I’ve been living in the States for about 5 months now. And one thing that is really standing out, which stood out a lot when I first moved to Sweden is food.
Now yes, food is different, but that is not what I’m referring to. Sweden has meat and potatoes and vegetables. And godis. And lots of bread and cheeses (you know, with a fika). And great fish (smoked fish, yum!) and shrimp! And pizza rolls! Sweden, I love you, but you have the most awful pizza. BUT if you rolled it up and sprinkled some Swedish magic on it, something happened and it was freaking delicious!
But what I’m really noticing is how much and how often we eat.
Czech Republic, which is where I lived for 8 years, there were 3 meals. A small breakfast (usually some cake), a large warm lunch (with beer) and a large warm dinner (with beer).
Sweden, though, is different. I remember my first visit there, I ate so much for lunch. I just stuffed my face. And then, 2 hours later, it was fika time! More food! Uff, we do not eat 2 hours later in the Czech Republic after a huge meal!
In Sweden, because of the fabulous fika (which can mean coffee break, snack, food, even a packed lunch if you are weird and from Norrland), Swedes tend to eat more than 3 times a day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is relatively small compared to other countries. So you have room for lots of fikas 🙂
Except for lunch during the work week. This was interesting. Buffets. Everywhere! All you can eat, and you stuffed your face because nothing is cheap in Sweden. At least this is what I noticed when I did go out to eat. Alas, I did not get the chance to learn office culture in Sweden, but the fact that every restaurant served buffets for lunch I found very interesting!
Flash forward to America. Back to 3 meals a day. Instead of two large meals, it seems like I get 3 large meals! Breakfast is huge here, and while most Americans don’t have time to make a huge breakfast every day, going out on weekends at least once a month is not uncommon.
I have to say, I am missing my regular fikas and small meals every day! And the Swedish meatballs! Oh yes, and the ice cream!
Food sure does leave the biggest imprint on us when we experience a new culture! I can’t believe you’ve been gone for 5 months already? I thought it has only been like 3! I would miss my fikas if I moved! And that is a tremendous ice cream!!
I know! I’m missing so much there! But I do get my fika here and there, I just have it alone because people don’t know what a fika (or good coffee) is around here! 🙁 Def need to find some Swedes in Bozeman!