think the difference between the Us and Sweden in that regard is that Sweden has simply caught up to portable card readers much sooner, while the US is behind with that and still mostly uses credit card machines that need to be plugged in. It’s the extension of the overall difference in payment systems in the two countries where Sweden is utilizing a more modern approach : 1. In Sweden it’s hard to see anyone paying with cash (the impression I got when I was there), while in the US there are still many more people who pay with cash when out and about. In Sweden there are even places now that no longer accept cash at all, from what I’ve heard.
Yes. The rummours you heard about some places in Sweden don't accept cash is 100% true.
And we pay with Swish ( using mobile number as "account" )
for charity, in the street in church
At the flee market
Beetween friends, like I'll Swish you 10$ for the ride (gas cost....)
Paying tickets . travel or entertainment
One person take the bill , and get a Swishpayment .from his friends
Have replaced Visa AmEx as payment metod, and cash
I don't think I've used cash in along time, I'm carrying 20 - 30 USD but I don't remember last time I used cash
As a Swede I can confirm I never pay with cash anymore. And yes, some places don’t take cash, especially the self serve ones.
More to the point, it's an EU law since a few years ago, that you have to enter your pin code for anything but very small transactions. Signing a piece of paper after someone had your card unsupervised for 5 minuted simply isn't cutting it.
And that goes for all EU countries.
Just happy to see you posting again it's been a minute huh?
When you say that we Swedes are so reserved, I don't really recognize myself in the description.
I often start talking to people, if I'm waiting for a bus, or with someone next to me in a cafe or restaurant, and always if I'm flying or taking a train for a long time.
I have never felt that I did not receive a response. On the contrary, I have experienced many pleasant and interesting conversations.
Try it, that in this particular case and be a little bit American, take the initiative in conversations with people around you. You might be pleasantly surprised 😀
When I was taking my drivers driverslicense about 6 month ago. One of the driving instrucrur talked about that sweden are more and more are switching to automatic cars and in a few years you can take license for automatic cars and drive manuell cars on. Now you can drive both on manuell driving licens but only automatic if you have automatic driving licens.
Well the 2 party system will be hard to get rid of in the us cause there is hardly any chance to get anywhere as a small party. The coalitions in Europe are more democratic I think, especially with what’s going on in the US with gerrymandering and having to be Christian to even be considered for a position of power. Basically the US have SD and L which is your left and right there. There is no left to talk about. That’s why US health care basically suck. Pardon my French.
I love Stockholm so much that I hope to spend several months a year there in retirement. Sweden 3 months then Prague 3 months back to the U.S. for 3 months, then repeat.
Tack för videon 😊
As a Canadian who is moving to Sweden in a year. I’ve got to say I’m glad I’m moving now instead of waiting a couple more years.
Sweden can be extremely polarized as well. You just don´t see and notice it because we are so good at being passive-aggressive
Not necessarily passive aggressive, just less triggered by opposing opinions.
We don't do right on red because we more often either have a single lane for right turns with only a yield sign or a seperate traffic light with only the yellow and green light with their own rules.
It would also be convenient if you could turn left or go straight when the light is red :)
Holy shit it doesn't feel like that long ago I saw you make a video when you were in the US. Guess it's been 3 years then huh.
Most north europeans would consider a stranger randomly talking to them (except asking for directions or something like that) to be very creepy and strange.I would be like "you are not my friend or family, I do not know you, why are you acting like you are? What is your ulterior motive?"
This. 100%. ”Why are they doing this? Are they drunk, high or has a mental issue? Are they a danger? *Am I in danger?*”
Bingo, as an American I can confirm 100000000% that there is an ulterior motive lol. The U.S. sucks balls, not at all what is portrayed on t.v. People are fake nice. They're fishing for information so they can gossip behind your back.
You actually can make a right turn if the signal is red. But then the traffic light needs to be on your left side and not to the right. Then the signal is for the main road and not for those who turn right.
As a Swede, I'd say a Scandinavian person yes we're private - and I would not expert a random person, on the same flight, trainers or whatever to take interrest in my life story! Neither am interested to be told one and having to listen to it. It's not like it's just to get up and leave. It would be considered a nuisence spilling your heart out in a situation like that. Barging in like that - it's not getting you anywhere !
*trains*
I’m Canadian and servers bring the machine to the table. Only time I’ve ever had fraud on my credit card is when I had a connection through an American airport and used my card at a restaurant. Server took the card to the back and two weeks later I had $6k worth of fraudulent charges on my card.
Its this, you have living in sweden/europe that long now, that you know that there is not only one way of living!
Many US citicens dont get that experience, they only know USA and that they are best, biggest, strongest, our economy is the biggest in the world! How come that country cant provide universal healt care and free education??? Its a lot of questions!
Regarding payment terminals in restaurants, we had the same as in the US before, and it was probably changed for security reasons here in Sweden as card fraud increased.
