Weird Cultural Differences: A Californian in Sweden

[@idahoffman121]

I’m from Norway, and I drive 5-6 hours to get that Swedish candy! No joke. Swedish candy is seriously the best.

[@barbaramorton-winters9462]

How interesting. Make more of these.

[@melkidrizzly7390]

Ida Hoffman LOL why not purchase swedish candies online? 🐟 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@idahoffman121]

The løs godis and the cheap soda, it’s just sooo cheap. Plus shipping is expensive.

[@neonsvampen1]

Yes our candy is The best!

[@felicialind1272]

Ida Hoffman YES

[@gandihellfish]

"I'm asking a swede how their day is going and they assume that i actually ask how their day is going". Well ofc, you literally ask how our day is going :O

[@GUITARTIME2024]

yes, but for us americans, its just being polite. unless someone is a good friend, why would we want to know how you slept and all that.

[@GUITARTIME2024]

@@klaseniusproductions7591 that's absurd. It's a greeting. What kind of narcissist thinks anyone who is not a friend or family member wants a bunch of personal info.

[@Internetguy_L337_90D]

@@GUITARTIME2024 because we are friendly and you might want to know for a strange reason we might find you odd for saying it but if you want to know we will tell you xD

[@lindluv8518]

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot this interaction I had with a Swedish man! I am South African, Zulu. We greet everybody! It's disrespectful not to greeet. I had been in Sweden for about 2 weeks and I made the mistake of greeting a stranger. He looked up in shock and nodded when I said hello. I then made a grave mistake and asked how he was! At this point his shock had turned into disgust and he said "talkative aren't we??" The funniest interaction I've ever had in LIFE!

[@gusfalk]

Haha funny story Linda!! He sounded unusually aggressive though. I hope you had more successful interactions with other Swedes!

[@lovisanaslund8998]

This is so funny! It’s true, only drunk or insane people behave like that in Sweden, hence the look of disgust.

[@lindluv8518]

I did thanks! Swedes are lovely once you've been introduced. After this interaction I thought it would be funny to go around smiling, nodding and occasionally saying hi to random people. I rarely got responses but when I did I was over the moon!! lol. I'm a bit weird, I know.

[@lindluv8518]

Lovisa, it's so funny to me that Swedes are personable only when they are drunk or out of their minds! Maybe it's your true nature and you've just been taught otherwise?!

[@kaiserkarl2]

Hahah talkative aren´t we! Im a Swede, but i dont know if i had reacted like that...probably whould have thought that you were coming on to me...

[@Wariyaka]

From my experience it's not that swedes are particularly literal in their speech compared to others, it's just that Americans are not.

[@leonaparic2089]

this is true,i work in hotel in europe, only americans act like this and i never understand that question because they dont care for any kind of answer AT ALL

[@Cosmicpassports]

This is very true. I grew up in India and moved to the States. Been living here for almost a decade and I still have a hard time with how much everyone exaggerates everything and you just have to learn to not take things literally.

[@JRandallS]

Everyone? hmmm sounds like an exaggeration....Everything? there's another one....seems you have succumbed.

[@BjornSeverinLarsen]

The English are the same as Americans, when it comes to the "how are you doing". Found it really weird for the 1 1/2 year I lived in Portsmouth.

[@NayNay97xoxo]

true, Americans are very casual in general, with our lingo and our dress especially

[@Zardagbum]

Finn here. Salty liquorice makes everything better.

[@PennyAfNorberg]

Even glass, unless you are trying to switch out the vanilla

[@carolgage4569]

Salty licorice: Good, by itself. Chocolate, coffee, caramel, vanilla: mix and match with each other, but not fruity or licorice. Fruity candies: mix and match with each other, but not with chocolate, caramel, or licorice. Those are the rules. 😉

[@sunduril4166]

indeed

[@ann1ka_]

torille

[@jen43072]

No, salmiakki is not good, but pannukakku is amazing!

[@annalundqvist3362]

Swedes never ever sit next to each other at buses, trams etc. We cant even wait for the bus in one group, we rather stand as far as possible from each other! No eyecontact no talking

[@ThisColorfulWorld]

Hahahaha! TRUE! It can be pouring rain and people will not pack themselves into the sheltered area at the bus stop

[@josefinebusk9751]

Can’t relate at all.. might be a difference in cities and villages/countryside 😁

[@malenekoldborg]

same for most danes. and it is sad. =(

[@Rikard_Nilsson]

It's like the principle for a urinal, you always take the urinal/spot furthest away from others, if there is one guy in each end you place yourself in the exact center and so on. We keep our distance to not intrude on personal space...also if someone tries to speak to you on the bus, no matter how inocuous it may seem you must always assume that they are drunk and/or crazy (why else would they speak to complete strangers?) and ignore them, that's basicly a requirement to being Swedish.

