If she had traveled around the US, she would have found areas where people tend to keep to themselves. I'd never think to say it was out of fear. That's why her comment baffled me.
While we're playing old home week here, my latest Swedish ancestor was from Norra Åsum Parish, Kristianstad, Skåne. His wife was Norwegian. :D
What she means to say is perhaps someting else.
It could have to do with her looks.
Elderly people in the north of Sweden aren't especially used to black persons.
In the cities of the South, we've got plenty of immigrants, but in the areas up north that isn't exactly the case.
I've been to Skåne several times. People in Skåne believe themselves to be very "continetal". In one way, this is true, although urban proffessionals from Stockholm and Gothenburg in general are more of globetrotters and know foreign languages and customs better than average persons from Skåne.