BRIT reacts to Things You Didn't Know About Sweden 🇸🇪
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- There's a lot to learn about Sweden, and in this video I (a British guy) react to 15 Things You Didn't Know About Sweden! Did you know all of these interesting facts?
Feel free to like or leave a comment, or subscribe to see more videos of me learning all I can about Scandinavia - that's Norway, Sweden and Denmark!
Watch the original video I reacted to here • 15 Things You Didn’t K...
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I moved to Sweden from the US with my family last year (February 2022), and although I've never paid this high a proportion of my income as "taxes" I'm 100% thrilled with it. Why? Well for one thing, in the US, we were sending our daughter to a Waldorf School (in Lexington, MA), and just for Kindergarten, it cost us $21,000/year. Here in Sweden, our two daughters now both attend the local Waldorf School and it's FREE! Not only that, they also get free lunch (the school has it's own fully staffed kitchen and provides vegetarian and even vegan options for those kids who want it)--In the US, we had to make and pack a luch for daughter every day, so we're now not only saving money but TIME. In the US, my employer paid 80% of my family's healthcare premium, yet just our 20% shared worked out to nearly $500/month--and that was considered low! In addition, we still had a $5,000 annual deductible, which meant we only got reimbursed for any medical costs above and beyond the $5,000. In Massachusetts (where we lived previously) the roads and infrastructure were terrible. Potholes everywhere, weeds growing out of the medians, poorly maintained sidewalks, a terrible barely functioning subway system that was always breaking down. Here in Sweden, everything just works! The bus and rail options all run smoothly and regularly. Purchasing tickets is a breeze (you can just use an app). The roads are in amazingly well-maintained condition (I've only seen one pothole in the nearly one-year that we've been living here), I also love that there are almost no stop signs! Intersections are handled with either Yield signs or roundabouts--it just makes so much sense! In the rare places where they do have traffic lights, they have built-in sensors that allow them to turn green for the car that is approaching first. I can literally drive from my home in Karlshamn to my company's office in Lund over 1-hour away and never come to a stop! People are also polite and follow the rules, including the drivers! People use their blinkers and know what they're doing. This makes driving relaxing and fun. No guessing what the other drivers are up to, and definitely no road rage. I also love that there are no utility poles and power lines here--something that is so common in the US. In Sweden, they bury it all underground, which makes everything look so clean and picturesque. Because there are no homeless people and minimal crime, it also makes everything way more accesible. Nearly every establishment you go to provides clean well-maintained restrooms. Trust me, when you have kids, that's a huge difference. Speaking of kids, it is awesome to be a kid here. Kids are allowed to wander around by themselves! Nobody worries about them, and you see them everywhere, playing outside, enjoying life. One reason people worry less is that there are well-maintained walking and biking paths everywhere, complete with their own bridges and underpasses, which means that bikers never have to share the road with cars. Our daughters can bike to school and we don't have to worry about them getting hit by a car--or anything weird or creepy happening to them. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is that although we pay a higher proportion of our incomes as taxes here, we feel like we get our money's worth with every penny, while I honestly believe that if Americans simply started to think of the money that they spend on education and healthcare as also being a tax, they would soon realize that they pay way more in total that Swedes do. I also think the reason that most Amercians hate to pay taxes so much is because they see very little value in return. That's because of that money goes towards funding the US military. So when you feel like you don't get anything tangible for the money that gets deducted from your paycheck, you resent it. Here, you really see the difference and actually appreciate it. Everyone benefits! I recently went to get my Swedish drivers license and the friendliness of the staff was next-level. Just amazing. In fact, every interaction that I've had with Swedish government officials has been a smooth and satisfying experience. Everyone does their job! People are educated, professional and kind. The last time I went to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston, I had to wait for over an hour, only to get barked at by an obviously very unhappy person, who clearly did not want to be there, much less help me. Seriously, I could go on, but once you've experienced the difference of living in a country in Sweden, you have to wonder why anyone would want to live any other way!
Meatballs can be found in almost all cultures, but Swedish Meatballs are Swedish Meatballs. Very different from Turkish or any other country's.
I can imagine yes! I’ve never had Turkish meatballs but I can definitely say I love Swedish meatballs haha 🤣🤣
I'm Norwegian. When I think about Swedish meatballs, I inevitably think about IKEA. We love lingonsylt in Norway, too. It's called tyttebærsyltetøy here. I have never met a Swede who doesn't think that's a hilarious long and weird word. 😁
@@Kari.F. haha that is for sure a long and weird word 😂 what does the tøy in the end stand for?
