Sweden vs America list
I'm on a standstill on blogging right now. I have a ton of things I want to write down, but need to gather my energy for writing about the rest of mine and my sister's vacation first. So let's take a break from that and make a fun list instead!
Things I miss about Sweden:
Going to the store and knowing exactly what's in everything that I buy and how it's going to taste. It's a lot of freaking trouble to figure what's okay and not okay in a new country. No to mention what is good for the environment and all of that stuff!
Clothes not falling apart as soon as you buy them. I have always appreciated the quality of clothes in Sweden but I had no idea it could be this bad in America of all places. Very few things that I have bought here still looks alright. The rest has been shredded in the washing machine, both here and in Chicago!
To always have the zipper on the right side. I think it's totally awesome that American clothes sometimes have the zipper on the left side, because that makes it easier for left-handed people. But as a right-handed person it's mostly just annoying. But hey, I support it!
To pack my own groceries. It's weird that I miss this because it's definitely a luxury to have someone do this for you. I should feel great about not having to come home all sweaty after packing all of my groceries in a bunch of bags, totally stressed out that the next person's groceries are getting mixed with mine. Then dragging the bags home through a snowstorm so bad you can't keep your eyes open. But I actually miss it, because you feel good knowing that you did something useful. I didn't just drive as close to the store as possible, get someone else to pack my bags and then simply brought them into the kitchen.
The snow. Since I am one of very few Swedes who don't actually complain about the snow, I have every right to miss it :P
Less stop signs. You are in the risk of getting a whiplash injury with all of the stop signs you have to pass here!
Not having to give a tip. I'm so tired of having to figure WHO to tip and WHAT to tip. Why can't they just get their payment from their boss like everyone else in the world does??
Being able to drink the water straight from the tap. Okay, so I don't actually know why Americans can't drink tap water. Haven't done my research. But it makes me feel like I'm in some country far, far away where they have to hike to a well and hoist up water in buckets. America, which in so many ways is a developed country, seriously doesn't have drinkable water from their water taps unless they connect a filter to it. In Sweden we don't need filters or buy water bottles because the water is totally fine!
Things about the U.S. that I think Sweden needs more of:
When people here in California don't want things such as furniture, strollers, fruit from their gardens or other things - they put it out on the street with a sign that says "For free" and anyone can take it. I wish they did the same in Chicago where many people are poor and actually really need it.
Legally being allowed to make a right turn on a red light. At first I thought it sounded kind of unnecessary but now I like how the traffic flows thanks to this rule. In Chicago it was fairly common to see a sign that said "No turn on red light" but here you hardly ever have that restriction.
Cell phone alerts. If there is a big storm, a natural disaster or a child abduction going on in your area your phone rings and you get a text message about it.
Polite small talks with strangers. We really have got to chill with the whole "omg, that person just sayed Hi so I think he's going to murder me" thing. I love, love, love talking to people on the trains, buses and in the grocery stores. I'll never see most of them never again but it makes my day fly by a little bit faster. And I'm usually the kind of person that wants to be left alone using my headphones as a barrier.
Sharing what you brought to social gatherings. If you're bringing something to eat or drink to a party or picnic in Sweden, we don't always share it. Each person or family eats and drinks what they brought unless someone makes it very clear that you're supposed to share. It's considered rude to just take something that someone else payed for because it's THEIR money that THEY sacrificed, Here in America everyone brings whatever they can no matter what it costs. In our social group most of us don't make a ton of money, but since we can all contribute with a little something we always end up having the most awesome barbeques!!