Over the course of dinner last night with some Swedish friends who have lived here in Australia for 2 years, the conversation naturally turned to Sweden. We were listening to Swedish music and talking about Steig Larsson’s books as I just finished the second in his millenium trilogy.
Then I mentioned how much I was enjoying the easy, friendly Australians. I had been for a walk around Lake Burley Griffin and every person I passed either smiled and nodded, said hello or even more. And I remarked how that would never happen in Sweden but that I wished it would – the process may be casual but I enjoy acknowledging my fellow human beings. It somehow makes me feel connected to the world, even if Swedes tend to think that is just a surface friendliness. What I found interesting is that my Swedish friend Sophie felt the same way: she also loves the casual friendliness here. Rather inexplicably, that made me very happy.
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i completely agree sandra! smiling does matter. i decided long ago that i would choose to be amused (rather than annoyed which was my first instinct…) by the shocked faces when i smile and “hälsar” when passing other people on walks in the woods. i figure maybe after they have gotten over the initial surprise maybe they will feel good about it after the fact… in the beginning, i stopped saying hello because i felt it was unwelcome, but i quickly realised this was silly and i should keep on doing it because it makes ME happy, even if the recipient is a little unsure of the whole thing…
As a Swede, I don’t like this behavior either of the Swedish people, but I have over the years found out that it is mostly in city areas like Stockholm. When you come out in the country side it is different, even in Sweden.
That is no defending of the Swedish unfriendly behavior in Stockholm, just an explanation.
I have also been down under and was also very amazed that everyone was so happy and friendly everywhere.
Keep up the good behavior Aussies
I agree. It is nice to be friendly!! I also do have to agree that I am becoming more like them. So, I don’t care to show a friendly face to a stranger anymore. It’s like, mind your own business. And when back in South Africa, I do find it strange at first that people can be so friendly……
But for instance on Saturday my Finnish husband and I were taking a long walk along the shoreline. The sun was bright and it was just amazing weather. So I told my husband ´try to look at the sun and not smile´. He tried and yes, he could not not smile when turning his face to the sun. There we were walking with big smiles on our faces.
Point is, it is all about the weather here!
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