“It is this land…that Swedes talk about when they say they love their country. Rather than history, it is geography that unifies the Swedes, and silence that keeps them apart.”

- Don Belt, National Geographic

Nationalism

Swedes are definitely a people proud of their country, with a sense of nationalism and unity like the proud French.  When driving in Sweden throughout the countryside you can expect to see many Swedish flags proudly flapping in the wind.  But when you bring up politics, the Swedes do realize as with any country theirs is not perfect, and their government is as corrupt as every other country’s. So they tend to simply ignore the political system (though many still vote) and hope if they don’t bother the government, then the government will leave them alone.

Sometimes it is simply too cold to smile.

Swedes are also well known for their  pessimistic outlook. Maybe it’s the lack of sunlight, or maybe it’s in the genes. Even more remotely is that it’s the combination of both of these factors.  Or perhaps it is the fact that they have survived being prepared for the worse, and thus continue to think that way.

Emotions are not expressed as much in Sweden as in other countries. You can expect a Swede to be happy, sad, etc, but may not jump up and down in enthusiasm or speak loudly and proudly as an American would (this is coming from Missfoster, no matter how long I live overseas I cannot get rid of my emotional American self!)