One main reason this is the case is because of the competition over resources. Sweden's Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, referencing the unrealistic demands that Turkey is making, said on January 9 that, "Turkey both confirms that we did what we said we would do, but they also say they want things we can't and don't want . As a spokesperson I interviewed at the Danish centre-right thinktank Cepos put it, they effectively work until Thursday lunchtime for the state's coffers, and the other day and half for themselves. Their residents have a healthy pride in their people, history, and social priorities. (Short Animated Documentary) History Matters 1.51M subscribers Subscribe 69K 2.2M views 1 year ago Sometimes countries break up, like Britain and Ireland,. Swedish benefits are the best in the world Working in Sweden gives you a boat load of holidays. Not the NATO member that is literally illegally invading and attacking other countries to feel better about themselves and to please daddy America. 1. But would I want to live in Finland? We exists to inform people about the people, culture, and history of Northern Europe. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Norway the nice side, at least. Others believe that Erdogan ultimately will not block Sweden and Finland's NATO memberships, but instead is seeking to improve his waning domestic popularity. In sports, for example, Norwegians want to defeat Danes and Swedes, when it comes to hockey, skiing, and other winter sports competitions. Nordic countries like Finland and Norway may regularly come out on top of world happiness indexes for wellbeing year-on-year - but new research shows the happiness is far from universal. But joining NATO requires consensus approval from all existing members, and Turkey one of the group's most strategically important and militarily powerful members is not happy. I hear you say. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, the Danes have the highest cancer rates on the planet. Ideas from the "happiest countries" such as the Danish hygge have grown in popularity, The report said young women reported the highest levels of unhappiness in some areas, Nordic countries regularly appear in the top five happiest places, according to the survey, with Finland coming top this year, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. According to The Explorer, Norway has long been at the forefront in regards to Electric Vehicles: It has been hundreds of years since the Danes and Swedes last took up arms against each other, and just about the only modern-day hostilities between them involve words, attitudes, and even volleys of tweets during an epic social media dust-up. For instance, non-Scandinavians observe many similarities between Norwegians, Swedes, and Danes, especially when it comes to appearance, politics, and lifestyle. This gesture was repeated when members of the Sweden Democrats abstained in the European Parliament resolution condemning Hungary's controversial LGBTIQ law. Sweden and Finland are set formally to end decades of neutrality and join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in a historic breakthrough for the alliance that deals a blow to Russian . Finland and Sweden could apply for membership of the 30-nation Nato alliance within days, ending decades of military non-alignment in a historic shift triggered by Russias invasion of Ukraine. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. "Turkey basically classifies all Kurdish groups it strongly dislikes as PKK front organizations. So, yes, I do think culture matters a great deal to understanding why countries like Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden score high on this particular indicator of happiness. What do Norwegians think of Swedes and Danes? He blames Nato for blocking his takeover of Ukraine and has demanded Nato troops be withdrawn from eastern Europe. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan described Finland and Sweden as a "hatchery" for terror groups. Their negative perception isnt necessarily rooted in racial stereotypes. [1]. This perception is subjective, however, and difficult to measure through polling, reporting, or data analyses. In Denmark, Sweden and Norway, political parties introduced voluntary gender quotas in the 1970s, resulting in high numbers of female political representatives . What began as a seemingly harmless comment regarding home dcor devolved into a heated exchange of increasingly hostile tweets between the Danes and their Swedish counterparts: Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and the hurling of insults came to an end. Here is a brief look at the background and implications of their decisions. We want to hear from you. The Nordic countries share a history that goes back hundreds of years. Are there individual or fringe exceptions to this general fact? If Scandinavia was the Dursley family, Denmark would be Dudley. "You are talking about people who have been actively fighting with Turkey for more that 40 years and killing tens of thousands of civilians