Reverse culture shock- USA versus Sweden

[@dral9971]

I have lived in Sweden since 2012. I love the USA and am a proud American, but I will never move back. Here, my children are perfectly safe, their educational level is five, six years ahead of their American cousins, and when my daughter was treated for leukemia, she received medical care that is not only world-leading - it cost us practically nothing ($150). I miss many things in the US, but here there are no language barriers, it is easy to find your way around and the Swedes are friendly, warm and honest people.

[@shinnam]

And Swedish schools don't have mass shooter drills. I like that the popular kids are usually the smart kids, not the athletes. Sports are truly extra circular and not associated with a particular school.

[@per-andersgrimming846]

Best wishes for your daughter. Hope she is well.

[@bjoardar]

I'm glad your daughter got the care she needs. I hope she's doing well today

[@Nils0scar]

Americans are warm and friendly.

[@dral9971]

@@Nils0scar I know three nice New Yorkers! And you won't hear that from a lot of Californians. Honestly: I think the percentage of warm and friendly people is the same all over the world. It's just a matter of finding the right one among them.

[@_-martin-_]

I live in Denmark but work a lot in America. I agree with a lot of what you have observed. Every time I arrive home in Denmark I am reminded that we have a very clean and well maintained modern infrastructure, especially compared to the crumbling infrastructure that I see in America. Money in politics basically destroyed America from within. It is all really sad.

[@xxxlonewolf49]

It's easy to maintain something so SMALL. Trying to compare the MASS of the US with some little country that is litteraly all one people, culture and climate.

[@_-martin-_]

@@xxxlonewolf49 You are an uninformed and uneducated idiot if you think that. It is not about the size of a country - It is about implementing good ideas! For crying out loud, you guys are the richest country in history and if you simply get money out of politics and stop spending all your money on war the world would be a better place AND you would have all the money you need to rebuild and maintain your infrastructure, solve your homeless problem, bring free healthcare for all, fix your broken educational system, fix your gun laws to stop the mass shootings madness, introduce sane drug laws to stop the opioid crisis, re-establish strong unions so people can have a decent living wage, fix your broken prison system which makes prisoners a business, stop making religion a business, end the news media monopoly to restore honest journalism, end the militarisation of the police force, etc. etc. I can go on but you get the point! If you haven't noticed, the US is fundamentally broken and now a fully FASCIST country taken over by corporate interests and the military industrial congress complex which started the proxy war in Ukraine to fight Russia down to the blood of the last Ukrainian and now pushing for future war with China. And there you are, the average Joe, clueless to what is going on because American mainstream news media is feeding you nothing but propaganda. You guys shot yourself in the foot pushing Russia into the arms of China and that has only accelerated the creation of the new BRICS monetary alliance so the world can stop using the weaponized petrodollar. If you don't realize, that will be the end of the dollar and you guys will suffer total economic collapse. The sooner the better so the world can be free of US hegemony and the suffering it brings. Wake up buddy, it is the fall of the evil US empire.

[@jonaswladimir6889]

​@@xxxlonewolf49 . Great point for splitting up USA. But if you think that all Swedes where born in Sweden and have the same culture you are uninformed.

[@xxxlonewolf49]

@jonaswladimir6889 When compared to the US? Uh...no, I am right. Sweeds by numbers alone could never have thr diversity of the US. That's basic math. Even our smaller states have more diversity. You have to try to look at our smallest states to get something close. Do please be honest and don't lie to me &n your self.

[@jonaswladimir6889]

@@xxxlonewolf49 . A huge difference is that USA do not mind letting huge parts go to waste. One climate and culture in Sweden? Please read something else then the bible.

[@TitaniusAnglesmith]

As a swede, every time I visit the US I get the worst digestive issues because my friends don't eat real food. I was just over there and honestly felt so relieved when my Persian-American friends made some good food.

[@ContraryMary]

I moved to Ireland about 13 years ago, after my children had grown up. I've been back about every 3 years, and am going back this coming September for a visit. I can't imagine moving back to the States. With age, and the European culture, I don't think I could keep pace there anymore.

[@becurious2000]

I do feel it’s easier for me personally to also have a slower pace of life here in Europe.

[@notreallysureaboutthat2015]

Welcome to Sweden, and thank you for your valuable contribution to our society

[@becurious2000]

Thanks 😊

[@fredriklannergren5688]

As a response to your question... Yes, I, as a Swede did experience (positive) reverse culture shock upon coming home from half a year in India. Not going into details, but suffice it to so say that I will never, ever complain again about any aspects of Swedish society, not even the shitty ones. I really do wish people would experience the rest of the world and understand what all they have back home...

[@becurious2000]

Well said

[@VindensSaga]

Nah. I don't need to go to other places to know what good I have at home.

[@jokuvaan5175]

Complaining is just...human. It keeps us constantly improving things. And sometimes the improvements actually make things worse so there is always something to improve on

[@FortunateXpat]

The main thing I’ve noticed after living in Sweden for 30 years is the general educational level. Most Swedes are more educated than the average American.

[@becurious2000]

Interesting. Do you think it has to do with the cost of education in the USA?

[@FortunateXpat]

@@becurious2000 Yes, at the university level. But I’m talking about general educational issues.

[@becurious2000]

@@FortunateXpat gotya 😉

[@znail4675]

@@becurious2000 I remember checking that a few years ago, an average a Swede have 2 years more education then the average American. That's a pretty huge difference.

[@hubster4477]

Do swedes want a shot at showing how good they are in Detroit, Baltimore, Atlanta, LA, etc?😂 I'd really like to see that.

[@meteerbil2078]

If you feel more calm and relaxed here then I think its a no brainer. Take care and good luck. My dad came from Turkey in 1956. My mom is swedish. I love Sweden so much.

[@becurious2000]

thanks :) I love Sweden so much as well!

[@i1bike]

Question is, are you muslim or you wear mjolnir around ur neck ?

[@masterstroggo]

One thing I came to think about the other day is that medians on US highways (at least in Florida) don't have anything that blocks the lights from oncoming traffic. In Sweden some highways have plants or shrubs that block lights from oncoming traffic and allows drivers to use high beam the highways

[@0raj0]

I very, very rarely interact with videos on KZbin and give them thumbs up or thumbs down, but yours definitely deserves a thumbs up, and in my case that's a thing! It is the best description of the cultural differences between Europe (not only Sweden) and USA I have watched (and I watched quite a lot of them). Thank you!

[@becurious2000]

Oh wooow thank you so much 🙏🏻😃

[@Marc-ww7cc]

I think living abroad and travelling is good for opening people's minds and making them challenge their cultural assumptions and opinions. You get a much more rounded perspective by being able to compare and contrast.

[@florencehastings7451]

I live in denmark (have for some years) and a few years ago I visited the states again. I was so happy to return to denmark after just a week! It’s much more relaxed and friendly here. ☺️

[@Capital_KP]

I worked in Japan for a year and after that I fell in love with Sweden again. Its not perfect, but its my home and I do feel lucky to have been born in such a nice place!

[@ln8173]

The thing about calling everyone by their first name is that we believe that everyone is fundamentally equal and using titles creates a hierarchy that makes us uncomfortable. We used to use titles and call people mr, ms and mrs but we actually voted that out a long time ago. I know Americans usually think it's disrespectful to call people by their first names, especially maybe elders, teachers and such. But for us it's respect to show everyone is equal. We do might call doctors Doctor sometimes tho

[@becurious2000]

I think it is nice. It does cause a bit of confusion for me sometimes though. I'll give an example. I went to the dentist and had never been before. Both the dentist and the assistant introduced theirselves by only their first name and not their rank or title. I was a bit confused who the dentist was and who to approach with which questions as I did not want to offend one or the other by assuming which had the role of Dentist. That is one reason in America, many hospitals have gone to requiring that each profession has a specific color assigned to wear so that the patients are less confused with which specialty you are part of. For example, nurses wear blue and can wear white but you rarely see white (it gets dirty easy). Nurse aides sometimes wear a mint or sea green color. Doctors have a lab coat. We also have special badges to identify doctors and nurses as they are the ones responsible for acute emergencies.

[@ln8173]

@@becurious2000 I can see it can be confusing! If it was a smaller private dentist they might not wear tags with titles but I've seen that at bigger places like Folktandvården were there are many dentists. Also everyone working at hospitals do wear tags with their titles and names in Sweden too.

[@robertjonsson5750]

To skip the titles in Sweden happened in the 60ies and was called The You-reform when we stopped using Mr and Mrs and work titles. The society is more equal since then.