@@Kari.F. that is a hilarious word. Coming from a swede
@@Kari.F. That's so sad though. Like IKEA's meatballs barely have any resemblance to Swedish meatballs. They're more like Thai meatballs, completely the wrong texture, consistency, spices (no spices in IKEA's) and everything. Too "bouncy". Like where's the nutmeg, allspice and cloves?
For people into meatballs, check out French Guy Cooking's video. He made a sort of mini series about meatballs, Swedish, Italian, Turkish. The episode in Stockholm, THAT's how you make Swedish meatballs.
I'm Swedish and I never heard anyone claim that Santa Claus lives in Sweden. I have heard only Finland and the North pole mentioned.
I hadn’t heard that either before this video! 😂😂
Another Swede here, I've heard it many times, in fact a common "argument" between Swedes and Finns
I have not heard it here where I live in Sweden but i know there is an argument about it else where in Sweden.
Danes say that santa lives on greenland
@@marcusfridh8489 Well, both Swedes and Finns both agree that Danes are full of sh*t 😂😉
Makes me happy when I see someone taking an interest in my country 🇸🇪😙, thank you 🙏🏻, great reaction, I’ll keep watching more videos 👍🏻!
Ah thank you so much! Sweden is an amazing country! 🇸🇪❤️
He said he wasn't sure if spanking was ok or not in other words he's not sure if it's a good idea to expose children to pain and violence and fear and humiliation in the hopes of encouraging healthy emotional development and good behaviour, is there ANY doubt there's an answer to that question? and that it matters?
I would suggest learning some of our history. For example. Denmark and Sweden has been in more wars than any other neighbouring nations in the world. Even more than Britain and France. And we sort of have the same rivalry, we can call each other lots of different names but when it comes down to it we're all here for each other(at least these days).
Another example of Swedish history would be that we are one of the few nations that have never been fully conquered. Another would be that Finland used to be a part of Sweden. Sweden fought of a coalition of Denmark, Norway, Poland-Lithuania, Saxony and Russia at least twice in history. Like, Swedens military used to be one of the biggest in europe I think, right after countries like Russia, France, Spain and the UK. We have left war behind us for the past 200 years, so we're all good now :)
I must say that Systembolaget doesnt look great on papper, but it's 1 of the 5th biggest "companies" to buy alcohol in the world. We can order anything from them and they fix it for you. So it's a great concept and store! :) from a persons perspective from Sweden :)
Ah well that’s a good reason to have it then! There must be so much more of a variety to choose from! 😁
And prices are very affordable compared to other unregulated countries. Systembolaget is not there to profit off your drinking. As one of the biggest buyers of wine and spirits they get the best prices. Its not open on Sunday but you just need to plan a little ahead. I think its a great institution!
Systembolaget (the liqour store mentioned) sounds pretty harsh but it is actually very good. The supply is insanely varied, and the personel very knowledgeable. They could have better opening hours, and I wouldn't mind if they were allowed to chill the products but overall I don't mind it at all. I do find it strange that the age limit is 20, but you are allowed to be served at 18.. so, between 18 and 20 you can drink in restaurants, the pub and clubs but not buy any for your home.
Ah it’s great that the Systembolaget has such a wide variety of alcohol! And it makes sense that the people who work there would have a lot of knowledge about the products. I like the idea of it a lot actually, but I also like the convenience of going into a shop or supermarket here when I have to buy alcohol for an occasion 😅 Oh so they can’t chill wine or anything? That’s interesting! And crazy that you can’t buy in there until you are 20 but you can buy alcohol in pubs and clubs when you’re 18 haha I don’t understand the logic 🤣🤣
@@allaboutscandinavia9779 Yeah, sometimes if you haven't been by there for a while and notice that you're out of beer it can be a bit annoying :P But I guess one gets used to it and gets better att planning your purchases.
No, they are not allowed to promote or encourage drinking and someone decided that chilled drinks is a risk factor. I can see their point, it avoids people being able to just buy something spontaneously to drink right away. If you're someone who is having trouble with restricting yourself I can see why that is helpful.
Also, they are also not allowed to have any offers, sales och reduced prices. Again, so that you are not encouraged to buy more than you intended.
The age limit is so strange lol, that one I can't find a way to justify 😅
@@allaboutscandinavia9779 I think the reason it works that way is to prevent alcoholism, since most alcoholics get their addiction at a young age. Therefore, you can't just waltz into systembolaget and buy tons of alcoholic beverages with a high alcohol content until you know your limits.