in the process," Muhammet Kocak, an international relations specialist based in Ankara, told CNBC. I understand why Norway and Denmark hates us but Finland? One economy may be stronger than the other. Nato membership would mean that for the first time Finland and Sweden would have security guarantees from nuclear states. Worth bearing that in mind the next time a Dane wags her finger at your patio heater. When Erdogan talks of "terrorists" in this context, he means the Kurdish Workers' Party, or the PKK a Kurdish Marxist separatist movement that has been fighting Turkish forces on-and-off since the 1980s. Most start with around five weeks of paid vacation and more as you go. Actually, I have lived in Denmark on and off for about a decade, because my wife's work is here (and she's Danish). Swedens ruling Social Democrats have been split on the issue and are holding an internal consultation, with a decision also due on Sunday. It would be known as the Finnish War (which is where it was mainly fought) and would include Great Britain on Sweden's side and Denmark and France on Russia's. Whether it is Denmark's happiness, its restaurants, or TV dramas; Sweden's gender equality, crime novels and retail giants; Finland's schools; Norway's oil wealth and weird songs about foxes;. As depicted in this excellent long-running web comic, the typical Swede is seen as rich, arrogant, and tech-savvy. NATO expansion is something it has previously cited to justify invading Ukraine, also a NATO partner. The same is true of Danish and Swedish people. What's he waiting for? Most seriously of all, economic equality which many believe is the foundation of societal success is decreasing. Sweden's top diplomat Ann Linde has stressed that Stockholm considers the PKK a terrorist organization but there remained "misunderstandings" over using the term for other Kurdish groups, such as the YPG. Collectively, Norwegians dont hate Swedes and Danes. 2023 CNBC LLC. Turkey's president says he may oppose. The idea is that because Sweden's horrific death rates followed its refusal to lock down its society as strictly as other countries, the latter must have been the cause of the former. See Is Denmark and the Netherlands the Same Country? [5]. A place to post memes about the Nordic countries and their history. When people compare Sweden unfavorably to Finland and Norway to dismiss its laissez-faire policy, they are drawing the opposite conclusion from what the data . And due to 1&2 Sweden has had more interactions with its Nordic neighbours than the other Nordic countries. Finland, for its part, has made clear that it will join NATO when Sweden does, and no sooner. For example, a Norwegian who is hyper competitive about, A Norwegian who is passionate about social issues, may have a national pride when it comes to comparisons of tolerance or the strength and availability of. Finland ranks third in global gun ownership behind only America and Yemen; has the highest murder rate in western Europe, double that of the UK; and by far the highest suicide rate in the Nordic countries. Historically, the Nordic countries gained a head start by giving women the right to vote before others (Sweden in 1919, Norway in 1913, Iceland and Denmark in 1915, Finland in 1906). Some Norwegians have negative views towards their neighbors, similar to adjacent countries in other regions of the world because past hostilities sometimes result in negative present-day stereotypes. Norway lost a brief war with Sweden in 1814 and was forced to enter into a Union with Sweden. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images, Finns having a quiet drink Photograph: Martti Kainulainen/REX, A car burning after riots in Stockholm in 2013. "Swedish women try to moan as little as possible during childbirth and they often ask, when it is all over, whether they screamed very much. If only I had a penny everyone time someone from my country cried about tar or cudgel war well I wouldn't be rich but I could easily afford a cup of coffee. Enough with the envious reports on the abolition of gender-specific pronouns. One common stereotype about people from Sweden and Denmark is that they drink a lot of alcohol. References:[1] Source[2] Source[3] Source[4] Source[5] Source[6] Source[7] Source[8] Source[9] Source. The reasons why are complicated, emotional and steeped in decades ofoftenviolent history. According to metrics that measure a populations collective sense of happiness, they have also developed into thriving countries. Sweden and Finland have also said they will not approve the repatriation of 33 people that Turkey has accused of links to terrorism. Sweden has a population of 10 million people, nearly nine out of 10 of whom live in urban areas. When Finland and Sweden announced their interest in joining NATO, the two Nordic states were expected to be swiftly accepted as members of the defense alliance. It has recently been given a high profile in the United States, following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump suggested America . To drive from Kristiansand in Southern