Since 1994, I've been watching the Swedes. Not in a creepy, obsessive way, but like an adventurer in unknown territory who carefully observes his surroundings.
I run a training company with my American business partner in Stockholm. We hold seminars and workshops in Cultural Awareness and Communication.
For more info about this check out www.keytraining.se
View all posts by Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes
5 thoughts on “What do you think of when you think of Sweden?”
On business trips I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the middle east, Asia and North America and it was interestning to see when Sweden was “on the news”. The news coverage of Sweden was basically limited to sports and music. Very little on politics (as a small country with very little impact on world politics that is not surprising). The natural disasters and terror attacks happening in Sweden are thankfully to insignificant noramlly to make headline news. My conclusion is that people do not think of Sweden at all. Why should they? Ok many know that IKEA is a swedish brand, ABBA was a Swedish band and the older crowd remember Björn Borg as a swede. But that is about it. As a swede I’m quite happy with this. Lets continue to stay away from the headline news.
I think of my grandparents and their parents. I remember the stories my Dad told me about his family. I think of the distant cousins who still live in Sweden – some of who have connected with me. I love the old pictures in large frames that my grandparents kept all the years, and are now in my home. I hope to travel to Sweden to meet my cousins.
I’m from Brazil and the only thing I knew about Sweden was the Stockholm syndrome! Now I’m living in Sweden and… wow! I discovered a lot of things and places!
Watching the Swedes 
On business trips I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the middle east, Asia and North America and it was interestning to see when Sweden was “on the news”. The news coverage of Sweden was basically limited to sports and music. Very little on politics (as a small country with very little impact on world politics that is not surprising). The natural disasters and terror attacks happening in Sweden are thankfully to insignificant noramlly to make headline news. My conclusion is that people do not think of Sweden at all. Why should they? Ok many know that IKEA is a swedish brand, ABBA was a Swedish band and the older crowd remember Björn Borg as a swede. But that is about it. As a swede I’m quite happy with this. Lets continue to stay away from the headline news.
ABBA featured much higher for me.
I think of my grandparents and their parents. I remember the stories my Dad told me about his family. I think of the distant cousins who still live in Sweden – some of who have connected with me. I love the old pictures in large frames that my grandparents kept all the years, and are now in my home. I hope to travel to Sweden to meet my cousins.
Pippi Longstocking….
I’m from Brazil and the only thing I knew about Sweden was the Stockholm syndrome! Now I’m living in Sweden and… wow! I discovered a lot of things and places!