[@emilia4355]

Nah, when I wait for the bus to come i stand with ppl jjust to not look lonely hahah

[@pengyou7]

On my master`s degree registration day I expected the usual formal process, but it turned out to be my very first iNtEnSe fika with all the renowned professors, who introduced themselves with their first names. Same for the work environment, where we started off on first-name basis with the superiors right away. In my experience, the moment you need to work together with Swedes in academic or professional terms you are considered a team without a forced gap between different ranks. That took some time getting used to, but I cherish it immensely.

[@ThisColorfulWorld]

Oh my gosh, calling teachers by their first names. And kids all take their shoes off when they get to class, through high school i believe. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong) That's totally going into the next video.

[@vixikie]

I don't think I have ever used inneskor (indoor shoes) in school of what I can remember... Everyone either have their shoes on or take them off depending on school or something.

[@tova1412]

haha watching this as a swede is pretty funny, all these things are so normal to me 😂 and I will never ever understand the "how are you doing?" as a hello. like, that's a question! about ones we'll being! how is that a hello?! and I think it's super embarrassing when I've been abroad and someone says that and I'm like "oh I'm okay I guess" and they're just like "..... ok then"

[@annabackman3028]

* tova *, ingen skillnad mot att säga "Tjena, hur är läget?", man förväntar sig inget annat än ett standardsvar typ "Jodå, det är ok". (Som svensk får man inte låta för positiv, lite neutral-negativ är mer lagom 🤣🤣) "Hi, how are you?" "I'm good, how're you?" Så vad är problemet? 🤔

[@matejhojdar4350]

agreed! and I’m not from Sweden, I think this how are u doin is just an american thing tbh

[@annarehbinder7540]

Anna Backman ill actually answer that and im swedish because if you ask that in My group of people you are actually expected to answer

[@annabackman3028]

Anna Rehbinder, OK, if you say so. But that's nothing I've experienced in my 57 years.

[@gretchenkarma]

You two are so cute!!! I'm from Southern California and married a Swede last year. So I've been living in the countryside (middle) of Sweden for almost 10 months, and I can totally relate! Another thing I've noticed is that there is a LOT less eating out here... so not many restaurants but lots of pizza places and fika places that only have sandwiches & sweets to eat. I'm not big on coffee, candy or sweets (and I do NOT like salty licorice!) My favorite parts of Sweden: the abundance of forests, the feeling of safety and how people trust each other 😊

[@vixikie]

Eating out is more expensive here than in America I think. We rather go out for a good fika than for a dinner haha. We invite people to hour homes for dinner instead.

[@CloudyOutcome]

I've also found saying "I love you" isn't as frequent as it is for Americans. Early on I'd say it at the end of phone calls and my bf wouldn't. When I questioned him on it he said Swedes don't need the constant reassurance and I should know he loves me because he calls me älskling. He's become more Americanized with it as time has gone on. 😂

[@ThisColorfulWorld]

So true! we'll probably mention this in our next video like this. Lisa had a very different idea about "I love you" than I did.

[@Rikard_Nilsson]

overuse of a word removes its impact/meaning.

[@NatsNotHere]

Same thing happened to me and my American fiancé in the beginning. She said I love you all the time and was upset when I felt it was inappropriate (less meaning behind it) and unnecessary (we both knew we loved each other, why the constant reminders?) to say it aaaaall-the-friggin-tiiiiime lol

[@Flufux]

I only say that phrase when I really mean it. When I dated my first girlfriend, she told me that all the time, but I never said it back...because I just wasn't feeling it. Then we broke up not long after we got together and I realised I never said it because I never actually loved her in the first place.

[@annarehbinder7540]

I love you for a swede at least more old school Swedes is something which is hugely important and not something to use instead of bye darling ... its more a I Will always love you and stay with you NO matter what during the next 70 years

[@e.m.medrano7976]

Born and bred American here who has never felt at home in my own country. After watching this video, it is clear to me that I would be better suited for life as a Swede. I hate small talk and intrusive customer service, am very introverted and keep to myself, prefer language that is to the point and not overly effusive, and well....bulk candy aisles sound like paradise to me. Ditto, being surrounded by stylish, good looking, cultured people. The only drawback for me would be the cold weather.

[@cissikarlek8237]

I’m a Swede living in Spain, and one typical Swedish thing I do all the time is that I say “tack” (thank you) so much... Like a real Swede 😂 Even though I should say your welcome I say thank you. Also taking off my shoes everywhere, that I got a little better with that now though (maybe cause I have no Spanish friends 😭) but I still feel like if you go inside someone’s house you DO take your shoes off... It’s not nice to vacuum alllllll the freaking time? Shoes in the sofa etc.. 🤔 Well, I guess there are many other typical Swedish things I do, but can not recall right now. To early 😴

[@wayne12693]

Cissi - I agree. I prefer people take their shoes off before entering my home, and if they are pretty women I prefer they remove their clothing too.

