SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

STOCKHOLM

Opinion: How my perfect picture of Sweden needed adjustment

From my early childhood, I have always had a beautiful image of Sweden in my mind. I imagined red houses and happy, dancing people – but I wanted to know how much of this picture was actually true. Moving to Stockholm for three months this year allowed me to finally put my preconceptions about Sweden into perspective.

Opinion: How my perfect picture of Sweden needed adjustment
A postcard-perfect view over Stockholm's Riddarholmen. Photo: Nele Schröder/The Local

This article is available to Members of The Local. Read more articles for Members here.

Recently, I wrote about the obsession of many Germans with Sweden. Researching for that article made me think. I am a German who came to Sweden after all – so I started reflecting on my own reasons for coming to Stockholm. Could it be related to the so-called Bullerby-syndrome, the German idea of Sweden as a romantic, ideal country? 

The reason for my early fascination with Sweden is probably the simplest and most superficial there is: Pippi Longstocking. I was about six years old when I discovered a very old edition of the 1946 tale 'Pippi goes on board' in my grandmother’s attic – and read it about ten times in the following two years.

For carnival two years later, I dyed my hair orange and put my braids up with wires. And it wasn't just Pippi herself that inspired me; I was fascinated by the country she lived in. Pippi Longstocking and other books by Astrid Lindgren, like 'Vi på Saltkråkan' (We on Seacrow Island) provided me with a perfect image of the Swedish landscapes and the people who live there.


A collection of Pippi Longstocking books in Swedish. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

The Lindgren obsession faded as I got older, but this image of Sweden survived. Sweden, to me, meant happy people enjoying the beautiful nature, dancing around at midsummer and overall just having a good time – it sounded like paradise.

In reality I had never been to Sweden, nor had I any idea what it actually looked like. So I decided to travel here, stay a bit longer and get a real picture of the lifestyle. As much as I hate saying it, I’ve got to be honest: I came to Sweden because of clichés.

At the beginning of September, I moved to Stockholm for a three-month internship. This experience finally helped to put things into perspective.

The first Sunday I spent in Stockholm was September 9th: election day. For The Local, I went around the city and asked voters about their perspectives. This took me to the suburbs that tourists don't visit.

In Rinkeby, people told me about the negative experiences they have had with media, both in Sweden and internationally. “The problem is that they're talking for us or about us but never with us,” said one woman.

After seeing the positive outcome for the far-right Sweden Democrats, who gained over 17 percent of the vote in the election, my solely positive picture of Sweden started to change. This was when I began to grasp that Sweden, just like Germany and any other country, is not perfect through and through.


Election posters in Stockholm's city centre. Photo: Nele Schröder/The Local

The second big revelation my weeks here gave me was about the Swedish people. Whenever I am visiting my local IKEA in Germany, there are pictures of laughing families, of people dancing on midsummer and happy children running through forests all over the place. For a long time, this was the only picture of Swedes I had in mind.

I never imagined that the people here could actually be a bit distant when you meet them the first time and don’t like small talk. Or that the locals in Stockholm are so well dressed it’s intimidating. But here we are. On the brighter side, when you actually get to properly talk to a Swede, they make brilliant conversation partners. (And they inspired me to change up my wardrobe a bit.)

And last, but not least the Swedish personnummer. When I first heard about the social security number I thought they were just like the passport numbers I knew from Germany: useful for verifying your identity (when buying concert tickets for example) but unimportant most of the time. I would never have imagined it to play such a big role in everyday life. People without the ten-digit code are basically nothing in Sweden, unable to participate in society fully.

As an international student here only temporarily, I don't have this magic code. That means I can’t pick up mail, borrow books from the library, become a member at my local supermarket – the list goes on.

That is one thing that actually makes me look forward to going back to Germany – I'll be able to do all these things I've always taken for granted. On the plus side, not having a personnummer provides me with the perfect excuse to not talk to people on the streets that want me to donate money (another thing I could only do if I had a number).

My time here was a bit like meeting your favourite actor. You always admire them from afar, but when you actually get to meet them, you'll probably see that they are just humans as well.

It's important to emphasize that getting a more balanced perspective on my over-the-top stereotypes did not lead to a falling-out-of-love on my part. Somehow these experiences have made the perfect image of Sweden I had less of a paradise and more of an approachable place where real people live, not just fairies and other perfect mythical creatures.

And this has actually encouraged me to seek every chance to come back in the future.

Member comments

  1. Stockholm is a little more antisocial than the rest of Sweden, mind. This is easy to notice if you come to Stockholm from anywhere else in Sweden too… But we really need to do something about the personal number and people visiting short term.