Hello Sir! As a British guy (born in Scotland but raised in the South of England) with a keen interest in Scandinavia, I'm glad to have discovered your channel today. Of course, I've subscribed. 🙂BTW - Jokkmokk is pronounced YOCK-mock
Oh thank you so much! I appreciate it 😁And thanks for telling me the correct way to say Jokkmokk!
@@allaboutscandinavia9779 My pleasure. All the best and keep bringing the content 🙂
Importing trash makes it sound like Sweden pay for trash. But it's the other way around - The exporters pay Sweden for taking care of their trash.
What this video gets wrong about trash is that the import has nothing to do with Sweden being "so efficient in recycling". I mean, efficiency isn't the primary reason for trash import. The actual no. 1 reason is that in Sweden, what isn't recycled is burnt for energy and heat. Several cogeneration plants in Sweden are now using garbage as fuel instead of coal or oil. My city (that coincidentally is also the city where the first H&M store was ever opened) has a plant like that. The efficiency of recycling leads to shortages of trash for burning.
The real Santa lives in Sapmi...enough said! 😉 About Jokkmokk...lovely municipality, do visit the museum and check out stores with local made handicrafts.
Haha true 🤣🤣 Ah lovely! Yes I can’t wait to visit Jokkmokk in the future, I know I will love it! 😁
Regarding the Q asked if general education benefit innovation my answer is yes, undoubtedly. The greater pool you draw from the higher the result. Take the Swedish music wonder as an example. We have very easy access to get too learn to play an instrument in the councils around the country. That's in generally used to explain the music wonder with so many successful bands and composer originate rom Sweden. The available pool is so much bigger..
I agree with you completely! 🙌
I actually live in Jokkmokk but i can say i never heard this is the best place for gift distribution purposes haha ^^
Hahaha 😂 Well I still want to visit Jokkmokk in the future!
Ever since I moved to Greece, I really miss Systembolaget. They are the biggest importer in the world and they also have the biggest assortment in the world of any shop selling alcohol. Going to "Just any store" to buy here in Greece, always means abysmal assortment and choice.
Jokkmokk is 45 miles south of the village where i grew up...So Santa Claus had to go north to deliver my christmas gifts :)
Haha that’s amazing 🤣🤣
Your second try to pronounce Jokkmokk was actually close. 👍 The first one, not so much. 😁
I’m still very much learning hahaha thank you! 🤣🤣
def not prounance it like the first to any1 from jokkmokk 😅
About the green cities part: swedish cites are indeed literally very green, often looking like actual forests with buldings sticking out here and there.
Edit: about plogging (plogga in swedish), the word is actually a combination between "jogging" (or jogga) and "plocka", which is swedish for ficking something up, and in this case it's trash.
Yeah I love all the green spaces in the cities! Oh thanks for the clarification about the origin of plogga 😁
You should have named your channel All About The Nordic or something to have a bit more range and include Finland too haha. But love to see it.
It may happen in the future! 😁
I've seen claims by Systembolaget themselves that restricting alcohol this way lowers alcohol consumption by 30%. Considering how much we already drink I'd say that's a good thing.
Hi there! Just want to say thank You from Sweden but react to Jonna Jinton , She is also a Swedish person that lives up in the North with her husband and dog , She has a side to here on youbtube (sorry for bad english) , She is s photografer and match more! Xx 🇸🇪
Oh thanks so much for the recommendation! I will add her to list of videos to react to! 😁
@@allaboutscandinavia9779 I second that. Jonna Jinton´s videos are really great, top notch productions.
Number twelve about the meatballs is false, There are recipes for meatballs from before Charles the twelve was even born.
Oh thank you for the clarification! 😁
Your second attempt was almost spot on. Jock-mock is more or less how you pronounce it.
Yes, the province of Lapland was divided when Russia took the eastern half of Sweden in 1809...
Not so fun fact. Sara Danius had to resign from the Academy because she wanted to have a lawfirm investigate the academy's internal affairs to look for nepotism and other mismanagement. She also wanted the wife of Arnault (who's actually now serving prison time for sex crimes) to resign from the academy for blabbing to her husband about the recipients of the Nobel prize beforehand and giving grants to her own projects.
The academy disagreed and Sara Danius had to resign and a few other members resigned voluntarily in protest.