[@Aceiolix]

living in sweden you dont hear that so much today unlike in 1980s -every day

[@bmm7132]

Love it both of you are a lot of fun to listen to

[@WhiteTiger333]

I had to chuckle about the American overt enthusiasm. I'm American, raised in the South, have also lived in the Midwest (lots of Scandinavians in Minnesota) and now in upstate NY. To me, California is different in a number of ways than the parts of America I'm used to. That golden retriever puppy enthusiasm for every little thing throws me, too. Maybe it's the unrelenting sunshine and gorgeous weather that fuels boundless sparkliness. :D

[@shetaz905]

I live in Minnesota, and my ancestors are from Sweden and the Netherlands. I think my family acts more like Swedes than people from California.

[@wilmaforsman3582]

Älskar saltlakrits !! Vad är grejen m söt lakrits lixom???

[@herrfriberger5]

Salt lakrits är söt också. En blandning av sötad lakrits och salmiak.

[@scalare70]

Ja - ugh.....Lakris skal være salt!! Nuff' said!

[@sgjoni]

I don't know whether it is the same in Sweden, but here in Iceland when everyone starts clapping in unison it means "again", "more", "encore" or something like that. P.S. just stumbled on your channel and find it adorable

[@michaeleames8225]

Things you missed. I'm a Californian. Your village dances (polskor, etc. )and music are the absolute best. We travel to Sweden just for the dancing and playing in Dalarna. Surstromming is good. Swedish sil is far better than U.S. or Canadian pickled herring. Messmor is great and absent in the U.S. Midsommar potatoes are generally better than anything in the U.S.

[@Fuldgnoemn]

Love salty licorice!!! #thelittleswede

[@BeTeK11]

I do love salty licorice but that's not a suprise since I'm a finn :)

[@Be-Es---___]

I guess it's a Northern Europe thing. (the Netherlands the same; love salty licorice)

[@chivalryalive]

Tuva-Li Fahlman -- I wonder if I can equate "salty licorice" to "salt water taffy"? Here in USA, there is a place on the east coast, right along the Atlantic shoreline, that is known for /or well reputed for its salt water taffy. All the locals enjoyed it and many tourists came to indulge their senses in the tasty candy. :-) (It has been many years since I have been there though - 1970s - so I do not know if this tradition still exists.) :-( -- I will now have to look that up! :-D

[@celiagraungaard1253]

No, salty licorice is REALLY SALTY and REALLY LICORICE to the max. Saltwater taffy is just a pleasant mild sort of taste. You can still get saltwater taffy.

[@chivalryalive]

Celia Graungaard -- Thanks for straightening me out! (I was a little boy, not far from Philadelphia as a young school boy, in the early to mid '70s.) :-)

[@olsson4509]

We watched this in school and it made so many of the students happy to see that they took a video from a lgbt couple, because that would never happen before

[@Zmurfy]

I lived in California for a few years so I find the cultural difference really intereting. But I have never thought about the clapping thing - hilarious! I used to make it a thing though about the greeting thing, I always answered with tired /great/happy and than asked them back "How are YOU doing?!" Thanks for a great channel!

[@globalklaus]

What a great couple. I came here to get an outside view on us swedes. I stayed because of your warm and genuine chemistry.

[@Macovic]

I from Sweden and find it very interesting to hear about these kind of observations. And I agree on many of them as well. Though I believe swedes don’t eat much candy except on saturdays. Just to clearify. Visiting som other european countries I thought people ate candy constantly. But of course, swedes instead eat candy om saturdays. ”Saturday candy” is mainly for kids I think. Kids always want candy right. So when they ask for it, instead of getting a NO, they get the answer ”You will get candy on saturday”. Grown ups doesn’t eat much candy. And if they do they (we) typically prefer that salty licorice or salmiak, or choclate.

[@cjs4boys68]

So so funny !!! We moved to East Texas two years ago from the east coast. As each of my kids came to stay with us, I had to tell them, "do NOT say to anyone you run into "hey, how are ya doing? " , because they are going to stop and TELL YOU how they are doing! And if you have to be anywhere in the next 30 minutes, YOU'RE GONNA BE LATE! Baaaahahaha!!! It's just a general greeting on the east coast just like the left coast!

