So we were in the US last week, or now two weeks ago, and we brought some Swedish family with us. One was a teenage girl with blue hair. She had colored it herself, but it was a really nice tone of blue that suited her well. (It also made her really easy to spot in a crowd, so was great for trips to the mall or pick-ups).
Every day, at least one random person came up to her and said 'Wow, great hair!' Or asked her how she got her hair that particular color because it was so nice. Or stopped to chat.
And they were people of all ages, men and women, of all different races. It was pretty funny to see just how much attention she got over her blue hair.
She had blue hair in Sweden for weeks before she came to the US. Not one person ever commented on it. She has been back now for two weeks, and still, 'no comment.'
I haven't spent a lot of time imagining the difference between being 16 in the US and Sweden. I spent some time here in Sweden as a teen, but it has been awhile.
In the US, teenagers get a LOT of attention. Not all of it is wanted. Sometimes it can be nice. Sometimes it can be angry making.
And then there are the landscapers that always honk, the construction workers that always whistle. The random guys who stop you on the street and ask 'You lookin' for dates?' as if the street was where you might perform this sort of activity.
I used to say if you were really desperate, you only needed to go down to the Jersey Shore on a Saturday night and walk ten feet in a tank top and shorts. I'm pretty sure the same thing is true today, for anyone under 25. But usually the type of people you meet there, aren't the type of people you want to meet.
In Sweden there are no guys at the bar trying to subtly, or not so subtly, slip five dollars to the bartender to pay for your drink. You don't need to chase them off by forcing your money into the bartender's hand because you don't want to owe that guy anything.
But at the same time, it is nice to be noticed. To talk to people and have them take an interest in you. None of the conversations my Swedish guest had were inappropriate or made her feel uncomfortable.
She got the best of things, without having to deal with the worst of it.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Swedish Prime Minister files for divorce � nobody cares
Today in the newspaper there was a short article about how Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt officially filed for divorce. It was in the middle section of the paper and probably about 250 words long.
In defense of the papers, the news did not come as a surprise. In March, he and his wife announced they were separating, although no papers were filed.
The two have been married for about 20 years and have three children. They are both active in the world of politics and have been the golden couple of the Moderate party for years.
With an election coming up, you would think this would be front page news. I mean, could you imagine what would happen if President Obama filed for divorce? The chaos that would ensue? We can�t even handle Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes getting divorced without working ourselves into a crazy media frenzy involving even reputable news sources (is there such a thing anymore?) and everyone saw that one coming.
It is a real relief, in a way. I believe the personal should have a very limited role in politics. The state of the Reinfeldt�s marriage has little to do with the state of Sweden. Reinfeldt�s moral fiber is not being judged and neither is his wife�s. No one is being asked to �stand by their man� until the end of his political reign. Life goes on, even for politicians.
That said, I am guilty of reading way too much gossip about the Homes/Cruise shenaningans. But mostly because I love reading about the world of Scientology. I really am not curious about the details of the Reinfeldts, although 20 years is a long time.
And as for the next Swedish election, I will be surprised if the divorce is mentioned at all. In general, people seem relatively indifferent to the whole thing.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
I'm Ba-aa-a-a-ak
Sorry for the unintended long break. I had every intention of blogging, and then took an internet break.
Good excuse though - We are expecting another little Swede! OK, so it is super early, but since you were all so supportive of me during my tough time a few months ago, I figured I might as well get this out early.
But while I was in the early weeks of pregnancy, I was also traipsing around the USA with a toddler, The Swede, and two amazing teenage Swedish family members (including one first timer to the USA).
Sad to say, nap time became my favorite time of day.
I was tired. I am tired. But it was a great trip and I have a ton of observations and fun cultural moments to share.
I am still adjusting to being back to Sweden. I keep apologizing to people I bump into and smiling at random strangers who quickly look away.
Anywho - I hope to be blogging a bit more about being pregnant in Sweden and the current nonexistent Swedish summer (which I am pretty sure is a thing of myth at this point, just like those childhood New Jersey winters where it snowed every day).
Good excuse though - We are expecting another little Swede! OK, so it is super early, but since you were all so supportive of me during my tough time a few months ago, I figured I might as well get this out early.
But while I was in the early weeks of pregnancy, I was also traipsing around the USA with a toddler, The Swede, and two amazing teenage Swedish family members (including one first timer to the USA).
Sad to say, nap time became my favorite time of day.
I was tired. I am tired. But it was a great trip and I have a ton of observations and fun cultural moments to share.
I am still adjusting to being back to Sweden. I keep apologizing to people I bump into and smiling at random strangers who quickly look away.
Anywho - I hope to be blogging a bit more about being pregnant in Sweden and the current nonexistent Swedish summer (which I am pretty sure is a thing of myth at this point, just like those childhood New Jersey winters where it snowed every day).
Monday, June 18, 2012
Swedish advertising in English Fail - Pussi edition
I've blogged before about how more and more Swedish companies are using English in their slogans (Hemmakwell I am talking to you) but this is one of the old classic Swenglish mistake companies back for more punishment.
How is this for cat food?
Pussi - As good as it looks!
Ah yes, because this bag full of meat and gravy really looks appetizing. But then there is the fact that Pussi's old slogan used to be:
Pussi - Whisker lickin good
So they seem to be pretty aware of the double entendre. I mean, who markets cat food based on appearance. And their whisker lickin good products made quite a run on Swedish/English blogs.
Until then, if your cat is looking for some good looking food, try Pussi!
How is this for cat food?
Pussi - As good as it looks!