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

FOOD AND DRINK

Stockholm nightlife: Seven cheap pubs and dive bars that are worth a visit

The Stockholm bar scene isn't just made up of expensive wine and fancy cocktails. There are also numerous pubs that may not make a 'best pubs in the capital' list, but are as budget friendly as they are laidback, and perfect for grabbing a beer without breaking the bank.

Stockholm nightlife: Seven cheap pubs and dive bars that are worth a visit

Going out to enjoy a meal and drink can be a very enjoyable experience, offering the chance to unwind and socialise. However, eating out or just going out for a beer can be expensive. Here are some of the more affordable bars and restaurants in Stockholm.

Hellströms

Hellströms Bar and Restaurant has a snug and welcoming atmosphere. They offer meals such as sandwiches, salads and burgers. They also have weekly offers, pasta nights on Monday and Tuesday nights, a fajita buffet on Wednesdays, burger and fries offer on Thursdays and a nacho buffet on Fridays.

Along with meal deals during the week they also have club 90, with music from the 90s from 8pm-1am on Wednesday night, a music quiz every Thursday and a pre-party from 10pm on Saturday. Finally, their afterwork promotion takes place every weekday between 3pm and 8pm.

The price of beer starts from 30 kronor ($2.90).

Find out more about their events here.

Location: Fatbursgatan 1, Stockholm

Crazy Horse and Black Elk

With three venues across Stockholm, the Crazy Horse is a lively and bustling bar. They offer a wide range of menu options, from snacks to burgers, fajitas, salads, fish and grilled dishes. It can get busy, so bear that in mind.

The cost of beer starts from 32 kronor, before 6pm.

More information can be found here.

Location: Sveavägen 60 & 61 and Götgatan 44, Stockholm

Lion Bar

This bar has a friendly and laid-back environment. With five locations in Stockholm, Sundbyberg, Vasastan, Sveavägen, Gärdet and Hornstull they feature a curated selection of dishes, which include fish and pork to burgers and steak. The post-work offer is available until 7pm from Monday to Friday.

Beer starts from 32 kronor, before 7pm.

More information can be found here.

Location: Tulegatan 7, Roslagsgatan 20, Sveavägen 74, Furusundsgatan 20 and Hornsgatan 154, Stockholm

The International Bar

Located in Östermalm, Gamla Stan and Birkastan, the International Bar is another favoured venue. The bar can be noisy, but it is a welcoming environment. Like many other bars, it has a broad food menu to choose from, which includes Swedish meatballs, fish and chips, burgers and pizzas.

They also have afterwork reduced rates from Monday to Friday between 3pm and 7pm. The bars also show sporting events, such as the Premier and Champions Leagues.

Cost of beer starts from 39 kronor.

Additional information can be found here.

Location: Norrlandsgatan 23, Mälartorget 13 and Rörstrandsgatan 11 Stockholm

Bara Enkelt & Bara Backe

The Baras group has eight venues across Stockholm and Uppsala, with Bara Enkelt and Bara Backe being popular spots.

The atmosphere in these bars is energetic and vibrant, especially on the weekend. Both bars offer a food menu, which includes snacks such as fries and halloumi sticks along with mains, including burgers and pasta dishes. Afterwork discounted prices are offered every day until 5pm.

Draft beer starts from 42 kronor.

Book a table or find more information here.

Location: Skånegatan 59 and Götgatan 33, Stockholm

Retro Bar

Another popular sports bar with a television screen at every corner, so you won’t miss any of the action. With an American-inspired food menu, they serve a range of burgers, stakes, pasta dishes, fajitas and salads. Their afterwork promotion is on until 6pm from Monday to Friday. When it comes to sports, they show matches from the Premier and Champions League to the NFL and more.

The cost of a beer starts from 54 kronor.

Book a table or find more information here.

Location: Sveavägen 120, Sveavägen 55, Sankt Eriksgatan 22, Hornsgatan 136 and Bondegatan 25, Stockholm

Flying Horse

If you are looking for a bar to watch football, the Flying Horse is a popular sports bar. When a football match is being screened, this bar has an exciting and dynamic atmosphere, offering a wide selection of food, from light bits, like sandwiches to main meals which includes burgers, fish, chicken and salads. The pub offers discounted prices on drinks for their afterwork deal from Monday to Friday until 6pm.

Due to the venue being a popular sports bar and it does fill up quickly, if you are planning on going it is recommended that you book in advance.

The cost of beer starts from 59 kronor.

Get more information on this bar here.

Location: Odengatan 44, Stockholm

SHOW COMMENTS