[@brandybird9941]

C.J. Riffle From Texas you aren't wrong, 😂

[@BkWellness]

So good to see you both. Sweden is on our list of places to visit for sure. Thanks for giving pointers. Being from California but living in NYC was a big culture shock. Example: trying asking a New York neighbor where to place recycling in the building! 🤨

[@gesnyc4480]

I adore Salty Licorice. The Salty Licorice with the Rhubarb filling are my favorites. My Gudfar var från Uddevalla och min Gudmor Far var från Norra Vram Skåne. I was raised with the lack of superlatives in everything, clapping in unison, kottbullar, kanelbullar for fika, Lussekattar, and wickedly strong coffee from the time I could hold a coffee cup. The love of life and the joy of family and friends getting together is what I remember best. The quiet of the days is something I appreciated, but my American sensibilities can snap me out quickly.

[@elinhansen9884]

I'm from Sweden and my girlfriend is from Serbia. She too has a hard time understanding "lördagsgodis" whilst I think it's totaly logical. It just seems wierd letting kids eat candy every day... and the same goes for chips! Could you do a candy comparasing video? Swedish/American?

[@Kiruu]

I'm from San Diego and have lived in Stockholm for roughly 3 years. And oh man, I couldn't relate more to the whole "hey how's it going?" or "hey what's up?" situation! I have to awkwardly explain 2 minutes after them telling me their day that I was only saying "hi" lol!

[@srenamclaney1026]

Alltså det går ju INTE att gilla sötlakrits men saltlakrits är livet ❤️👍🏻😂

[@Nekotaku_TV]

Jo. Smakar skit.

[@torbensorensen2687]

I love Lauren’s laugh when Lisa says that Swedes are shy (“Yeah, right!”).

[@amitreva]

Sweeties, what a fresh, funny topic! Loved it! Definitely shoot more such videos and I MISS LAUREN SPEAKING IN SWEDISH, SHE IS ADORABLE! Every time I have experienced cultural differences, it made me feel as learning precious new things way more valuable than the textbooks. Have not yet been to Sweden, but if you don't mind it, I'd love to come to Stockholm when you are there to both see it and to meet you. ❤💋

[@johannaforzelius9666]

Looking forward to more videos like this one! This was awesome!

[@Lee-wu8lv]

I thought I had that typical British reserve until I moved to Sweden. In fact, we're positively gregarious in comparison. I love to smile sweetly at the elderly because we're told they become invisible to the young. Instant suspicion, if indeed they ever look at you. I can't stop holding doors open for people following (to their surprise) even as the one in front of me closed in my face. I passed the pickled herring test but not the salty liquorish. I think the Dutch version is even saltier & yes, I had that pushed on me as "it's delicious, a delicacy, really tasty"! One similarity to London, I'm always the last on the bus as I refuse to push my way on.

[@Alinsmajl]

I love licorice! Especially "Djungelvrål" and "S-märken".

[@kencoleman5007]

Sweden sounds great. Personally, I drink very sparingly. Also, (from Aspie perspective), I grew up taking verbal language as more literal than most people. Over time, as both a writer and general communicator, I started getting a better grasp of when people are speaking rhetorically, sarcastically, figuratively, and in ways embellishing on facts for persuasive effect. Learning to identify, interpret, and utilize such techniques for personal expression became... Something that I may compare to someone training themselves to be ambidextrous.

[@annarehbinder7540]

Ken Coleman Sweden as a swedish aspie is not nice because people require you to understand nuances which are ridiculously small and people dont say what they mean at all , its like Japan that you shall not disagree with people or take conflicts this is However easier to cope with if you are a foreigner - as a swedish aspie My easiest country to live in has been France because they say more what they actually mean

[@annarehbinder7540]

Also since im swedish im expected to be weird and excentricitet and weird and excentricitet are considered cute in France ,in Sweden not so much :(

[@PerfectInzanity82]

Another Swedish Aspie. Yeah no, polite sarcasm and irony is made into an art-form here in Sweden. A Swede can insult you over and over again during the whole conversation without ever having been openly rude. I've learned to be pretty good at it for an Aspie and I only pick up about a third of to half of it. Especially I miss it if I'm of on a enthusiastic tangent about a topic of interest and they start with all the small little hints of getting tired or annoyed at the subject or well me. They don't even do things like say the need to go get something or pretend to see someone else they need to talk to and walk away. They just stand there being all polite using alien body language I am blind getting more and more annoyed until they hate you with their very soul, all the time I think I found someone that found one of my hobbies just as interesting as I do because they are smiling and seem engaged in the conversation. Though yes, Swedes in general do not like when you take up their time with silly questions you don't want the answer too. That is nice. Like it you bring up the weather it may be small talk but you only do it when there is actually something about the weather worth talking about, like if there was a huge storm last night.

[@kcakkid]

We are going to Sweden next month!! We are picking up our car and plan to drive around!! We are super excited!! Any ideas on places to see??

[@F1SHB1TCH]

DO NOT BUY CANDY FROM THE ACTUAL CANDY STORES IN STOCKHOLM!!!! They are suuuper expensive and you can find the same candy in a grocery store like ICA , coop , hemköp any of them and it tastes exactly the same!!!

