Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worked in a Scandinavian country for many years and the poster who noted the homogeneity of the population is spot on. There is little discussion on how racist and unwelcoming they are to immigrants or non-white people. It’s not even subtle.

People criticize American individualism but most Americans would be shocked to live in a Scandinavian country and be expected to be the same religion (not religious), dress the same, lifestyle the same, food the same, I could go on….you must conform.

I’m so glad to be American and do whatever I want within reason. I can be who I want to be.

Even a month ago someone in Norway was convinced of hate crimes by posting something offensive on the internet. Can you imagine posting something hateful on Facebook and being sent to jail?

Have you ever been to Scandanavia? For example, Sweden is second only to the US in racial diversity with 20 percent non-white inhabitants thanks to generous asylum criteria for refugees. It’s got mosques, synagogues and temples which might give you a clue that not everyone practices the same religion. And it’s got 1 year maternity/paternity leave. I tried to google to see what you were babbling about regarding Norway and being put in jail for putting something on Facebook and couldn’t find it. Why don’t you include a source so we can judge.

My Asian niece married a Swedish man and travels there quite frequently to visit family. She seconds you on the racial diversity and acceptance. They are the country who accepts refugees that certain other Europeans turn away. And by all accounts, Swedish people have great lives.

We live in another European country with a strong social safety net and similar values. It’s been a bit jarring seeing all of the photos back in the US of large and lavish Christmas gifts. It’s just a small example of the cultural difference. We had a lovely Christmas. A few gifts were given. But the amount of “stuff” is just so much smaller scale here. I thought I’d miss all of the American comforts, but I really don’t. Less stuff and simpler stuff means less to clean and take care of. There are the pain points you hear about like high energy costs and taxes, but the tradeoff is working fewer hours, take more vacations, don’t stress about healthcare costs and can leave jobs or start businesses without that stress and because we live in a city with excellent public transit like much of Europe, we don’t manage a vehicle either. It’s just overall less responsibility for stuff, healthcare, transit, job security, etc and I think the less responsibility leads to more free time and happiness. America is wonderful and bountiful, but that bounty and maintaining it is work.

My relatives in Sweden are happy and content.

They have great jobs, nice houses, travel the world, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, let’s get this out of the way:

- Yes, I know that all the Scandinavian countries are different from one another.
- Yes, I know there are probably some political/economic misconceptions, that they all have different types of welfare systems, that they’re not necessarily the Bernie Sanders utopia some people think, that some could argue that some of economic policies are actually more capitalist, or some people there have differing opinions and would prefer American-style capitalism, and that some of their politicians are racist.
- Yes, I know the taxes are high and things are expensive.

All this out of the way, all of these countries win global happiness rankings and other human development indices, the natural scenery is gorgeous, the climate is better (I am a winter person and I hate the swampy heat and humidity of DC, so YMMV). Also, the hygge and mys aesthetics/lifestyles are blowing up on social media. I follow YouTubers from Denmark and Norway who say how great and cozy and laid back their lives are. Of course Instagram and YouTube are not reality, so can anyone fill me in on reality?

These studies will always put a Scandinavian country on top. The studies are misleading.

If you don’t say why then it’s just an unsubstantiated opinion. Not useful at all.

Anonymous wrote:No, it is not. Just traveled through several of these countries, quite the disappointment.

Travelling through a country makes you qualified to comment on the quality of life of people who live there? You’re having a laugh, love.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worked in a Scandinavian country for many years and the poster who noted the homogeneity of the population is spot on. There is little discussion on how racist and unwelcoming they are to immigrants or non-white people. It’s not even subtle.

People criticize American individualism but most Americans would be shocked to live in a Scandinavian country and be expected to be the same religion (not religious), dress the same, lifestyle the same, food the same, I could go on….you must conform.

I’m so glad to be American and do whatever I want within reason. I can be who I want to be.

Even a month ago someone in Norway was convinced of hate crimes by posting something offensive on the internet. Can you imagine posting something hateful on Facebook and being sent to jail?

Have you ever been to Scandanavia? For example, Sweden is second only to the US in racial diversity with 20 percent non-white inhabitants thanks to generous asylum criteria for refugees. It’s got mosques, synagogues and temples which might give you a clue that not everyone practices the same religion. And it’s got 1 year maternity/paternity leave. I tried to google to see what you were babbling about regarding Norway and being put in jail for putting something on Facebook and couldn’t find it. Why don’t you include a source so we can judge.

Yeah, when you google Norwegian prison, you get articles about how they are nicer than NYC apartments.

Anonymous wrote:Worked in a Scandinavian country for many years and the poster who noted the homogeneity of the population is spot on. There is little discussion on how racist and unwelcoming they are to immigrants or non-white people. It’s not even subtle.

Duly noted on the racism and conformity.