[@becurious2000]

@@ln8173 yea maybe this is a smaller one… not sure

[@janfrodeengh5904]

​@B Curious Hi. No one will be offended. They are most likely used to it, and since they're on a first name basis, they probably don't care either. You will from time to time find lawyers, doctors and others who are called by their last name, while the others go by their first name. Then you'd better use the correct name. All of Scandinavia is very egalitarian. Actually I think Sweden is the least egalitarian of our three countries. But, this is from a Norwegian, so I could be wrong. A small digression: 😮NATO had a summit in Norway a short while ago, and GenSec Jens Stoltenberg was interviewed on national television. He was by some called Stoltenberg, and by some Jens. The same would happen in Sweden and Denmark.

[@davidreljanovic5675]

As a swede I had never seen an abandoned building until I was 24 years of age. With utilities, trash on the front lawn. It was so foreign to me that I went around asking my then colleagues if something big had happened in that city that made those people leave.

[@7YBzzz4nbyte]

There are, in the countryside. Abandoned shops (small) and abandoned homes (now derelict, you know the type, old wooden houses with no running water and a privy... not lived in since the 1950's)

[@mbr104]

When I (swedish am I) was in Texas I was surprised to see all the signs with NoTrespassing. People seemed so friendly but the signs so hostile.

[@becurious2000]

Great point… you know about the posts painted with purple paint also?

[@dudoklasovity2093]

Here in America the protection of private property and one’s right to protect it are sacred. People are very sensitive about material ownership. In Europe, people are raised to focus on people and there’s less emphasis on property. It’s more social than materialistic setting.

[@StuntrockConfusion]

Going back to France after a few years in Sweden, the biggest reverse cultural shock was the sense of humor : I suddenly found my mates' joking around super agressive, almost unbearable. I feel my sense of humor is a tad on the extreme, now back here in Sweden, but it has tamed down massively compared to France. And it's not just the form, but also the substance, very different kinds of things make those two cultures laugh, or more specifically not laugh.

[@becurious2000]

Interesting

[@thathorridthing]

You just havent met the right swede yet. 🙃😉

[@blotski]

I was interested in what you said about capitalism. Sorry to be critical of your country but I find the capitalism in the USA has just gone too far and the whole country is run like a company. Some conservative people in the USA point to places in Europe like Sweden and call them socialist. In fact, all these places are capitalist too. It's just a different kind of capitalism. Maybe a fairer or kinder form. Capitalism doesn't have to be the dog eat dog, each man for himself version promoted in the states.

[@thomasjefferson6225]

Ja vel, vi vet at du tenker at du er bedre alle. Typisk Scandinavian oppførsel.

[@PixelShade]

The thing is, most western countries around of the world has some kind of combination of BOTH socialism and capitalism. And I think this is what becomes the biggest shock for many Americans going abroad (as they have been told that capitalism is the greatest system available and socialism is in fact "evil"). For social democracies it's a balancing act between monetary interests and social well-being. In the US it's not really a balancing act, rather its only about monetary interests and exploitation. In a sense, the US is looking more and more like feudalism, with the slight difference that power resides within corporations and not land owners.

[@thomasjefferson6225]

@@PixelShade i think the biggest shock for me was how rude Europeans are. But thanks for the typical elitest insult of the usa.

[@PixelShade]

​@@thomasjefferson6225 In what way am I rude or an elitist? I just share what I experience when talking with my American friends and acquaintances. I'm not saying that America is bad or Americans are bad. I'm just criticizing how certain side effects of capitalism has evolved in the US over the years. Something even Americans themselves can-, and should be critical about. Especially when it comes at the expense of well-being of its citizens.

[@fayelis]

Did you delete a comment? What did you say that was rude

[@mathiasknutsson9270]

This was quite an interesting topic. I am Swedish and I have been to Houston twice since I had quite a long career working for Hewlett-Packard. When I arrived in the US I remember noticing all the power lines thinking "oh yeah" I remember those (how quaint), as we have pretty much burried all of them under ground after some sequential years of really heavy autumn storms here in Sweden. I also recall arriving at the hotel feeling like I was in a movie when I was greeted with all this "welcome sir", "how can I help you" and so on as most of the TV we consume in Sweden is American, British or local and we do not dub over, always use subtitles. The only thing missing was a theme song playing in the background to make my illusion of being in a movie complete. I struggled with how it was near imossible to get anywhere withot a car in Houston. I could not belive how the toilets filled up with the equivalent of a small aquarium with water risking your privates dipping into it. Yikes! We have way more water conserving toilets over here. Driving was weird. It was not the amount of lanes. It was the fact that the rightmost lane was becoming an exit all of the time and suddenly you had to cross four lanes tog get into position of where you wanted to go. Staring near a gated community passing through normal housing, shacks where every add was "lawyer" or "gun show" back to normal housing and then gated community again was kind of a shocker. We tried to go to the cost, one day we had off, thinking it would be nice but it was basically all oil refineries as far as you could see. We ended up at a somewhat nice marina though. Texas fire balls are advirtiesed as hot but taste like Swedish cinnamon buns that every kid eat here. I would want to point out that the Texans where really hospitable. We were invited to a collegues home at both occasions having a wonderful time. I should point out I am not a typical shy and private person as a lot of Swedes may come across (that is improving in younger generations as well). My entire family is quite talkative and enjoys meeting people. I had the reverse cultural shock as well when I lived in Germany, Munich, for a bit more than three years. Living there was like stepping back in time as they have their bakers, butchers and so on while in Sweden you would buy all your groceries in one store. Leaving Sweden I was pretty fed up with the socialist government and our unbelievable tax pressure. I also found out that the general belief in Germany was that we had excellent health care in Sweden, wich we do if it is an emergency. If it isn't though you get on a waiting list for months or years to get treatment while in Germany you selected your own house doctor, saw him within days an got proper treatment not short after. Going back to Sweden what struck me most was the light during summer. Basically you can play table tennis outdoors near midnight at some points of summer. I had not realised how much I had missed that. Winters are complete shit and dark, so that is the price though. :-)

[@becurious2000]

Amazing points you make . Thanks for the insights!

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

Why do you want to stay in America? I am British, and if I was younger, I would definitely be moving to Sweden.

[@thomaswikstrand8397]

If you think we have a left wing government, you're just... Dumb. We've been moving hard to the right since 1985 really. From a Swede who's lived in the US - and I'm so happy not to be there anymore.

[@ak5659]

Your privates dropping into the toilet water😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I belong to a group where this has actually come up a few times. What I find curious is how it's mostly those of us with ancestry around the Baltic who feel this is a problem with toilet design. Draw from that what you will. 😎😎😎

[@Jonsson474]

@@phoenix-xu9xjSome conservative swedes are notoriously scared of tax or anything that in their eyes could be seen as socialist. The state of the nation is of less concern than their own wealth so therefore the US is an ideal place for them. Nothing is right or wrong. It’s just a different mindset.

[@luxferraa]

the biggest reverse culture shock to me after living in sweden as an american: the distance between the stall door and the floor of public bathrooms!! In my part of america, the gap is so big that you can crawl under the door lol... and the gaps on the side are wide, too!! people walking by can generally see in a bit if they look. But in sweden, I have never encountered a gap like that in public restrooms. Usually there is no gap, and the toilet is in it's own room basically, but if not the gap is very short (might depend where you are, but I have been to many different towns/villages/cities and it has been like this)... It shocks me every time I have to fly back to the US. I can't wait to live in sweden long-term/permanently soon (my partner is swedish).

[@jazze63]

Then i would never be able to go in a public restroom in America.. 😄

[@becurious2000]

I am so there with you haha. I hate that in the states. I have seen bathrooms where the crack is right wear you are on the toilet and at least 1 cm wide. To make it worse, many people do not check if someone is in there before pushing on the door and then pushing it open as the puny locks do not hold the doors shut. Very embarrassing.

[@Luredreier]

I'm glad to hear that you have a partner here. It makes integrating with the local culture a lot easier. :-)

[@goldrush5764]

Haha, as a swede who has been to the USA many times I just hate that! Especially in the airports. You feel like you have no privacy at all. While in Sweden when you get back to Arlanda (the swedish airport outside Stockholm) you have a real room with real walls and a real door that you can actually close (and lock) and you have 100% privacy because of that.. ;)

[@becurious2000]

haha!

[@sverigeismyhjarta7830]

Very very good video! I admit I thought I would not enjoy your video but I honestly really agree with the things you said. I am an US born person, but I moved out of USA about 10yrs(I moved to Hungary lived there a bit over 5yrs and been living in Sweden past 2yrs. Lived 1yr in Norway and traveled a great deal) and have never gone back as I have no friends or friends or family in the US and I fear every going there again for any reason. The things you say about Sweden are very true no it is not perfect but really is a safer and better place. I am a black American person so when I speak of my experiences in Sweden and Europe it is from that aspect. One thing about Sweden is the kindness. In the US and even the US people I have encountered since living in Europe, I am always a black woman, not a woman, a black woman and treated not as good. In Sweden people are much more friendly and do not act that way. Like I honestly was so used to that from growing up in the US it still takes awhile to be used to kindness and not being treated different due to not being white. Good vid!

