Monday 2 November 2015

Differences between Sweden and America


(Flags in this post used from all-flags-world.com)
So, having been in Sweden for a few weeks now, I figured I would try and come up with a few major differences between Sweden and America that I have personally noticed, possibly for those who are curious who have never left either. :)

Most of these come from my own personal experiences, some of them also come from my girlfriend who is Swedish (and who, herself, visited the United States to see the differences on her own). This list is not all inclusive, but will be updated as I think of more things.





Sweden

America
Food A) Less additives in food to promote health, and proves quite well that such additives are not needed to make food tasty.
B) Food is typically cheaper than in the States, and more frequently focuses on health and necessity than sales.
C) Frozen and ready-made food is less commonly sold or bought in Sweden - most people prepare their own food and buy the ingredients directly.
D) Kinder Eggs are sold in Sweden and prominently display a warning not to eat the toy contained inside, and that it is not intended for children under three years old.
E) Dishes in Sweden tend to be smaller. Smaller glasses, smaller plates, smaller bowls. It may not be the intended effect but it definitely helps with portion control.
F) Sweden does not leave chlorine in its tap water. This makes it taste differently than the American version, and is arguably healthier without the bleaching component that comes with chlorine.
A) More additives in food to enhance taste and promote sales.
B) Food is a bit more expensive but offers a much bigger variety on the shelves, especially in bigger stores.
C) Frozen and ready-made food is more frequently bought, sold, and used in America. Ready-made food is available with fresh ingredients (sold in delis), however it typically costs more.
D) Kinder Eggs are banned in America.
E) Dishes in America tend to be a little bigger.
F) American municipalities typically treat tap water with chlorine and leave it in the final product. In the actual drinking water this does reduce microbe infestation, however, the health effects of chlorine are not proven to be so great over the long term. It is very common for American faucets to have a carbon filter installed to remove some of the extra mineral deposits as well as the chlorine.
Friends and Strangers A) In Sweden, it is rude not to take your shoes off at the door. Do not go far in a person's home with your shoes on. 
B) Most people speak Swedish but have also learned at least a year of English. This allows you to interact with quite a lot of citizens without learning Swedish; however, learning it is really necessary and still offers a huge benefit. The federal government has set Swedish to be the official language and legal documentation is written as such. English is mostly a courtesy for tourists or used for trade/business. 
C) Swedes are, for the most part, very proud and patriotic - however they are also very humble. They will not wave their nationality in your face whenever the opportunity presents itself and try to be accepting of all peoples.
D) It is rude to criticize people in Sweden. If you are nice no one will point out your flaws.
E) Swedes will hug each other in greeting and departure if they know each other.
A) Wipe your shoes off at the door if a mat is provided; take off your shoes if it is wet outside.
B) Many people born in America speak English exclusively. Those who do not will often speak English plus their home country's language. Since the only non-English country bordering the United States is Mexico, this causes Spanish to become somewhat a "secondary" language. The federal government has not mandated an official language. Most things are written in both English and Spanish but English is widely accepted as the dominant language and all legal documentation and contracts are written in English.
C) Americans are very patriotic and many do not try to hide it. They are seen as very arrogant because not being proud to be American is looked down upon - and seen as unpatriotic.
D) In America, it can be considered rude to not point out issues when it can cause major problems to the person.
E) Americans usually shake hands in greeting acquaintances, but in casual meetings will often not touch the other person. Hugs are usually reserved for more intimate and closer relationships.
Home and Public Life A) In Sweden, there is a lighter attitude towards nudity and it is allowed and shown in outdoor art.
B) LGBT and ethnic diversity is widely accepted in Sweden - and bigots are generally outcast and frowned upon.
C) Houses and apartments are mostly constructed out of bricks or concrete. Some drywall and wood is used, but the danger of fire, while still quite present, is lower than American homes.
D) Swedish home bathrooms usually have a drying rack above the tub to facilitate hand-washing of laundry.
E) Toilets usually focus on functionality rather than quietness. You can pour additives into a toilet tank, but the tank itself is usually inaccessible other than a very small hole. Swedish toilets only have enough standing water to plug the sewage hole, and are flushed with a button on the top.
F) Swedes get out and walk a lot more. There are more walking paths and people socialize together quite a lot. Courtesy is rampant, and it is rare to absolutely ignore a stranger.

