Swedes are wonderful hard working people, and I love them; however, I have heard that Swedes can be very standoffish, and quiet. I work with a Swede - he is very cold. Has anyone been to Sweden? Is this true?
2006-08-16 14:26:59 · 7 answers · asked by irishman 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
Well, if you compare the people who work in retail places in Sweden to America, they may appear standoffish, rude, and quiet for the most part. When I usually go to a store here, employees will say "hi," ask how I'm doing, or if I need help finding anything, etc.. If you go to a checkout at a Swedish store, you'll be lucky if they even say "hi" or look at you. They just sit there and run the things across the scanner like robots. Americans seem to be more concerned with customer service I guess. Swedes usually like to keep to themselves, but that is also a generalization, because not everyone is like that. Every American isn't friendly either. There are times when employees at stores and such here don't say a word. Other than that, Swedes are very nice. I love them and I love their culture.
2006-08-17 15:38:49 · answer #1 · answered by Shannon A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My uncle's girlfriend is Swedish, and she's nice :) I've never been to Sweden, but in Finland - there, people are far from being "Mediterranean" (talking loudly, instanteneously "friendly"...). They are calm and discrete, but I won't say they are cold or displeasing at all. They keep a certain distance at the first time you talk to them (and I guess they're right), but I never had a problem with people. It may just take some time to have a relation with them. And people from Scandinavia are notorious for often speaking a very good English.
2006-08-16 22:35:35 · answer #2 · answered by a_t_c_h_o_u_m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally speaking, they are nice in the sense that they are reliable, very tolerant, the most open-minded people I've ever met and hardworking, too.
As a country, they've been really generous as to have taken in so many refugees from all over the world and given them a home and all the benefits of their welfare state.
It is true, however, that in personal relationships they are really cold and reserved, specially the men. The women seemed to me more extroverted and easy to get on with.
2006-08-17 00:00:01 · answer #3 · answered by Orchid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When outside of our own culture, then yes we can be somewhat introverted. However once you are within that inner circle, we will laugh at you if you wear clothes in the sauna...lol "so to speak" (I believe that is the right phrase)
2006-08-16 14:35:52 · answer #4 · answered by elars1989 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every race has their bad people.
2006-08-16 15:05:26 · answer #5 · answered by butterfly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course they are!
2006-08-16 14:33:26 · answer #6 · answered by Mrs. Giggles =] 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dunno...but their meatballs are great!
2006-08-16 16:57:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