Ten signs that you've 'gone native' in Sweden
Published: 25 May 12 16:10 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/41046/20120525/
After having lived in Sweden for a certain number of years, many ex-pats start asking, “Am I going native or what?” Check out The Local's guide to tell-tale signs that you may be more integrated into Swedish society than you first realized.
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A raised eyebrow among peers, a comment from a loved one, or even finding yourself doing something that feels just a little too Swedish for your own liking.
The Local's guide to "going native".
The question is - how to know when you have crossed that invisible border. To facilitate this awareness, The Local has prepared a list of tell-tale signs that you are, in fact, going native.
So whether you are unaware of your own leanings towards the Swedish way of being, or whether you are painfully conscious of your own metamorphosis – and whether you like it or not, here's how to find out.
Rebecca Martin
Follow Rebecca on twitter here
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
But if there is so much interest to figure out about ten signs that you've "gone native" in Sweden; here I write ten signs:
1) You believe that you are living in the best country in the world (Sweden), even though you aware that you life sucks.
2) You believe that all people around the world are looking forward to come and live in Sweden, and they are just waiting to get their chance to come to Sweden (even though a great number don't even know where Sweden is!).
3) You believe that immigrants and refugees are living in Sweden for welfare and social benefit.
4) You believe that Sweden has the best welfare system in the world, base on some statistics from half a century ago.
5) Ignoring the facts, when it doesn't fit with your interest and mentality.
6) Believing that Sweden has four perfect seasons, comparable with the best weathers in the Europe.
7) Believing that Swedes like to be multicultural, even though all evidence proves the opposite!
8) Believing that all immigrants and refugees have the same rights as equal as Swedes.
9) Looking forward to get in to Systembolaget at Fridays and Saturdays.
10) Thinking forward to Friday from the early Monday, and never to miss pause at job to drink coffee.
Rebecca Martin is the deputy editor of this publication.
1. You move to a country and then complain about it every chance you get
2. You accept all the benefits from said country and complain about it every chance you get.
3. You have a chip on your shoulder the size of the Rock of Gibraltar and complain about it every chance you get.
On the top of it she left her twitter account to follow bahahaha..! If you old lady smiles in tube means she is planning for murder. What if young lady smiles at me ? big whoop.
Just some rotten facts from blunt head.
As soon as such articles appear, folk divide into those that see through the claims - and those who have the 'If you don't like living here, clear off' attitude.
The reality is that most folks living here have committed themselves financially (and in other ways) and it does make it rather difficult to change your mind about living here, and acting accordingly.
No wonder journalists is a profession at the bottom of public trust. They just cook something up they like and think of, never mind reality or truth. At least they could have asked someone who knows and have the experience. B.S.
Don't take yourself too seriously, laugh at yourself (others do ;-))
Yes others do, but more out of "feeling sorry" for those poor Svenssons who actually believe into their bullshit.
"Yes others do, but more out of "feeling sorry" for those poor Svenssons who actually believe into their bullshit."
Do you understand the concept of laughing at yourself? In your case it means HelmiVainikka laughing at HelmiVainikka. It does not mean HelmiVainikka laughing at Svenssons nor does it mean Svenssons laughing at HelmiVainikka.
Of course HelmiVainikka can laugh at Svenssons for as much as HelmiVainikka wants, and I couldn't care less, but that's out of the point, isn't it? :P
Meh, when you have half of your family (Wifes side) being Swedish you learn pretty quickly to have whatever they care or do not care about pass your rear end. ;)
I now know you do not understand the concept of laughing at oneself. HelmiVainikka should learn how to laugh at HelmiVainikka. ;)
rise is laughing at rise all the time, it actually makes him happy. :)
Why are people really getting angry over this article? It's only childish. Since I'm a native the article supposedly is describing me as well, which I know for a fact it does not - it's only humour so I laugh instead. It feeds me with energy instead of draining it. Get angry and spend your energy at more important matters instead of this nonsense. It won't fit already being drained of energy when something actually importantly occur.. :P
The only funny one on here was the Swedish chef which everyone knows is true, unless you're from Skåne and don't realize that you're actually speaking Danish lol. ;)
@gogigboy If you actually lived in Sweden you'd soon realize there are countless people here just living off the dole and plenty of loud brats running around! Swedish people are not so friendly to you once you live here permanently.
And why must every thread about Swedes be hijacked by someone demanding we all sit around thinking about "poor" immigrants all day?
Just be happy you were let in to Europe at all, if things are so bad here then why not go back to whatever social nightmare you came from and work to makes things better there?.