A) In America, art with nudity is very rarely, if ever, shown, and almost never outdoors.
B) LGBT is very contentious in America. Some people are accepting, some are not. Racism is a problem on all fronts, and all ethnic groups are guilty of it to some point.
C) Houses and apartments and other residences are almost always constructed out of wood and drywall unless they are inside a major city. Wood is easier to manage, and cheaper, however it is prone to fires.
D) American home bathrooms usually do not have a drying rack above the tub. Most people have their own washing machines, use a service, or the local laundry mat.
E) Toilets are sometimes weakened for using less water per flush. American toilets also usually feature a top lid that allows a plumber (or the person using the toilet) to service or repair the toilet or add things to the water. American toilets also keep a bowl of standing water in addition to what is in the tank, and are flushed using a  push lever on the left.
F) Americans usually only go out for a purpose, but some will go out to walk. Sidewalks are less common except on bigger roads, and indifference is rampant. It is very common not to greet a stranger passing by (though many still do).
Government A) Airports are run more casually, with not as much security or threat of terrorism. The Swedish airport security was actually really confused I took off my shoes, but understood why when they were told I came from America.
B) Poverty, crime, and other issues are mostly hot topics for the people concerned with it, but are not such a problem that you see it every day on the news.
C) In Sweden the government is strictly federal, with the local municipalities to help enforce the laws. There is a central Riksdag which carries out the functions of an executive as well as the legislative branches of governments (which in English would be called a parliament). Courts, however, are similar to the United States, in that there are multiple levels of courts. There is a king, which also means it is a monarchy, however he does not set the rules since that is the function of the Riksdag.
D) Traffic signals are the same as they are in America - however, they have one additional state that America does not. Just before a light goes green, it will turn "Red-Yellow" - indicating that it is time to get ready to pass through the intersection.
E) Sweden is a lot better with social programs, having a welfare system that is a little more forgiving than what is in the United States, however, still requiring the recipient to search for a job.
A) Airports are high security areas. Restrictions on where you can go inside the airport. Cannot meet passengers at their drop-off points.
B) Crime is a major news event that happens a lot in more populated areas and is almost always reported about on the news. American crime is so popular, it is often reported overseas.
C) In America, there is a government at multiple levels of jurisdictions. The federal government is ruled by the constitution and, as mandated by the constitution, there is a congress, an executive branch, as well as the judiciary. Each progressively lower government carries out its own versions of these higher-up functions. States have their own legislatures and courts, as do counties, and in some cases cities themselves do as well. Each government also has its own elected officials and representatives.
D) Traffic signals only have 3 different states - Red, Yellow, and Green. They have the same meanings as in Sweden, but do not offer the courtesy of letting you know that the light is going to change soon.
E) Social programs in the United States are very tightly controlled and are often de-funded by congress for fear of people living off of the government and being too lazy. Welfare is harder to get, and unemployment insurance only lasts a year or two before you go completely broke.
Stores A) Sweden has smaller stores, less chains and franchises, latter of which usually stick to areas with more population (bigger cities or downtown areas).
B) Stores close much earlier in the day to allow employees to spend time with their families and rest.
C) Stores often have foreign import shelves (usually American). European imports are sold inside the store proper, however, since Sweden imports a lot of goods from other parts of Europe.
D) In Sweden it is not customary to open or taste merchandise before you buy it. It is very uncommon to bring used merchandise to the register and stores frown upon it.
E) Non-food items (especially electronics or clothing) are typically more expensive than in the United States, sometimes by a factor of double.
F) In Swedish stores you may have to use a coin to get a cart. This is to prevent theft of the cart (which is often used by the homeless). The coin is returned to you if you return the cart directly to the store itself. There are no cart returns in the parking lot.
