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Now we have to say it: Swedes, stop complaining! DN reports that Newsweek magazine lists Sweden as a the third best country in the world to live in. The list is based on a combination of education, health, quality of life, economy and political climate. And yet you always hear Swedes complaining about how poor they are and how bad they have it... Take our little test!
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ShareCan you answer yes to these questions?
If you answer yes to ALL the questions - promise not to complain for a whole month! If you answer no to any of the questions, you can complain in a comment...
- Me and my family can eat our fill every day.
- We can occasionally (every week) add a treat, soft drinks, ice cream or wine.
- When someone in the family gets sick, we have access to good medical care.
- My (and my relatives' and friends') children go to school, receive school meals and teaching materials.
- I have a job or receive some financial compensation from the State
- In my home I can feel safe and warm and I really have everything I need.
- We have a TV, DVD, mobile phone and computer at home.
- I have been abroad at some point
- If I am unhappy with my life, I have legal and societal options to divorce/change jobs/retrain myself.
- I can vote for the party of my choice in the elections.
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Ferferi i Paris/Göteborg says:
Great eye opener! Good list there. I agree with you fully, I don't really understand those who complain. Sweden is a fantastic country to live in. We are extremely spoilt with our high standards.
18 August 2010 - 23:28
Katarina på Filippinerna says:
As an expatriate Swede, you realise that the Swedes may instead lead the list of complaints,,, usch..now I'm getting a lot of them! But you are absolutely right... You take so much for granted as a Swede that you become blind to how good you have it.
Sweden is a fantastic country, we should be more satisfied. When you ask if Swedes are satisfied, it turns out that we are not very satisfied. One of the most satisfied people in the world is the Philippines, despite poverty and misery...
Very thoughtful article in Neewsweek.
Hugs
19 August 2010 - 5:49
Krister says:
I really agree that we Swedes are extremely spoilt. We expect that no matter what happens, we should be able to maintain our extreme standards.
I hate reading sob stories about the poor (Swedish) couple where both have become unemployed so they are forced to sell one of their two cars, and their 80% A-kassa is not enough to go to Thailand this year. It is EXTREMELY sad for them.
They would know what it is like in the 95% of the world if both members of a household become unemployed.
19 August 2010 - 8:33
Henny och Sten says:
We also agree with your submission. We have a son in the US and can compare with their situation in terms of maternity leave, illness, schools and other social benefits. We have it very well organised in Sweden!
I follow your blog regularly and really appreciate it. It is extra fun that you changed the header to a motif from our sea bath here in Piteå 🙂 .
19 August 2010 - 9:37
Johanna S says:
I often get upset about all the unfounded complaints in Swedish newspapers. Living abroad, I have come to appreciate everything I had in Sweden. However, I recommend moving abroad, at least for a while, to open your eyes. In Sveirge, managers even go on leadership courses...try working for a Sicilian employer, most communication is via shouting and foot stamping. A-Kassan will, if A-Kassan is not misappropriated, say...:=P
Sweden is good. Scandinavia is good. But trying out other places makes you grow.
19 August 2010 - 12:16
Ama de casa says:
I don't have a job and I don't receive any compensation from the state, so the fifth year is a No for me. But I'm not complaining about it 😉 .
Quite the opposite actually. Almost every day I think about and appreciate how GOOD we have it.
But I still complain a bit, from time to time 🙂 .
19 August 2010 - 12:47
Roger says:
We live in a free country with all that entails the Allemansrätten to stay in nature under responsibility. How wonderful it is to be able to be in the forest and land without being afraid, stay with the motorhome in pretty much anywhere ......... I do not complain.
19 August 2010 - 15:29
vispop says:
Couldn't agree more
19 August 2010 - 16:48
admin says:
Thank you for all the wise, good and interesting comments! It is so very interesting to read. A little extra interesting this time to hear what all you Swedes abroad think and have for experiences!
19 August 2010 - 17:52
Ingela says:
So true, so true, I live in the whining belt they say but I console myself with the fact that I am from Värmland 😉 Kram
19 August 2010 - 19:51
Johanna says:
We don't have a TV, but it's very much by choice and absolutely nothing to complain about... I agree that we don't have much to complain about, but I think it's the comparison with "everyone else" that makes many people complain. There is always someone who has a more fun job/fancier car/more money etc, but why bother? It's important to see what you have!
19 August 2010 - 23:07
admin says:
Johanna, I agree! I also think that jealousy and not being satisfied is very much about comparisons with others around... Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to be happy about their nice flat screen TV, just because the neighbour has a bigger one....
20 August 2010 - 7:25