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The Nordic: Norway vs. Sweden vs. Finland

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 11:22 am
by Robbie
When it comes to winter sports and its tournaments, there's always appears to be a rivalry between certain neighbouring countries. Canada vs. USA is one, maybe Japan vs. South Korea is another. But perhaps the most apparent would be Sweden vs. Finland with its various hockey tournaments most recently in the Olympic semi-final. But sports competition aside, I've wondered whether neighbouring countries immediately have a lot of cultural similarities and are there notable cultural differences and if so, what exactly are they?

I stated that I'd say overall cultural-wise there are many similarities and overlap between Canada and the USA. And simply looking at one, I cannot tell whether one was Canadian or American. Looking at Paris Jackson - is he an import or non-import? How about Travis Lulay? Perhaps area in which I can recognize an American is if they speak with a clear southern accent.

On the other hand, there are quite a few non-subtle differences between in the countries in SE Asia and I'd say with a 90% certainty by looking I can recognize a Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Thai, and Vietnamese and most certainly I can recognize their language differences. Perhaps because of being an ethnic-Asian myself with the huge SE Asian immigration and influence in Greater Vancouver, I've been exposed to these differences.

I've never had similar experiences with Scandinavian and Nordic countries - Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark and my only exposure would be in international competition observations and using products from those countries. All five countries use the Scandinavian cross on their flag so that's a similarity to start with. And they are mostly Protestant. And I concede that simply by looking I cannot definitively tell the difference between a Norwegian, Swede, or Finn. Language wise, Norwegian is similar to Swedish but Finnish is completely different. If you've personally experienced and socialized with many Nordics, what have you learned from them culturally?

I'd say on an international level it looks like Sweden has the biggest presence in various aspects:

Music: ABBA, Ace of Base, Roxette
Vehicles: Saab, Volvo
Furniture: IKEA
Tennis: Bjorn Born, Stefan Edberg
Authors: Stieg Larsson
Electronics: Ericsson

Finland seems to have a lesser international presence, with perhaps the most famous being the Nokia electronics and Linus Torvalds who was the architect of Linux. There are good athletes including in ice hockey although they've never struck gold in the Olympics yet.

For Norway, one big difference is that their hockey team never fell in the same elite category as their two Nordic counterparts although they're good in other winter sports and usually among the leaders in the medal tables. Celebrity wise, perhaps the most famous Norwegian band was A-ha. And Oslo is often ranked very high in terms of quality of life but at the same time it's also ranked very high as one of the most expensive cities.

I'm sure you've heard of those jokes that start with: An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman...
I suppose in those three Nordic countries they have their own: A Finn, a Swede, and a Norwegian...

What do you think about those three countries in general? Would they be countries that you want to visit anytime soon?

Re: The Nordic: Norway vs. Sweden vs. Finland

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 11:58 am
by WestCoastJoe
Been to Sweden. Great country. And Denmark. Another great country. Heard many good things about Norway and Finland as well.

Not without problems. But still near the top for quality of life on this little planet.

Re: The Nordic: Norway vs. Sweden vs. Finland

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 2:01 pm
by dpoe
http://goo.gl/P3nbJn

what more persuasion do you need?

Re: The Nordic: Norway vs. Sweden vs. Finland

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 6:41 pm
by notahomer
I voted Sweden but Norway/Finland are a close second. My fathers side of the family moved to Canada (Winnipeg) from Sweden around 1915, I believe, so my vote is a biased one, IMO. I'd like to see all the Scandinavian countries....

Re: The Nordic: Norway vs. Sweden vs. Finland

Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 12:06 am
by Sir Purrcival
Well, Been to Sweden and Finland. I voted Norway because it some ways it is more reminiscent of our own coast. You have to be impressed with their medal totals in the Olympics. This is a country of 5 million. That''s it and they are still among the top medal getters. It would be interesting to see what their medal totals would be if cross country skiing events were not in the Olympics however.
Same with the Germans and sledding
The Dutch with skating.

I do wish countries would try to be more than a 1 trick pony. No one is completely that of course but when one type of discipline is 75% of your medals it seems like specialization and that really doesn't seem good for the games over all. I mean, you wonder how many steer away from events to pursue if you know you are going to be facing the inevitable juggernaut of one country that dominates most of those events year in and year out.

Re: The Nordic: Norway vs. Sweden vs. Finland

Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 5:54 pm
by Robbie
Robbie wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2014 11:22 am
I'd say on an international level it looks like Sweden has the biggest presence in various aspects:

Furniture: IKEA
I'm sure you all had various kinds of IKEA furniture at one point or another, or enjoyed playing in the ballroom as a kid, so RIP its founder who passed away today: Ingvar Kamprad (March 30, 1926 – January 27, 2018).

While furniture and hockey are two different matters, whenever the Canucks had strong forward lines consisting of Swedish players, they were named The IKEA Line.

Re: The Nordic: Norway vs. Sweden vs. Finland

Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 12:01 am
by WestCoastJoe
Weird coincidence. Went to IKEA this morning. First time ever.

I hate shopping. LOL

However, I needed some household products. Internet search showed IKEA had the goods. Quick drive to Coquitlam. Entered IKEA's world.

Very impressive. Huge warehouse. Buzzing with activity. Shelves to the very high ceiling. Helpful staff. Especially one lovely young lady.

Dumb little labyrinth layout in one section to keep you kind of trapped, although arrows show the way out. LOL

Got the stuff. Got out of town.
..............

Saw a bit of the NHL all star game. Saw interviews with ... Karlsson and Hedman.
.............

My day? Swedish for coincidence.

Re: The Nordic: Norway vs. Sweden vs. Finland

Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 12:28 pm
by Sir Purrcival
Good place for cheap eats too if you are looking for something a little different.