Modern Day Vikings: A Practical Guide to Interacting with the Swedes (Interact Series) [Perfect Paperback]

Christina Johansson Robinowitz (Author), Lisa Werner Carr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001 | Series: Interact Series

Many people think of Sweden as a compilation of four stereotypes: sex, suicide, socialism and spirits. Modern-Day Vikings: A Practical Guide to Interacting with the Swedes is a window into Swedish culture that allows readers to come to understand and contradict these stereotypes, and explore the true values underlying Sweden and Swedish culture.The book traces many of Sweden's cultural traits back to its Viking heritage and examines the famous cradle-to-grave social democracy and the social and economic challenges brought on by immigration and other twenty-first century changes. It also explores the values underlying modern Swedish culture. Readers get a glimpse of the complete Swede as characterized by the four seasons. An indispensable tool for anyone traveling to Sweden or for those interested in and intrigued by Swedish culture, Modern-Day Vikings helps provide insights and strategies for successful interaction with the Swedes. It was a good read-and well worth the time, even for those of us already well ensconced in these northern climes-much of what they suggest is right on and directly illuminating. Indeed the chapters on the Jantelagenand the Lagom phenomenon are excellent for understanding much of what seems to stop native Swedes from tooting their own trumpets. Visitors [to Sweden] should beware, for much like the Vikings of old, the modern-day version leaves a stronger impression than might at first be perceived. Visiting the book before visiting the place is worth the time taken. -Sven Bovei FackoversattarenReading this book was a genuine pleasure and I found myself grinning in acknowledgement in some places and getting a healthy dose of the 'aha' effect in othersa. This book is like a window in the sun, either you can cup your hand over your eyes to see right into the heart of the Swedish culture or you can stand back to see your own reflection.-Corinne Wilhelm http://www.dialogin.com Modern-Day Vikings is quite informative. As an American who has chosen to live in Sweden it is an excellent addition to my library.. The organization, style, amount of information, and philosophical approach are what makes your and Ms. Carr's book particularly valuable. I'm not aware of any work now being sold that is of similar value and quality. I recommend that any American businessperson planning on doing business in Sweden read this book. -Jonathan Stubbs, consultant From [...] the opening paragraphs to the comprehensive bibliography, [Modern-Day Vikings] is well researched and well written. As a Swedish manager I say: This book accurately describes the Swedes and provides very useful information regarding how to interact with them. Were I an American manager I'd say: This book is a must for anyone doing business with Swedes and going about it seriously! -Goran Froling, Vice President and General Manager, Ericsson Canada Sweden is arguably the most American country in Europe. Even so, the cultural differences between us are more profound and more subtle than what is apparent to the casual visitor. Christina Robinowitz and Lisa Werner Carr have produced an excellent-and highly entertaining-guide for those who wish to understand and who, at the same time, are anxious not to put their foot in it.-Olle Wostberg, Consul General of Sweden in New York, former editor-in-chief of Expressen newspaper At a time when Swedish IT entrepreneurs are conquering the world, Modern-Day Vikings provides an excellent guide to Swedish business behavior, set against an historical background. Useful hints are given on how to avoid disastrous misunderstandings. Also, for Swedes, the book gives interesting historical explanations to why we behave as we do.-Cecilia Julin, Minister for Economic Affairs, Swedish Embassy, Washington, DC Swedes can sometimes be an enigma even to themselves. Authors Werner Carr and Robinowitz, with their very different backgrounds, offer a key to common and not-so-common differences between those things Swedish and the world. Modern-Day Vikings could become mandatory for those with an interest in, or plans to work with or in Sweden, but is also quite amusing and an eye opener for us born Swedes. -Ulf Martensson editor & publisher, Swedish News, Inc, and Sweden and America MagazineNordstjernanContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1 From the Vikings to the Welfare State: A Millennium in Sweden2 The Rise of the Swedish Model3 The Four S's: Sex, Suicide, Socialism, and Spirits4 National Pride: A Matter of Romance5 The Individual and the Group: Self-Sufficiency and Solidarity6 The Lagom Phenomenon7 Jantelagen: Who Do You Think You Are?8 Equality Above All9 The Seasons and Their Power: Summer, Winter, and Holiday Swedes10 Communication: The Sound of Silence11 Manners: Swedish Customs Simplified12 Doing Business in Sweden: Competition versus ConsensusConclusionBibliographyIndexAbout the Authors

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christina Johansson Robinowitz is a cross-cultural coach, trainer, and consultant. A native of Sweden and long-time resident of the United States, she works with multinational companies and international organizations, specializing in Swedish-U.S. intercultural relations.Lisa Werner Carr, an American of Swedish descent, is a professional journalist and has lived and worked in Sweden. Now based in Dallas, she is a Web content developer and contributing editor to the magazine Sweden & America.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877864889
• ISBN-13: 978-1877864889
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > History > Europe > Sweden

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Customer Reviews

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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Swedish delight of getting things in the right proportio, January 17, 2005

By 

George F. Simons "at diversophy.com" (Mandelieu Napoule, Cote d'Azur, France) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Modern Day Vikings: A Practical Guide to Interacting with the Swedes (Interact Series) (Perfect Paperback)

Lagom bok. Writing a book is easy. Getting it "just right" is the hard part. Lagom, as the authors of Modern-Day Vikings tell us is the Swedish delight of getting things in the right proportion, including what is fitting and appropriate, no more, no less, and, in this case, writing a bok about one's people without being either overbearing or falsely modest.

