(edit title) Are Swedes indebted? Trying to figure out the gAp? Options

[atlasshrugged]

OK, I work in fairly international company; there are more foreigners than Swedes. My confusion is the clear difference in lifestyle. I mean with the same salary, there is clear difference in the lifestyles of Swedes and that of the foreigners…. so is that the swedes are indebted? Or are they good in their spending habit? Seriously I wanted to ask some of them but I thought it might be personal...so fellas, any thoughts ☺

[bobalong]

Ask a Swede something so personal and you will be shunned for ever!! As far as they are concerned it is none of your business.

[atlasshrugged]

at bobalong

hence: the local

[AW1]

In what way is there a difference?

[skogsbo]

I think many live a quite frugile lifestyle in many respects. Most Swedes I know, prefer to save rather than borrow to buy something. So there's an immediate saving of money. Much wealth or property is handed down, like summer houses etc. They don't binge drink like the UK. With the exception of perhaps mobile phones and those very materialist folk in the cities, many are not that trend conscious and will happily make do with something older or dated if it still works. A few simple savings here and there perhaps allows them to go out for meals more often etc.. nice holidays and so forth.

[jack sprat]

They don't binge drink like the UK. With the exception of perhaps mobile phones and those very materialist folk in the cities, many are not that trend conscious and will h ... (show full quote)

They don't binge drink like the UK.
With the exception of perhaps mobile phones and those very materialist folk in the cities, many are not that trend conscious and will happily make do with something older or dated if it still works. ... (hide full quote)

You're new to Sweden I take it.

[Hamsterdam]

1. They don't binge drink like the UK. . 2. Many are not that trend conscious

1. More than any nation I have ever known and commonly acknowledged by Swedes themselves.
2. Er... yes they are.

[Puffin]

Most Swedes are also in dual income households whereas among newer arrivals - at least in the short term - one partner does not work. Also amoung some groups there is more of a housewife/SAHM culture

[AW1]

1. More than any nation I have ever known and commonly acknowledged by Swedes themselves.. 2. Er... yes they are.

1. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthne...-of-Europe.html
2. Like most other countries

[Hamsterdam]

What does that prove? Alcohol is very expensive here so Swedes drink less in one sitting. But that doesn't mean they are lesser bingers. Work it out yourself.

2. What's your point?

[jack sprat]

Difference is that most Brits are fairly honest and open about their drinking habits.

You only get to know the truth about Swedes by living with them or socialising with them.
Most binge drinking in the UK is done openly by young people in town centre bars.
Young Swedes binge just as much, but usually well out of the public eye in quiet parks or out of town locations.

In addition middle aged Swedes are the biggest bingers of all.
It's downright embarrassing watching the state they get into on booze cruises or at private parties.
They like to keep it all a secret from the neighbours you see, ...think of the disgrace if they were seen locally in that state,...even though most of the neighbours probably do exactly likewise.

In addition illicit spirits are widely produced and easily available everywhere in Sweden, much more so than in the UK,, but once again mums the word, so they binge in secret at home or at private parties.

Were it ever even remotely possible to estimate the true consuption figures, Swedes may even put the Ruskies and Fins to shame.

[AW1]

What does that prove? Alcohol is very expensive here so Swedes drink less in one sitting. But that doesn't mean they are lesser bingers. Work it out yourself.. 2. What's your point?

1. I simply posted a link to an article that disputed your claim. If you think you know better, good for you.
2. True, I didn't make a point. If we say the bigger cities, then yes, they are fashion conscious. But more than other countries? Not sure.

[Hamsterdam]

Perhaps you should start thinking for yourself instead of relying of surveys.

By the way, I am not criticising Swedes for being the binge drinkers that they most certainly are. Just stating the obvious.

When it comes to the British, we are more critical to ourselves and have many faults. We also have more arrows to our bows than most. We are not in a competition with other nations, especially the smaller less developed ones,

[*Trowbridge H. Ford*]

I think Swedes live better than immigrants or temporary visitors because they are more frugal, save everything under the sun, never resort to yard sales because they don't have anything to sell, entertain much more at home than others, get what makes them look wealthy, like having a good car, as part of their tax avoidance employment, have all kinds of services which they pay less for than in other countries, especially the Anglo-American world, have strong family ties which result in all kinds of hand-me-downs, especially summer facilities, etc. - what results in a better standard of living on less.

It's what its social democracy is really based on

[Beef]

Great post! Totally agree! With regards to abstinence and binging, I think they are part of traditional values here. Look at Saturday Sweets, the common (but less so in cities) assumption that having a beer or glass of wine on a Tuesday lunch is the beginning of alcoholism.. etc.. But drinking vodka on a Friday is ok!

Also, Having the latest stuff is very important.. Don't take my word for it.. Pop into a cafe in "bohemian" Södermalm and spot the person sitting without a MacBook! It's are rare site to see Windows!

Been here 10 years and seen a lot of changes but I guess in a small population, you get people that are "in" and "out" and trend are very very important here.