“Do we really need another holiday with food, food, food” asked a reporter in the Metro newspaper yesterday. As I started reading the article I thought: here we go, another article bashing Americans about their bad influence on the world. But instead, the writer went on to say that like so many things from the US, Thanksgiving is being adopted here as well. And unlike so many things from the US that Sweden wants absolutely no part of, the writer concluded that “aldrig fel med lite tacksamhet” or “it’s never wrong to have a little gratitude.”
It made me smile. A corresponding article then included recipes for turkey and stuffing. I was so surprised. Especially since the stuffing recipe – which included apples, mushrooms, bacon and onion – actually didn’t sound too bad. And so the world becomes a little smaller again.
{ 4 comments }
Hi Sandy!
I agree! Swedes (and I am one myself) do have some problems in showing gratitude to other countries..we are a little bit up ourselves sometimes..the reason may be that we are such a fantastic country but nevermind..I always make turkey for X-mas (not Thanksgiving unfortunately) and everyone loves it. We eat it tradionally with stuffing, cream-gravy, cranberry sauce and red currant jelly. It takes ages to cook but it is such a joyful event and one can always sip on a glass of white while waiting for the bird!
Your dinner sounds fantastic Sofie. Thanks for sharing the details. I don’t think Swedes have problems showing gratitude, so that’s interesting that you do. My point was more that I like and miss the Thanksgiving tradition!
Hi Sandra. It’s so funny that Metro wrote about Thanksgiving and adopting it in Sweden. I’ve been asking myself if Sweden would ever do that… actually I thought about it just last week. My reaction is a very resolute NONONONONONO! They took Halloween without really “getting” it. Thanksgiving is a very American tradition and we don’t just celebrate it to say thanks. There’s a lot of history and myth in there, which belongs only to America!
Next thing we know the Swedes are going to have barbecues and play baseball on the 4th of July.
It’s funny. I don’t REALLY care. I’m happy to share a day of giving thanks with anyone. It’s just a bit odd, dontcha think? Do they really have to do turkey?
BTW nice blog!
s.
Hi Susie,
Thanks for reading and for the comments. I checked out your blog and it is also a good read. What’s your connection to Sweden, by the way? I saw some Swedish titles on your book list.
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