Distance yourself
I want to write a post that doesn’t relate as much to the current pandemic situation. Sometimes you need to distance yourself from all the seriousness and fear to sustain the strength and energy to cope with a sudden unfamiliar and stressful everyday life. That's at least what I'm thinking....
So I’m going to address a couple of typical Swedish things that doesn't seem that important, but irrelevance is the whole idea really…
Okay, so in Sweden we have this thing called “fika”. I'm sure some of my readers have heard of it already. It’s generally coffee with a cake or sandwich preferably enjoyed with friends or family but also a regular routine at work places where it's called "fikarast" aka “coffee break”, so one can say that coffee is a very important and popular beverage in Sweden.
So I’m going to address a couple of typical Swedish things that doesn't seem that important, but irrelevance is the whole idea really…
Okay, so in Sweden we have this thing called “fika”. I'm sure some of my readers have heard of it already. It’s generally coffee with a cake or sandwich preferably enjoyed with friends or family but also a regular routine at work places where it's called "fikarast" aka “coffee break”, so one can say that coffee is a very important and popular beverage in Sweden.
About three thousand million cups of coffee are consumed worldwide every day. Finland is the country that drinks the most coffee: about 10 kg per person but Sweden comes in second with about 9 kg per person - that's just over 3 cups a day which seems a bit puny to me, but maybe it’s really big mugs they mean…
This is facts, but I really think the figures for our neighbours are too high. I mean, how does the Finns find the time for coffee between the sauna, tango, vodka and ski jumping...?
Jokes aside, what I want to say is even if you’re all alone you should have your “fika” anyways, especially when stress and anxiety is present. A couple of short breaks to just relax and enjoy a good cup of coffee (or tea) could be just what you need to cope with a hard day.
Another Swedish “thing”, which is somewhat relatable with the current pandemic situation, is social distancing as a kind of a normal state here. Well, not only in Sweden but in most of the Nordic countries tbh. Swedes are of course socializing, but mostly by going out partying at clubs or similar places, and it’s almost always alcohol involved. It’s like Swedes can’t have a good time with other people without some intoxicating stuff. I think it's all about shyness and the habit of never spending significant time with other people than family and close friends. We need something to defrost the Nordic ice inside to loosen up a bit.
So it’s not very usual to have social gatherings at ones own or at someone else's home as they often do in other parts of Europe. Nope, for the most time Swedes are most comfortable in the company of themselves, their partners/spouses and their children. Our homes are our impenetrable castles, only invited people get inside so whatever you do, don't think of showing up without a warning.
And another thing, we never initiate a conversation with a stranger, it's inherited, it comes with our roots. If someone unknown smiles at us or says hello, we immediately assume that it’s something fishy and weird about them and suddenly become both deaf and blind.
Yep, we Swedes like to keep our distance….we’re just made for social distancing…
Jokes aside, what I want to say is even if you’re all alone you should have your “fika” anyways, especially when stress and anxiety is present. A couple of short breaks to just relax and enjoy a good cup of coffee (or tea) could be just what you need to cope with a hard day.
Another Swedish “thing”, which is somewhat relatable with the current pandemic situation, is social distancing as a kind of a normal state here. Well, not only in Sweden but in most of the Nordic countries tbh. Swedes are of course socializing, but mostly by going out partying at clubs or similar places, and it’s almost always alcohol involved. It’s like Swedes can’t have a good time with other people without some intoxicating stuff. I think it's all about shyness and the habit of never spending significant time with other people than family and close friends. We need something to defrost the Nordic ice inside to loosen up a bit.
So it’s not very usual to have social gatherings at ones own or at someone else's home as they often do in other parts of Europe. Nope, for the most time Swedes are most comfortable in the company of themselves, their partners/spouses and their children. Our homes are our impenetrable castles, only invited people get inside so whatever you do, don't think of showing up without a warning.
And another thing, we never initiate a conversation with a stranger, it's inherited, it comes with our roots. If someone unknown smiles at us or says hello, we immediately assume that it’s something fishy and weird about them and suddenly become both deaf and blind.
Yep, we Swedes like to keep our distance….we’re just made for social distancing…
I'm just joking by exaggerating, I hope you understand that. But there's a portion of truth in there too.
Well, that's it for today. Keep distance, don't cough or sneeze uncontrollably and wash your hands thoroughly while singing at least one verse of your favourite tune...
...or in other words, keep safe!
XOXO
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