Why don't we just let Sweden run the world? *light hearted*

[Soupforoneplease]

On nearly every topic there is a reference to 'the way enter Scandinavian country here do it is this, and it's brilliant!' So why don't we all just all agree to a central world government and let one of these brilliant countries run it and improve things everywhere.
I've been to Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Helsinki. Things generally are great there. Bit of alcoholism in Finland, but nothing too bad. Is it there size (relatively small population) that means they can govern so efficiently? Is it that the general population are more 'obedient' for lack of a better word? What is it?

Swede here!! No kissing!!! It’s handshake all the way! After 20 years in the uk I still get confused (and really uncomfortable about the kissing. I never know if it’s one or two or which side to start on.

One thing I LOVE about the UK, is that you so what you want when you want. In Sweden there are so many unwritten “rules” about how things are done. For example if you had a glass of wine with your lunch on a Tuesday people would think you have an alcohol problem. But if you are abroad you can, and if it’s July you can.

And sweets only on Saturdays for the children otherwise you are too lax as parent. Tacos on a Friday with most people watching the same TV shows.

I so want to be a depressed Finn

What puzzles me currently is the websites shouting everything is Scandi. I often look at it and go “there is NOTHING Scandi about this”. It really puzzles me. Got some pop on Instagram about the “cozy Swedish arm chair” and I have no idea what’s so over what’s Swedish about it. Really odd. Scandi style is pretty distinctive (it’s not my cup of tea personally).

Cause there are only happy people left.

No. I fucking hate ABBA, especially played on a loop when put on hold by Ikea

@Lndnmummy

What puzzles me currently is the websites shouting everything is Scandi. I often look at it and go “there is NOTHING Scandi about this”. It really puzzles me. Got some pop on Instagram about the “cozy Swedish arm chair” and I have no idea what’s so over what’s Swedish about it. Really odd. Scandi style is pretty distinctive (it’s not my cup of tea personally).

Stating it's Scandi sells, I don't recognize much either. And atleast when it comes to interior design we are very very different in tastes, but I suspect it's because others just can't be bothered distinguishing between us.

what would the weekend supplements have done for the past 5 autumns and winters without talking about hygge this and hygge that.

Not everything is rosy by any means. I think overall there is a trust though. Trust in your government, institution, justice system and so on. I think education and childhood is what I miss most about Sweden. Children can be children gar longer as they don’t start school until much later. I was horrified (still am) over the public humiliation really young kids often seem to get in schools here.

Swedish healthcare, to my mind has nothing on the NHS. Nothing. I’ve had two genetic pretty major health issues discovered within my first 6 mnths of coming to the uk. No one in sweden listened fo me.

Swedes (generally speaking) ARE holier than thou, to the point of embarrassment. But with that I think comes integrity, authenticity. Doing the right thing for the right reasons.

Take the story of Pippi Longstocking by much loved Astrid Lindgren. Pippi is the strongest girl in the world (not a princess waiting for a prince!). She is so strong that she can lift a horse. Her mum lives in heaven and her dad is a pirate on the seven seas. Basically she is this strong and I depended girl with a heart of gold.
She always uses her strength to help those in her worse position than herself). That sums up Swedes in a way. The stronger, more senior, successful etc you are - the more humble your approach should become.

@Lndnmummy

I introduced my British DH to Friday Tacos. At first he wouldn't have it, now God forbid they are missing from the shop! We even have a ranking of our favourite fillings!

@Lagomtransplant . My dh think it’s all abit mad.
He wanted to eat them on Saturdays and I was like “No!! No one does that”. He dead abit .

And candles, everywhere all the time, every day all year around . At every meal, fika and cup of tea.

@Lndnmummy that's like not having Pea soup on Thursday, it's just not right!

BTW, do you get weird looks at work with open top sandwiches too?

Mmm, candles, I've got everyday ones, special occasion ones, beeswax, bath, table ones, ... together with knit socks and a blanket, can't beat evening cuddles! BTW, have you tried to persuade your DH to swap the blackout curtains for white ones? I so miss light curtains, but he won't budge on it! Or trying to persuade him that lamps belong in windows!

Aah, don't get me started on fika, everybody here talks about self care, but actually stopping for 5 minutes (which does make you work better afterwards) is non existing!

And I miss my DM's kalops... homesick now

As a fellow Swede, but with foreign influences in my family that make me a little bit of an outsider, I’d like to point out that @Lndnmummy seems to be an absolutely prime example of a Swede, right down to eating certain foods on certain days and moaning about the healthcare system (I moan about that too because it’s annoying and over complicated). Tell me Lndnmummy, what is your stance on

• Christmas food
• Midsummer (all of it)
• What day to celebrate holidays (the evening ie the day before or on the actual day)?

Lagom, that is almost criminal (the yellow pea soup thing)!
@banivani, I was exaggerating somewhat, after more than 20 years here I’ve almost all my uberSwedish traits- apart from the candles.

On a slightly more serious note, there are some serious issues these days such a racism and xenophobia.
People often ask me if I’d ever go back. I have a black husband and sons, there is no way I could!

@Menschenskind

Not sure that people in the UK would be happy to pay the high rates of tax that they pay in Sweden.

And even if they were willing, I bet it wouldn't be used efficiently here.

It will depend on income, but the amount of tax I pay here in Sweden is only about £5/month more than what I would have paid in the UK on an equivalent salary (depending on the exchange rate). Sweden's headline figure (33%-ish) with next to no personal allowance is quite high, but there are no separate NI contributions or council tax to pay, so it evens out a lot.

I think Brits would revolt at a systembolaget-type system though: sales of alcohol stronger than 3.5% are restricted to the state-owned monopoly, which closes at 7pm on weekdays, 3pm on Saturdays and doesn't open at all on Sundays or bank holidays. Having to pay a minimum of £6 for a 40cl beer in a pub still hurts as well.

Pea soup on Thursdays is a Finnish thing too and I cannot get behind it, pea soup is nasty! My daughter always comes angry when its been pea soup for lunch at school (thankfully not every Thursday, just once a year or term or something). Not a fan of blood sausage day either.

My income tax rate is 6%. One year it was 2%

Lagomtransplant
Aah, don't get me started on fika, everybody here talks about self care, but actually stopping for 5 minutes (which does make you work better afterwards) is non existing!

Back in the Bad Old Days in England everything stopped for tea.