[@becurious2000]

🤗 aww thanks 🙏🏻 hey what a coincidence! I am going to Budapest in two weeks! Any recommendations for me while I am there? In regards to the kindness, I very much agree. I love how they say to each other in Swedish “tack för idag.” Or thanks for today. It’s just sounds so nice!

[@VideoGamer110]

My sister moved from US to Sweden, she seems so much happier. I am visiting her later in the year, I'm so excited. Everything single thing you mentioned seemed like a plus for Sweden. I hate driving, i hate the constant "grind" culture of working, I hate how i have mountains of medical debt for an accident that wasn't even my fault, i hate how hard it is to stay healthy here, i hate how everything (especially here in Las Vegas, NV) feels so... Artificial. Does that make sense? If my visit goes well, i might look into migrating myself 😁

[@becurious2000]

Makes complete sense 😊

[@erikahlander3489]

Overall interesting observations! Some was surprises! - especially the reaction to food. (I am a Swede and has only made a few short visits to the US)

[@gallus3491]

They have all sorts of chemicals in the food that are banned in Europe or at least in the EU. The governments don't care about the well being of the population in the US as they don't finance a health care system for everyone

[@eblita3698]

I have heard the same from other Americans living in Europe. There was a woman even telling that her menstrual intervals get out of order every time she eats back in the US. It is quite good to know that the work of the EU pays out in protecting people from many chemicals

[@mathiasjonsson8222]

I am Swedish and my job involves a lot of travel around Sweden. I like to engage in conversation with people I don't know at all. Every once in a while I manage to find a kindred spirit. Not very often though😂

[@becurious2000]

haha nice! yea, it takes me by surprise when a super friendly Swede strikes up a conversation with me randomly like on the bus, but it is a pleasant surprise.

Hi! I'm French, and went 10 days in California. As a big mouth I was very at ease there. But what you describe as a bonus: being able to talk to strangers, I felt it many times as a "human relations deficit" compensation. I've seen in many eyes a desperate need of socialisation, and the joy when interaction happens. But I also saw a lot of doubt, fear and rage... What struck me the most there was the emptiness of the land and the segregated concentration in the cities. Greetings!

[@becurious2000]

Thanks for the support and input! 😊

[@zoolkhan]

if talking to strangers is what you miss, you could have gone to the netherlands. All the benefits of a highly educated and well maintained european country, plus straight in your face attitude - meaning, no beating around the bush, and no shyness talking to strangers.

[@becurious2000]

@@zoolkhan 😂 I been to the Netherlands several times. I do enjoy it there. The deciding factor for me against moving there was at the time I couldn’t keep my American citizenship if I took on Dutch citizenship. The law may have since changed. It was the same with Norway which was another place I had considered.

[@williamgarner6779]

I grew up in the upper Midwest and moved to Sweden in 1999. (To please my wife.) The thing that shocked me about Sweden was how similar things were to the Midwest. In fact it often seems like the culture shock was more for me when I moved to Georgia. When I go back to the USA the usual things bug me (people are fat, take insane amounts of medicine, very few sidewalks/bike lanes,etc). But also how quickly things change there. I always want it to be as it was when I was young or at least as it was when I left it. The urban decay is horrible the last 10 years. A downside about Sweden is that it is nearly impossible to form close friendships. Many people who are 'friends' for years know little about each other's background. I have two coworkers from Ukraine and am closer with them than Swedes I have known for decades. Also if you have trouble of some kind car, bike, groceries, backpack whatever, the people who pass by and offer to help you are usually foreignors. They are often from the Middle East, eastern Europe, or the Americas. Sweden worked out for me. A bit boring but mostly rural. A good place to raise children.

[@becurious2000]

I share a lot of similar sentiments. There is no perfect place but overall I am grateful to be here and enjoying myself. I am hoping my health will continue to improve the longer I am here.

[@karinlindblom2934]

I think the friend thing you are talking about is a male problem. Girls and woman in Sweden usually have very close friends but men sadly tends to have more shallow friendship, at least is that what I see among my realtives and friends and friendships for men is also a know problem that is discussed in the society.

[@marksip01234]

@@karinlindblom2934 Same in UK

[@EmmaWithoutOrgans]

@@karinlindblom2934Don’t agree at all, just have a bunch of queer friends like me. Works great

[@karinlindblom2934]

@@EmmaWithoutOrgans good for you but this is a problem in the society

[@rootkit8603]

Regarding your skin issues, you are probably sensitive to chlorine. In Sweden that will mostly come up as an issue with pools, but in many areas of the USA chlorine is used for all tap water.

[@becurious2000]

You are probably right.

[@DougBrown-h1n]

If you spent time in Vietnam, perhaps you empathize with this - I lived in SE Asia for a while, and was rather saddened on my return home, to realize how relatively uncaring/unhelpful many of my compatriots were. In the local language (in Asia), they use a word which translates something like "juice of the heart". It means generosity of oneself (not materially), and it's a key concept by which people are assessed. It's a basic social norm, and It takes precedence over such things as wealth, "good looks" or social status. I sorely missed that consideration upon my return. Related to the "temporary" nature of US buildings, there is to my mind, a general lack of substance in many areas of USA culture and values. Of course, longevity isn't good for all important business - but perhaps it's also related to the relative youth of the nation, in that it simply hasn't had necessary centuries to mature, as have European countries. There's also a seemingly prevalent requirement for "instant gratification" in everyday US culture. It can be seen in the over-simplification and sensationalizing of news stories in the media, the popularity of "fast food", unconsidered electoral and political decisions, or even the apparent impossibility of anything outside mainstream arts becoming popularized. To me, it's even noticeable in the direct and unsubtle nature of US comedy. In many areas of life, US citizens want the punchline now - if not sooner. But as they say, patience is a virtue - it enables people to create things of substance and stability which offer some kind of comfort in our uncertain World.

[@becurious2000]

You have a lot of good points which resonate with my observations.

[@DougBrown-h1n]

@@becurious2000 I must stop writing when I'm drunk.

[@dimhoLten]

A positive culture shock I had when I travelled in the US was how respectful people were on the roads. I expected, since American culture is very assertive, that people would drive quite aggressively. They don't. We drove from LA to San Francisco, and people would yield, they didn't drive overly fast, they used their blinkers, kept their distance, stayed in the correct lane, and such. I usually drive in Stockholm, and while it's a far cry from something like Paris, I was still surprised at how easy it was to drive in LA.

[@becurious2000]

Interesting 😊. I feel like from my own experience people in California are more courteous drivers than my home state of Texas. For example, in the Dallas Fort Worth area, if you signal, people speed up to cut you off. So you find many just don’t bother signaling or they signal at the last minute so that can’t be cut off. It’s quite dangerous. I noticed many Californians have pointed this out when they drive in texas as well. There is even a difference in how people drive in Fort Worth texas than Dallas texas even though they are quite close together. Fascinating stuff.

[@dimhoLten]

@@becurious2000 There is actually a term in Swedish for using your blinkers in the same motion as turning the steering wheel - Boråsblinka 😂 Thanks for your interesting videos, I've enjoyed sharing your insights =)

[@becurious2000]

@@dimhoLten no way! That’s funny! 😂 I have to try to remember that. Thanks for the support!

[@MTimWeaver]

I lived in Japan from 1989-1990, a little less than 18 months. When I came back to renew my work visa at the 12 month mark, I stayed about 2 weeks in my hometown, visiting friends and family. One of the things I noticed was that I had no idea what was going on in pop culture (a friend asked what I thought about New Kids on the Block...I had no idea who they were). People would ask what it was like living there, but when I tried to explain, they had a hard time understanding the difficulties, for example, of just trying to get from Point A to Point B on the subway when you didn't read/speak the language (this was before the widespread of English in public transportation outside of the larger subway or train routes and stations). Or trying to call some place and ask how to find them with only rudimentary language skills in speaking/listening. I finally stopped trying to explain. Food was definitely a big difference, esp the ease of shopping for items whose packages I could understand (I once almost bought Miso paste thinking it was peanut butter. Thankfully, a sharp-eyed Japanese woman who spoke English explained what I was almost going to buy...LOL). The size of everything in the U.S. was also larger.

[@becurious2000]

Haha! Wow. Hey if I remember correctly, we had a conversation once before about you making your own tortillas in Japan. I get what you mean about getting around with public transportation. I had a similar experience in Czechia because they had a lot of letters I had never seen before. I can only imagine it is many times harder in a land with characters instead of letters.

[@MTimWeaver]

@@becurious2000 Yes, I'm the one who made my own tortillas when I lived in Japan. Still brings a smile to my face when my coworkers found out. LOL The first 4 months of living in Japan was difficult for traveling outside of the two main subway routes I took, and an nightmare for trains outside of the main metro area. I was able to adapt by having someone write down the characters for the stations I needed, and the English map book of Tokyo was helpful (I could count the number of stops I needed to take, too, based on that).