What about the day to day lifestyle, given the high costs of things? What is life like for normal people, who have a job, maybe a white collar/professional job but would rather clock in and clock out and then just chill, rather than hustle all the time and live in high stress? Are people content with just less consumerism and less work, or is there a mismatch in affordability in things like housing, or what the government does NOT provide? Do you have to work three jobs to afford an apartment in a city or a small home in a rural town?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worked in a Scandinavian country for many years and the poster who noted the homogeneity of the population is spot on. There is little discussion on how racist and unwelcoming they are to immigrants or non-white people. It’s not even subtle.

People criticize American individualism but most Americans would be shocked to live in a Scandinavian country and be expected to be the same religion (not religious), dress the same, lifestyle the same, food the same, I could go on….you must conform.

I’m so glad to be American and do whatever I want within reason. I can be who I want to be.

Even a month ago someone in Norway was convinced of hate crimes by posting something offensive on the internet. Can you imagine posting something hateful on Facebook and being sent to jail?

Have you ever been to Scandanavia? For example, Sweden is second only to the US in racial diversity with 20 percent non-white inhabitants thanks to generous asylum criteria for refugees. It’s got mosques, synagogues and temples which might give you a clue that not everyone practices the same religion. And it’s got 1 year maternity/paternity leave. I tried to google to see what you were babbling about regarding Norway and being put in jail for putting something on Facebook and couldn’t find it. Why don’t you include a source so we can judge.

Anonymous wrote:Worked in a Scandinavian country for many years and the poster who noted the homogeneity of the population is spot on. There is little discussion on how racist and unwelcoming they are to immigrants or non-white people. It’s not even subtle.

People criticize American individualism but most Americans would be shocked to live in a Scandinavian country and be expected to be the same religion (not religious), dress the same, lifestyle the same, food the same, I could go on….you must conform.

I’m so glad to be American and do whatever I want within reason. I can be who I want to be.

Even a month ago someone in Norway was convinced of hate crimes by posting something offensive on the internet. Can you imagine posting something hateful on Facebook and being sent to jail?

Worked in a Scandinavian country for many years and the poster who noted the homogeneity of the population is spot on. There is little discussion on how racist and unwelcoming they are to immigrants or non-white people. It’s not even subtle.

Anonymous wrote:First, let’s get this out of the way:

- Yes, I know that all the Scandinavian countries are different from one another.
- Yes, I know there are probably some political/economic misconceptions, that they all have different types of welfare systems, that they’re not necessarily the Bernie Sanders utopia some people think, that some could argue that some of economic policies are actually more capitalist, or some people there have differing opinions and would prefer American-style capitalism, and that some of their politicians are racist.
- Yes, I know the taxes are high and things are expensive.

All this out of the way, all of these countries win global happiness rankings and other human development indices, the natural scenery is gorgeous, the climate is better (I am a winter person and I hate the swampy heat and humidity of DC, so YMMV). Also, the hygge and mys aesthetics/lifestyles are blowing up on social media. I follow YouTubers from Denmark and Norway who say how great and cozy and laid back their lives are. Of course Instagram and YouTube are not reality, so can anyone fill me in on reality?

These studies will always put a Scandinavian country on top. The studies are misleading.

I have many friends in Scandinavia. I don’t think it’s a perfect place at all. In fact, I’d rather live in other European countries. Scandinavian countries are too homogenous with a lot of pressure to conform. Extremely expensive with high taxation that doesn’t benefit someone who is well educated and employed. There are extreme levels of mortgage debt and both spouses have to work. Pretty much every American couple I know has an easier and better life than their counterparts in Scandinavia. I would not say the same if my friends worked in fast food. If you want to be a ski bum or a non-white collar job then Scandinavian countries are likely better.

Anonymous wrote:No, it is not. Just traveled through several of these countries, quite the disappointment.

Care to elaborate?

No, it is not. Just traveled through several of these countries, quite the disappointment.

First, let’s get this out of the way:

- Yes, I know that all the Scandinavian countries are different from one another.
- Yes, I know there are probably some political/economic misconceptions, that they all have different types of welfare systems, that they’re not necessarily the Bernie Sanders utopia some people think, that some could argue that some of economic policies are actually more capitalist, or some people there have differing opinions and would prefer American-style capitalism, and that some of their politicians are racist.
- Yes, I know the taxes are high and things are expensive.

All this out of the way, all of these countries win global happiness rankings and other human development indices, the natural scenery is gorgeous, the climate is better (I am a winter person and I hate the swampy heat and humidity of DC, so YMMV). Also, the hygge and mys aesthetics/lifestyles are blowing up on social media. I follow YouTubers from Denmark and Norway who say how great and cozy and laid back their lives are. Of course Instagram and YouTube are not reality, so can anyone fill me in on reality?