(edit title) Culture differences - Britain-Sweden A good chat Options

[Snood]

I think you're being a bit unfair to the OP, Yes this topic is well known about and probably discussed/argued to death but i think he/she meant it in all sincerity. he/she's no club-nicker

[chazza]

Oh puleeeze !

[byke]

Swedes may not like to vocally socialise freely.
But they love to type, and make sure no one is talking bad about Sweden.

[Gamla Hälsingebock]

Damn. I thought I could slip that by

[scandiland]

All I meant to say is, when you go about your daily business, it is nice to be noticed by another person, to be greeted, to get a quick smile from someone, even though it is only for a short moment and you will never see the person again. Somehow it adds value to the day. Or am I wrong?

[byke]

Amen

[Somebody]

All I meant to say is, when you go about your daily business, it is nice to be noticed by another person, to be greeted, to get a quick smile from someone, even though it is o ... (show full quote)

All I meant to say is, when you go about your daily business, it is nice to be noticed by another person, to be greeted, to get a quick smile from someone, even though it is only for a short moment and you will never see the person again. Somehow it adds value to the day. Or am I wrong? ... (hide full quote)

You will never be English or Irish...
"How are you" and a smile is the part of everyday life there.
About the Irish they are the greatest people I have ever come across.
Spent there two years and it was the best time in my life, so far anyway

The thing about the Swedes is that you people are just born to be boring, organized, formal and counting the money all the time. "Who's round is now?"
You just tend to plan too much and that what makes you so sad.

You only talk to people when you are drunk, even to the total strangers which does not happen that much in The UK. Neither in Ireland. Unless you want to score lol.

People here approach me and start to talk e.g. about the movies or Eurovision Song Contest at 1am
in a sort of American English learnt from TV, constantly repeating "awesome".

Anyway. I respect your country, culture and meet balls
but do not expect the Swede to be The Englishman..not a chance

[karlmaelstrom]

I have an advantage. I'm English-born, but with an Irish father and big Irish family in Galway. I married a Spanish woman and know Spain really well. I have visited Sweden twice and admire its great society, scenery, love the snow and the cold etc.
Now I can tell you:
The Irish and Spanish are very similar - open, friendly, warm, love fiestas, music, dancing, socialising at the drop of a hat. The English aren't far behind, also love partying and a friendly crowd. The Swedes(also Germans, Norwegians, Danish) are definitely not smiley people. They look impassive, can't guess what they're really thinking.
Which is a pity because the Swedish females are the best-looking, some of them stunningly gorgeous. I wouldn't marry one though. Too worried she might be cold-blooded and get rid of me for any reason and take everything, leaving me destitute.
Imagine if the Swedes were like the Irish or Spanish. The country would be fun but chaotic!

[skogsbo]

About the Irish they are the greatest people I have ever come across.. Spent there two years and it was the best time in my life, so far anyway

But, you are only 18 or 19yrs old? And, perhaps the attributes that you judge a persons greatness might just differ from others. There are more to people than their ability to chat in a pub?

The thing about the Swedes is that you people are just born to be boring, organized, formal and counting the money all the time. "Who's round is now?"

Perhaps that is the reason Swedes still have some money, unlike most other European countries, especially your super social Irish or Spanish friends?

You just tend to plan too much and that what makes you so sad.

Perhaps some planning is no bad thing? Living for the moment hasn't served some people and their countries too well recently? The Greek are social, friendly and clearly don't plan much either, but folk don't seem to be raving about them at the moment!

I have visited Sweden twice and admire its great society, The Swedes(also Germans, Norwegians, Danish) are definitely not smiley people. They look impassive, can't guess w ... (show full quote)

I have visited Sweden twice and admire its great society, The Swedes(also Germans, Norwegians, Danish) are definitely not smiley people. They look impassive, can't guess what they're really thinking. ... (hide full quote)

So you base your opinion on 2 trips, highly qualified then?

Imagine if the Swedes were like the Irish or Spanish. The country would be fun but chaotic!

Sweden would be bankrupt, just like them within 10 years!! Frugal, calculating and lacking spontinaiety don't see too bad a choice at the moment, when you look at where their opposites have got us recently.

You to consider that whilst it is easy to knock the characteristics of Scandinavians and Germans, but their finances and economy are holding out better than anyone elses in Europe, perhaps it's pure coincidence? Without those boring Germans the Euro would have collapsed 12months ago.