[@becurious2000]

@@MTimWeaver these are experiences you never forget

[@bodan1196]

A personal (tongue in cheek) thought regarding the; "do not like talking to strangers"-personality as described here, in people from the North. (And yes, I know; thinking can be dangerous. Especially when tongue _is_ in cheek. So, turn the tolerance dial up a notch before reading.) I think, that the "issue" (if it can be considered as such), stems from an over-tilted(?) fear to dissappoint; to have a negative impact on another person's experience. Or in one not really applicable word; offend. I, as a swede, am... positively allergic to the idea of offending someone. (Here lies the root to one or two issues in swedish behavior. I somewhat dangerously think.) I, as a swede, am... very sensitive to expectations. I, as a swede, want to meet expectations, perhaps even exceed them. Thus... fearing to dissappoint, I choose a stand-off-ish stance when meeting new people. As I (being a swede) would phrase it: "I do not like to play, until it is established that there is a reasonable chance that we _all_ can win." Until I come to a...n arrangement(?) with a person, and somewhat understand the person, before I finally accept or tolerate that person's level of understanding of me; I will not "engage" in fully friendly frolicking. However... if your expectations are clearly displayed as... none-intrusive, you can have a very friendly and heartfelt interaction with almost any swede. If you clearly show, "give off the vibe", that you will not be offended by a; "please don't talk to me", you're likely to be able to find conversations most everywhere. Ergo, do as the british do; start with the weather...

[@becurious2000]

What a well crafted and considerate post. Thanks 🙏🏻 for the insight 😊

[@annikamyren3026]

Haha ha, mitt i prick

[@dral9971]

I know some Scandinavians who say it is much easier to adapt - living and working in the US than in the UK. And although they like the British, they find it difficult to adapt to the English class society. I don't know if they are right, but I do know that the Swedes have a higher work ethic but are more social laid back than the British.

[@helga8439]

Thank you for interesting video. I was surprised that you had such strong effect on your health after short time. I am Norwegian, I remember certain experience with culture shock in connexion with Iiving one year in Spain. We had learned som spanish before going there, but we did far from dominate the language, and it meant a lot for our daily life. And our self esteem. On the positive side, the climat, fantastic and cheap variety of fruits and vegetables etc, rich history and culture and much more. Coming home was mostly good, I actually like the cool weather here. About food, in Spain food is very good, but in a way simple. A salad does usually not consist of a lheap of ingredients, it is simple and still good. In Norway it is expected that you put in so many ingredients. That is how I have experienced it then anyway, And I like this simplicity I saw in Spain.

[@becurious2000]

Fascinating. Yea I have not been to Spain yet but I am looking forward to visiting.

[@eblita3698]

I am Danish and had my first culture shock in Norway. But not in that way: we Danish girls who worked in a mountain hotel were snowed in for weeks. When the roads opened we spent a weekend in Oslo and were completely startled to meet cars and people again :) It's really a matter of habit to be happy about the climate. Many outside Scandinavia talk about the dark north, but they forget that in the summer months it doesn't really get dark at night at all. And I now appreciate when the garden takes a break half of the year in Scandinavia. In Ireland we found that we would still be mowing the lawn at Christmas. Ireland doesn't sound warm, but palm trees can grow there because of the Gulf Stream keeping the winters a bit warmer (but the summers colder) than in Scandinavia. I think we all at some point in our lives yearn to get back to the climate we grew up in

[@becurious2000]

@@eblita3698 yea the sunsets have been spectacular this summer. I love that about Scandinavian summers-

[@alangeorgebarstow]

I am an Englishman and I moved permanently to Sweden in 2011 aged 60. In order to prevent Culture Shock I simply taught myself to enjoy what Sweden offers as well as learning to make for myself all the English (and French, Chinese, Italian, Indian etc) food items that I was used to and cannot now obtain in Sweden. I cure (and smoke) my own bacon, make my own sausages (and sausage rolls and Scotch eggs), pork pies, fish and chips, mushy peas, countless type of bread, steamed sponges, curries, Chinese food and a mass of other delicacies. My local friends here in Sweden are always coming around to sample my cooking. It got to a stage when my intake of both Swedish and my own food got too much so I had to make steps to cut down on consumption to lose weight. I still eat the same stuff, more or less, but I now only eat four meals a week (three total fast days) and I have cut out carbs and sugar. I have never felt better in my life. I visit the UK occasionally but I never suffer from Reverse Culture Shock, and I am always happy to come back to my new 'home'.

[@becurious2000]

Wow look at you :) I wish I was as industrious as you. :) Way to go.

[@ellesai7611]

My grandfather is gone but I'd love to get to know you, what an amazing attitude.

[@alangeorgebarstow]

@@becurious2000 Thank you. I don't find it hard work at all; it is fun to make things.

[@alangeorgebarstow]

@@ellesai7611 Wow! What lovely kind words, Ellesai. I would love to be a grandfather, even thought I have no experience of being one (I was never fortunate enough to become a father). I feel very humble now. 😊

[@68sunshine]

I am an American now living in Finland. You are 100 percent correct on all of this. Especially of note for me, almost everyone in the US seems so demanding of attention from others, especially for validation. Everything is so "showy." Very "me, me, me."

[@becurious2000]

Fascinating to hear your experience. Thanks for the comment 😃

[@68sunshine]

You're welcome! :) @@becurious2000

[@korigang]

I am a born swede, have lived in US for 14 years and I moved back to sweden when I retired, just to find it very very unpleasant. Cant wait to go, once and for all, back to US showy - me, That is just fine with me and government is not "killing me at all times"

[@becurious2000]

@@korigang I actually have a really nice Swedish coworker who was married to an American till he passed away. She said she misses the culture in America as well and feels she cannot be herself in Sweden as she is Swedish and expected to be a certain way her but living in America changed her. Interesting to hear.

[@thomashanner4172]

I can as a dual Swedish-American citizen relate to so much of what you are saying. I was born in Omaha, moved to Sweden as a toddler, returned to the States as a teen, then I came back here again when I was 30 after a number of years in the US military. When I moved from Columbia, Maryland to Sweden in 1988; then I got married to a Swede, and she and I went back to the U.S. in 2016 to visit friends and family. But this was when I realized Maryland is no longer my home, Sweden is. As with you, it was great to see old friends and family, neither my wife nor I had any issues with the food in the States. We too found the Americans much more open to discussion with people they don't know contrary to Swedes who I feel will often avoid you if they don't know you. The infrastructure in Columbia, Maryland is very similar to your experience in Texas, that is, no or few sidewalks, downtown Charleston, SC on the other hand, is much better. Good video!

[@becurious2000]

Fantastic input. Thanks for the comment 🙏🏻😊

[@nattravn8445]

Yes, I did have a reverse culture shock but the exact opposite of yours. I had it between USA and Sweden. I'm from Sweden and live in the USA . One of the biggest things though ,as you touched on is the talking. As in Sweden , you can be very direct but only in certain ways and subject as oppose to the USA you can be very direct too the point of rudeness by swedish standards . But one thing that I do miss from Sweden is the depth of friendship . The USA has a lot of people moving around always which means friendships are a bit more shallow than in Sweden .

[@becurious2000]

Fascinating about friendships. 👍🏻

[@ThereseDavidson]

That’s what i miss from the US as well (i lived in Los Angeles, but i’m born in Stockholm, Sweden): people being outgoing, you can make friends in every corner 😊

[@perwidstrom3622]

Being an expat in Ohio a few years there are a lot of recognition. However on single roads the key word is cooperation not chicken race. There should be frequently widened areas marked with a sign M for meeting.

[@sess5206]

Haven't been Stateside since 2009. Wasn't a conscious decision, it just worked out that way. We're heading there this December, but I must admit that I have mixed emotions. But, my kids can't wait!!

[@dunderdotten]

You are really humble sir! Love it :) Sweden misses you ;-)

[@becurious2000]

You are to kind ! I can always be more humble 🙏🏻

[@felix-the-mongoose]

Temporary school rooms also exist in europe, but they serve a purpose and are very ground upon. You can only do it if you are renovating the school and therefore, for a specific period can't use the classrooms. But they cannot say, "this year we have more people than we thought," that is not allowed, the schools have a limited capacity, you could only use temporary rooms in that case if you got the project to expand the school already going.

[@becurious2000]

Fascinating

[@UserNameWasCensored]

This video highlights a very common mistake that a lot of people - both Europeans and Americans - commit. The US should not be thought of as a "country" per se. A very valid comparison for the US is the EU. So while Sweden and Texas can be a valid start point for comparison, the comparison quickly disintegrates when referring to the US as a whole. There are plenty of pre-fab block structures doubling as "temporary" elementary schools in Stockholm. There are buildings in my home town of Boston that are 300+ years old and thousands that are at least 200. Norwegians don't take siestas after lunch even though they're Europeans...

