Posts Tagged ‘individuality’
Sameh, becoming Swedish and a magical son
Get yourself a son
Among foreigners it is a matter of common knowledge that you need a Swedish name if you want a Swedish job. Even though this country is basically bilingual and about half of Sweden moves to London to lead the life of a banker for a couple of years, foreign last names still a menace to society. I got lucky. My last name Read the rest of this entry »
Hipstery, Gitte Haenning and I
Dr. Willem von Tinkel
Assuming everyone is tired of wrapping presents, I thought I’d share something new I recently discovered. The world- or let’s say Europe – is getting more service minded (I pray), and Hipstery does their share by enhancing the gift buying experience.
You tell the guys: “I need a present for my sister Julia”, whereupon they hand you Read the rest of this entry »
Lasse behind the pillar, sociable croissants and Vanessa Paradis
Nutritive empty space
Sunny 15 degrees in Paris this morning!
Mama Shelter can only be recommended to those coming from countries with a rich breakfast culture. Lots of fruit, cheese, juices and even sourdough bread. Love it.
In France and Italy, days often kick off with a compelling mixture of sugar and wheat – which reliably makes me feel like a piece of wobbly pizza dough.
Not at Mama Shelter. But something else happened this morning, Read the rest of this entry »
Really good noodles, the matrix and a rainbow.
The Matrix
Neo: “I used to eat there. Really good noodles. I have these memories from my life. None of them happened. What does that mean?”
Trinity: “That the Matrix cannot tell you who you are.”
Sometimes Swedes are afraid. They are afraid to stand out from the masses. To stick out their head, to swim against the current.
Partly it’s not very much appreciated by those masses and partly its something you just don’t do.
People will look at you strangely, wonder where you come from and unconsciously conclude that there might be much more suspicious under your Filippa K coat. Read the rest of this entry »
After work dinner, unisex saunas and especially wedding songs (Sweden & Music #3)
Reggae: against the current
I had dinner with a bunch of Swedes (and one Finn) today. The conversation surfed our fantastic Russian quality manager, unisex saunas in Bremen and how five friends almost sank their boat just to celebrate the occasion with mashed potatoes and a bottle of champagne on a steamboat. The last part of the evening required some audio research: Swedish weddings. Read the rest of this entry »
Google them out of here!
Away with it
It is lunchtime and in between two meetings, planning the year 2011 and 2012. The day started off in the same spirit when I read Nikkes blog on the subway. The latest post is about future visions and how Swedens right wing party doesn’t have any. He also has some hand on tips on how we can keep them out of our lives – with just a few clicks, status updates and recommendations. Read the rest of this entry »
Swedish U-turns and the introduction of lagom
Beware of the extreme
A radio program on P1 caught my attention yesterday and I still think about it, even though it is called ”Plånboken” – ”The Wallet” – a guide for balanced household economies. The reason it got stuck with me is not my poor bank account, but that it is such a fine example for lagom, Swedens own Yin-Yang. Read the rest of this entry »
Candy for the masses! Scandinavian risktaking
If you want the candy, go for it!
Back in the Stockholm office!
And lunching with Johnny and Kalle, discussing Swedish behaviors in general and the ever so present modesty in particular.
The conversation got kicked off by a single candy lying on our thai-fastfood-lunchtable, followed by Johnny boldly grabbing and eating it with visible pleasure.
“Your know”, he chewed, “sometimes you just got to take a risk.”
Centrum
Täby Centrum
Problems with my phone contract lead me to Täby Centrum today, a popular Stockholm suburb. Mobile phone operators must be the most difficult institutions in the world to keep a friendly dialogue with, so I was mildly annoyed, but decided to see the little excursion as an inspiration, which – as is generally known can strike anywhere. Why not in the center of sunny Täby, home of many modern and nature loving families. (Impression 1, Impression 2, Impression Church)
I leave E18, follow the signs to ”Täby C” and turn to the greyest place I have seen since 1988 outside East Berlin. I mean: Gropiusstadt is at least an architectural concept! Read the rest of this entry »