Ah yes, because this bag full of meat and gravy really looks appetizing. But then there is the fact that Pussi's old slogan used to be:
Pussi - Whisker lickin good
So they seem to be pretty aware of the double entendre. I mean, who markets cat food based on appearance. And their whisker lickin good products made quite a run on Swedish/English blogs.
Until then, if your cat is looking for some good looking food, try Pussi!
Friday, June 15, 2012
You better be subscribed to @sweden by now
Ok, I know I have blogged about @sweden way too much, but I love the idea. And, this week's Swedish ambassador has really got amazing things to say about Swedish culture.
If you haven't signed up to follow them, you should do it! (Unless of course you don't have twitter, which I totally support. I still can never get up the motivation to tweet)
Here are a few of my favorites from this week
If you haven't signed up to follow them, you should do it! (Unless of course you don't have twitter, which I totally support. I still can never get up the motivation to tweet)
Here are a few of my favorites from this week
If someone likes Justin Bieber in Sweden, we dont care. We let them. We dont call him "gay" if we mean "he sucks". We say "he sucks".
The dinner was horrible. It felt like eating your way through a shaved vikings chest, while he's trying to kill you.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
@sweden gives insight into Swedes views on Jews
So @sweden - the official Swedish twitter that switches 'Swedes' on a weekly basis and gives them free rein over the twitter channel made international news again today for comments @sweden made about Jews.
Apparently the current Sweden - Sonja, a twenty something mother of two - wondered about what a Jew actually is, how you tell someone is Jewish and what it really means in an exceedingly naive discussion that quickly blew up in her face.
What I like about it? I think Sonja's comments are not so off base for a lot of Swedes when it comes to Judaism. Here are some things I have heard Swedes say about Jews over the years:
My SFI teacher, to a Jewish student while we were having drinks at a bar "Oh, you are Jewish? I hate arabs too"
A lawyer I know "You cannot ignore the fact that when a Jew walks into a room, they carry a certain 'pondus' (a natural authority).
"Never trust a Dane or a Jew with your money," a former colleague.
"Don't be such a Jew" Some idiot trying to 'buy' a cigarette from me. They weren't my cigarettes, a friend left them on the table. I gave a randomly high price.
I have a lot of examples like this from people that I wouldn't consider 'anti-Semitic' or racist, but who really have maybe met one Jewish person in their lives. Combine this with a general dislike of the state of Israel, and you have a bit of insight into how, I think any way, many Swedes view Jews.
I am very happy @sweden made her bit of a public blunder. It is about time someone other than Ilmar Reepalu, the annoying Malm� mayor who walks a thin line of flirting with Muslim voters he for some reason seems to believe are highly anti-Semitic, and trying to insist that he never said anything like anything he is ever quoted as saying about the Jews.
I had actually planned to post a bit more about Reepalu in the future, but since @sweden piped up, had to start tackling the issue now.
Apparently the current Sweden - Sonja, a twenty something mother of two - wondered about what a Jew actually is, how you tell someone is Jewish and what it really means in an exceedingly naive discussion that quickly blew up in her face.
What I like about it? I think Sonja's comments are not so off base for a lot of Swedes when it comes to Judaism. Here are some things I have heard Swedes say about Jews over the years:
My SFI teacher, to a Jewish student while we were having drinks at a bar "Oh, you are Jewish? I hate arabs too"
A lawyer I know "You cannot ignore the fact that when a Jew walks into a room, they carry a certain 'pondus' (a natural authority).
"Never trust a Dane or a Jew with your money," a former colleague.
"Don't be such a Jew" Some idiot trying to 'buy' a cigarette from me. They weren't my cigarettes, a friend left them on the table. I gave a randomly high price.
I have a lot of examples like this from people that I wouldn't consider 'anti-Semitic' or racist, but who really have maybe met one Jewish person in their lives. Combine this with a general dislike of the state of Israel, and you have a bit of insight into how, I think any way, many Swedes view Jews.
I am very happy @sweden made her bit of a public blunder. It is about time someone other than Ilmar Reepalu, the annoying Malm� mayor who walks a thin line of flirting with Muslim voters he for some reason seems to believe are highly anti-Semitic, and trying to insist that he never said anything like anything he is ever quoted as saying about the Jews.
I had actually planned to post a bit more about Reepalu in the future, but since @sweden piped up, had to start tackling the issue now.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Happy Swedish National Day - How to become Swedish
It is time for Swedish National Day, a day off in which Swedes celebrate their country by doing nothing in particular. And a day that most Swedes will not be able to tell you why it specifically is Sweden's national day.
Don't be fooled. Swedes are proud of their country. But they are proud in a Swedish way and not a 'USA,USA,USA' sort of way.
Swedes are pretty sure their country is the best in the world and wouldn't trade it for much (except for maybe if they could move the whole thing to a warmer location, but not too warm because heat is uncomfortable, too). They just show it by complaining about the idiocy of other countries instead of waving flags.
In honor of Sweden and all of the wonderful things that are Swedish I present this video, for all of you wannabe Swedes out there, all of you new Swedes out there -
Have a great National Day!
Don't be fooled. Swedes are proud of their country. But they are proud in a Swedish way and not a 'USA,USA,USA' sort of way.
Swedes are pretty sure their country is the best in the world and wouldn't trade it for much (except for maybe if they could move the whole thing to a warmer location, but not too warm because heat is uncomfortable, too). They just show it by complaining about the idiocy of other countries instead of waving flags.
In honor of Sweden and all of the wonderful things that are Swedish I present this video, for all of you wannabe Swedes out there, all of you new Swedes out there -
Have a great National Day!
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