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Babies need to learn to suffer like true Swedes
Scandinavians love pain and suffering
Babies need to get used to it at an early stage
So they can continue with the traditions
A few years back
During my first winter visit in Sweden
I saw a baby left outside on a cold winter day
I stopped
I looked all around me nervously
The mother* was nowhere to be found
A baby was left alone on the sidewalk
It was less than a year old
As I was approaching to see if it was still alive
Two women came out of the coffeeshop next door
One looked at me
She did not smile nor said anything
She came closer
She looked at the baby as well
She then took the stroller with the baby inside
And walked away
Without saying anything
I did not know what to do
I assumed it was the mother
I stayed there looking at the woman walking away with the baby
I was a little shocked
Did she really leave her baby outside while having a coffee with her friend?
I thought Sweden had a good child protection agency which shall make sure that children are treated well
I called my mother** to tell her the story
She smiled and said that my grandmother did the same with her when she was a baby
My grandmother just turned 94 years old
It was common long ago in Canada to leave babies outside unattended
My grandmother said that it was good for them to breath fresh air
My mother said she would have liked to do the same with my brother and I
But it felt unsafe at the time I was born
Sweden is still a rather safe country
People are highly trustful
It is a place where babies can get used to the winter realities from the very start
Where they can get used to enjoy being alone
In the cold and in the dark
This is good as Swedish winters are rather intense
Half of the country is plunged into darkness for several months
With temperature below 0C for half the year
If you see a baby left outside in the cold
This is normal
The mother or father are probably next door
Nothing will happen to it
And it will grow up to become a strong Swede
"The Swedes" and "Working with Swedes" present many of the unknown social rules in Sweden
By Julien S. Bourrelle
Watch him on TED