[@lijn63able]

Great video! I am from the Netherlands and we to like salty liquorice and would answer also the same when asked how our day was going 😁

[@GUITARTIME2024]

i lived in NL and Belgium, and i'm an American. It depends. Plenty of people just answer "goed" or "good" if I asked then how they were doing . I dont remember too many people explaining how they slept last night or things like that. Maybe the more old fashioned type people.

[@laurenbutler3317]

I'm an exchange student from England studying for a year in Linkoping, and I've noticed that a lot of students march around the campus in their society uniforms. It's terrifying and just accepted. I don't understand what it means and it baffles me every time!!

[@catacombae]

Marching in uniforms in a non-military context sounds pretty intimidating to me as well, as a Swede! What's going on in Linköping?

[@philipssonskan]

I cannot live without saltlaktits, for real I filled half my suitcase with it when I went to Malaysia for 3 months.

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

I have lived in the USA since the 1980s but I still tell people at least a few words about how I am actually doing when they ask. Like a very short summary.

[@Grimfaxe]

Haha the clapping bit killed me, it's so true. I always try to get ppl more amped up but it's hard xD

[@casebeth]

Finland has lördags godis also, the kids i take care of at daycare get SO excited :p we have this kiosk chain called R Kioski and no doubt they have at least 10 tubs per store! Bleehhhh salty licorice , was not for me :p Systembolaget sounds a like like Alko here ;) very interesting video thanks you two!

[@Nekotaku_TV]

*lördagsgodis. Don't särskriv, REEEEEE.

[@casebeth]

@@Nekotaku_TV gee sorry for writing an evil extra space in my third language 🙄

[@RaXXha]

The main good thing about Systembolaget is that the staff generally have a very high level of knowledge about all of the products they sell, that is not quite the experience i've had while shopping for wine or beer while being abroad. It's more about selling quality than it is quantity, and that was the original point, because back in the day before the government regulation was a thing we drank our selves to death in Sweden. :P

[@tommiejonsson8952]

My father had a thing similar to the first thing you described, but in the other direction. When he had been out in bad weather or happened to come across something he didn't like, he would always describe it as "The worst I've experienced." When we got into greeting phrases in english class, we were taught that the rather formal "How do you do", was not an inquiry as to your health, but was to be responded to with the same phrase, but that was the only one. I've always regarded greetings such as "How are you doing?" or "How is it going?" as questions that need answering, although the other party is not really interested in how you are feeling.

[@Alexandra-pe7hg]

I've never thought about saturday-candy only being a Swedish thing. When are american kids aloud to eat candy? 😂

[@Rikard_Nilsson]

before and after lunch I'm guessing.

[@ThisColorfulWorld]

Hahahahhaha, WELLLLLLL, it's more a family to family thing. Some kids kinda eat it whenever, but others not. I was rarely allowed candy except for special occasions like holidays (Christmas stockings and easter baskets) and going to the movies for instance. The main takeaway is that there isn't a cultural norm for us in the states. :P

[@hannis129]

Why do you think 2/3 of americans are obese?

[@stardusstie]

either all the time or never

[@ThisColorfulWorld]

I think this has more to do with food quality and portion size in the states. In my experience Americans actually don’t eat as much candy as Swedes, which was the main reason why it was so shocking to me.

[@williamdegrey]

How much planning do you really need when Systembolaget is open 6 days a week 10- atleast 18:00..

[@MysticaFaery]

Troopergameon saturdays it closes at 14 and it’s never open on holidays. And personally it’s a 45 minute bus ride to the nearest system. So yeah

[@williamdegrey]

@@MysticaFaery ok, saturdays it closes 17 where I live but I realize it's different dependent on where you live... But if it's a problem to plan, then I don't know...

[@Avataan]

*friends call at 15.00 a saturday* -I'm bored. Want to go to a party? -Sorry I don't have any alcohol and bolaget is closed. A bad example but it have happened so many times. And if you have a full time job it can become even harder. I often have to ask friends to buy me alcohol since I rarely have the time to do it myself. It sucks

[@vivalabraga]

Simon P , and that is one other swedish thing, bringing their own alcohol, so cringe. The host should always have supplies if you are invited. The same can be said about barbecues, too many times the host is JUST bringing food so everyone can taste and then the plate is empty. In most other countries the manner is that the last eating guest still could pick what he wants, and the dogs and cats in the neighborhood should be full too.

[@Avataan]

vivalabraga It depends. If you are invited to a dinnerparty you would look like a drunk if you came with your own alcohol. If you're invited to a regular party where the point is to get drunk then yeah you bring your own alcohol. If me and my friend say "lets throw a barbecue next saturday" then we bring our own food but if a friend asks me "do you want to come to a bbq at my place next saturday?" then I don't bring my own food. It all depends and it works just fine. I've NEVER thought "why do I have to bring my own alcohol and/or food?"