[chazza]

If you want fun, chatty, spontaneous folk as well as fiscal soundness then move to Australia ! They have all of that in spades as well as fabulous surf !

ps: maybe it's their irish heritage

[Somebody]

But, you are only 18 or 19yrs old? And, perhaps the attributes that you judge a persons greatness might just differ from others. There are more to people than their ability to ... (show full quote)

But, you are only 18 or 19yrs old? And, perhaps the attributes that you judge a persons greatness might just differ from others. There are more to people than their ability to chat in a pub?

Perhaps that is the reason Swedes still have some money, unlike most other European countries, especially your super social Irish or Spanish friends?

Perhaps some planning is no bad thing? Living for the moment hasn't served some people and their countries too well recently? The Greek are social, friendly and clearly don't plan much either, but folk don't seem to be raving about them at the moment!

So you base your opinion on 2 trips, highly qualified then?

Sweden would be bankrupt, just like them within 10 years!! Frugal, calculating and lacking spontinaiety don't see too bad a choice at the moment, when you look at where their opposites have got us recently.

You to consider that whilst it is easy to knock the characteristics of Scandinavians and Germans, but their finances and economy are holding out better than anyone elses in Europe, perhaps it's pure coincidence? Without those boring Germans the Euro would have collapsed 12months ago. ... (hide full quote)

There is more in life than money and economy, if you haven't noticed that yet..
but I guess you are here long enough to be part of it slow motion machine.

For your info I am much older than 18 or 19
The Germans were in a pretty bad condition 8 years ago
and Sweden also in the 90's..I see you love the country which have no clue about.

It goes in circles. In 5-10 years time it could be a crisis here again. You never know.
Look at China today and a good few years back.

Besides I have just compared two countries and if somebody is happy here that good for him/her.
Don't get too excited about it..

[chazza]

There is more in life than money and economy.

Have to agree with you on that one somebody !

[skogsbo]

There is more in life than money and economy, if you haven't noticed that yet..

More than noticed, that's why I live in Sweden and not the UK, to address the work/play ratio. my point was you can't judge a nation by how social a person is in the pub. A drunken fool will talk to anyone who will listen!!

The Germans were in a pretty bad condition 8 years ago. and Sweden also in the 90's..I see you love the country which have no clue about.

German economy, has lows which basically mean, it grew less. It's has done far better than anyone else in Europe for the past 20-30years, pretty much post WW2. Yes, I know all about Sweden's banking crisis in the 90s and the measures that were put in place, Japan had a similar one. Sweden however grew it's economy out of it, Japan hasn't had any real growth since then.

It goes in circles. In 5-10 years time it could be a crisis here again. You never know.

The circles are longer and yes each economy has it's weaknesses. Sweden is export dependant and some pain is yet to come here, plus also with the sale of companies to China, just delaying the pain, but buying time to find replacement employment.

Look at China today and a good few years back.

Or Brazil or India, they are the new global economic powers, as Europe and the USA were 200 years ago. The cycles are quite long, more than 5 or 10 years. Either way, if Europe can tag along and ride the wave we'll be doing well, if not then things won't be quite so nice.

Don't get too excited about it..

Certainly not, better things to get excited over than this!

[Somebody]

More than noticed, that's why I live in Sweden and not the UK, to address the work/play ratio. my point was you can't judge a nation by how social a person is in the pub. A drunken fool will talk to anyone who will listen!!

I was not talking about drunk people

Or Brazil or India, they are the new global economic powers, as Europe and the USA were 200 years ago. The cycles are quite long, more than 5 or 10 years. Either way, if Europe can tag along and ride the wave we'll be doing well, if not then things won't be quite so nice.

Yes they will not and I think it will affect then the whole of Europe more or less.

[Migga]

Cultural differences is what makes the world great and horrible at the same time. I would never want the culture amongst the swedes to change because of outer pressure. There are good things about swedes and bad things. There are good thing about englishmen and bad things. Same goes for the irish, spanish, americans, southafricans,iranians, indians, japanese and australians.

Sure, one can think one culture is more bad then good but it doesn`t give them the right to change it. I could badmouth the irish or iranian culture all I want but it`s not my right to try and change it. And it shouldn`t be. Nor should anyone else have the right and try and change the culture amongst the swedes, except for the swedes themselves.

So what if some people consider englishmen more outgoing then the swedes, does it mean the swedes should change to fit that persons opinion? In my humble opinion I think the swedes should be what they want and if that means they are going to be swedish then so be it. Swedish culture may not be the superior one but just because of that it doesn`t mean someone else has the right to change it.