I'm always hesitant to get into these types of discussions on HN, as I find that some people are quite defensive about sweeping 'national characteristics' (and

I'm always hesitant to get into these types of discussions on HN, as I find that some people are quite defensive about sweeping 'national characteristics' (and in many ways, quite rightly so), and of course there are exceptions and gradations of severity, but having lived here in Sweden for slightly over 20 years, and having lived in Stockholm but also spent long periods of time in the family and friends' towns and villages, I'd say that even though the behavioral pattern is most acute in Stockholm, even outside in the countryside or in small towns the contrast to other countries I've lived in or visited is very great.