Since I was 12 year old, I have been told
To open doors for women
To walk on the right side of the sidewalk
To carry women's bags
When I came to Sweden,
women told me
they could open doors themselves
that I should not change side on the sidewalk to walk between them and the cars
and that I should not carry their bags
When you come from a place where men and women
Have more defined roles
Where gallantry is central to gender interactions
Where men are raised in a masculine role to care and protect
Where women expect certain behaviors from men
Adaptation to Sweden may not be easy
Swede's expectations may be confusing
For both foreign women and foreign men
In most societies in the world men and women have more defined roles than in Sweden
Adaptation may be challenging
Some may benefit from a guide to better understand these challenges and differences
We published two guidebooks to Sweden
One focusing on the social life
The other on "Working with Swedes"--
Or separately
By Julien S. Bourrelle
Watch him on TED