[@becurious2000]

Point well taken 😊

[@flyby183]

I can relate about all the ads we get. I never realized it until being in the Philiipines for only two weeks and even seeing the airports in Manila and Tokyo on the way back and how it wasn't overdone. But as soon as I hit the US, wow I saw how much we're bombarded. Sweden sounds like a really good place to live.

[@F1rstWorldNomaD]

Sweden (and every other country in Europe) are also capitalist countries. The difference is that its regulated over here. All the social programs and saftey nets we have (that Americans like to call "socialist") are 100% dependant on the capitalist core of our country. This is because our taxes actually goes back into the system and actually benefits the people. Ive never lived in America so I dont really know, but a VERY common thing I hear from Americans is that you feel like your taxes does pretty much nothing. I have no idea how that make sense, but if thats the case I can understand why you guys have taxes so much. 🤣 What you have in America is what we in Europe call "Hyper-capitalism".

[@becurious2000]

mmhmm :) It was funny when I was coming to Sweden and I had a lot of people freaking out saying "your moving to a communist country!" haha. I just smiled. I don't like arguing with people about politics so I just usually say "you should come for a visit :)"

[@actionalex3611]

@@becurious2000 Great response lol

[@becurious2000]

@@actionalex3611 😂

[@audreywinter6910]

Oh yeah, even within Europe culture shock can be a thing! I moved back home to Germany after I lived in Sweden for a while and was shocked about how unfriendly people here can be. A Swede would never talk to a person they way I've been talked to here by i.e. medical personnel or therapists. I left my physio practice I had gone to before my move and had been very satisfied back then. My former therapist was sadly not available anymore and the young guy they stuck me with, just wanted to do his thing, instead of being mindful of the patient's needs. I liked how people in Sweden thank each other for taking the time out of their day to be with others as a friend or a teacher. Tack för idag. Nobody ever says that here. Allemansrätten is also a thing that comes to mind - here you can get into trouble if you take a shortcut through private property. And I absolutely hate the way we use 'they' as a polite address, plus titles and mr and mrs. I really enjoyed the 'du' in Sweden. After I came back, I would sometimes look behind me when I was being addressed and wondered "who the heck is that person talking to?". 🤣

[@becurious2000]

Very interesting points 😊🙏🏻

[@Feline-philosopher]

I spent the first 20 years of my life in South africa. The next twenty two have been spent in northern norway. I struggle with norwegians not being comfortable with talking to strangers, socially that can be isolating. There is definitely more stress around living in SA, and it shows on people, at least thats how i percieve it. Its not been an easy road, but it was likely been the right one for me.

[@becurious2000]

Fascinating. I am actually coming to Norway tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing some of the amazing nature there

[@Feline-philosopher]

@@becurious2000 you wont be dissapointed.

[@viktor8552]

I’m a swede that lived in Lubbock, TX for a year as an exchange student. I really adored how easy it was to talk to people and everyone came across as incredibly friendly. That is something I definetly miss living here.

[@PDVism]

Sure Americans come across as friendly... but if you scratch the thin layer of veneer you can't help but notice it's fake. If you love fake smiles, fake friendly talk, then the USA is the place for you.

[@becurious2000]

Oh wow Lubbock huh? Nice. That’s quite different from Sweden 😊 I have been out there a few times. There are some really good restaurants out there I like.

[@viktor8552]

@@becurious2000 yeah definetly very different 😅but everyone was very respectful and friendly and it was very easy to make a ton of friends! The food was definetly one of the highlights as well, lots of really good texmex and bbq places. A lot of good memories from Texas!

[@becurious2000]

@@viktor8552 I have a cousin and her family out there and a few friends out there. Last time I went I drove from there to Palo Duro canyon. Did you get a chance to visit there?

[@captain_context9991]

Yeah. I had lunch yesterday in a building that is older than America. Bruce Lee and Elvis is considered ANCIENT history in America.

[@jonathan.palfrey]

Well, it’s a rather nice video, thanks for that. I’ve lived in 12 countries altogether, but all in Europe and Africa, never the USA. There’s quite a difference between Europe and Africa, but the differences between countries in western Europe are rather more subtle. I lived in Sweden from 1989 to 1993, but I've been in Spain since 1997, so I seem to be settled in Spain now. I was born in England, but I was moving between countries all through my childhood, so I don't really have a home country in the way that most people have, and I haven’t experienced any marked degree of reverse culture shock. Except that I’ve sometimes been taken aback by the high cost of accommodation and public transport in southern England.

[@becurious2000]

Fascinating. My mother and grandmother were all over too. In fact my mom was born in England too. They eventually settled in Texas.

[@jonathan.palfrey]

@@becurious2000 I happen to know a Texan older than me (I’m 69), who moved to England and married an English woman a long time ago. They’re still together and still in England. They visit the USA occasionally.

[@liorean]

About that first names vs titles thing: Swedish used to be extremely title heavy (English converged on the more formal second person plural "you" when talking to a person or a group, Swedish used to address *all* the titles of the group instead - and not titles like "mister", these were work specific titles like "salesman", "director", "wholesaler", "professor", "schoolmaster", "architect", "plumber" etc.), so much so that we invented an entirely different way of talking just to avoid having to give the titles of everyone in the room when for example asking if anyone wants a refill of their coffee cup (basically we would ask the room "Is a refill wished for?" without a subject in the sentence). But a social reform program was created, the "du"-reform, to change the way of addressing people to use predominately the informal second person singular "du" (equivalent to the English informal second person singular "thou") when speaking to one person and using the second person plural "ni" when addressing a group instead of the titles in either situation. Using given name instead of title and surname when the subject couldn't or shouldn't be dropped was a part of this reform.

[@becurious2000]

Fascinating. It reminds me a little of Vietnamese. I know I was taught to address the titles of all those I am talking to. For example, if there are two men and two ladies I am talking to I could say "cac anh chi" or "plural you for men" and "plural you for women"... of course one has to adapt the pronouns to age and circumstance as well. It has always been a challenge for me.

[@amlagge]

We even had titles for the wife of a Doctor (something like 'Doctoress', Doktorinna), a Professors wife would be called something like Professoress (Professorskan), a CEO's wife would be 'Direktörskan' etc... Miss, would be Fröken, Mr would be Herr, Mrs would be Fru followed by the surname. Calling a Doctor or Professor "Herr" would be rude, even insulating if the person was known for being Doctor/Professor etc. Asking if your mother would like some tea/whatever, you had to say something like "Would Mother like some tea/whatever". You could be translated to either Du or Ni (plural) but again, using "Ni" instead of the title would in most cases be considered quite rude. No wonder we had a reform eventually and simplified it...

[@marksip01234]

Ah, so that explains where the Monty Python Knights who say "Ni" come from

[@jazze63]

Mycket intressant! Glad du känner flytten till Sverige blev rätt och bra för dig.🙂👍

[@b.v.nielsen8714]

😊❤️🇩🇰👍

[@EdvinPalmer]

Great video. I wish I had the time to comment on each topic you brought up. But, let me say this: returning to America always relaxes me because I feel freer there: I'd say I'm an exuberant and chatty person, and that's why I feel more at home in the US than in Sweden. So, points to America there from me. However, like you brought up, seeing all the poverty in the USA always breaks my heart: the skid rows; the homeless people. That always saddens and depresses me, too. So, points to Sweden there.

[@becurious2000]

Thanks for sharing!

[@EdvinPalmer]

@@becurious2000 My pleasure.

[@KevinHilley]

Not country to country, but state to state for me. I was born and raised in New Jersey and moved to Missouri over 20 years ago. I loved the NJ that used to be there and always enjoy getting back to see family, but what a difference in attitudes. I can and do smile at people here in MO and usually get one back. Try that in Jersey and most times its nothing in return. People are generally more polite and respectful here and I think that's rubbed off on me. In addition, there is a great FREEDOM in this state that you no longer find with lots of rules and regulations in NJ. Bottom line, I always love visiting NJ but am also always so glad to return home.

[@peterbense5650]

The förskola my son attends here in a rich AF part of Bromma consists of modular buildings. In fact I have seen them in lots of schools. The pedestrian-friendly comment is of course spot on. The US is built just for cars, and that's it. People in the US are gradually starting to realize what a bad idea this is (bad for the environment, bad for health, stressful.. ) but it is going to take ages to undo.

[@becurious2000]

Very interesting about the modular buildings in Sweden. I have heard this from a few other Swedes on here also. I was very much surprised to hear this.

