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A few more points, culture, socialism, & random thought Posted by Randy Thatcher [Email]  (#22)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Randy Thatcher) on Wed, 24 Jul 2002 15:53:43
In Reply to: Re: OT: Thinking about moving to Europe (Sweden), Ari  [Profile/Gallery]
, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 14:45:03
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Those are good points, Ari. I stayed with a friend in Denmark 5 years ago and he opened my eyes to a few cultural things. Americans are, by and large, hell bent on being individuals, making $$$, and out for themselves. Call it the American way. We think it's just fine, but people in other countries have many different viewpoints on our worldview. Most are negative, I've found.
Anyway, I was told that Denmark is quite a bit different from the USA. It sounds like Sweden may be similar to Denmark. In Denmark, you're looked at negatively if you are rich and flaunt it, or if your goal is to be "better" than everyone else fininancially. Being a show-off is a bad thing. This echoes what Ari stated about leaving some to go around for everyone. So, flashy cars and huge houses aren't really major goals there. Also, the Saab 9-5 advert in the USA said something like "In Sweden, it's not polite to brag. but we're in the USA, and Saab 9-5 just won JD Power blah blah blah"
The social welfare system, while contributing to high taxes, also gives a nice safety net. I'm told that people on the dole are not looked at like an outcast quite like here in the USA. So those attitudes are different.
People tend to be more laid back, and things move at a more comfortable pace. I work for an american company that contracts to Japanese auto manufacturer. The only people who seem to work more than Americans are the Japanese. Needless to say, I'm in a high burnout job. It was quite pleasant to visit Mercedes-Benz HQ in Germany and see how they do it. It's still the auto biz, but they take breaks and don't work themselves to death.
As everyone else says, weather may take getting used to. I live in Cleveland. We have summer for a few months, and winter the rest of the year. I think we probably get 3 months of sun max. Cleveland is sunnier than the UK. Cleveland is warmer than Sweden... The long days and long nights of the north in Sweden may be good or bad. I was in Stockholm in early september and had to wear a toque (stocking cap). I was also in Denmark and Sweden on the first warm sunny weekend of summer a few years back and the sights sure were nice. :)
Suicide and divorce rates are very high in nordic countries, so I've read. I don't know why. I'm told divorce was more socially acceptable there long before here. So it's more common. Suicide & lack of winter sunlight?
If you're into metal music, the sub-genre of Black Metal is from Norway & Sweden. It's world class, and it's crazy.
The more I think about it, the more I'd like to move over a few years. I'd pick Belgium or maybe Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. Luckily the next big job I'll be on is going to be in Czech. That's a hell of a nice place to visit.
Cheers
Randy
posted by 63.161.86...
, Thu, 25 Jul 2002 01:25:19
, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 23:25:52, Thu, 25 Jul 2002 20:05:18, Fri, 26 Jul 2002 09:43:19, Thu, 25 Jul 2002 17:25:08, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 16:20:33, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 14:45:03, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 15:53:43 <-- Viewing This Message, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 13:32:35
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