Exploring Sweden Culture and Our Ethnocentric Reactions

Exploring Sweden Culture and Our Ethnocentric Reactions

Miranda A. Heistand

North East State Community College

The following paper emphasizes the differences between Swedish culture and American culture. Several online and printed resources will explain the key aspects of modern Swedish society. There will be sources from outsiders (foreigners) regarding Sweden and insiders (natives). This paper also uses sources to analyze ethnocentric behaviors on both the Swedish and American point of view, with the appropriate supporting consequences. A reference explaining ethnocentrism is applied, as well as examples that fit specifically to ethnocentric behavior towards Sweden. This paper concludes in a statement reflecting personal opinion and experience on Sweden and ethnocentrism. The paper will summarize essential parts of Sweden’s cultural diversity and the lack of understanding that other cultures have for it.

In life, some stereotypes are inevitably accurate. Specifically, the Swedes have been labeled to be as cold as the Sweden’s climate. However, the actions of Swedish natives are not a direct reflection of personality, but more of their cultural behavior. “Sweden aspires to be a clear voice for human rights around the world – not just in words but also in actions. To the Swedish government, the respect of human rights is not just a foreign policy goal in itself, but also a means for global development and security” (Selin 2014). The emphasis on equality and human rights is one of Sweden’s universal and most encouraged attributes. The Scandinavian country is recognized around the world for its advancements in equality both domestically and globally. The initial coldness is possibly a Swedes way of remaining neutral in situations to keep from being offensive or self-intruding.

The two most noticeable and impactful differences between Sweden and America are language and religion. Swedish is the declared national language of the country, while English is America’s. However, in 2012 the “Eurobarometer Report” states that 82 percent of Swedes learned English as his or her second language. Sweden has a variety of religious beliefs. They do not have a national religion, but the top two are reported as Protestant, at 41 percent and Agnostic, 30 percent. (Eurobarometer, 2012). Considering that Christianity is overwhelmingly the highest practiced religion in America, Sweden seemingly has a more divers religious population.

Greenhaus and Beutell theorized that, “A form of interrole conflict in which the role pressures from the work and family domains are mutually incompatible in some respect. That is, participation in the work (family) role is made more difficult by virtue of partici- pation in the family (work) role” (K. Allard,L. Haas and C. P. Hwang, 2011, p.3). “Tang and Cousins (2005) claimed that there is a greater expectation of balancing the different spheres in Sweden than in The Netherlands and the UK and they suggested that parents who do not achieve this goal have greater experiences of work-to-family conflict” (K. Allard,L. Haas and C. P. Hwang, 2011, p.4). The study concluded by Allard, Haas and Hwang shows that Swedish fathers were overwhelming supported more by supervisors with work problems than direct co-workers in conflict. It also showed that direct colleagues were less likely to help others in their field with work (end) Overall, this research is evidence that Swedish citizens tend to be less social and less inclined to helping people in areas outside of their expertise/ work life. It also proves that the working fathers of Sweden do not take too kindly to cooperation and group work, unless necessary.

The way Swedes present themselves in public is quite peculiar to American norms. “When speaking, Swedes speak softly and calmly. It is rare that you were witness a Swede demonstrating anger or strong emotion in public” (Sweden). People do not argue or verbally state their frustrations much like American consumers. Additionally, Swedes are not much for small talk. The usual for Swedish men and women is to only speak when necessary. Ultimately, the country as a whole tends to do everything in moderation, “. . . work hard and play hard are not common concepts in Sweden,” Swedes much rather stay neutral and refrain from boasting (Sweden).

Furthermore, dating in Sweden is quite complicated and different. The phrase “going Dutch” is not particular to people from Netherlands. In dating culture, the phrase means that the cost of a date is split evenly between both genders. The majority of Sweden’s dating participants ‘go Dutch.’ The most popular form of a date is Fika or coffee break. Dates like Fika, are usually downplayed into more of a casual gathering between two people that are slightly interested in each other. The Swedes do not like to put labels on relationships unless deemed absolutely necessary. Things tend to get even more awkward as you move forward into Swedish dating society “at the end most dates (pretending not to be a date), give each other an awkward hug, or possibly a handshake. . .” (Curiosa). Contrary to most of the American courting scene, women are usually the ones to initiate gatherings in Sweden. Lastly, unless there is a lot of alcohol in play, physical contact does not occur quickly in most Swedish romantic relationships.