Mini Dangent: Comparing Swedish and American Culture

Of all foreign cultures to’ve been added to the massive couldron that is America culture itself, no country has reflected our society more than Sweden. Maybe it is the rolling fields of wheat, mild-tempered farmers, or even the love of simplistic Pop melodies.

There are the vast differences that echo like sound in fjords, however. For instance, to name a mere few, Sweden is reserved in conflict, while it is nothing of a secret that Americans would rather scratch an itch that is only mildly irritating than sit back and strike when the coals are at their hottest. Indeed, it is a contention of pride that we loudly stand and riot for everything and anything that is atleast backed by a group of five or more, no matter the subject or drive. Swedes, on the other hand, seem to pace in thought, to ensure without doubt that any move is an efficient move. This isn’t to say, that in contrast, Americans are a zombie-nation. In fact, America calculates from hundreds of perspectives: what may surprise many nations, is that America’s foremost concern can be ethics.

So, sitting in my office on this winter day with snow quickly piling on top of weeks of dirty snow, I can’t help by compare these two cultures that many would argue could never be compared. After all, cold, pickled fish isn’t the highlight of a holiday feast in this grand nation of ours. In fact, this past Christmas, with my entire family in the kitchen, I proclaimed that I would be pickling herring to spice up our meal. A quick, and silent, reply of twisted faces abruptly turn to me. The consensus was collected: no herring would be pickling anywhere near the turkey or yams. (This in a half-Slavic household.) Though, even in a holiday meal, the links are quite surprising: trade cranberries for lingonberries and a Swedish holiday plate couldn’t look any more identical.

And, alas, how could an American waxing over Sweden not come to a major conjunction in US-Svensk VennDiagram without referencing the mega-furniture company that IKEA. Almost every American has a piece, if not tens upon tens, from the famous yellow and blues that color the otherwise reddish or azure horizon that comprises the American sprawling malls. If I were to step into a Pier 1, the manager intends a trip to another country: Kenya, Ghana, the quieter parts of Congo. If I were to hesitantly make my way through the maze that is Bed, Bath & Beyond, I would… well, I would be wiping the sweat from my brow, happy that I actually made it out alive from that physical interpretation of a late-night tv-promo boasting “As Seen On TV” stickers on almost every product. Americans love IKEA because of the intrinsic values IKEA offers that Americans can’t do without: absurdly cheap prices, independence (what better way to have someone feel that important than to force them to build their own living room), ubiquity, and versatility. (No, this isn’t an advertisement for IKEA. I’ve had my fair-share of frustration trying to install a $29.99 chandelier light that looks more like a $49.99 bulb.)

If anything, I am thankful for IKEA’s introduction of modern style into my home nation. Why weren’t the Germans, Swiss, or Japanese successful, despite their similar, innate interest in simple, fashionable style? Yes, yes. Swiss watch made their large tan-lines on Americans back in the 90s (and still today), but IKEA is tending to America’s model of “selling lifestyle, not things”. Indeed, whose ear’s have yet to hear “those meatballs at Ikea are something else, I tell you!” amidst the aisles of Target or WalMart?

Our over-sexed, seemingly unethical, boastful, loud, obnoxious to some, culture has spread and seeped into ever corner of the Earth. For one miniscule example, Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” video has been emulated by millions on the viral internet community, irrespective of geological location. Paralellingly, while countries like Italy or Russia have a hard time slipping into the music market in America, artists like Robyn, are creeping up the charts, sans-Swedish tags. Then again, music in these tones has always been culture-blind.

So, what’s the point of comparison in the first place? Why these thoughts when Swedes have been settled in our proudest American states, states that could be labeled Anywhere, USA? What is the purpose of introspection?