Not too many of us, I suspect, have learned Swedish history other than as an appendix to what other great powers were about in times past. So the authors have been kind enough to sketch on the canvas of a single chapter the flow of events that take us from prehistory through Viking times to the unique, modern day Swedish model of society.

History helps us understand culture and behavior and even allows us to see what triggers the stereotypes we acquire about others. "Sex, suicide, socialism and spirits," as the authors point out, are the false headlines most of us have absorbed about Swedes because we had so little familiarity with the real article. A Swedish friend of mine in her 50's complains that living in France she is still looked on as a svenska flicka ("loose Swedish girl") by some-not by me, of course. Too many Bergman films in my youth have left me still surprised to find so many cheery Swedes.

We learn how Modern Day Vikings value themselves and their history. Swedes appreciate modesty and above all, equality to a fault. They have wholesome homegrown virtues to bring to the marketplace of cultures, and, like all peoples in the great modern global exchange, these are being weighed and measured by the world of competition and the challenge of sustainability. In particular the Swedish smörgasbord of values is being rearranged by a new generation who are leading their country and the world in world-class digital entrepreneurship.

As for the welfare state, that has brought so many to exclaim, "It would never work here," they are probably right. There is a time and place for everything and the time and place for this unique social triumph was Sweden in the middle 1900's. The challenges of immigration and multiculturalism are taxing this system and calling for a fresh wave of creativity in Swedish politics. There are no easy solutions, but one suspects that the Swedish combination of fairness and self-sufficiency will express themselves in fresh socially responsible solutions.

Readers who want to get to the do's and don't's of living and working with Swedes will be amply rewarded in the second half of the book, particularly if they are patient with the first half. They will look at Swedish communication styles manners and business behaviors with far more insight having delved into the authors' careful descriptions and illustrations of Swedish values in action, which like the nordic seasons have both bright and equally dark sides. Going to work or going to dinner, there is no shortage of solid prescription and attention to detail. Robinowitz and Carr are careful to simplify what can be simplified, identify rules where they exist, and to point out, that, as in any culture, taking a good look at what the other guests are doing can help you figure out whether to take your shoes off or not.

Finally, you don't have to be on your way to Sweden to have an excuse to read this book. Robinowitz and Carr, whose rich experience of Swedish culture comes from both living inside of it and seeing it at a distanc have made Modern Day Vikings a good book to curl up with in any season.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful for Appreciating Swedes, December 2, 2005

By 

Jonathan D. Stubbs "JStubbs.com" (Luleĺ, Sweden) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Modern Day Vikings: A Practical Guide to Interacting with the Swedes (Interact Series) (Perfect Paperback)

This one is a keeper. I bought it after living in Sweden for a bit over 4˝ years. There were things about living in Sweden that I was having trouble appreciating; sometimes there was an underlying "cultural current" that wouldn't decode for me. After the first read, Robinowitz & Carr's book gave me some more pieces to the puzzle I was holding. Subsequent readings have added more pieces.

I strongly recommend purchase of your own copy of this book for reference and note-taking. Any culture is a set of unwritten rules. The authors have done an excellent job of capturing much of that which is unwritten. The book starts with a brief history of Sweden - which helps to give a perspective on modern Swedes and Swedish culture. In following chapters they go on to give a good overview of modern Sweden and some of the more visible aspects of Swedish culture. A part about the Swedish flag is typical of the kind of information they give (Swedes seem to use their flag to declare their Swedish identity in contrast, Americans might be said to give the US flag a loyalty). The chapter on a cultural value/belief/behavior called "Jantelagen" was particularly valuable as it helped me to better understand behaviors and to "release the right responses" during the course of daily living activities (Edward T. Hall writes about releasing the right responses in "Understanding Cultural Differences").

Other chapters give clear and easy to read descriptions of a number of important social and business values, beliefs and behaviors. I figure that the amount I spent on this book is nothing in comparison to the value it has returned. Time invested in reading has saved me time later as I more quickly understood unspoken parts of "messages". If you're going to have more than a superficial, touristy kind of contact with Swedes - in Sweden or anywhere else in the world - you'll likely be glad for the advice this book offers.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight, July 8, 2002

By 

Robert F. Weir "robfweir" (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Modern Day Vikings: A Practical Guide to Interacting with the Swedes (Interact Series) (Perfect Paperback)

My former wife was born in Sweden and immigrated with her parents to this country when she was 9 years old. Married 8 years, Lena was continually questioning why she viewed the world in certain ways while others couldn't see things the same way. The insights in this book got her thinking about what was special in her Swedish upbringing and why she was taught to look at some subjects differently. Reward systems, her acceptance of certain conflicts and her questioning mind were revealed to her as a result of reading this book. Since then, I have purchased an additional copy to share with a colleague recently hired by a Swedish company and Lena has given her Dad a copy. A must read for both Swedes and Americans who interact with Swedish people.