Oh wow, sounds very messy haha 🤣🤣
In 1850 there was collections in London about collecting money to the poor people in Sweden.
Sweden and Finland is part of the vodka belt, with Russia. So without regulations Sweden and Finland would be like Russia now. And you can buy quality spirits in Systembolaget that is more expensive then in all other countries. Because they buy so large, they get lower cost for spirits.
Spanking children are a bad idea. So spanking children has been forbidden since start of 1970:th. And ABBA won the ESC in 1974. 🙂
Oh that’s cool, I didn’t know that! And I hadn’t heard of the vodka belt before but that’s so interesting! 😁 And yes, we all know and love ABBA hahaha 🤣🤣
Don't touch Systembolaget!
Sweden is the third music exporting country in the world for several decades right after the USA and the UK. No wonder since we always loved and have been heavily influenced by the music from the USA and the UK.
11:55 Jokkmokk (pronounced as your 2nd attempt, yockmock) is my old hometown. 👍
Number 12 is just a lie written by someone who want to discredit swedish culture. Swedish meatballs are swedish. Its recipe is swedish. The way it is served is swedish. Meatballs have been developed in many countries throughout human history. It is not a turkish invention. There is this "movement" in Sweden that sort of compete of whom can discredit swedish culture the most. Mostly left-wing people.
Ah okay thanks for letting me know! This is good because I really love Swedish meatballs haha 😋🤣
How are Meatballs a Left wing thing Most stupid comment ever read 🤣
So the only thing I can really complain about, as a Swede, is politicians, like other countries does.
They're not that competent, and strangle us as a people, with forcing us to be the best of the best and will save the world in eco area, when we're already quite high up there. Along with shady things going on in other countries, and politicians have made a idiotic system that people can take advantage off to do these despicable things.
And some other things, but in general, I love my country, it's a nice place to live in and I'm glad to have been born a Swede and wear the badge proudly, especially that I'm from southern part of Sweden
We do not believe that Santa lives in Sweden, he lives in the north pole. It is people from England who believes that he lives in Norrland, the part of Norrland that is in Finland.
About Systembolaget it is a very good thing, especially for children of alcoholics. Their parents can't get ahold of alcohol that easily.
We love our taxes, except for when the politicans mishandel the money. Like for example the fact that companies can own schools and hospitals and get ahold of our taxmoney throught them and stuff their pockets full.
We appreciate your reaction. :)
Lots of mosquitoes in Jokkmokk in the summer, not the decease ridden buggers we find in many African countries. But there are a lot of them,
I wouldn't say that we love the taxes but we know that we get a lot for the money like free (almost) healthcare. When it comes to how to pronounce Jokkmokk you kan think of it as if it was spelled Jock-mock. 🙂
Yeah exactly, no one loves paying a lot of taxes but if you get a lot back from it in terms of services, then it’s kind of worth it! Oh thanks for the pronunciation tip! 😁
Everyone I know hates how high taxes are, basically everyone I speak to when we look up what everything goes to it feels like theft because honestly there is a lot of tax wasting in this country.
Yeah.. kind of cute way to present my country!
Lets start at the begining, Sweden and other "nordic countries" was the poorest in Europe for 100-150 years ago, so about 1/3 left for USA!
Then the industrial revolution happend, so scotish and english entrepreneurs moved to sweden!
To make a shourtcut, they often made it.. especialy at our west coast.. so Gothenburg "Göteborg" is cald "Little London", you can have trouble to understand this now, but there is places and people that is related to english and scotish surnames! Just for fun.. Glenn is still a normal name as forname for a male, I think its scottish.. its this its newer used outside Gothenburg!
And we have a lot of taxes!.. so every swede like to pay taxes?.. the more the better!.. no we is as other people!.. its rather this, we are a high salary country, so even if we pay a lot of taxes, we still have a lot after we have payd our taxes! Ofcourse, som have less other have more!
Its rather this, moste people pay about 32% of there salary on taxes, it goes to your comunity and healt care region.. on top of your salary, your employer pays 33% more to the state, for pension, defens, anyother state department!
Then one pay for most 25% VAT, and hugh amount of special taxes for alcohol, tobac and petrol!
Dont even think that sweden is an utopia, we are after hundreds of years of serfdome/powerty been able to be one of the richest country on earth.. there is no way to garanty that this going to last forewer!
But fore sure, visit us as it still is great!