[@JustHorseyMie]

As a norwegian I LOVE salty licorice and when I lived in the UK for 3 years I had serious cravings and they did not have good licorice, and no salty options. So I had to have my mum send some in the mail and I rationed it out. They did have a store that sold american candy: redwines, warheads, hershey, reeses and cheetos. It all tasted like soap/perfume, sickeingly sweet (except for the cheetos, which were dry and bland).

[@brujamalamala]

GIRL that 'how's the day going' drives me crazy! my in-laws are latinos and they're constantly asking 'como te va' but you're not supposed to answer that! it's a way of saying hello. now dude, i'm italian and if you ask me how i'm doing i'll tell you, just like a good swede! 😂😂😂

[@bimsyfirefly6326]

This was the best compare i seen on youtube. Eye opening for me about our litteral thinking. And applauds. (Did I spell that right?) Thanx for an awesome video!

[@hetski587]

Oh when I was little we used to drive to Haparanda to buy bulk candy and cartons full of sodas from Finland :D I loved how similar Lauren's observations were to my gf observations are about Finland. Apart from models walking the streets, that we dont have:D Stockholm is the best place to feel unattractive as hell as everyone is just gorgeous!

[@camillaberge91]

I´m from Norway and I have been to sweden 3 times. But my dad travels every summer for the last 15 years to Lund, and there he is at the martial arts camp at home of samurais. for this summer, the whole family are going ther.

[@SuperBenkoo]

You two are such a nice couple! I love your videos!

[@ThisColorfulWorld]

Thank you so much!!

[@Greksallad]

I think it's great that the only way to get alcohol in Sweden is through a company that doesn't have a profit motive. Systembolaget and our high alcohol tax helps cover some of the economic strain on our health care and other institutions that alcohol causes. The damage alcohol does actually gets quite expensive, so it only makes sense that the revenue generated when selling it goes toward covering those costs! Plus it also lowers overall consumption a lot. And salty licorice is amazing!!!

[@oonas4778]

Love salty licorice!! And the same policy with alcohol also here in Finland. You guys are super entertaining, thanks for the video 😊 Hälsningar från Finland!

[@dezent]

I work with Americans, whenever they say hi with "How are you?" or anything similar i usually spend 5-10 minutes describing in great detail how my day has been.

[@GUITARTIME2024]

Why would you do that? I lived in Europe, and most people dont even do that when they greet each other.

[@sarahlikestacos1010]

I've become so accustomed to drinking coffee multiple times a day that when I go home to the states and offer people coffee after dinner for example I get weird looks.

[@ThisColorfulWorld]

hahahah oh yes, the after dinner espresso hahahah dying

[@katielalicata8313]

Oh the ways I love afternoon coffee. I've never been to Sweden, but I spend lots of time in Central America and its almost weird not to have afternoon coffee. Especially when the coffee there is SOOOO good!

[@herrfriberger5]

Central America is still pretty european in culture, isn't it?

[@RedBar3D]

Regulating alcohol sales like Sweden does has a significant impact on overconsumption of alcohol and alcoholism, so it's definitely a good thing. Systembolaget made a bunch of commercials explaining this a few months ago after some political party raised the issue of deregulating the government's monopoly.

[@Hattifnattens]

That "some political party" made the first step in parliament to make it possible for producers to sell alcohol at their factories. The benefit it would bring for turism, the environment and the local companies is way bigger than any risks of overconsumtion. The temperance movement is closely related to the biggest party in Sweden which likes regulations and government control so they voted against but lost.

[@LeeWolfLittle]

I have visited Scandinavia but not Sweden, Norway. Loved it!

[@judithrix-brown8790]

Love this video.. I enjoy the differences between the two cultures esp the matter of factness of Scandinavians. Just so real w/o emotional embellishments. I grew up partly in Wisconsin where there are a lot of Swedes and they are still like that here.

[@SeriouslyJaded]

The thing about “Saturday candy” is that there is nothing stopping you buying and eating it every day. ;D

[@madeleinestrom5708]

Älskar såna här videos 😍 ni är underbara ❤

[@siegpasta]

to explain "FIKA" which everyone makes such a big deal out of: Fik - café Att fika - to café Cafés started to become such a popular thing back in the day (my grandma has told me about this thourogly) and it became so popular to the point where they made a verb out of the word "fik" which means Café in Swedish. So, what do you do when you go to a Café? You drink Coffe and you eat something. and that's literally thea meaning... and then you can ofcourse apply this word even when you are not sitting inside the café. So it's like we are saying: "I'm caféing right now with my family" when we sit and have coffe and eat kanelbullar around the table with our relatives lmao.

