Swedish perceptions of the U.S.
I am postponing Part II of Swedish etiquette lessons. Depending on how motivated I am, I might write it later today.
This morning I woke up to cold, drizzly rain. I also woke up thinking about home, about the "American" comforts that I never realized I appreciated and valued. I spend every morning here catching up with my home country: I eat my cereal and toast (with peanut butter), brew my own coffee, and read my local newspaper via the Internet. Sometimes I stream the local radio programs from home, just to listen to those comfortingly familiar voices of radio hosts; voices I never realized I would miss so much.
The word 'AMERICA' evokes so many images, emotions, and prejudices. Some of these ideas are good while others are quite bad. In Sweden, people have voiced several opinions about America and the American culture. I find that these opinions vary greatly depending on the generation and the person. I also discovered that my actions are very powerful and can ultimately have the effect of challenging and consequently changing a person's assumptions about America and its inhabitants. In today's blog I will try to bullet point three major Swedish perceptions of America, and how my actions have either affirmed or contradicted these stereotypes.
But before I do that, I think I should mention the sources from which these perceptions are manifested. With a globalized media culture, most of American culture is carried over to other countries via the Internet, television, movies, and radio. I think I've mentioned this before, but the majority of the television programs in Sweden are American sitcoms and dramas. Swedes can quote Seinfeld and Simpsons as well as, and sometimes better than, most of my American buddies. Plus, fast food culture and consumer culture that so powerfully, and controversially, defines America is diffused throughout Sweden, as well.
Ok, now I'll list a few things I've heard Swedes say about America:
PERCEPTION #1: "Americans are loud and extroverted"
Swedes are characteristically known to be reserved and introverted. Compared to Sweden, I think this perception about America is pretty accurate. In some ways, I have tried to defy this stereotype by being more of a quiet, unassuming observer. I can confidently say that I did not enter Sweden with my Hawaiian print shirt, camera around my neck, and obnoxious and insensitive opinions incessantly flooding out of my mouth (a common image of the American tourist.) In addition, when I am on the train or in a public place and need to use the phone, I make a conscious effort to keep my english conversation to a quiet and respectable minimum.
But when it comes to being extroverted, there have been times when I have embraced my 'Americanness'; especially when trying to meet new friends or when asking for help. Knowing how to take initiative in starting a conversation or introducing oneself to a new group is something that I am proud to be able to do. Plus, being an extrovert can sometimes ease awkward moments or help in breaking the ice within new social situations.
PERCEPTION #2: "Americans are greedy and insatiable"
This perception probably has much to do with our capitalist consumer culture, our obesity epidemic, our constant desire to be stimulated with shock and awe entertainment. In some ways, even though I hate to admit it, I fit perfectly into this stereotype. If I go into a store, I sometimes feel that the only way I can perpetuate my happiness and sense of well-being is if I buy that one shirt, or that one pair of shoes, or that one book. Also, I enjoy food---large, gluttonous quantities of food. I can often be guilty of channel surfing on the TV or changing a song before it's complete just so I can listen to the next one, which I will subsequently change before it's over.
I'm not proud of these things, and I am always trying to change or eliminate these habits of mine that are most likely developed from growing up in America. Moreover, I am not trying to indict everyone from the States with these habits. But I do notice that these habits are 'typical American.' Unfortunately, especially among people of my generation, these habits and mindsets are proliferating throughout Swedish culture, as well. I notice this desire for material possessions, junk-food, and instant-gratification as I walk the streets of Linkoping and Stockholm. Shopping malls are eerily similar to those in the States, with a convenient Subway, McDonalds, and Pizza Hut erected in the food courts to revive a weary shopper with energy to go back into the stores to purchase that "must-have" new dress.
PERCEPTION #3: Americans are all conservative Christians
This perception surprised me. Especially because I view my country as incredibly multi-faceted and diverse in beliefs, experiences, and ethnicities. Sweden is a country whose government and policies are extremely secularized. Although Sweden is traditionally and historically Lutheran, today it is considered to be one of the most secular nations in the world. Most Swedish people i have met assume that the majority of Americans are extremely conservative, evangelical Christians. I wonder if this is due to our history of government administrations that often use Bible quotes and references as the justifiers or validators for a particular policy or campaign.
But, the bottom line is that the reality of our extremely diverse and colorful country is often reduced to the illusion of a populous that believes in only one religious value system. This perception also surprised me because I am surrounded by extremely liberal and progressive-minded people. If anything, most people my age in America (at least that I know) use the word 'conservative' with a grimace. And often, amongst my American friends, institutionalized religion is perceived as one of the main causes for the unnecessary oppression of so many people. So to hear this perception from Swedes shocks me and causes me to constantly clarify and defend the actual demographical situation of the States. Moreover, the fact that I grew up in a Christian church does not mean that I necessarily desire to impose them upon other people, nor do I think that they should be infused into our governmental policies or should inhibit other people from practicing their personal beliefs.
But I must say that these attitudes are currently in a state of change since Obama has become president. Nevertheless, these notions are still strong and are often used in an unfavorable way towards Americans.
There are so many more perceptions about the U.S.A. that I could write about. Many people, upon discovering I am from the States, talk to me with awe and curiosity. I get asked questions that range anywhere from my political standpoints to what kind of musical concerts I've been to. I am still surprised by the intrigue people have about America. Our country is a powerful one, not only politically and economically, but culturally, as well. I never really realized it, or should I say, experienced it, until I came abroad. Good or bad, true or false, these perceptions and stereotypes exist. And every action I do, or don't do, has an impact on either perpetuating or dissolving them. One person at a time.