Oh wow your comment was super interesting to read, thank you! 😁 Sweden has definitely come a long from being one of the poorest countries in Europe to what it is today! I had no idea that Gothenburg and London had such historical ties, that’s so cool. I definitely have to visit Gothenburg then! 🤣 Oh yes, I’m sure not every Swede likes to pay taxes haha but I guess if you still have quite a lot after you’ve paid taxes and you still get other benefits, it’s not so bad! The huge special taxes on alcohol and petrol doesn’t sound great though 🤣 No I don’t think any country in the world is a utopia haha but the countries like Sweden, Norway and Denmark definitely do things better than most countries, and if I don’t ever get to move to Scandinavia, I’ll be visiting all the time! 😂😁
@@allaboutscandinavia9779 You are welcome, dont expect any special, its like moste every other western countrys!
@@stiglarsson8405 Jante, är det du? lol
Three months of the parental leave is reserved for each parent, unless you are the child's only caretaker.
Thanks for the clarification!
I find it pretty annoying that now that I’m 13 my mom can’t take mamma ledigt for free (I think) because I still can’t take care of myself when I’m magsjuk for example and also I go to bup a lot because of medication and diagnosis
We do get less Bills also not Need private healthcare incurances and Sweden do not Tax on Own homes are something UK and USA pay a lot of Tax on Own house oe Homes we do not so are cheaper live here so get Less tax in that so we get another way see things 🤔🇸🇪🇪🇺
Definitely sounds like life is better in Sweden in this respect for sure! 🙌
Free daycare is not a thing in Norway. Usually you have to pay 320 Euros a month yourself.
Ah I see! Thanks for letting me know! 😁
Sweden is 150€ most pay are income set after so are most lower and if more kids are get down so are a cheaper for Sweden like when both parents work so are Build in do so 👍
@@niclaslindman It's the same in Norway. Lower price for lower income families, and the same with more kids, too. Lower price for the second and third child.
Agree with Mr Ben Gregg. If we count in everything that we Swedes get thru our tax. Its actually an enormous difference with for an example US. That Americans dont seem to understand. They thinks Sweden is amazing but they dont want to contribute with their own money to the society. Thats the main idea about Swedish economy.
A care for the weakest, a safety net that dont let people "fall thru", be home with youre children with pay, free health care, free schools for everyone.. I can go on But how the systemnis built its actually a way that society cares for everyone. And not for a lucky few... So for me its a way of choosing a path that benefits and cares for everyone.
And what US people dont seem to get is that after paying for everything thats free in Sweden for them in USA. They actually have less money left. And a big mass cant afford it at all....
This is also why Swedes are among with Finland and Norway among the happiest people in the world. Much cause how the society is built and a great belive in the leaders of the country compared with other countries...
"It's a very difficult subject"?? what's difficult about treat others how you'd like them to treat you and knowing a degrading form of assault doesn't meet that rule? also yes people "debate" it but it's not a "big debate" if it follow's the above rule or not or if it's a prejudicial double standard against minorities or not or if it's embarrassing and painful or not, everyone knows the answer to all of those questions, what they're "debating" they also used to debate (and in many countries it's still legal) for a husband to rape his wife this wasn't even made illegal in the UK until the early 2000's (maybe late 90's) they disciplined unconsenting wives with corporal punishment too for hundreds of years it's naturally what arises (punishment I mean not just corporal) when one group has a deep seated bigotry against another. Saying you're "not sure" if you're for it? is absolutely gutting for me to listen too, it's exactly what they used to say about wives for a few generations when countries were starting to follow suit in outlawing it. It's so so depressing to hear, you need more empathy for **human beings**.
Turkiet ☪ are wrong we made The meatballs our way with ingrediens we have in in Sweden 🇸🇪 they not taste as The Turkish meatballs.
don't be too convinced that the Nordic countries are so good. without uk we wouldn't be so good😊 thank you uk.
This is pure socialist propaganda.
_Best regards, an old swede._
Yes and as a true friend of Sweden you will now tell him everything that is wrong with it. Please go travel instead.
@@ge_mig_nat_som_kanns I'm a little to old to travel now. But I worked in West Africa in the 1980s, among many other places. Hope that makes you happier.
😅
May I ask for an example of what you consider ”socialist propaganda” and why you think it is?
@@johnnyrosenberg9522 Well, not just the video itself... but 1:14, for instance: _"Swedes _*_love_*_ this about their country, so much so ..."_ i.e. about our confiscatory *total* taxation, followed by that total fantasy (or bs) "interpretation" of the fact that tax also means treasure.