5 ms·

> Also, it is a very introverted, borderline anti social type of society. This is just an ridiculously offensive stereotype. If you were in downtown Stockholm

> Also, it is a very introverted, borderline anti social type of society. This is just an ridiculously offensive stereotype. If you were in downtown Stockholm this weekend, you couldn't even tell there was a pandemic considering how many people there are one the streets.

bbarnett 6y ago
It is a stereotype, certainly, as a "grouping of people" to define characteristics, is. Is it offensive? Well, maybe, but that's tact. However, is it true? Bear in mind that an excessively gregious society, and yes there are differences in societies, cultures, might view a more reserved culture as such. And the real reason I'm responding is, how many "people there are on the streets" is irrelevant, in terms of being 'social' or not. People going places != social. It can equal work, needing supplies, traveling, etc. I grew up in a small town, population < 1000, in a massively large county (>1000 square km), with barely 15,000 people in it at the time. When I first moved to the city, I would walk down the street and wave at people. People reacted, to my perspective, quite oddly. Some actually shied away, others looked at me as if was a lunatic. Yet where I grew up, not waving would have been beyond rude. In the city, it was seen as absurd behaviour. I guess what I'm saying is, Sweden could be quite anti-social, without it being "mean" to say so. It's all perspective.
- ardit33 6y ago
  They are, they just don't understand it.... I was not doing value judgment, but just an observation
- runald 6y ago
  I'm not a Swede, but if an random person that I don't know waves at me for no discernible reason, I too would be cautious. Although, it's not clear if you wave at everyone you see, or just at people you need to interact with (such as a store clerk).
  - bbarnett 6y ago
    This is more of a rural versus urban thing, and just an example of cultural differences. Canadian ones, FYI. As per my example, it is rude to not wave, stranger or not, at least where I grew up. Yet when I moved to the city, entirely different! Same language, country, region. Just urban vs rural. So it is not surprising to see nation-wide cultural differences.
    - tonyarkles 6y ago
      It’s amusing to me that that never really leaves you either. Grew up split between a smallish (35k) town and rural. Now in a bigger (300k) city. As soon as I’m out of town on a secondary highway, every vehicle I encounter gets the two finger wave from the steering wheel. 80% wave back.
ardit33 6y ago
I am not doing a value judgment, but just an observation. (i.e. I am not saying that your culture is bad, it is just very different). My non-swede co-workers had one thing in common theme while living in there: loneliness... Swedes usually stay in one tight group of friends... and don't branch out as much as other societies do. I get you have the FIKA culture and all, but it always within your few friends/group. And during winter, most people hole up most of the time due to the weather. I am neither american, nor a neighbor of yours, and I am just giving you my experience. (lived there for few months).
worker767424 6y ago
I know a lot of Swedes and have spent a lot of time in Stockholm, and Swedes being socially distant seems true. Stockholm mass transit is very quiet, rider avoid sitting near other people and keep to themselves. A large number of Swedes live alone, and the only way they seem to get into relationships involves alcohol.
- bbarnett 6y ago
  Now I'm wondering if I'm a Swede. :P
deleted 6y ago
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bbarnett 6y ago

It is a stereotype, certainly, as a "grouping of people" to define characteristics, is. Is it offensive? Well, maybe, but that's tact. However, is it true? Bear in mind that an excessively gregious society, and yes there are differences in societies, cultures, might view a more reserved culture as such. And the real reason I'm responding is, how many "people there are on the streets" is irrelevant, in terms of being 'social' or not. People going places != social. It can equal work, needing supplies, traveling, etc. I grew up in a small town, population < 1000, in a massively large county (>1000 square km), with barely 15,000 people in it at the time. When I first moved to the city, I would walk down the street and wave at people. People reacted, to my perspective, quite oddly. Some actually shied away, others looked at me as if was a lunatic. Yet where I grew up, not waving would have been beyond rude. In the city, it was seen as absurd behaviour. I guess what I'm saying is, Sweden could be quite anti-social, without it being "mean" to say so. It's all perspective.

ardit33 6y ago
They are, they just don't understand it.... I was not doing value judgment, but just an observation
runald 6y ago
I'm not a Swede, but if an random person that I don't know waves at me for no discernible reason, I too would be cautious. Although, it's not clear if you wave at everyone you see, or just at people you need to interact with (such as a store clerk).
- bbarnett 6y ago
  This is more of a rural versus urban thing, and just an example of cultural differences. Canadian ones, FYI. As per my example, it is rude to not wave, stranger or not, at least where I grew up. Yet when I moved to the city, entirely different! Same language, country, region. Just urban vs rural. So it is not surprising to see nation-wide cultural differences.
  - tonyarkles 6y ago
    It’s amusing to me that that never really leaves you either. Grew up split between a smallish (35k) town and rural. Now in a bigger (300k) city. As soon as I’m out of town on a secondary highway, every vehicle I encounter gets the two finger wave from the steering wheel. 80% wave back.

ardit33 6y ago

I am not doing a value judgment, but just an observation. (i.e. I am not saying that your culture is bad, it is just very different). My non-swede co-workers had one thing in common theme while living in there: loneliness... Swedes usually stay in one tight group of friends... and don't branch out as much as other societies do. I get you have the FIKA culture and all, but it always within your few friends/group. And during winter, most people hole up most of the time due to the weather. I am neither american, nor a neighbor of yours, and I am just giving you my experience. (lived there for few months).

worker767424 6y ago

I know a lot of Swedes and have spent a lot of time in Stockholm, and Swedes being socially distant seems true. Stockholm mass transit is very quiet, rider avoid sitting near other people and keep to themselves. A large number of Swedes live alone, and the only way they seem to get into relationships involves alcohol.

bbarnett 6y ago
Now I'm wondering if I'm a Swede. :P

deleted 6y ago

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