What did our South African friends think of Sweden? We have been travelling around together for almost three weeks, first in Stockholm and then south and west. Here are our friends' reflections on Sweden.
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Travelling around Sweden - with South African friends
Our South African friends, Henri and Michelle, have lived all their lives in South Africabut are very well travelled. They have visited some 50 countries around the world, and are used to travelling in various adventurous ways. They've been to Norway before, and they've even dropped in on Stockholm (one day during a cruise).
However, travelling around Sweden in a campervan was a completely new experience, and they had the chance to see everything from nature and sights to everyday life and camping. We first discovered Stockholm together and then travelled Trosa - Kosta, Varberg - Hunnebostrand and Läckö Castle - Sala silver mine. Here you can read about our friends' reflections on Sweden.
1. Where are all the people?
One of the first comments from our South African friends in Sweden was "Where are all the people?". They thought it was empty in Solna, on Kungsholmen and in the metro, and later in many places around the country. But in all honesty, they discovered that there are a lot of people in some places, not least at the Vasa Museum and at Smögen.
2. Swedes are polite
Time and again, our friends commented that they feel Swedes are polite. They think that Swedes are nice, open and helpful, without emphasising themselves.
3. it's so clean!
"It's so clean!" Our friends said this time and again. They compared it to other places in Europe and the world, but found this to be on a level of cleanliness all its own, compared to anything else they had visited.
4. everything works!
They also repeatedly commented on a fascination with how everything works. It could be about parking, payment, vending machines and various technical or digital solutions. "First World Country" they said several times, shaking their heads in fascination. Although our friends are very well travelled, and have visited many parts of Europe, they kept saying that "Sweden is on another level".
5. Swedes are patient and law-abiding
Our friends also found Swedes to be patient and law-abiding. They commented on the way we wait, don't crowd and obey laws and rules, for example in shops and car parks.
6. it's safe - you can leave things in the garden
In most parts of Sweden, it is safe and secure. Our friends took photos of gardens where families had left their children's bikes and toys out to show their friends. They were incredibly fascinated that you don't need to lock such things up.
7. honesty shops work
So-called "honesty shops", i.e. shops without staff, where you take a product yourself and pay with Swish, card or cash in a box - work. We saw a bunch of these shops during our trip and our friends picked up the camera and documented. They realised that this would never work in their country.
8. Such small differences - a large middle class!
They also commented on the small differences in Swedish society, and the large middle class. Of course there are differences, but compared to many other countries, the differences are smaller and many are "in the middle".
9. Even cleaners are eloquent and pleasant
Our friends repeatedly reacted to the fact that cleaners (and street workers) are eloquent and pleasant, just like anyone else. They are used to the fact that many times, in many countries, these jobs are held by migrant workers who don't know the language, or people who haven't been to school, or similar. In Sweden, they found that the cleaners and street workers were both polite and articulate, even in English.
10. everyone is good at English - especially the young!
They thought that Swedes are generally good at English, and we also noticed that very few hesitated to switch to English if necessary. They felt that young people are particularly good at English.
11. So green and beautiful
"So green and beautiful!" They kept saying this as we drove past forests and fields. We had to look a little harder sometimes. Isn't it just an ordinary forest or an ordinary field? But yes, it can be nice of course!
12. so much water
It almost became a joke in the end. "Water ... again!?" We passed Lake Mälaren, the Baltic Sea, Göta Canal, Lake Vättern, the west coast, Lake Vänern and various small lakes. Well, there was probably a lot of water ...
13. More boats than people?
The boats also became a bit of a joke. "Are there more boats than people?", they sometimes asked, a bit in jest and a bit seriously. And we have to admit that we saw many, many pleasure boats during our trip in Sweden.
14. Both warmer and colder than expected
We informed in advance that it can be around 17-30 degrees on a Swedish summer day. Just in case, our (South African) friends packed winter clothes... They often thought it was hot ("23 degrees in Sweden feels like 26!") but sometimes they thought it was cold ("Now the Arctic wind is here again!").