[@love2CUsmile86]

I lived in the United States since I was five. When I asked "How are you doing" or "How's your day", I truly want to hear how you're doing. I like listening and learning about people. If I want a short answer from you, I will ask "How are you?"

[@reallivebluescat]

Yes we buy huge amounts of candy in bulk. But were not obese or diabetic..... Cause we dont have cornsyrup in our food for example

[@torbjornlekberg7756]

The reason for alcohol being goverment regulated is the extreme problem with alcoholism before the regulation. I know they have a similar system in Norway.

[@Kratatch]

I always put salty stuff in the bag last. That way it will make the rest of the candy salty. Incidently my fav candy is Djungelvrål (not the bulk candy version that is terrible but the bags with it)

[@Esmeralda2diamon]

I have been in England were people are do polite and friendly. I felt so good because Swedish people in general are so shy and reserv.

[@matssvensson3834]

ses i Helsingborg! via Helsingör till Köpenhamn:) har salt och vanlig tråkig lakris på båtarna :))

[@bannor99]

Swedes making appointments with Brazilians must be hilarious

[@houssemgara1570]

thank you for sharing

[@RainandGiraffes]

Well I'm Swedish so yes I like salty licorice. And if I get mixed candy I'll get licorice that salts everything else in the bag on purpose. And chocolate just doesn't tastes as good without salt. (I usually go for licorice or sea salt) the best candy though is the salt raspberry ferraris. Just wish they were salter. Yum =)

[@bretteelana189]

This video is awesome! I love this topic.

[@malenekoldborg]

off course i like salty licorice. Im danish and we also enjoy a lot of stuff that swedes enjoy. =) I dont know if swedes enjoy kidney pie? Paté? Danes enjoy it but foreigners allmost never like it. Talked to a icelandic hunter today. He uses kidney, hart,lungs etc in frikadeller/köttbullar but didnt tell anyone and they all love them =P

[@airconditionedBreeze]

You are disgusting, *who would even eat KIDNEY PIE?* You'd be crazy if you ate kidney pie.

[@eliasemanuelsson4977]

4:17, Lisa fnissar åt lördags godis. Så gullig😂

[@vintageiron]

Hey!! I just moved to Stockholm from Los Angeles and few other things I notice is that you don’t tip when at the bar or it’s not excepted and as well most places don’t accept cash switch can be frustrating when you are trying to limit the use of your American credit card. Thanks for sharing!

[@PriscillaStacyyy]

I laughed so hard when you mentioned that your chances of having black licorice stuffed in your face in Sweden, because my friends did just that when I visited them in Stockholm last summer! It’s not nasty nor good, it’s an acquired taste. I do recommend trying at least once. I love Sweden! ✨

[@mikaelhultberg9543]

So true all of it! And yes, salty licorice rules! Tyrkisk Peber anyone? ;)

[@MK-vh9wz]

Tyrkisk Peber is good. It's actually invented in Denmark in the 1970's by "Perelly" (Støvring Bolcher), and sold to "Fazer" in the 1990's.

[@RuleofFive]

I like you guys.....you have a great chemistry.......thanks for the video!

[@dontenty5643]

Everyone is just Nationwide cool-looking... And then there's me!

[@Billabongsparkle]

I love salty liquorice, but maybe that's because I'm from Finland. I just discovered your channel and I'm an instant fan! 😍👌🏻

[@JP-rb1js]

My Oma is Dutch and I grew up on dubbel zout salty licorice. I LOVE IT!!!!! It's so hard to find in the States. I got some in Canada, though!

[@GunTech]

I think that criticism is accurate. We're not outgoing in what I guess we consider non-social situations; supermarket queues, walking down the street, etc, just feels weird. I guess we're shy. And a bit lazy, maybe. But in villages and towns, those *are* social situations, so it's totally common there, just not in cities. And in actual social situations like work, clubs or eating out/cafes it's back to normal for any country I think, maybe even to the point of being considered motor mouths. :)

[@kellymadeit1222]

You two a so cute ! Watched three videos, all fun !

[@Marrebarre777]

Jag vill ha fler av dessa videos. Snälla. 😊

[@RedBar3D]

Totally agree with Lauren on the absurdity of mixing good candies with salty liquorice.

[@Shuuuky]

I spent 4 months in Uppsala for an exchange and I remember the first time I went to ICA. I just saw the candy and I was wondering if I was in the wrong place. When my boyfriend came to visit, we tried a lot of swedish candy... I didn't like them hahaha, especially all the salty things. Though, I absolutely LOVE marabou chocolate. It was my obsession for 4 months,

[@katielalicata8313]

what is marabou chocolate? because if there is a chocolate on the planet I haven't tired, I feel like I need to?

