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FOOD AND DRINK

Swedish personality test: What does your cinnamon bun say about you?

October 4th is Cinnamon Bun Day in Sweden, but what does your choice of cinnamon bun say about you?

Swedish personality test: What does your cinnamon bun say about you?
The most traditional rolled cinnamon buns. Photo: Tina Stafrén/imagebank.sweden.se

The rolled bun

You’re a traditionalist who likes to savour the good things in life and believes that the old classics can’t be beaten by new trends.

You would never queue at a hipster bakery for an overpriced kanelbulle, and you probably got your rolled bun, see the above picture, from the local bakery which has been making them the same way for decades.

You’re most likely going to eat it at 3pm with a strong cup of coffee and no, you won’t be taking a picture of it for Instagram.

The knotted bun

Knotted cinnamon buns. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

You’re always following the latest trends and spent weeks researching the best kanelbulle in your area in preparation for Cinnamon Bun Day.

Appearance is key, and you want your bun to not just taste good, but look good too. You ate it for breakfast rather than a mid-afternoon fika, as you were up at 4am to get in line at the hippest bakery in town to secure your haul.

The iced bun

A less traditional iced bun. Photo: Yosep Sugiarto on Unsplash

Either you’re a bit of an anarchist, or you’re stubborn.

Maybe you grew up eating iced cinnamon buns and you’re not going to let something as minor as moving to Sweden change your habits, even if you had to actively find somewhere selling cinnamon buns the way you like them.

You know these aren’t traditional, and that Swedes will have strong opinions if they see you eating them, but you don’t care. Having said that, you’re still integrated enough to celebrate cinnamon bun day in the first place.

The cardamom bun

Cardamom seeds in a pestle and mortar. Cardamom buns look pretty much exactly like cinnamon buns, anyway. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

You consider yourself to be a bit edgy and different, and had to specifically ask for a cardamom bun on cinnamon bun day to stand out from the crowd.

A few people raised their eyebrows at you when you said “oh actually, I don’t really like cinnamon buns”, but you’re just enjoying the opportunity to show off your mature, more developed tastes, and the fact that you’re not like everyone else. 

The homemade bun

Who cares if they don’t look as good, they sure taste good. Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/Scanpix/TT

You don’t do things by halves – you would never dream of buying a cinnamon bun from a bakery when you can make them at home, and carrying on family traditions is important to you. Your cinnamon bun recipe was probably handwritten on a piece of paper by your grandmother decades ago, and you make it religiously each year to honour her memory (even if you secretly think it’s a bit too sweet).

You consider yourself to be thrifty, and although your homemade buns may not be cheap you still convince yourself you’re saving money as your batch of 12 homemade buns is still cheaper than buying a dozen from the nearest bakery. 

The healthy bun

They taste just like normal cinnamon buns, I swear… Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

You’re disciplined, and you’re not going to let something as trivial as cinnamon bun day mess up your strict diet, so to stop yourself from feeling like you’re missing out, you make a batch of “kanelbullar” from blended dates and cashew nuts.

You also have strong willpower and convince yourself that the beige cinnamon-flavoured mush – which, to be fair, actually is quite tasty – is just as good as a cinnamon bun, and can’t understand why none of your colleagues are convinced when you try handing them out at work.

The ‘this will do’ bun

They’re buns, they’re cinnamon flavoured, they’re good enough. Photo: Udo Schröter/Creative Commons

You’re busy and you’ve got more important things to be doing than whipping up a batch of cinnamon buns or taking the time out of your busy schedule to queue up at a bakery.

You barely remembered it was cinnamon bun day at all as your mind was on other things, but a sign at the local petrol station reminded you when you were filling up your car. You grab a bag of gifflar from the rack and figure that they’re better than nothing.

The alternative bun

You start off your day with cinnamon bun porridge. Photo: Food Photographer | Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash

You’re committed and creative – you’re going to make the most of cinnamon bun day by consuming cinnamon in as many ways as you can think of.

You start off the day with cinnamon bun porridge, before making up a cinnamon bun protein shake and heading to the gym. You swing by your local coffee shop for a cinnamon bun latte before work, where you eat your first actual cinnamon bun of the day.

