Now this is going to sound negative, but let me first say that we love Sweden and the Swedish people. Things that may seem strange or curious in one culture are perfectly normal in another. Additionally, as a typical "loud American" the following may have little credibility...but here goes.
Swedes don't talk when they eat dinner in public. Ok, ok...I am exaggerating a bit. If you go into Stockholm to the places where the younger generations are, it is quite lively and seems pretty normal to an outsider.
However I can't tell you how many times we have gone to dinner as a family and witnessed a room full of people eating...and literally saying nothing. How can you eat without talking?
Most recently we were in Gotland (see Elizabeth's post on Gotland) staying at a hotel by the Baltic Sea. The hotel offered breakfast each morning and we would go down to enjoy some good food. But it does make it a bit difficult to enjoy you meal when all you can hear from a group of strangers is the sound of forks and knives clanking on the plates and piercing the serenity of the morning.
I am quite sure the Swedes that dine with us feel exactly the opposite. They are probably going back to their room talking about the Obnoxious Americans. That being said, why would you go and eat with your partner or your family if you aren't going to say anything?
Hmmm you are thinking...what does he mean by "silent" - by silent, I mean silent...like as in dead silent, middle of the night with everyone sleeping silent...tree NOT falling in the forest silent...funeral silent.
This summer we were in the south of Sweden on vacation. We went into the hotel restaurant and there were approximately 15-20 other people eating. Outside of a few "sighs" I am telling you they was not a word passed between the tables.
My solution? Next time we go to dinner we are buying schnapps (see Swedish wedding) for everyone within a four table radius. Hell I know our family is loud...might as well get some singing going so we can eat.
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