How Sweden survives without small talk - BBC REEL

In most cultures, small talk acts as a social lubricant. But in Sweden, people tend to avoid idle chit-chat. Some experts believe the Swedes are missing out on a vital communication tool, while others say it's just a part of Swedish life.

Video by Björn Nilsson
Executive Producer: Camelia Sadeghzadeh

#bbcreel #bbc #bbcnews

[theoldfelix]

all my life i thought i was socially awkward, turns out I'm just swedish

[leontineforssblad]

BBC wanted to do this reportage in Finland, but no finns wanted to talk so BBC had to choose Sweden instead.

[ivragi]

I adore the fact that avoiding small talks is a social norm somewhere in the world.

[giuliaddd]

I'm Italian and I think there's a difference between small talk and being talkative and friendly. Personally, as an extrovert, I quite like greeting/being greeted and the general exchange between people, even strangers; what I don't like is meaningless, pointless talk, like sometimes people do in my town: endless chatting about the wheather, frequent generalizations and prejudices, and an overall depressive mood, especially these days. I'm sure many people on here will know what I mean. This is not a matter of establishing contact, this is just pure waste of breath, and when I'm forced to engage in such exchanges I feel like my brain starts to deteriorate.

[SuperLeica]

Swedes are still waiting for the social distancing rule of 2 meters to be revoked. Then back to 4 meters normality.

[abnithin]

Calling all introverts
Calling all introverts
We have found our paradise. I repeat, we have our paradise. Sending coordinates for Sweden shortly.

[Sarahr]

As an introvert, I usually dread small talk. But for instance sometimes on the elevator up to work, someone will mention the traffic jam or something and we’ll commiserate and then they give a friendly “have a good day!” as they get off, and I find myself smiling and more awake for the day after a little interaction

[honestlyyours]

I am half Swedish and I always wondered why my Swedish father was so quiet and reserved. He was also had somewhat of an enigmatic personality, as it was very difficult to know what he was really like He hardly ever said anything, but he was a kind and gentle soul who treated everyone as equals. Now from watching this video I really understand a lot better why he was the way he was. Also, he was taught as.a boy by his immigrant Swedish pareednts to not show any emotions, whether good or bad. But he did change after my mother died, . He started giving his children hugs and telling them he loved them. It was so sweet to see that change in him. I knew for a long time that he loved his family, but he just was not able to express his emotions. I miss him very much.❤️🇸🇪

[ailawil]

Video title: Swedes don’t do small talk.
The actual video: Swedes doing awkward small talk.

[bastille]

And here i thought i was an antisocial introvert, turns out all I've been this whole time was Swedish...

[iceyjo]

I am from the USA (NY). I absolutely love the Swedes. They are more difficult to get to know but as an introvert trained to be social. I usually have no problem getting to know Swedes once I make them laugh or smile. Truly lovely people.

[eskeeeet]

As a foreigner who studied in The States for years, I’ve always loved how warm Americans were. The small talk might be meaningless, but the emotions shared within those small talks always felt real. I know it sounds cliché but a genuine smile or a random compliment really had such a sweet effect on my day. Hell, there were even people carrying signs in a small town in Ohio with Free Hugs written on them! I saw one once meters away and couldn’t read it. The person shouted at me: “Free Hugs!” I walked right into them and we hugged each other.

[tamasdedinszky]

There was a joke about Scandinavians when the first lockdown was about to finish: "Thank God the 2-meter distance rule won't apply anymore, we can go back to 5-10 meters."

[mimesthaisilva]

People in Brazil, “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”, and before the elevator opens again we have gone from weather to politics, religion and soccer. And probably we’ll leave the elevator with a new recipe for dinner.

[suakeli]

My Finnish friend works with Swedish people and he's so frustrated with the endless small talk of Swedes. He summarized it as "Lots of polite talking, everyone feels nice, nothing gets done"

[afnanbabikir]

I'm comforted by the fact that literal social awkwardness is he norm in some countries.
That just goes to show that nothing is "supposed to be" a certain way, and any way of doing tthings is acceptable.

[iiiiitsmagreta]

As an introvert, I wasn't aware there was in fact a Promised Land. New life goal - move to Sweden.

[frankhynd]

The old joke goes - an introvert in Finland looks at his shoes when he speaks to you. An extrovert in Finland looks at your shoes when he speaks to you.

[anndeecosita]

I’m from the USA and a Southerner at that. People would likely run for the hills is I went there. 😂 Our culture adores small talk. I strike up conversations with random people all the time and they do the same with me. Sometimes it’s not a question or conversation, just a quick compliment like “That’s a beautiful dress” or “I like your hair cut”. our culture teaches you never know who is down in the dumps and could use a kind word or a smile to help them feel better. As children we commonly sing a hymn called “This little light of Mine. “😊
The downside for super quiet or introverted people here is they will likely be labeled stuck up.

[JesusIsLord]

Sounds like my dream country. I would be able to go out knowing that I can do my thing without useless awkward interactions every few minutes or expected to connect over small things.