By lunchtime, you’re already sick of cinnamon, but you remind yourself that cinnamon bun day is only once a year and plough through at least four more cinnamon-flavoured dishes before relaxing with a nice cinnamon-scented candle in the evening before bed.

The freebie bun

The best tasting cinnamon bun is the one someone else paid for. Photo: Allis Nettréus/SvD/TT

You’re an opportunist, and you know how to find a good deal. You knew you didn’t actually have to buy your own cinnamon buns today, as you could count on other people (probably your colleagues or your boss) to buy a load for the office.

As you eat your bun – it doesn’t matter what style it is, you’ll take anything you can get – you realise it tastes even better when you know you didn’t pay for it yourself.

The ‘just one more’ bun

It’s only cinnamon bun day once a year… Photo: Susanne Walström/imagebank.sweden.se

You are a hedonist who believes the most important thing in life is to enjoy yourself, so you have accepted the fact that this is a day where you can indulge to your heart’s desire.

You’ve already eaten two cinnamon buns before arriving at work before you realise your colleagues have also supplied buns for the office. Well go on then, just one more…

The reluctant bun

Would anyone like my cinnamon bun leftovers? Photo: Magnus Carlsson/imagebank.sweden.se

You’re a worrier, but you want to fit in, so you reluctantly say yes to the offer of a cinnamon bun despite not actually wanting to eat one at all as you think it’s too unhealthy. Maybe you try and find someone to share with, or you actively look for the smallest one on the plate.

You tell yourself you’ll muster up the courage to say no next year, but secretly know you’re just going to do the same thing all over again (and you’re actually fine with it, as the cinnamon bun you ate was pretty good, to be honest).

The non-observer 

You can still enjoy a cup of coffee without eating a cinnamon bun. Photo: Jessica Gow/Scanpix/TT

You’re confident and you don’t care too much about what people think.

You’re not planning on celebrating cinnamon bun day this year for whatever reason – be it health, allergies, or even that you don’t particularly like cinnamon buns – and you’re fine with people’s confused questions.

You know what’s best for you, and you’re sticking to it, even if that does mean you won’t be eating any sticky buns this year.

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READER INSIGHTS

‘We all cheer each other on’: How we made friends in Sweden

Sweden is often rated as a difficult country to make friends in. We asked those who've been there, done that – or in other words, The Local's readers – how they met their closest friends in Sweden.

'We all cheer each other on': How we made friends in Sweden

“They are so supportive, caring and understanding,” said Erin Swoverland, a reader from the US, about her friends. “We all listen, lift each other up and cheer each other on. I feel so incredibly lucky to have such amazing women in my corner.”

She met most of them at a gym in Stockholm. 

“I attended a Friday training class for women and the rest is history. I will say I think it being a small, independent gym made all the difference as we actually spoke to each other. I haven’t had the same interactions at larger chains,” she said.

Erin was one of dozens of readers who responded to The Local’s question about how they found their friends in Sweden, sparked by a recent survey which showed that 13 percent of foreigners lack a close friend (double the number of Swedes who said the same thing).

A lot of readers alluded to the part-truth, part-stereotype that Swedes tend to compartmentalise their lives and prefer organised fun over spontaneous activities, and one of the classic strategies that always comes up in these discussions is to join some kind of club or society.

The benefit of “organised fun” is that Sweden has a vibrant föreningsliv (literally “association life”), with many people involved in for example their local football club, gaming hub, gardening society, trade union, hiking club, or even just being on the board of their housing association.

“As I always liked cycling, running, badminton, indoor climbing and a few other sports, I found groups on Meetup for such activities. This helped me meet like-minded people. Soon afterwards, some of us started to hang out together for beers or pizzas etc. Thanks to these people we started to invite other people to our gatherings. Finally today, I have a large network of very interesting and close friends (immigrants as well as Swedish friends). When I look back, I realise that it was much easier to get to know people in events having just six to eight people. If you go in a large group setting it is difficult to meet people as splinter groups start getting formed,” said a Pakistani reader.

“I have been in Sweden for over 15 years now. During this time our close friendship network has just increased. Like any friends, we fight and argue at times, but at the same time I know that my friends care about me. I feel at home in Sweden with this circle of friends.”

