Sweden, where less is more

It might looks like Sweden is a country of extremes; extreme winter, extreme quietness, extreme safety, extremely good social welfare system ….. well, for me it looked like that at the beginning until I have discovered the reason behind Swede’s excessive use of the word “Lagom”.   Moderation has strongly made its way in Sweden through the word “Lagom” which according to Lexin’s definition means  “not too much, not too little, just the right amount”.

The heavily used word reflects how moderation is important in every aspect of life. Maybe a big part of the “lagom thinking” comes from equality values  that are centric to what Sweden as a country and as a population stand for…maybe. But that lagom word is what came to my mind when a guest speaker recommended us as students in the Körta Vägen program not to show off in our interviews. Although I blindly agree with him as that is a failure get job strategy, his advice was more into showing out fitting abilities more than education or work experiences.  During my last trip to the Italian city of Milan, I have noticed the huge amount of fancy cars in a country that is not really in a good economical shape like Sweden but Lagom is what makes Sweeds own functional cars, smaller houses and shopping malls that mostly close at 18:00 in the evening. Luxurious life style definitely exists here but maybe with a different perception where the focus on quality,  functionality and simplicity are what matter.

I just like how a person sees a less consuming based culture in Sweden specially in the smaller cities and even in the capital Stockholm, of course the malls are crowded in the center but that is because not so many shopping complexes.

Simplicity and moderation are the key in blinding in so next time a Swede asks me something in Swedish that I don’t understand “which happens a lot” I would answer Lagom and be comfortable that I have it all managed 🙂

Muna