Inside Sweden: What does it mean to 'fit in' in a new country?
The Local's editor Emma Löfgren writes about the biggest stories of the week in our Inside Sweden newsletter.
Hej,
The most interesting article I read this week was weirdly enough one I wrote myself, but it was based almost entirely on our readers' comments, so I think I'm still allowed to say it without sounding randomly self-obsessed!
Many thanks to everyone who responded to our survey about whether or not you had tried to make yourself more Swedish to fit in here in Sweden.
We received a wide range of comments, and it's clear that people interpret the concept of "fitting in" and "becoming more Swedish" in very different ways.
I realised that I instinctively react negatively to the words "fit in". I interpret it as involuntary assimilation, as something that's forced upon us by social pressure and doesn't accept us for who we are, and I thought everyone else did too.
But I was wrong. Of course some people did make that point too, that they felt they could no longer be their full selves, and that living in a reserved and quiet country like Sweden had dulled their own shine. But far from everyone agreed.
The majority of people said that they had changed in order to better fit in, and out of those, a lot of people thought of it as something positive – an additive experience rather than subtractive, a chance to discover or add new sides to your personality or reinvent yourself, an opportunity for personal growth.
I've written before about how "integration" can be both a word used to keep newcomers in their place, and also to describe a comfortable sense of feeling at home. I guess "fitting in" has that same double meaning – it can include or exclude depending on your social circle, context and perspective.
Perhaps this comment from one reader taps into the contradiction:
Of course, adapting always makes people's lives more bearable. I do enjoy aspects of Swedish society and culture and some of them I've taken to heart – leaving your shoes at the door makes so much sense!
But changing to fit in really speaks about the eternal contradiction in Swedish society. One that boasts its open-mindedness while at the same time making it difficult for you to find a job or get a promotion simply because your name is not Anders or Anna.
One that prides itself on its citizens' command of English throughout all levels of society, while at the same time seeking to establish tougher language requirements for all newcomers to the country.
A country of equality, where the far-right continues to gain numbers with its discourse of divisiveness and third-class placement of immigrants of all types.
Anyway, I learned a lot from reading all your comments, so thank you.
In other news
The Stockholm bar scene isn't just made up of expensive wine and fancy cocktails. There are also numerous pubs that may not make a 'best pubs in the capital' list, but are as budget friendly as they are laidback.
It's time to file your Swedish taxes and brush up on everything else that may affect your life in Sweden. Here's our guide to what changes in March.
Why was a chemical warfare agent mainly used in the First World War detected at the Swedish security service's headquarters this week? The short answer to the question is that we don't know, but here's a rundown of what little we do know so far about the incident, which sent eight people to hospital.
Pollen season is on its way to Sweden, as allergy sufferers no doubt have noticed. To make your life easier, The Local has some handy tips.
Even foreigners who have lived a long time in Sweden often find themselves struggling for the right words when they need to fix their car, as Richard Orange recently did. So he wrote down at least 40 essential words to know.
Submitted in the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Sweden's Nato membership bid has now cleared its final hurdle after Hungary voted to ratify it. But what does Nato membership actually mean for Sweden?
Football may not immediately be something you associate with Sweden – but the country has a thriving football culture. Becky Waterton wrote about why foreigners should go to at least one Swedish football match.
Have a lovely weekend,
Emma Löfgren
Editor, The Local Sweden
Inside Sweden is our weekly newsletter for members that gives you news, analysis and, sometimes, takes you behind the scenes at The Local. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to your newsletter preferences.
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Hej,
The most interesting article I read this week was weirdly enough one I wrote myself, but it was based almost entirely on our readers' comments, so I think I'm still allowed to say it without sounding randomly self-obsessed!
Many thanks to everyone who responded to our survey about whether or not you had tried to make yourself more Swedish to fit in here in Sweden.
We received a wide range of comments, and it's clear that people interpret the concept of "fitting in" and "becoming more Swedish" in very different ways.
I realised that I instinctively react negatively to the words "fit in". I interpret it as involuntary assimilation, as something that's forced upon us by social pressure and doesn't accept us for who we are, and I thought everyone else did too.
But I was wrong. Of course some people did make that point too, that they felt they could no longer be their full selves, and that living in a reserved and quiet country like Sweden had dulled their own shine. But far from everyone agreed.
The majority of people said that they had changed in order to better fit in, and out of those, a lot of people thought of it as something positive – an additive experience rather than subtractive, a chance to discover or add new sides to your personality or reinvent yourself, an opportunity for personal growth.
I've written before about how "integration" can be both a word used to keep newcomers in their place, and also to describe a comfortable sense of feeling at home. I guess "fitting in" has that same double meaning – it can include or exclude depending on your social circle, context and perspective.
Perhaps this comment from one reader taps into the contradiction:
Of course, adapting always makes people's lives more bearable. I do enjoy aspects of Swedish society and culture and some of them I've taken to heart – leaving your shoes at the door makes so much sense!
But changing to fit in really speaks about the eternal contradiction in Swedish society. One that boasts its open-mindedness while at the same time making it difficult for you to find a job or get a promotion simply because your name is not Anders or Anna.
One that prides itself on its citizens' command of English throughout all levels of society, while at the same time seeking to establish tougher language requirements for all newcomers to the country.
A country of equality, where the far-right continues to gain numbers with its discourse of divisiveness and third-class placement of immigrants of all types.
Anyway, I learned a lot from reading all your comments, so thank you.
In other news
The Stockholm bar scene isn't just made up of expensive wine and fancy cocktails. There are also numerous pubs that may not make a 'best pubs in the capital' list, but are as budget friendly as they are laidback.
It's time to file your Swedish taxes and brush up on everything else that may affect your life in Sweden. Here's our guide to what changes in March.
Why was a chemical warfare agent mainly used in the First World War detected at the Swedish security service's headquarters this week? The short answer to the question is that we don't know, but here's a rundown of what little we do know so far about the incident, which sent eight people to hospital.
Pollen season is on its way to Sweden, as allergy sufferers no doubt have noticed. To make your life easier, The Local has some handy tips.
Even foreigners who have lived a long time in Sweden often find themselves struggling for the right words when they need to fix their car, as Richard Orange recently did. So he wrote down at least 40 essential words to know.
Submitted in the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Sweden's Nato membership bid has now cleared its final hurdle after Hungary voted to ratify it. But what does Nato membership actually mean for Sweden?
Football may not immediately be something you associate with Sweden – but the country has a thriving football culture. Becky Waterton wrote about why foreigners should go to at least one Swedish football match.
Have a lovely weekend,
Emma Löfgren
Editor, The Local Sweden
Inside Sweden is our weekly newsletter for members that gives you news, analysis and, sometimes, takes you behind the scenes at The Local. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to your newsletter preferences.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
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