When I moved to Sweden 24 years ago, I knew nothing about this Sweden. Don't ask me how did I get my gut at that time. I was naive, curious, kind of stupid in that sense because I didn't think twice. I wanted a escape from home. One of my Malaysian friends in Sweden reminded me once, "Oh my God, you were only a little girl when you came to Sweden!" Guess I was. At the age of 22. I wish someone could have told me more about the Swedish culture then.
There are friends and relatives who have asked me about how the Swedes are. Well, I would like to share this blog with you who are interested in knowing the society I live in. Have I became very Swedes? Well, I have adapted myself to some of the things listed on the attached blog. If you have time to read, please go through the list on the blog, and then read my lists here to find out if I am Swedes enough. ^-^
http://sweden.se/society/20-things-to-know-before-moving-to-sweden/
1. SWEDES LOVE THEIR COFFEE
Oh ya, FIKA has also became a culture among my Malaysian friends! Whenever we all meet in town, we will go to a cafe for a "FIKA". Who can resist a FIKA with a cup of nice coffee, a piece of cake and a lot of chitchat? But most of my Malaysian friends would still prefer tea. Swedes love to drink their black coffee. I don't drink black coffee because my heart is too weak to handle it. So, Fika, YES, coffee...hmm...unless with some fresh milk and brown sugar! ^-^
2.GET IN LINE
People will automatically follow this queuing system.You don't want people stare at you like you are coming out from another planet. I never cut a line, but I do know how to get myself go faster before the others though. When the queue is long, especially in a bank, after I have taken a number I will start to look around for the abandoned numbers from the impatience people who couldn't wait for their turn. (Most of the Swedes I met at the queuing system don't do that, wonder why?....)
3. SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE, SWEDISH
Of course it will help a lot if you know Swedish but I must say that Swedes are VERY GOOD in ENGLISH. That's why many foreigners will find it easier to communicate with them in English and don't really bother to learn their language.
It took me so many years to learn the language, and I am still learning and struggling with it everyday, and of course making a fool to myself when pronouncing or using them. My Swedish would be so much more better if I had married a Swedish guy or woman.
4. SHOPPING BEFORE 5p.m.
I don't do glossary shopping in the weekends and definately not after 5p.m. Normally my shopping hours will be one hour before the closing time. Easy flow in the shop, no rush, no queue.
5. SQUEEZE FOOD FROM THE TOOTHPASTE TUBS
Well, I have learned how to eat them with sandwiches but they are not really my favorites. Why? They are toooo salty! I still don't understand why Swedes have to eat so salty food. Do they have different type of tongue compare to mine?
One of the example here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalles_kaviar
6. FATHERS PUSHING PRAMS
I LOVE looking at fathers pushing prams in the park. My heart starts pumping faster when they are two or three walking together with their prams. They are simply too sexy when they are pushing the baby pram. They will even melt my heart when they lift up their baby and play with their baby, so adorable!! I mean the fathers..
7. THE SWEDES ARE AN OUTDOORSY BUNCH
I admire them who enjoy jogging in the rain and snow, while I have to hold my jacket tie and walking like an old lady on the road. Well, perhaps one day I will find a jogging partner, then I might start to learn how to jog on the snowy road. Jogging by myself? I am lazy and no motivation! I am soooo not Swedes when come to this point.
8. BUSINESS CLOSE IN JULY
That's why we have to close our restaurant business in July too. We usually went back to Malaysia in July when the girls were young. Nothing much to say about this.
9. LAGOM
Lagom is the best. Moderate is the best. I love to use this word! When this word is concerned, I am very Swedes.
10. MELODY FESTIVAL - NOT LAGOM AT ALL
This is a big musical event for Sweden. Abba was one of the winner from the Eurovasion Melody Festival. The Swedes love to watch this program. I used to love watching this program too but not anymore because the quality of the songs and artists are not like ABBA's anymore. Furthermore, every year on the night where the program is showing on the TV, I make a lost at my restaurant. So, the melody night is not melody for me at all.
to be continued................
There are friends and relatives who have asked me about how the Swedes are. Well, I would like to share this blog with you who are interested in knowing the society I live in. Have I became very Swedes? Well, I have adapted myself to some of the things listed on the attached blog. If you have time to read, please go through the list on the blog, and then read my lists here to find out if I am Swedes enough. ^-^
http://sweden.se/society/20-things-to-know-before-moving-to-sweden/
1. SWEDES LOVE THEIR COFFEE
Oh ya, FIKA has also became a culture among my Malaysian friends! Whenever we all meet in town, we will go to a cafe for a "FIKA". Who can resist a FIKA with a cup of nice coffee, a piece of cake and a lot of chitchat? But most of my Malaysian friends would still prefer tea. Swedes love to drink their black coffee. I don't drink black coffee because my heart is too weak to handle it. So, Fika, YES, coffee...hmm...unless with some fresh milk and brown sugar! ^-^
2.GET IN LINE
People will automatically follow this queuing system.You don't want people stare at you like you are coming out from another planet. I never cut a line, but I do know how to get myself go faster before the others though. When the queue is long, especially in a bank, after I have taken a number I will start to look around for the abandoned numbers from the impatience people who couldn't wait for their turn. (Most of the Swedes I met at the queuing system don't do that, wonder why?....)
3. SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE, SWEDISH
Of course it will help a lot if you know Swedish but I must say that Swedes are VERY GOOD in ENGLISH. That's why many foreigners will find it easier to communicate with them in English and don't really bother to learn their language.
It took me so many years to learn the language, and I am still learning and struggling with it everyday, and of course making a fool to myself when pronouncing or using them. My Swedish would be so much more better if I had married a Swedish guy or woman.
4. SHOPPING BEFORE 5p.m.
I don't do glossary shopping in the weekends and definately not after 5p.m. Normally my shopping hours will be one hour before the closing time. Easy flow in the shop, no rush, no queue.
5. SQUEEZE FOOD FROM THE TOOTHPASTE TUBS
Well, I have learned how to eat them with sandwiches but they are not really my favorites. Why? They are toooo salty! I still don't understand why Swedes have to eat so salty food. Do they have different type of tongue compare to mine?
One of the example here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalles_kaviar
6. FATHERS PUSHING PRAMS
I LOVE looking at fathers pushing prams in the park. My heart starts pumping faster when they are two or three walking together with their prams. They are simply too sexy when they are pushing the baby pram. They will even melt my heart when they lift up their baby and play with their baby, so adorable!! I mean the fathers..
7. THE SWEDES ARE AN OUTDOORSY BUNCH
I admire them who enjoy jogging in the rain and snow, while I have to hold my jacket tie and walking like an old lady on the road. Well, perhaps one day I will find a jogging partner, then I might start to learn how to jog on the snowy road. Jogging by myself? I am lazy and no motivation! I am soooo not Swedes when come to this point.
8. BUSINESS CLOSE IN JULY
That's why we have to close our restaurant business in July too. We usually went back to Malaysia in July when the girls were young. Nothing much to say about this.
9. LAGOM
Lagom is the best. Moderate is the best. I love to use this word! When this word is concerned, I am very Swedes.
10. MELODY FESTIVAL - NOT LAGOM AT ALL
This is a big musical event for Sweden. Abba was one of the winner from the Eurovasion Melody Festival. The Swedes love to watch this program. I used to love watching this program too but not anymore because the quality of the songs and artists are not like ABBA's anymore. Furthermore, every year on the night where the program is showing on the TV, I make a lost at my restaurant. So, the melody night is not melody for me at all.
to be continued................
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