We really have some rules about the flag in Sweden:
HOIST/DRAW THE FLAG
In general, the following flag-raising times apply: From 1 March to 31 October, the flag is raised at 08.00. From 1 November to 28 (29) February, the flag is raised at 09:00.
Throughout the year, the flag must be hauled at sunset, but no later than 9 p.m. (For northernmost Sweden during the period when the sun does not rise, there are special rules, see next to this). If on particularly festive occasions you want to fly the flag after dark, the flag should be illuminated.
If you have a facade or balcony flag, you should follow the flagging times as far as possible. The pennant is intended to decorate the flagpole and may be hoisted around the clock.
I really wish that we could flag just like you do in the US I like that way you do that. By the way age for drink alcohol at a restaurant is 18 and buy at the "systembolaget" the age is 20 not 21 🙂
And also, I full heartedly agree on the idea “everyone is nice, but you need to take the first step”. Us Swedes are like most women; we won’t initiate conversation with strangers in general but we’ll usually don’t mind talking if you have a reason to. Although, if you would stop us on the street seemingly without reason we could get suspicious of your true agenda. (Mind you, sitting next to you on a train could be reason enough, but again you do well to assume you’d have to start).
8:50 i was hit by a car in the US (back in 1990), who turned right on red (while i was happy having green light (i thought anyway, but i was not walking though but was going by bicycle on the area for non-existent pedestrians / sidewalk and crossing the street at... the right place, with strips, whatever it is called in English ...). Now the car wasnt driving very fast (it was about to turn right). The only thing that was injured was my (then) new mountainbike (i was an exchange student for a year).
Love your video pleas make more.
The biggest reason we don't have so many automatic transmissions compared to manual ones is primarily the automatic sucks in snow, we also have a long winter, and if you need to, you can't tow an automatic as a starting aid. personally, driving an automatic is no fun either. 😉🙂
Having done the opposite; moved from Sweden to US I couldn't agree more with your observations. Not that one is better than the other, they are just different.
I here a bit of a Swedish accent you didn't have in your earlier videos. Even acouple of weeks in a different country can give you a different feeling when you return. Especially if you go to an place and get more involved with the culture.
All of 6 years in Sweden and haven´t been back in 3 ? And here is me thinking I had it rough being here for 49 years and only going back to L A once (in 1987)
Regarding the US two-party system: it very likely stems from how seats are assigned. As I understand it, seats in Congress and the House of Representatives are assigned to the party that gets most votes in each state, in some sort of winner-takes-all event. This makes assigning seats easy, but also makes it very hard for parties to grow, since there already are to parties in power, and they will not want to divide what little power they think they have.
Here in Sweden, seats in Parliament are assigned by a rather complex system that I will not delve into. However, it does have the advantage that it makes it relatively easy for small parties to grow (eg Miljöpartiet, Ny demokrati and Sverigedemokraterna) and get elected into power.
Yes, contrast the American political system with the American business system. New businesses can start up and grow. They are protected by anti-monopoly legislation called anti trust laws.There is a choice for customers for consumers. What America needs is anti-monopoly laws in politics. American politics is a duopoly controlled by two big parties. These parties oppose any anti-monopoly legislation that would reduce their power. You can see how American business has changed and developed since the 1900s giving new ideas and new choices to customers, but American politics, after all these years, still has the same limited choice for voters, Democrat Party or Republican Party.
NO! Seats are NOT "assigned" in Congress (the Congress is the Senate the House of Representatives) by a "winner-takes-all event." Each person in Congress runs individually. If you really want to know how it works look it up online because you've got the whole thing wrong.
The thing about talking to strangers in Sweden is that Swedish people are more unlikely to start the conversations, but it's not like they'll be rude and tell you to leave them alone if you actually do it. It's just a different view on personal space. Also, Stockholm is very different from the rest of Sweden. In some small towns, saying hello to everyone you walk pass on your daily walks etc is common.
Part of it we have flagging time according to the sun so wintertime most people don’t do it as well as having to handle a moldy flag is not fun … thosethings be EXPENSIVE! Summertime well sun is up a really long time!
One of the things l luv about the US is the patriotism. The flags on the houses,the national anthem at games ,the 4th of july . A proud land .❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I went to Chili's & Red Lobster in US and they brought the portable machine to pay at the table. So the card never left the table
Good to see the PDX carpet rep'd in Sweden :)
The red light right turn is easy to answer, it's safer to not allow right turns on red light since there is no room for interpretation if one has a free way to turn or not.
For example, older people might not see upcoming traffic as well as a 20-30-year-old and if in that case, it's legal to make a right turn at a read light we have a plausibility of an accident.
I've lived and worked in several countries. I've also taken some amazing road trips. I spent 6 months travelling, with a group of 15, overland through Africa. I settled in Namibia for 2 years before moving south to work in South Africa.