Norway to Kirkenes in the far northeast would take an estimated 38 hours of non-stop driving sticking to Norwegian roads. Ask the Danes how they feel about their neighbors to the northeast, and the Swedes would likely be described as being stiff, overly reserved, and downright unfriendly. Erdoan says Turkey may accept Finland into Nato without Sweden, Turkey condemns burning of Quran during far-right protest in Sweden, Turkey pushes back vote on Sweden and Finlands Nato accession, Turkey summons Swedish ambassador over Erdoan effigy, Swedish court blocks extradition of journalist sought by Turkey in Nato deal, Finland and Sweden call on Hungary and Turkey to ratify Nato applications, Erdoan warns Turkey could still block Finland and Swedens accession to Nato, Erdoan gains from lifting Sweden and Finland Nato veto with US fighter jet promise, Putin issues fresh warning to Finland and Sweden on installing Nato infrastructure. Russia has repeatedly warned Finland and Sweden against joining Nato, saying the serious military and political consequences of such a move would oblige it to take retaliatory steps to restore military balance by strengthening its defences in the Baltic, including by deploying nuclear weapons. You absolutely hate him. In other places, people prefer not to touch at all. Vladimir Putin sees Nato not as a defensive alliance but as a threat to Russias security. In summer, you'll be plagued by mosquitos, in winter, you'll freeze that's assuming no one shoots you, or you don't shoot yourself. Think of it as the China of the north. Although the report particularly focuses on Nordic countries, it does compare some of the data to that recorded elsewhere. The reasons behind Turkey's opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO are complicated, emotional and steeped in decades of often violent history. People in other countries merely exchange a one-word greeting. Please see the About page for details. Christian started Scandinavia Facts to explore his family heritage, raise awareness of one of his academic interests as a professor, and civilly promote the region. At the same time, 1815, Norway's war flag was merged with that of Sweden; a Swedish three pronged flag with a Danish flag in the upper left corner. Finlands prime minister, Sanna Marin, and her Swedish counterpart, Magdalena Andersson, said last month that Russias invasion of Ukraine had changed Europes whole security landscape and dramatically shaped mindsets in the Nordic region. The dignity and resolve of the Norwegian people in the wake of the attacks by Anders Behring Breivik in July 2011 was deeply impressive, but in September the rightwing, anti-Islamist Progress party of which Breivik had been an active member for many years won 16.3% of the vote in the general election, enough to elevate it into coalition government for the first time in its history. Finland's leaders on Thursday officially expressed support for applying to NATO "without delay," while Sweden's ruling party is expected to follow suit on Sunday. It said that research shows lack of social contact was a greater problem among Nordic men than women. If you want a serious answer to the question. Finland and Sweden took a historic decision to end their nonaligned positions and join the alliance in the face of Russia's aggression, but new countries joining NATO requires unanimous approval . Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. And while previous governments have controlled the spending of oil revenues, the new bunch are threatening a splurge which many warn could lead to full-blown Dutch disease. 2023 BBC. Countries all around the world have different traditions and attitudes when it comes to receiving visitors and welcoming people who have relocated to their homeland. See Why Do Norwegians Hate Swedes and Danes? In his book Petromania, journalist Simon Stre warns that the powerful oil lobby is "isolating us and making the country asocial". Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, The researchers behind In the Shadow of Happiness looked at data collected across five years, Time, not material goods, 'raises happiness', one of the report's authors, Michael Birkjaer, told the Guardian newspaper. After all, for several centuries, these two nations wanted nothing more than to eradicate the other, and this level of animosity does not dissolve away completely. - Quora Answer (1 of 22): It is hardly bitter on the Swedish side and I would not use that exact word on the Finnish side either. Norway and Sweden have a very long history together. [3] Other Swedish characterizations of the Danish include: Due to their proximity to continental Europe and their direct interactions throughout history with the French and Germans, Danish people are also often perceived as possessing a bit of an elitist attitude toward their fellow Scandinavians across the water in Sweden and Norway. [6]. They are very pleased to be told they did not." Centuries ago, Danes and Swedes fought for regional supremacy. Since 1984, between 30,000 and 40,000 people are estimated to have died in fighting between the PKK and Turkish government, according to Crisis Group. