To many Swedes to call someone "not Swedish" (o-svensk) is considered a compliment. Unless they're immigrants. Then they should learn to do as the Smiths (Svenssons) do.
But what do you consider typically Swedish? What do you think needs explaining to someone not Swedish? Read The Secret Files and discuss below!
Oh, btw, would you like to make a page about Falkenbergs Gymnasieskola in English to inform our exchanges students about the school, about school traditions like 'studenten', Nobel and useful things to know if you come to Sweden.
Crispbread, potatoes, herring are all very typical swedish dishes according to me. We do not have very spicy food, even in food you can take note to that we are very mediocre, we do not want to much flavour or colour in our food. In other words, we like basic food.
SvaraRaderaI think of swedes as a bit insecure and stiff. Compared to for example africans who have a very colourful culture and they appreciate the smallest things. They always put a great smile on your face. I actually spent a hole day together with five africans and they made me feel so good, they danced, sang and played drums. Everything was so different to my normal life, they even made me dance even though I just stood there in the beginning with my arms crossed, I finally let it all go and joined them to dance. It was such an experience!
Some of us are aware of our silent behavoir and are often able to laugh about it, but it is not something that is easy to change who you are, it is the way we have been raised and it is the way we are today.
We swedes do not want to be different in any sort of way, we follow the stream. I am exactly the same, as many other girls I have blond hair, I wear a pair of jeans and a sweater but I do not try too hard by wearing anything fashion. Since Falkenberg is a small city, people react worse to people who look a bit different, and when I go to a big city like Stockholm or Gothenburg I do it too. It probably looks like my eyes are going to pop out when I look at people who has pink hair, funny costumes, piercings all over their face or likely.
We swedes are afraid of being different, being colourful.
We are a bit beige in Sweden, that is my conclusion of it.
I think that if someone comes to Sweden they soon will figure out that you do not force someone to eat dinner at your place which is pretty common in other countries, you do neither say hello to a stranger at the street and do not get angry for someone who speaks their mind of, in Sweden everyone are aloud to tell their opinion and speak out loud.
The word "lagom" fits perfectly into describing Sweden. Sweden is very "lagom". There is no word for it in english, but to describe it, it is not less or more, it is somewhere in between and that is exactly what Sweden is. Neutral, peaceful Sweden who wants no harm for anyone. Just love, peace and understanding!
/Klara
My number 1 rule for someone who want fit in with the Swedish people: never show what you think or feel. The very same moment you show some real emotion; they will all start to reject you. They will feel insecure with your presence because you got too much feelings overwhelming them.
RaderaIf you are sad - cry when you come home.
If you are angry - do not show it and always be polite.
If you are happy - show it with an innocent smile.
Never talk to someone you do not know.
Never sit down next to someone on the bus even if there is no other seat available.
And never ever wear orange and blue together in the same outfit.
I love sweden in every way that is possible but the fact that it is a land with strict standards about how you should act and behave is something is undeniable. People here fear all possible body contact and getting your nose to wet is the worst sin you can ever make. There is a thin balance between "lagom", too little and too much. And all swedes love to be "lagom" because then you get to be as normal as anybody else. Otherwise you have to choose between being too little or too much and that would be a total disaster. So the most typical Swedish thing for me is the fact that somehow for us, it is wrong to be outside the box.
I have to say the most distinct Swedish characteristic is the neutrality. You do not just speak your mind when you have an opinion, you could offend or hurt someone. Then when the person leaves the room you talk about them with the other people and everybody agrees how nutty they are.
SvaraRaderaBut if you are for some reason forced to tell the person in question what you think you do not simply say so, but first start with something along the lines of 'I don't mean to offend, but...' to soften the blow. You can also choose to end with a bad joke and a little laugh to show you are not really mean it 'like that'.