10 thoughts about Stockholm

Having grown up in Trinidad in the 90’s, I came to know two things about Sweden

• Abba
• Roxette

I thought that all Swedes rocked out hard to Dancing Queen. In fact, I pictured Socialists dancing the night away in glorious free hospitals all revelling in how wonderful their lives are, while smoking Gauloises and drinking Sav (which btw – tastes like utter “kaka” initially, but could possibly grow on you).

Anyway, here’s 10 bullet thoughts on Stockholm

1. This is a city of attractive people – straight up! There are some fantastically good looking women and men here – just roaming around, it is tough not to stare at some of these people.
2. I’ve never been to a place with more men with black rectangular glasses and women wearing leggings/skinny jeans with converse shoes
3. I don’t think that Stockholm has any fat people … ok wait, I did see a couple of overweight people, but that would also be like playing “find the Indian” in Scandinavia (it’s possible but not worth the effort :P)
4. Swedes also don’t talk to you first … EVER!
• Reserved
• Shy
• Socially retarded – you pick your phrase here.
5. If you want to meet anyone in Sweden, you have to be willing to do the drinking … like seriously it’s the only way they can interact. Take away alcohol and outside of work, this would be a totally silent society. It’s actually kinda creepy; for instance I was in a crowded bar, 6 people lined up to order drinks and no one smiled or talked to each other or mentioned how shitty the service was.
6. I couldn’t possibly ever get over the level of CONFORMITY here. The people seem to be willing to conform at all costs and they apologize for everything. However, any culture where there is so much “forced” conformity will always bring resentment and passive aggression. And the Swedes are masters of passive aggression!
7. I don’t think these people could go for a walk alone, it’s doesn’t seem like is much individuality here at all.I think many people in Sweden have lost any sense of purpose and free choice. They were born into a system that is about denial of a sense of self.
8. People are surprised by kindness and openness here, I mean like genuinely shocked by random niceness. Going out drinking with completely random people and buying a round for one or two people and they almost didn’t know how to just say thanks and move on 😛
9. The city is supremely picturesque
10. Living in Canada is a blessing; I can truly say that pure Socialism sucks donkey stones – people are completely paralyzed to do anything. Example of insanity I’ve picked up here
• You kill someone, maximum life sentence is 12 years … WAAATT???
• You cannot fire anyone
• Alcohol is controlled by a monopoly and you’re ass raped every time you buy a drink in a bar.
• Success is not socially acceptable. I learned the word “Lagom” – Swedes use this word to describe “just right” or “enough”. You’re allowed one potato only … and never two 😛

Bonus observations

1. People in Stockholm will barge into you – I kinda like that, since I can just walk right through people also.
2. How could I forget … this city is FUCKING EXPENSIVE. Not like regular expensive, but like “fuck me down with a pogo stick expensive” … drinking in Sweden can bankrupt you … for instance at a bar, expect prices like
• Regular beer = 8$ Can
• Vodka/Tonic = 13$ Can
• Bottle of Coke = 6$ Can
3. Customer service in Stockholm is just as bad as in Trinidad – or actually even worse, which is shocking!