G) In many Swedish stores, especially grocery stores, you must bag your own goods, and you must pay for every bag you use (typically 2 to 5 kronor per bag).
H) Swedish stores often (but not always) charge for the use of the public restroom. Restrooms are not always segregated by gender.
I) Alcohol is almost never sold in stores in Sweden that are not exclusively dedicated to it.
J) Sweden usually has dedicated pharmacies to fill prescriptions, which are not built into local grocery stores or markets. However, grocery stores may sell over-the-counter medicines - well, "over the counter" - literally. You have to ask for it at the check-out.
A) America has a lot of bigger stores, and more chains and franchises. These stores proliferate suburbs and drive many smaller stores out of business.
B) Stores stay open longer for the convenience of customers (and to drive sales).
C) Foreign items are mixed and matched with any other merchandise. Most merchandise is imported from Asian countries, anyhow, to save major corporations on labor costs.
D) In America it is acceptable (in most stores) to eat and drink merchandise before you buy it - however this mandates that you must buy it (or it is considered stealing). You may bring your empty bottles and food containers to the register without issues.
E) Non-food items are a bit cheaper than they are in Sweden.
F) In American stores, carts are free to use, and may be returned in one of many cart returns in a store's dedicated parking lot.
G) In American stores, you will either have a dedicated bagger, or the cashier will bag your merchandise as you ring it up. You do not need to pay for the bag. Bags are given for free, and heavy merchandise is often double-bagged for convenience to prevent breakage of the bag.
H) Public restrooms are almost always free, and sometimes offer condoms or tampons for emergency use (which may, themselves require payment). Public restrooms are usually, but not always, segregated by gender. Some restrooms also offer diaper changing stations.
I) Light alcohol can be sold outside of liquor stores, usually in grocery or discount supermarkets. Regulations for it vary from state to state.
J) Almost every grocery store or discount retailer has their own pharmacy with licensed pharmacists available to fill prescriptions. Some of these stores also feature their own walk-in clinics that are typically more costly than local doctor's offices.
Medical Care A) A hospital visit might cost you about 250-300 kronor, depending on what happens or what you need, more if you need extra services such as an overnight stay but is usually affordable.
B) There are programs available to cover the cost of medicines, tests, and other medical necessities. Nothing is completely free, but nothing will break the bank, either. There is a "high cost card" for both medicine and health care that ensures you only pay a certain sum before you start getting services for free for the remainder of the year from your first payment.This only applies to Swedish citizens or citizens of certain countries, however.
C) Access to specialty services is far more limited and is your own responsibility. There is often a limited window in which you may call and schedule appointments.
A) A hospital stay will break the bank without insurance. Hospitals are extremely expensive and a single trip to the ER can cost upwards of $2,000 USD. This can escalate to the millions for extended stays.
B) What services you get or have to pay for is tightly regulated by insurance, and insurance is a battlefield of its own.
C) Access to specialty services is far more open and can often be done by the referring doctors, themselves. There is a more open window (usually during business hours) in which you may call and schedule appointments.
Television A) Television shows adult content - brief, light nudity is allowed, swearing is not censored unless it is done so at the source. If you are offended, you are expected to change channels.
B) Television commercials are often of a lighter tone and will frequently parody popular music, TV shows, or movies, such as the Matrix or James Bond.
C) Television programs are frequently imported, daytime TV often shows more foreign programs than it does Swedish programs. When a program is in a language other than Swedish, it will be subtitled. Children's programs will, however, be dubbed in Swedish, instead.
A) Television is strictly regulated, and during daytime hours may not show nudity or swearing whatsoever during daytime shows, and only cable stations can show swearing or nudity past prime-time hours. Actual pornography is allowed but must not be freely accessible.
B) Television commercials are often focused on the company backing the advertisement, and far less frequently will, if ever, parody popular media.
C) Television programs are mostly produced in America with very few foreign programs shown. Anything that is not in English is subtitled, similar to Sweden.