Posted on 05/27/2005 2:08:29 PM PDT by anguish
Sweden has topped the rankings in an international survey of the top nation brands.
People around the world see the Swedish government as the most trustworthy administration in the world, the Swedish people as the world's most hospitable, and think of Sweden as the best place in the world to live and work.
The findings were made in the Anholt-GMI Nation Brands Index, a survey of 10,000 consumers in ten countries. They were asked for their impressions of the United States, Britain, Sweden, China, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Russia and Turkey.
The report's author, Simon Anholt, says Sweden is "almost universally admired".
"Its brand image boasts a rare combination of stable and responsible governance, honest and trustworthy people, successful cultural exports, a prime location for investment, and yet isn't seen as boring or predictable, but young and dynamic."
Sweden was followed in the rankings by Britain, with America sharing fourth place with Germany. Turkey and Russia prop up the bottom of the table, with many people having a particularly poor impression of Russia.
One measure in which Sweden did particularly well was hospitality. Swedes were viewed as the most hospitable people out of all the nationalities included in the survey, and Sweden (perhaps not coincidentally) was seen as the second most attractive tourist destination after Italy.
The respondents described Sweden as 'fascinating', 'exciting', and 'romantic'. Many of those questioned had heard of the Ice Hotel.
The report pointed out, however, that popular tourist destinations such as France and Australia had not been included in the survey.
Equally positive for Sweden was its high placing in the investment rankings. It was seen as the second most attractive place to invest in, behind the United States. When people were asked where they would most like to live and work, Sweden came out on top.
That Sweden came top in rankings of good government may come as something of a surprise to opposition Moderate Party leader Fredrik Reinfeldt, but he can take comfort from the fact that most people responding to the survey were probably judging Sweden from a position of complete ignorance.
"It is unlikely that many of our respondents would be able to name a member of the Swedish government, or identify the party currently in power: these scores are almost certainly pure brand image, and appear to require little substantiation," says Anholt.
If there was such a size as "Tall Extra Skinny", it would describe "Extra Large" Swedish military garmentsTell me about it.. From early military stuff - where indeed smaller sizes were justified - to present day garments. I'm a lieutenant in the Swedish army reserve, so I've uttered my fair share of inappropriate slurs about the sizes. My hypothesis is that the small modern sizes are influenced by our conscription system - most people who wear the garments are skinny 18-20 year olds who haven't had time to grow up properly yet. Not to mention acquire.. uhm.. the "muscles in rest" tissue that somehow start accumulating in men in the 30's. ;)
I agree.
Ok. At the bottom of the thread. Now, WARP SPEED BACK UP TO THE PIC! SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH!
*snicker*
Agreed. I would add Skansen, which is a combination open-air museum (restored buildings and crafts)/ theme park/ zoo/ outdoor concert place. Another must-see is the Stadshuset, the Stockholm City Hall, which is very interesting in its architecture and interior design and decor.
My wife and daughter and I will be in Sweden again for two weeks, August 23-September 5. We're spending the first week in Stockholm, and then the second week on the West Coast, to visit family and friends and for me to go to a theological conference in Gothenburg.
BTW, you may find it helpful to know the Swedish name for the "Old Town," which is Gamla Stan.
This article seems like a bunch of bull to me. My understanding is that many or most Swedes are pretty satisfied with how things are done in Sweden, so that's fine. But I've spent a lot of time in Europe and I just haven't heard of people treating Sweden as any great model society, or prime tourist destination. Also, it seems that there is substantial anti-Americanism in Sweden which, of course, I have absolutely no use for. So, fine, Sweden for the Swedes. But as for this "number one brand" stuff, I say "No sale!"
There is an old joke about Scandinavians:
Two Danes, two Norwegians, and two Swedes were shipwrecked on a deserted island. Ten years later a ship happened by and set out to rescue them. When the lifeboat beached on the shore they found the two Danes had started a dairy co-op, the two Norwegians were having a fistfight, and the two Swedes were standing around with their arms folded, waiting to be introduced.
I used to work for a Swedish national here in the US; he had been here for something like 15 years. Our nickname for him was “Enemy Alien”. He had nothing good to say about the US, substandard education, lousy healthcare, expensive, etc, etc. I finally said “ if you find it so bad here, why don’t you go back to Sweden”? He said, “Are you nuts? I’d have to pay most of my income in taxes!” He never did quit his griping about the US though.
Regards,
GtG
Finally, Stockholm is full of pretty blonde people. And I disagree with some here. The Swedes are very nice people, but very naive about things like Israel and the U.S., though they like the U.S.
Yes, it is. Well worth a day trip. Easy to do by train.
Also, about 50 miles north of Stockholm (I forget the town) is the oldest cathedral in the country. Very impressive.That would be Uppsala. They started building that cathedral in 1260, but it took 175 years until consecration. If one ends up in Uppsala, another place worth visiting is the The Linnaeus Museum. All-in-all, Uppsala is a really beautiful city well worth visiting and due to its proximity and good communications with Stockholm, easily accessible.
Duhh. I forgot to mention "Uppsala." Thanks, anguish.
LOL!! Now, to be fair here, I didn't mention anything about Pripp's or Kopparbergs. I love beer as much as anyone on the Planet, but this is a "pumping Iron" thing.
I should also add that although I by no means am a religious man (agnostic), Uppsala cathedral always moves me deeply in a way I can't rationally explain. Be it the work put into the building, centuries of prayers, its sheer size, the atmosphere, history, God or a combination of factors, I don't know nor care as long as I get to feel it. Luckily I have family in Uppsala, and thus ample opportunity to visit.
You must be an insomniac. It's got to be 2 in the morning in Sweden.
You must be an insomniac. It's got to be 2 in the morning in Sweden.3am, and I'm a computer engineer (10 litres of black coffee, 20 Cokes and maybe I can finish compiling this code before my wife wakes up and the weekend officially starts!)
whatsonwhen.com
put in the country or city and dates
I'm in Stockholm for the next two years... the history and culture are fascinating but there is definitely a big difference in "feel" between a capitalist country and a socialist one. Its a nice place to visit (as are all its neighbors) but I'm pretty sure I could only live in the USA permanently.
Firefox gave me a broken link for the picture, soooooo, at the end of the thread, I was forced to use Internet Explorer to view the obligatory picture. Impressive, but not enough to make me change my mind about the survey.
You are sooooooooooo correct!!! I moved back from living in Sweden for four years, and they were almost universally unfriendly and often downright rude. The food and weather were rotten, and everything was expensive as heck. I was climbing the walls to leave, and finally did so a few months ago.
I think this poll must have been taken by Swedes who never travel. Puh-leeze!
There were only several other countries to choose from. I have been to Russia, Turkey and China -- which were also choices. I can tell you the Russian people are humble (Swedes are not, just self-depreciating which is not humility) and Russians are very friendly and open. Chinese are fun (Swedes are not -- they won't even look at you rudely if you say hi to them walking by them on an open road -- they just stare ahead like "Borg". Turks? They like to talk and are open as well, although you always know you are an outsider as you aren't a Muslim.
The USA has the best of all worlds if you don't count the rude and materialistic people in Boston and New York.
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