My least favourite was a road trip in the U.S. I had high expectations, but was very disappointed. I saw 2 shootings in my first week. I drove in cities where people were open carrying guns, even dangerous rapid fire rifles. I never felt safe. I asked a server to bring the card device to my table, but was refused. After that I just followed the servers and watched them making the transactions. I met some really nice people but saw a lot of aggression in stores and on the streets. I steered clear of politics, because the 2 party system is alian to me.
Overall, I would not visit again. The daily mass shootings are too troublesome. I know that the number of Europeans, visiting the U.S. has reached an all time low. It's sad, but I understand why.
I'm a frequent flyer, so going to other European countries is a joy. Short flights, a common passport, and the safety here is fantastic.
Swedes are flocking to reaction videos about sweden so I think we are proud in our own way :P
1: there's a reason Swedish people don't smalltalk that much is because we are more polite and don't want to bother other people with our personal problems. We know that all people have some kind of personal problems in life. So why bother them with our own problems. Of course there are some smalltalk but it's mostly about the wheather or sport or something like that. 2: why manual cars where more common earlier was because they were more fuel efficient than the automatic cars. 3: the reson we don't turn right when the stoplight is red is because there are a lot more pedestrians and cyclists in Europe than in Usa.
Australia is even more remote and isolated and they still manage to travel. I think a bigger problem for Americans, than remoteness, is that Americans has almost no vacation days to spend to go abroad. Also they don't know where other countries are cituated...
We know how to spell "situated," at least.
@@zhenli2345 Good for you, you can spell your first language, how many languages do you speak? English is not my first language.
@@chalphon4907 It's not mine, either. Native Chinese here. Speak Mandarin and Cantonese and conversational Japanese.
@@zhenli2345 then you're not really the typical American now are you.
@@chalphon4907 What is the typical American then? About 45.3 million of the US population in 2021 were immigrants.
About flags. We know where we are.😉
09:20 As Swedes... we are very proud about not showing pride... we are extreme about being lagom... we are totally stuck up about not being snobs.
About right turn on red: I thought this might differ from state to state?
Hi Stefan,
About the stopsigns and intersections u can somtimes in US apparently ignore
for US i have looked at just accident in intersections
vs
Sweden where all accident are included (thers simply not enugh intersection accidents)
..a recent de-classified studie of road saftety in USA of the years 1997 - 2004 ( 7 yeas long study)
USA
Total Craches (Vehicles)
Craches total: 69198
in intesections alone: 11 663
with 76 162 fatalities (12 453 in intersections)
over 34 people are killed everydag being hit by a car i an intersection.. (rising)
..almost 11 000 accidents/year .. and rising
Sweden
thers public informations since 1935 of exact numbers
ive looked at 2008 for comparison...furthest back without requesting archive material
2008
Deaths per year 2008: 108 (in 2023 it was 101)
Accidents / year 2008: 5 148 (includes all accidents thats been reported leading to some type of damage(in the range from scratches to wreck ), from the year 2009, archived data longer back has to be requested from the police)
if we include 8 years (2008 - 2016): total accidents 34 187 (avrage: 4736 accident 2008-2016)
in 2020: 2625 .. and going down
..over 50% of all accidents in sweden is not in urban areas..
...and single vechicle accidents (ice, snow, gravel etc...)
As a Swede living in Scotland for a good 20 years I can totally agree that Swedes are not very talkative to anybody unless they know each other while here in Scotland, you can talk to absolutely anybody at any point and not be seen like a weirdo. When it comes to flags, you see mostly Scottish flags I.E, St Andrews cross on most buildings and the odd Union Jack.
Wen it comes to politics, the UK also have multiple options to choose a political party from the left to the right with a few options in the middle which also changes slightly whether you're in Wales, Scotland or NI.
News seem to be slightly more focused over here compared to Sweden and road wise, Sweden definitely has the best roads.
Folk here in Scotland tend to be more open-minded compared to the English which is good as the UK is after all part of Europe with a slight Island mentality but I love it here.
Thank you for the upload. 👍🏼
you don't turn right on red because of the pedestrians. if cars are turning right pedestrians and bikes crossing the street would be less safe, while in america you rarely have pedestrians crossing the street, you only have to think about cars, so it makes sense. also in europe most of the time you also have public transportation crossing your way as well and it is just too many things happening at the same time for cars to be able to just turn right on red. and you can't have it as a law if you can't apply it to every stoplight. but that is why we have separate stoplight for turning right, it is a green arrow that allows cars to turn right even when the rest of the stoplight is red, but it also takes into account the rest of the crossing, pedestrians, bikes, scooters, trams etc.
It's actually illegal to fly the Swedish flag on flagpoles on non-flag days (it's in our almanac). I think that helps to keep "value" to seeing it.
9:07 Because we're have bicyclists and pedestrians in Europe! I'm sure you know about those if you lived in Sweden for six years!
Saw You at amaze smögen. Didnt approach you tho:(
I think a partial reason for why Swedes are less up for small talk could be that they are shy with speaking English.