[@peterbense5650]

@@becurious2000 I've actually seen them in lots of places. And believe it or not I actually have seen what we would both probably consider mobile homes. Not very frequently, but I noticed one when I was riding my bike a couple weekends ago. Yet another "trend" in construction of Brf buildings is using wood frames (max about 3 stories high as far as I have seen). They claim it is for environmental reasons but the real reason is that it is a lot cheaper. But such a building also won't be standing as long as something made out of block, of course. (I've lived in Sweden on 3 separate occasions: twice in the 90s and this time since 2018.)

[@RobertSK931]

Hello🙂 This is so interesting so hear. I grow up near the Swedish westcoast. Then, I moved up to northern Sweden since I love the mountains and nature. I am around your age, also 4 decades old. I used to go with my parents to sounthern Europe for holidays in the winter, then I started to go to USA on holidays, mostly since Most my friends are Americans. I stay 2-3 weeks so during that time, I think its so interesting to go and do planespotting etc since not only my friends talk to me, close to everyone. I miss that here in Sweden. I like to use the first name and don’t use Dr, Sir, Ma’m etc but around friends I dont see this, so I guess that if I went for 2 months and Maybe had a job over there, it would feel different than coming as tourist for some weeks. I am glad you like Sweden and consider it your home. I am so glad I found your channel here. Take care🙂🇸🇪🇺🇸

[@becurious2000]

Wow what a surprise to wake up to your comment and see your generous superthanks. I have to say you are the first to do so on my channel! How kind of you :) Thanks for the support and I am so glad you found my channel!

[@RobertSK931]

@@becurious2000 I think you do your videos so nice and personal. I’m really glad I found your channel. Greetings from Östersund🙂👋🍀

[@becurious2000]

@@RobertSK931 thanks Robert! ( that is your name correct? I am guessing from your KZbin. If so, it’s the same name as my father 😎).

[@RobertSK931]

@@becurious2000 Yes, That’s right 🙂 How cool is that 😀👍 I got my name from my great grandfather🍀

[@becurious2000]

@@RobertSK931 nice 👍🏻

[@HoseTheBeast]

Same in Finland with the first name basis. I couldn’t even fathom the idea of calling a doctor ”sir”. They’d probably feel as uncomfortable as I would😂 The military is the only place where you call your suoeriors ”sir” and ”ma’am” but even there that only really applies during your conscription service time. After that when I was called to my first exercise as a reservist I remember going to a lieautenant or a captain can’t remember the rank. Anyway started the sentence with a ”sir…” and inmediately they just cut me off saying ”lets not do that we’re all grown ups here, just tell me what you need!” And as a reservist that honestly takes even your military skill set somehow to the next level you get so much more out of the officers when theres not that stiff ass hierarchy friction between you.

[@becurious2000]

Wow that’s very interesting. 😃

[@pederfallbom]

Swedish army is very old, we work better when everyone is treated with respect and hirearchy is no a huge deal. US army will get there aswell but it will take a few hundred years😉

[@i1bike]

When we talk about equality, once in croatia i was guided by local friend/guide and when we sat for a drink, 2 tables from us he pointed to me that there were sitting mayor of the city, head director of garbage department with 2 lowest garbage men in working outiffs just casually drinking coffee. For someone with limited brain that is an impossible class clash, but for normal people with logical brains, its logical scenario, since they probably know each other, working in city institutions

[@becurious2000]

That's wonderful. Yea, what I have learned here in Sweden is that removing titles does not make people more respectful. That comes from the heart. I know some very respectful doctors and some not so respectful. I know some respectful janitors and some not so respectful janitors.

[@CALLE92JOHANSSON]

The most interesting thing is definitely the rashes. That if anything is a canary in a coal mine.

[@becurious2000]

yea definitely

[@thomasurban94]

My wife's dry skin cracks in Sweden's very dry winter climate, but becomes 100% healthy instantly when visiting the more humid USA climate. It's all about perspective, can't generalize.

[@louisedahl3724]

When I moved to the US (Michigan) seventeen years ago my body reacted to hormones, probably from the meat I was eating. My bra size increased moving there and when I moved back to Sweden after six years, I had to buy smaller bras again. I have recently moved back to Sweden after living four years in California and this time in the US I was very careful with the food I bought. I tried to get as much organic food as possible, but I still noticed that my teenage kids skin got much better every time we visited Sweden. Both of them had pimples all over their faces that are almost gone after three weeks back in Sweden. There are definitely additives in the food in the US that should be regulated by authorities.

[@MrPickledede]

People from Scandinavia should not thumb their nose at America; not too long ago in the early 20th century and well before Sweden and other Scandinavian countries had huge populations of desperately poor people exploited by a cruel aristocracy, they had no rights nor any prospects for jobs. I was lucky to befriend a great man, a Swedish American, Rune Schylander, born in Gothenburg Sweden in 1918 who lived till 100 and passed a few years back. He came to America as a boy. He told me that as a child he saw billboards and adverts for jobs in America all over his hometown. In fact, there were slogans, songs and poems he recited for me about the hope for a better life in America. I can recite line or two. I can't write in Swedish, but I will attempt a phonetic equivalent in English; DU SUM CAN SPEEKA E LEGA BRERER CUM SUM DU EAR CUM SUM E ARBITZ KLERER. All I am saying is that life is very fluid and conditions change dramatically over time. To say that one country is so much better than another is totally inaccurate and fails to consider far more complex issues, individual circumstances and in our modern era where a few years can see dramatic changes this is even more true.

[@becurious2000]

Well put 👍🏻

[@andruspuusta4230]

LIked Your story a lot! Greetings from Estonia!

[@becurious2000]

Thank you! 😃

[@josefinarivia]

The thing you talked about swedes not bragging, probably stems from the laws of Jante. It's fictional unwritten rules but pretty much sums up the egalitarian nature of nordic countries. The laws are basically "You are not to think you're anyone special, or that you're better than us". Alexander Skarsgård has even referenced the laws of Jante when asked why he isn't boasting about winning an Emmy. The focus is on us as a group rather on the individual person. This is of course, all subconscious and not anything someone actively thinks about.

[@becurious2000]

Right. Thanks for the great comment. I am sure there are those who are curious about this topic.

[@perlovgren55]

Great video. Great presentation. Thanks for sharing Your experiences. Keep up the good work !! Life is a journey and with an open mind we can learn alot from each other. Learning is growing. CHEERS ! Per

[@becurious2000]

Thank you! Will do!

[@danhanqvist4237]

When I moved back to Sweden from the UK in the mid 90s I got extremely cross with much. I haven't got used to all of it, though there is less to be cross about now than then.

[@QuesttoFIRE]

Just recently discovered your channel, so I have a lot of catching up to do! But I’m planning on moving to Sweden to live with my Swedish husband at some point in the future. But I’m very interested in your perspective as a healthcare worker! Maybe you or some of your viewers could answer this question I have- are there Ultrasound technologists in Sweden? My understanding is that the doctors in Sweden tend to perform their own ultrasounds… so if I want to go there and work in healthcare, it may not be possible as my career doesn’t exactly exist there in the same way.

[@becurious2000]

Yea maybe we have some people here who can give us some input 😊

[@Chilli5m]

I had book an ultrasound appointment for some internal bleeding, they wanted to look at my kidneys for potential kidney stones. That was done at a specialized clinic in Stockholm, but I'm going to guess that not all cities here have that type of clinc. Quick Google search on ultrasound clinics there also returns a few different options, Aleris, Crocus, etc. You'd probably be fine, but I'm no doctor so this is just an educated guess! 😁

[@thomasjefferson6225]

Lots of ultrasound technicians in norway at least

[@asalindstrom6845]

I know a couple of people who perform ultrasound examination at the hospital in my town. My understanding is that if you work at the hospital you perform both ultrasound as well as x-rays and all those related kind of things. There are probably special clinics as well if you are in an even bigger town with a bigger hospital or in private practices. Good luck and welcome if you decide to move. I believe I hear there is a big demand for this speciality right now. I think the title of my friends translates as radiologist if that word makes any sense to you 😊

[@jsvensson8234]

I've been to see an ultrasound technician for an full abdominal ultradound at a hospital in south Sweden just a couple of months ago, so yes, they do exist 😊

[@Ianopike]

A general tip, as a Swedish union negotiator: become a union member as fast as you can. The monthly fee is really low, and they will represent you free of charge. Also, if you join a local union club as a board member (I bet you have one, ask around), there are several protections you can get.. If the union Kommunal does not accept you, others will. Let me know if you need more info.

[@becurious2000]

Great information! Thanks so much! My new job is with Région Skåne . I believe there is a union of some sort associated with them?