15. Swedes wear summer clothes... when it's cold!
Sometimes our South African friends walked in full costume (with the windbreaker buttoned up to the chin and the hood pulled tight around the face). On the way, they met Swedish children ... in summer dresses or shorts and bare-chested! The same with adults. While our friends were putting on everything they had, Swedes were bathing in swimming shorts and bikinis ...
16. Wide choice in supermarkets - and healthy food
Our friends commented time and again that the selection in Swedish supermarkets is amazing. They have good supermarkets back home in their country too, but in Sweden they were fascinated by the variety of shops, even in small towns.
They also found the range unusually healthy, with a wide variety of vegetables, lots of wholegrain products, plenty of fish and seafood, and a little less 'unhealthy' than in many other parts of the world, such as less deep-fried food.
17. How strange that the state owns the liquor store
"Is the liquor store owned by the state? But why? Why not just set up rules for private entrepreneurs?" The Systembolaget issue came up time and again. Our friends certainly got good help in the shops and appreciated the wide range of products, but found the state ownership odd.
18. Fantastic with all you get back on taxes!
Time and time again, we made our friends open their mouths by telling them about the things you get for your tax money in Sweden. They first worried that people living on islands in the archipelago might not be able to get to hospital if they became acutely ill, for example with a heart attack.
When we told them that there would be a helicopter (for which you don't pay hundreds of thousands of dollars), they could hardly believe it. Other things we talked about included school meals, universities, healthcare and car ferries. "At least you get something for your tax money!", they said over and over again.
19. wow, so many vintage cars!
Henri and Michelle took many photos of vintage cars during our trip. They found it incredible that there are so many well-preserved old cars in our country.
20. campsites are so different
The Swedish campsites were perceived as very different. This is of course partly because we took them to very different places, but we could also agree that the places vary a lot. We stayed at everything from 5-star campsites with programme activities to simple forest campsites and pitches on asphalt or gravel.
21. wow, so many robot lawnmowers!
One thing our friends stopped to look at - and to photograph - was robotic lawnmowers. They knew they existed, but had never seen them in action before. One explanation is of course the huge differences between our countries. In South Africa, it's cheap to hire a gardener - and you're also helping a person get a job. There is simply no need for robot lawnmowers.
22. You have to do everything on your own
One big difference between Sweden and South Africa is that Sweden is more equal and it is therefore expensive to hire labour. During our trip to Sweden, it became very clear how much you do yourself, without the help of employees. You often pay in supermarkets at a machine, you check in digitally at some car parks and you pay the parking fee with an app.
Then you have to carry, pack and do all the practical stuff yourself. Our friends were impressed that the gardens are so well kept - even though most of them probably don't have a gardener.
23. sometimes signs in English are missing
Many signs in Sweden are also written in English, but far from all. In fact, there were quite a few times that we came across various forms of information signs, which were only in Swedish. If there was English, it was sometimes an extremely abbreviated version, written in small letters, way down in a corner where it was difficult to see. Here our friends wished for improvement!
24. you live in paradise!
"You live in paradise!" they sometimes said. They thought we didn't really understand how beautiful it is, and how calm, safe, secure and relaxed we are in our country.
25. We may not want to come here in winter ...
When our friends talked about "paradise", we sometimes reminded them that "you haven't seen Sweden in November!". Even though they have skied, and even though we showed them photos of sunny winter days with crisp snow, they find it hard to imagine the long winter, which is sometimes dark and cold.
They were a bit curious about visiting Scandinavia in winter, but at the same time they sometimes thought it was already cold in July and August. Well, maybe they don't want to come in winter anyway ...
Have you also had foreign guests visiting?
Have you also had foreign guests visiting? What did they think of Sweden? Similar, or different?
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
Funny post. As a resident of Belgium, I also see differences here. The thing with clothes, for example, when I sit outside in a t-shirt, people come with a winter jacket and hat, for example.
21 August 2024 - 6:26
Helena says:
Yes, we have experienced that in other countries too, not least in southern Europe. When we have been swimming, they have had thick jackets ... 😉 (Then I know that they sometimes have relatively cold indoors in winter, and then you might feel more cold.)
21 August 2024 - 10:39
Mr Thimon says:
A post worth reading that provides reflection and perspective.
