A really interesting difference between Swedish and French people is that in France, strangers will anticipate your needs and help you out, in small/subtle ways but which make you feel SEEN
Comments
Log in with your Bluesky account to leave a comment
For example: people will let you pass in front of them when you're both waiting to get on the train. It's kind of random but it's common for men to let women get on first with a simple. And people are polite!! Honorifics help a lot but just the way people talk to you is so different
Another one: this morning I had a backpack and a duffel bag with my riding equipment, and I sat down in a 2x2 seat next to 2 guys. One of the guys had his backpack on the 4th seat, saw that I had 2 bags, and moved his bag so I can put mine down. It's such a small gesture but so considerate
Feeling invisible and anonymous was a big reason I started disliking Sweden and wanted to move away. I lived in the same apartment complex for 3 years and neighbors I would see every day would avoid eye contact when I said hello. That's not a healthy community. Anyway, good job France 🫶
Finland is just as bad if not worse. I've lived in the same apartment for almost 20 years and only one neighbor nods when I say hi. But even after 20 years of silence I'm still the annoying one who always greets them if I see them. :D
Comments