[@Ianopike]

@@becurious2000 There are three types of unions in Sweden, each organized under umbrella federations: LO ( for blue collar workers), TCO (for white collar workers in private sectors) and SACO (for academics in all sectors). So for your region, you can probably choose from several unions. Check with your collegues what union they are members of. LO unions are always the strongest, but if there is a union with a club with a local board at you work place, join that union and apply to be a board member, preferably chair, vice chair or paymaster.. It’s easier than you think. You will have better protection if you are a local union rep. Good luck, and get back to me if you encounter any bumps.

[@becurious2000]

@@Ianopike amazing 🤩 and thanks!

[@Ianopike]

@@becurious2000 👍

[@dannil9878]

People in Nordic countries have lives, that’s why they speak about other things than just work. Working hours are much fewer.

[@becurious2000]

Nice 😊

[@joarvatnaland6904]

In Scandinavia you will find TV commercials for some products you can buy in ordinary shops, like over-the-counter pain medication, allergy tablets, nasal spray etc. But you won't find any advertisements for prescription medicines. And doctors here do not get paid for medicines they prescribe, largely avoiding overmedication.

[@oskjan1]

We also have very strict rules regarding what claims you are allowed to make, to prevent coercing people into buying. For instance I believe it's not allowed to say "the best car on the market" in a commercial, because it's not a provable fact! Same with "2x more powerful than competing brands". On groceries you can not make claims of health benefit simply because it would result in escalating exaggerations from rivaling companies and would end up in dishonest claims that would again mislead customers. Only products which are classified as pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements or medical utilities are allowed to make claims, and even then each of these categories have specific boundaries and rules about what you can say or not.

[@MrPickledede]

I think advertisements for prescription meds are good. Your doctor may not be aware of every new drug on the market and it can't hurt to ask your doctor about them. My father had a severe terminal illness and he was prescribed the traditional meds. we saw an advert about a drug that had just been approved and we called the doctor who knew of the med but probably would not have prescribed him this medication till his next appointment a few months later.

[@danguillou713]

Hey, as a Swede I have to say that I will most definitely judge people on what cars they drive. It's just never positive. I will *judge* you if you drive a dumb car, an impractical car for where you live and what you do, or a boastful and tacky car, or if you don't take care of your car or if you obsess about it. Most of all, if you want me to be impressed by you, because of your car ... I have to be honest, I really look down on that. Not all swedes, you know? But I'm not the only one.

[@becurious2000]

Yea exactly we are all people and are all unique. I drive a 2006 Honda accord that’s in great shape. What’s your take on that ? 😉

[@danguillou713]

@@becurious2000 Oh, that doesn't do anything. It's just a car, you know? I should maybe add that I'm not proud of being a judgemental snob who look down on the very idea of identity and personal value through transportation choice. It should be taken as confession, not as a positive argument for anything. Cheers

[@derptweaker945]

Cars is for transport, don't use them if it's not necessary. That's my take on this, I don't care if the car is expensive. I use buss, trains & bike mostly. /Another Swede

[@azcactusflower1]

You don't have to move countries to have culture shock. One month shy of my 21st birthday, I moved 1800 miles to a new US state. Huge culture shock

[@becurious2000]

That's a great point. Which state did you move from and then too?

[@hubster4477]

How about just different parts of the state or city? Part of a city might be Italian, another section might be Muslim, jewish, inner city, suburbs, rural country... And most of the time now there is no love lost between city and rural politically speaking.

[@shinnam]

I moved from central Missouri to western Kentucky, I had more culture shock from that move than I did moving to S. Korea. Kentucky was still stuck in the 1970's, especially when it came to women and minorities.

[@AaronDaniel-gp7qz]

Hey beautiful

[@greenmachinesweden]

Very interesting comparison. I have not been to USA yet. But the food portions in Sweden is for me always to big. Normally I eat it as two meals. Cannot understand any reason for bigger portions. But I am a loud and social guy. Maybe I would fit in better in USA? But die early in a heart attac. 😂😂

[@becurious2000]

😂

[@GRAHAM2109]

I was going to Sweden most years, but not been since 2020. I love it there. Hopefully next year I will go twice. Sweden are hosting Eurovision in May next year, but the host city hasn't been announced yet.

[@carinazetterstrom5328]

Malmö!

[@larstegelberg1888]

Realy interseting, thank you.

[@becurious2000]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johanbtheman]

Very interesting. Welcome to Sweden, we need people like you here.

[@becurious2000]

Thanks! 😃

[@JameeSkidmore]

Now I want to live in Sweden. I relate to a lot of your comments about Texas

[@Bleh8181]

I am the opposite. I come from Sweden but have been living in the US for about 2.5 years. Every time I visit Sweden, I feel very grateful that I don’t live there anymore.

[@becurious2000]

Us humans are fascinating aren't we 😆 I know of a Swedish guy who moved to LA from depression because of the long dark winters and feeling like he was not so socially connected with folk in Sweden. He loves it there. His issue is that he has been an illegal alien there for several years in LA and has trouble supporting himself. I think we have to find the best environment that we thrive in if we have that ability. We are all unique which is awesome.

[@thomasurban94]

Restaurant food & drink is more expensive in Sweden than I experience in the USA (New England). So we eat out less and cook more, which I suspect is on the whole healthier than eating out. Just a theory.

[@becurious2000]

That’s actually great 😊

[@thechocolatemonster3392]

Totally. I’m from India and I feel compared to cost of living, the price of food per calorie is cheap in the U.S.

[@larslisaandersson]

Thanks for your interesting input on the different countries… Seems like USA has going down in standard over the last 35 years since I started visiting this exciting country.

[@becurious2000]

Are you also living in Sweden currently?

[@larslisaandersson]

@@becurious2000 yes, I am born here in Sweden but I have been a lot in the states since late -80:s

[@jacquesrosondil]

One thing I’ve always contended with somewhat is that the Nordic societies are set up very well, but the climate isn’t as nice. I guess it doesn’t matter as much nowadays when people have office jobs and the like, but the difference between Texas and Sweden has to be relatively large when it comes to that! It never feels like the summer is quite long enough-and some years it can be very mild. The cold (nowadays often grey) part of the year can feel brutishly long. And the lack of light can really sour your mood, even if you have lived on these latitudes all your life! To my mind, if you set up a nordic society somewhere with a bit longer summers, the immigration queue would be endless!

[@Prinzenelleke]

Welcome to the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@charityhodges1]

Great video, thank you! 🙏🏻

[@becurious2000]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charityhodges1]

@@becurious2000 🥰💖

[@TK-nc3ou]

Hi, living in Europe. Two things I was surprised visiting USA. Big cities in US are AMAZING in terms of the amount of beautiful neighbourhoods with service and residential buildings. Great sidewalks, trees and flowers etc. Second thing is the nature, there are big parks in big cities and trails for biking and running that are at least as good as in Europe. After watching so many films about US I expected to walk on 50cm sidewalks overrun with homeless people and cars. Thats not the case. Walking around in the downtowns is amazing experience in the US

[@becurious2000]

Which states/cities have you visited? I mostly been in the southern states, Hawaii, Alaska, and New York. I am not a huge fan of Paris but I do love Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen… mostly the smaller big European cities of the northern countries. I am hoping to visit Helsinki Finland soon.

[@rogermagnusson115]

Hi... Have you seen kimberly source here on utube? She is also an american who lives in Malmö..

[@becurious2000]

Hi! I have not. I look her up :) Thanks

[@DaDunge]

2:00 No thousand year buildings in Sweden, but plenty of hundred year old houses. My family's summer house is 200.

[@becurious2000]

Maybe I inadvertently exaggerated a bit 😜 looooove the Swedish buildings. I am on vacation in Stockholm at the moment and there is so much awesome architecture

[@fredrikmoller629]

@@becurious2000we have lots of buildings in Sweden that are 800-1000 years old. Many churches and parts of castles.

[@leifberglund2195]

Nice to hear that you like Sweden ! Welcome and maybe we meet, who knows ;-)

[@SquishyOfCinder]

Ford is VERY common here in Sweden.

[@becurious2000]

Yea I think I saw a Ford dealership here in Helsingborg.

[@SquishyOfCinder]

@@becurious2000 Yeah, there are a lot when you get to the more metropolitan places like Malmö, Göteborg or Stockholm.

[@Liksmaskaren]

I experienced this moving just within Sweden when I moved back to my home town after being away for over ten years. I moved back to a place that in many ways is the same as when I left but it I no longer really fit in here for some reason. Did I change that much? People that were kids when I moved are grown ups now and most people I knew moved away just like I did. The nature is the same and that is one of the biggest reasons I moved back.

[@becurious2000]

I know the feeling. It's a little surreal. I grew up in a very small city of 2000 people which now has about 5000 people and is connected to a few very large cities of between 150,000-1 million. So much has changed. I am grateful however for social media to keep up with people from the past. It seems to help.

[@karenbors9932]

I have lived in England for over 40.years. have similar experience

[@amandasjoberg463]

It's actually illegal to advertise prescription medication in Sweden, so that's why you don't see that kind of advertisement here

[@becurious2000]

That's always been a problem in the USA... the medicine advertisement.

