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

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).