He wasn’t the only one who suggested joining a society (although one reader cautioned against “survivorship bias” and pointed out that not everyone manages to turn up at event and immediately make friends). Even if you don’t join a traditional club, readers recommended plenty of other networking opportunities, including sites or friendship apps such as Meetup, Bumble BFF, Panion and GoFrendly.

Nathan Lloyd, a Welshman in Malmö, recommends networking meetups, even if they’re not directly relevant to your own field, as well as Facebook groups. He met his best friend, Brian, via Grindr – not the only one we’ve heard of who made platonic friends on dating apps.

“He’s truly my best friend. Been friends for over six years,” he said. “We enjoy loppising together, going out in nature, birdwatching and art, a major thing we bonded over. He’s been there through highs and lows and helped me in emergency situations when I’ve needed someone.”

Nathan Lloyd, centre, with his friend, Brian, and partner, Tom, at the Konstrundan art weekend in southern Sweden. Photo: Private

Not being afraid of putting yourself out there and making the first move was another tip that came up in the survey, with many describing Swedes as warm friends – perhaps even surprisingly warm – once you break through the shell.

“First and foremost, don’t try too hard. Best friends are the organic ones that come in your life at the moments you don’t expect. Be open and give a shot to those who seem to be more open. Swedes who have been abroad frequently are exceptionally more pleasant to keep around,” said Hadi from Iran, who first moved to Sweden in 2010 and now lives in the south of the country.

OPINION:

Peter, a reader who works at Lund University in southern Sweden, befriended his new neighbour after knocking on their door to ask if he could use their wifi until he managed to get his own.

“We have been very good friends ever since, even after I moved to another town. I find Swedes to be very friendly in general, but sometimes I need to make the first effort,” he said.

Robert Blomstrand, a born Swede who lived most of his life abroad, says he and his South African wife, Vanessa, met amazing friends in church and were surprised by their warmth and care.

“Through this we learned Swedish and had many wonderful Swedish experiences (sailing, meals, celebrations). Still very good friends,” he said.

Robert Blomstrand’s friends on a sailing trip to the Gothenburg archipelago. Photo: Private

Ioannis, based in southern Stockholm, said he met most of his friends through university or work and then made sure that the friendships were maintained after studies finished or work changed.

“Important first step was to accept that it is me, the one that has to make an effort. Then show interest in others, learn about who they are and how they are like. Share experiences with them, also offer help and support and ask for help and support. Independence and individualism can be an obstacle in creating social bonds. Make the effort, without expecting same returns. Give it time.”

“I believe that if you want a friend, you have to be a friend first,” said Jeremiah from the US. “My friends are people who were willing to invest in a building a relationship because they didn’t have them locally. We connected over the shared experience of being displaced and learning how to adult again. The connections grew because we had other shared interests, were willing to spend more time together, and were willing to help each other.”

“Focus on finding people who like doing things that you enjoy, like going to museums, movies, etc,” said a Stockholm-based reader, who made friends with his colleague after inviting him to a drag show at the Abba Museum.

“It’s so much easier to make friends during the things you like. Like any relationship, don’t try and rush it,” he added. “Just continue to reach out for times to hang out, and be OK with them not always saying yes the first time. We’re all busy. I also found it easier to make friends with folks, particularly Swedes, who weren’t from Stockholm (or whatever city you’re living in) as they generally have smaller networks/ open to make new friends in Stockholm.

Several readers expressed sadness that they hadn’t made any Swedish friends and that all their friends were fellow foreigners.

“I made friends through work (international company) and from my country of origin. I don’t have any Swedish friends even though I have been living in Stockholm for 15 years,” said a Colombian reader.

Some readers, however, argued that it isn’t necessarily strange, or a negative, that foreigners end up with foreigners, as you share similar experiences. Having a community with people you feel close to and have something in common with matters more than who they are.

“Close friendships are built because you share some experiences in life. I was an immigrant in Sweden, hence like all immigrants in Sweden I faced many issues time after time, for example issues related to visa or bank accounts,” said the Pakistani reader from the start of the article. “It is much easier to connect with people when you share similar issues. Don’t be afraid to talk about your experiences. This helps to bring us closer.”

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