[@AndyYNWA_1892]

I think your rashes were because of all the additives in the American food. Not much American food is allowed to be sold in EU.

[@becurious2000]

You’re probably right

[@Sine-gl9ly]

If you like to talk to strangers, and strangers talking to you, I'm pretty certain you'd like Scotland and/or the north of England.

[@becurious2000]

On my bucket list to visit Scotland. I heard great things about the people. My buddy just got back from there.

[@Sine-gl9ly]

@@becurious2000 Visit the north of England, too, if you get the opportunity. VERY different from the usual US tourist trail which consists of London, a couple of places in the so-called Home Counties (not MY home, tyvm), Stratford on Avon and _maybe_ York and Edinburgh if they're more adventurous than normal.

[@becurious2000]

@@Sine-gl9ly sounds great. Last time I was there was 2009. I went to London, Bath, Salisbury, Stonehenge. I actually was trying to move there as a travel nurse at the time. It was my first time to Europe and I was bit by the ravel bug.

[@matsf8268]

As a 57 year old swede I recognice it is very difficult to make friends but then I have lived in dryg-träsk (Stockholm) too long I guess . Also, we do have people killed almost every day now in shootings so not that calm and quiet anymore....

[@becurious2000]

So sad 😞 about the shootings. Hopefully a resolution is found 🙏🏻

[@haerdy1337]

...there are houses, churches and even barnhouses that are OLDER then the entire United States of America - that still are used. Cramérska house built around 1230 AD (have been improved over the years ) still used today. A timber tithes granary in Ingatorp churchyard, dated with dendrochronology to 1219-1239 AD. The Church of Dalby dated with to 1060 AD. Probably the oldest stonechurch in the nordic countries.

[@becurious2000]

🤩

[@noerdfarbrorn]

Interesting, where in Sweden do you live? I only watched this clip so far I will check out more of your stuff :) And nice to have you here in Sweden :)

[@becurious2000]

Thanks! I am in Helsingborg but moving to Malmö in August.

[@noerdfarbrorn]

@@becurious2000 Malmö is nice and congratz on the new job :) Glad that you are able to stay :)

[@becurious2000]

@@noerdfarbrorn thanks! I am really looking forward to it!

[@Perisa79]

@B Curious One thing you didn't touch on and that I was waiting for you to bring up is the subject about guns... And how guns affect your feelings and Well-being. Could you relax in Sweden more, were you more tense and on the lookout for danger in the US? Thanks for a great and interesting video. And I hope you get to stay here =)

[@MTimWeaver]

I grew up around firearms (California, many years ago) and currently live in the Southwest of the U.S., in a state where guns are very widely owned and carried by private citizens. I lived in Japan for a little less than 18 months back in 1989/1990. When i moved back to the U.S., I never felt less safe because of firearms. Any security issues I felt were due to the differences in culture, not the available "tools" used by criminals.

[@becurious2000]

Sounds like a good topic for an entire video haha :)

[@Perisa79]

@@MTimWeaver But you also have almost 2 (TWO!!!) Mass shootings per day in the US. In my opinion I would say that a reasonable person must say that Americans as a people have failed BIG TIME with the privilege and responsibility of being able to buy firearms so easily. The only logical solution is to almost have a total ban of weapons for civilians.. Now, think resonable and logical about your answer to me. I hope you think about how many lives and familys your citisens crushes everyday with the gun-violence and frankly "the wild wild west" it is.

[@MTimWeaver]

@@Perisa79 A complete ban will never happen unless the US Constitution changes. Additionally, there is no putting that horse back in the barn. The number of firearms in this country is just way too large to confiscate them all without starting another civil war. I'm not going to get into an internet argument about this, as neither of our opinions will change and I don't wish to turn Brandon's video into a political argument.

[@becurious2000]

thank you :) haha. I know these are always tricky topics.

[@98Zai]

The loudness thing is something I react to on almost an instinctual level it seems. Whenever foreigners (middle eastern usually) speak their language in a group it sounds like they're fighting and shouting at at each other and my brain goes into panic mode! :D Like oh shit should I be worried?? Do I need to approach them to break up a fight?! I can imagine it could cause stress hormones and stuff even if you're used to it. I've noticed that people who have lived in Sweden for a couple of years naturally adjust and speak quieter and softer even in their own language. Since I know that isn't how they used to interact I almost get emotional when I hear it, like they have embraced something very Swedish. I feel embarrassed by that feeling, but it's just a beautiful thing.

[@becurious2000]

Yea I go into panic mode also when loud people are talking. With my condition I am very sensitive to sounds. Even here in Sweden I have trouble with the birds (we have these huge seagulls that make really loud noise especially in the summer outside my window, motorcycles, muscle cars with loud exhaust, emergency vehicle sirens, car horns, ect. It really affects me. I am hoping the place I move to this summer has a little more noise dampening material.

[@98Zai]

@@becurious2000 Older houses in Sweden are built like bunkers. Anything built before 1970 is generally a concrete box, anything after a quick, cheap paperhouse! Not too sure about newer buildings though. In the 70's they had to build a lot of housing really fast and cheap to accommodate the baby boomers who were rapidly breeding out of control!! My old flat was from 1950 and I never heard my neighbors, but the windows were just double paned and made entirely of wood like medieval times!! So those are some important noise related factors to consider :)

[@becurious2000]

@@98Zai fascinating

[@LenaGus2728]

I recognise the thing about loud foreigners. I sometimes have coffee at a place in Malmö where there are a lot of men who I think are from the Middle East. The have a way of talking with each other that sounds very aggressive to me, though it’s obvious that they are not fighting. It makes me feel very uncomfortable. I wish foreign men would understand how threatening they seem to many Swedes when they talk like that.

[@98Zai]

@@LenaGus2728 They know, it's a thing people usually tell you when you arrive from the middle east. They also notice that it turns heads. I think it's because they get caught up in their natural banter and it's just the cadence and tone they need to really express themselves correctly in their language. Just like we need to speak softly when talking normally, so it's clear when we raise our voices that we are serious. So do they when trying to express different things. I remember in the 90's, the Bosnian refugees used to be the same.

[@lons5472]

Thanks for these videos, i am hoping i can take a trip there to visit and see if its for me for Retirement, by that time i will have a nice pension and plenty of cash on hand saved for emergency's.

[@becurious2000]

That would be a nice trip😊

[@shoresAK-47]

we are not trying to be quiet on the buss we just are, all these thing we dont even think about it, its just the wat it is like breathing

[@becurious2000]

Love it 😊

[@spiritwolf7]

My culture shock is the diffrent between north of sweden and south, in south you need to ask for help..in north the neighbours ask if you need help

[@frodomondo]

I'm Welsh, and very proud of my birth country.....but I have now lived in The Netherlands for almost 15 years. When I could, myself and my family would love to drive back to Wales. But as soon as I come out of the euro tunnel and start driving towards Wales, I'm struck by the visual poverty I see in all the houses,shops,pubs and business building....so drab and bleak, and not well maintained. This is (for the most part) a reflection of the wealth gap that exists within Wales. For me it was an instant, hard culture shock. Long story short - the level of the Dutch social structure and we pay ...(possibly the highest taxes within Europe) alot of taxes....but the benefits are there for all to see.

[@mikedown1250]

Merthyr?

[@celtspeaksgoth7251]

Oddly enough, when I (Welsh-Irish) was on a train passing through Cardiff I overheard a Dutchman telling his companion how he much preferred Cardiff(Wales) to Amsterdam as night clubs don't judge you and it is easy & quick to reach a scenic area. I swear to God that's what I heard. Also I've undertaken short work engagements in NL (Haarlem, den Bosch). It is bleak, wet, cold & flat and there are highly organised gangs from the Balkans. I prefer Belgium.

[@frodomondo]

@@mikedown1250 no...noooo, loll Bridgend myself

[@frodomondo]

@@celtspeaksgoth7251 I have never liked cities and the Dutch have most pretty but bleached cities, impersonal I have come across in northern Europe, and I have worked in most of those countries, and yes I too prefer Belgium, socially they're very similar to the Welsh!!

[@mikedown1250]

@@frodomondo oh. i'm so sorry 😂

[@mrm.5787]

What about all the cables in the air everywhere?

[@kai-uweoch1159]

The size of people is for sure different in the US and Europe. I once visited a place (don't recall the name and exact location) were a wagon trail on the way to California got snowed in and people starved to death. There had been even rumors of canibalism. I took a few pics of that memorial, but when I looked those at home, I realized that there was not a single person on those pics who was of normal healthy weight! The were all overweigt, if not obese. What a bizarre change!

[@becurious2000]

Wow I have not heard of that before. I wonder what time period that took place?