Two Month Reflections

Last night I went to my first gathering with the American Women's Club of Stockholm.  We were a group of 20 ladies sitting around in a circle, talking about our lives in the US and how we ended up in Sweden.  There were a few mentions of missing home, but mostly it consisted of comments on how much everyone loves Sweden, despite the shitty weather.  One comment stuck with me though.  A woman who has lived here for 36 years said "I've never met a bad Swede, they are just different."

Reflecting on these past few months, I would agree.  Sometimes I am baffled by the behavior here, but I have to remind myself that their intentions might be different from what I might assume.  But ultimately I am left with the feeling that I have been shown such incredible kindness from the Swedish friends I have met, including Micke's friends who spent an hour on the phone, unsolicited from me, trying to get a doctors appointment for me on New Years Day. Another of his friends offered to set up a time each week when we could have a coffee and practice speaking only in Swedish, which we did this week.  We spoke for an hour in Swedish on topics ranging from advertising to taking out books from the library. I was so proud of myself!  But then I tried to have a conversation with Micke's dad later that night and had no clue what he was asking.  Sigh.  The challenges of a new language.  

Anyways, back to my point... Looking around there are times when I think Sweden is not so different from the US, which is why I was all the more surprised to experience such culture shock the first few weeks I was here.   I can watch the Simpsons, in English, on TV every night at 8 pm.  There are 7-Elevens all over Stockholm.  I can drink coke and eat hamburgers, if I so desire.  If I ask someone on the street a question in English they will most likely be able to understand and respond in English.  The differences are subtle though.  I can't find anything in the grocery store because the layout seems completely illogical to me.  The doors open in the opposite direction (outwards). A regular cup of black coffee is $4.  Since it is considered high quality, this is seemingly fine for the Swedes.  Coffee also must be 4x stronger than the typical US brew.  Credit cards have chips and codes, so I get hassled every time I use my American card.  And things like the Swedish admiration for their own social, education and health policies and their love of very tight pants (for men and women) continue to baffle me. When Swedes talk about their society, you will often hear mention of "dignity," and how everyone should be given the same opportunities.  "Unfair" is the word that I hear most often when discussing the US.  How can it be ok for some people to not have any money or insurance when others have so much?

This weekend we are moving to a new apartment.  I'm very excited.  Pictures to follow.