I liked the post very much.
21 August 2024 - 8:03
Helena says:
I'm glad you liked it, Per! Travelling together with our South African friends definitely gave us perspective. There were many things that they made us see "with new eyes"!
21 August 2024 - 10:40
Inga Magnusson says:
Interesting text! We rent out a couple of cabins by boat to fishing guests, mostly Germans. Many of them comment on the fabulous silence here, no noise wakes them up in the morning! In their hometown there is always noise from planes, cars, trains, neighbours all day long.
21 August 2024 - 8:33
Helena says:
That is also a relevant reflection! Many people appreciate that we have such large areas of nature and countryside, where it is calm and quiet!
21 August 2024 - 10:41
Lena - good for the soul says:
But oh what a fun and "useful" post! So easy to get homesick. I would probably say that I am quite grateful for how good Sweden is in many ways, and swear over how "nothing works", hehe, when the technology is complicated. And that thing about "isn't it just a normal forest", maybe you don't appreciate all the times when you whiz past (but stay in it). And how incredible it is that you can live on an island or on a mountain and still expect electricity, broadband and healthcare. Sort of.
And of course, how nice that they seem to have appreciated our country!
Hug Lena
21 August 2024 - 8:40
Helena says:
Yes, it's easy to get homesick! We definitely felt that way when we travelled together. They pointed out things (nature for example) that we wouldn't have even "seen" otherwise... And yes, they really appreciated Sweden!!!
21 August 2024 - 10:42
Anki says:
A nice post and really fun to read how your guests experienced our country 🙂 Thanks for that!
21 August 2024 - 10:14
Helena says:
Glad it was appreciated! It was an interesting and rewarding experience for us, so also interesting to share it!
21 August 2024 - 10:43
4000mil says:
Very interesting to read! 🙂
What I am curious about is whether they understand the link between the high cost of labour, the fact that even cleaners have a solid school education and the safety and low crime rate?
21 August 2024 - 10:19
Helena says:
A good reflection! Yes, but I think so, at least since we talked a lot about these things ... 😉 They have asked a lot about salaries, school etc. The difference between our countries and how things work is very big, so you need to talk a lot to understand different dimensions (in both directions) I think.
21 August 2024 - 10:48
Eva/Living like Eva says:
Fun and thought-provoking!
I met up with a French friend in Stockholm and we went to Skansen, among other places. She reacted to the fact that there were so many dads with children and prams there, all "alone" without any mum around! 🙂
21 August 2024 - 11:49
Frido says:
Haha! I - a Finn - have also reacted to this in Sweden! We also have paternity leave of course, but it is longer in Sweden, and clearly more visible in the street scene!
21 August 2024 - 18:12
Ditte says:
Read the post with great interest. Very nice that your guests liked Sweden. We have occasionally had foreign guests visiting for both longer and shorter periods and all have been very positive. Not least also that families often share parental leave, pick-up and drop-off at school / preschool, that there is a lot of focus on equality and that women often have their own lives with jobs and education.
In my work as a guide and tour leader, I have also met many foreign visitors who have travelled around Sweden with me, and I have often been struck by the fact that they see so many positive things in our country. Not least schools, education and healthcare/elderly care.
21 August 2024 - 16:22
Frido says:
I have been waiting for this post and have read it with great pleasure!!! I don't have much experience of having foreign guests, but American relatives have visited a few times. They also reacted to the tax thing, free bridges and ferries, no tolls, you see that tax money is used correctly.
21 August 2024 - 18:09
BP says:
What a great post! Yep, we are spoilt in Sweden, while at the same time we are homesick and take everything for granted. Some things must have felt like day and night for Michelle and Henri. South Africa is not at the top in terms of equality, for example.
I think Michelle and Henri were freezing in our temperatures. A bit different compared to South Africa. And I understand that they probably don't want to visit Sweden in winter - hahaha:-)
Then you must not forget that South Africa has about 60 million inhabitants and Sweden about 11 million. In addition, we are the country where no one knows what cash means of payment looks like anymore. And we are quite alone in this, even in Europe.
How did Michelle fare in the heptathlon?
21 August 2024 - 20:08