I was recently running a workshop in Madrid and took the opoprtunity on a lunch break to ask some of the participants what their perception of the Swedes is. Since they work for an international Swedish company, I thought they might have a valuable insight that could help me in my work as a cultural diversity trainer.
Upon receiving my question, they immediately boomeranged me with a question back. Did I mean Sweden or did I mean Swedes? Both, I said.
They thought about it and then said in a unanimous voice,
'Sweden is a very modern country. One of the world's richest. The people there have everything. They are happy and healthy and secure.'
What about Swedes themselves then? I asked.
Again some thought.
'They're very nice. Very polite. But I don't understand why they have to pretend to be interested in what everybody thinks when they make a decision. It just wastes time, and they don't really mean it anyway.'
Neil S
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