[@Shuuuky]

You can find the normal milk chocolate one at IKEA (at least in Canada). but there are TONS in different flavors (the nuts ones are the best in my opinion haha). It's one of the things I miss the most about Sweden hahaha. It's a famous brand of chocolate that you can find everywhere in Sweden. Awesome. Much better than the traditionnal american\canadian chocolate bar likes aero, kitkat, hershey

[@katielalicata8313]

I love it. Its funny I almost never go in IKEA, and then when you said IKEA sells chocolate. mind blown. and YEs, not a big fan of commercial brand American Chocolate either. I live in San Diego though and we are spoiled here and have access to lots of amazing 70% Cacao Dark chocolate pure goodness kind of stuff in lots of local health food stores! Thank you for the chocolate 101 though. Im excited to keep an eye out for it!=)

[@Shuuuky]

oh yeah, 70%+ cacao dark chocolate are the best ! IKEA actually has a small grocecy shopping space ! The products are made by IKEa but it's basically the same you can find in Sweden. When I feel nostalgic about my time there I just go to IKEA hahaha.

[@tova1412]

haha that's awesome, I live in Uppsala. and though I can't understand how you can't like the other candy, the fact that you love marabou so much makes up for it 😌😂

[@annabanabanana]

Oh my gosh, the woman with the curly hair was cracking me up. Y’all seem so fun. Thanks for the video ❤️

[@Flatsensation]

i am also in a relationship with a swede . i am from germany and their alcohol law thingy shook me so much. even tho we come from countrys that are close by the cultural differences are still insane sometimes haha

[@darkswede1]

Hi Guys! Fist timer here, and luved your video. Thanks! Im Swedish/American and can totally relate too it all. I also hate salty licorice but I realy love your hair is it a new stayle for you?

[@petter5721]

Lisa vi älskar dig!

[@casskim]

Salty all the way! Just found your channel and am now in the middle of a marathon

[@Babygorl1209]

You guys both have amazing eyes

[@ci105745]

Dom kallar tjejer för killar däröver, och det verkar hur vanligt som helst. And also, congratulations America to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019.

[@linajurgensen4698]

Funny that you state out that alcohol thing. I don’t think Swedes or Scandinavians in general drink less than any other european country, maybe on week days it’s less than some other countries, but on weekends definitely not from what I experienced, it’s more the opposite, Swedes at least like to drink a lot alcohol on weekends and holidays especially and also tend to go over the „limit“ if you know what I mean ;). People might think that it’s far less because it’s more regulated, so it’s harder to actually get high % alcohol, but I wouldn’t say that it regulates the general consume really well. If it’s hard to get alcohol in a country, people have the need to get more of it to store it somewhere for events and party’s, so they always have something when needed. Also they just get their alcohol from somewhere else where it’s a lot cheaper. For example in my country Germany, somehow it’s still cheaper for them to drive down for hours, cross 2 borders and get their alcohol in big ass mass amounts than buying it in their own country xD.

[@RavBunneh]

I'm late on the train -- but salty licorice is good. I especially like the salty black licorice sailor pipes, but also the salted black fish are good too. (I'm from Los Angeles, not Sweden, sadly)

[@AlexDestaK]

Went to Sweden, couldn't buy flat water, I mistook flat water for fizzy water twice, it's just impossible to get flat water unless you buy one bottle at a time

[@ThisColorfulWorld]

Next time you go, ask for tap water. The water from the tap is divine in Sweden!

[@viking3690]

That's because we don't drink flat water except from the tap.

[@melville6667]

Because it's crazy to buy flat water when the tap water is fresher than that!

[@possumfriend2335]

Stockholm tap water is better than any bottled water in the US.

[@catacombae]

Well, most of the tap water may be ok (though maybe not as tasty) but you should ask the residents of Flint, MI whether they would trust the water coming out of their taps.

[@camilogomezkeep2324]

REally cool videos, you girls are gorgeous. I'm Colombian and have been watching some videos about Sweden.

[@jledgister]

things to add the fact that you can only get Julmust and pepparkakor at christmas and i have not found this at any other time. maybe the ginger cookies but not the drink

[@khukurimasala8313]

My favorite candy is reindeer jerky, but I grew up with salt and ammonia licorice (the strong hardcore stuff) and realy like it.

[@EricaGamet]

Just found your channel and I love your vids! My brother has lived in Sweden for half his life. When I was younger he brought a ton of licorice back and I loved it. But I don't recall it being salty. When I went to visit my niece recently (she was born in the US, but has lived in Sweden for 29 of her 30 years) I tried to find unsalty licorice (yuck on the salt). Has that changed or did my brother get licorice from Finland or Poland (he traveled there a bit)? I have never liked salt but I want some of that super strong licorice again! PS: you both are so adorable and I smiled and cried through your "how we met" video.

[@Mycenaea]

4:54 Swedes have bulk candy aisles, Americans have cereals aisles ;)

[@anitareasontobelieve883]

How sweet