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Sometimes non-Scandinavians mix up countries in the region. I was told we'd run out of time. Thank you for visiting Scandinavia Facts. But Sweden? Could the question, Why do Norwegians Hate Swedes and Danes? come from stereotypes that non-Scandinavians have about people in the region? Some Norwegians, like some Danes and Swedes, have a certain perspective about visitors and non-natives who have relocated to Norway. The Almost Nearly Perfect People The Truth About the Nordic Miracle (Jonathan Cape), by Michael Booth, is published on 6 February. Pull up an Egg. She worked for the tourist board. If Scandinavia was the Weasley family, Sweden would be Percy. Many have pointed to their success as a contrast to Sweden, which has a much higher COVID-19 death rate. I've heard Finns described as everything from drunks to the emo kid in the corner to sociopaths. It has reintroduced conscription and boosted defence spending since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, but many on the Swedish left remain suspicious of the US-led Natos agenda and argue that Nato membership will only increase regional tensions. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Luckily, judging by a recent journey I took with my eldest son the length of the country by train, the place appears to be 99% trees. Danes in Copenhagen hate it when drunk teenage Swedes from neighboring Malm invade the streets of their city (the legal drinking age is lower in Denmark, 16, than in Sweden, 18). The PKK have carried out scores of attacks within Turkey. So you know, only we can criticize each other, and if other countries try it, they need to shut up. Is Denmark and the Netherlands the Same Country? There are many widely held perceptions about Scandinavians, with quite a few rooted in truth and others very far from it. As far back as anyone can remember relations between them have been what can only be described as "pretty bloody awful". Western governments hailed the Kurdish fighters as allies, and several EU countries put various embargoes on Turkey due to their targeting of Kurdish militias in Syria, highlighting the intractable differences between how each side perceived the fighters. While probably done in good fun and certainly entertaining, this very public exchange of barbs and ribbing does validate the notion that the rivalry between the Danes and Swedes, while certainly not rising to the level of centuries past, does still exist. Official partners of the alliance since the 1990s, the idea that the Nordic states might actually join the group made Moscow bristle. If you can cope with this, and the cost, and the cold (both metaphorical and inter-personal), then by all means join me in my adopted hyggelige home. It wasnt until 1536, that a new alliance between Norway and Denmark was formed. Norwegians are made fun of for being filthy rich, lazy, and too attached to their skis, Swedes are said to be painfully politically correct and addicted to tanning, while Danes are teased for being loud and impossible to understand. Look up the word "reticent" in the dictionary and you won't find a picture of an awkward Finn standing in a corner looking at his shoelaces, but you should. (Also see Are Norwegians and Swedes the Same People?). to learn more.). All this is even coming from a Dane/Danskjvlar. Neighbors may also have different religious convictions as well. Socialists quit Denmark coalition over energy deal, 'The grim truth behind the Scandinavian miracle' the nations respond, Finland's heart is not so dark as it's been painted, Nordicana sale in London makes a killing from Scandinavian culture, Climate change: don't get scared, get ready, TheAlmost Nearly Perfect People: TheTruth About theNordic Miracle byMichael Booth review, Borgen creator Adam Price: 'We had to give Birgitte a Faustian choice' - video interview, TheLegacy: Danish treat for BBC viewers to get teeth into post-Borgen, Danish media accused of ignoring plight of jailed computer specialist, Nordic nations respond to the original article, "The Nordic Countries: The Next Supermodel", "Copenhagen really is wonderful for so many reasons,", second only to Iceland when it comes to consuming anti- depressants, "the most successful society the world has ever seen", work fewer hours per year than most of the rest of the world, the highest level of private debt in the world, 2012 report from the Worldwide Fund for Nature, The Legacy, when it comes to BBC4 later this year, Denmark's schools lag behind even the UK's, the sexual orientation of the prime minister's husband, Stephen Kinnock, the Norwegians boast of using only renewable energy sources, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund selling fossil fuels to the rest of us, the highest murder rate in western Europe, the leading cause of death for Finnish men, higher than the UK's and higher than the EU average, an all-time high of close to 10% in the polls. 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