Source: "The Swedish Toolkit"
Swedes need space
A lot of Space
Even cats noticed that
When you think about it,
Swedes are a little bit like wild cats
If you try to come close
To touch them
Or give them food
Swedes and wildcats will run straight back to the woods
You need to play a game
For a few weeks
or a few months
I called this a "frame activity"
Like playing a sport or being part of an organisation
You also need to leave space
And leave an exit door
An opportunity to escape
Then Swedes, just like wild cats, will come closer
Sit down
and accept to eat food with you
Welcome to Sweden
You may need a guide as an outsider
As much as Swedes themselves in order to understand better how they may be perceived by outsiders
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"The Swedes" and "Working with Swedes" present many of the unknown social rules in Sweden
By Julien S. Bourrelle
Book a lecture on www.juliensbourrelle.com
Watch him on TED