'You're not to think you're anything special': Why Swedes hate standing out
www.bbc.com
Swedes prize equality, dislike boasting and often prefer to blend in. The century-old idea of Jantelagen helps explain why – and offers visitors a key to decoding Swedish culture.

The century-old idea of Jantelagen helps explain why Scandinavian cultures prize equality and egalitarian behavior. Building a culture that prizes social welfare, a degree of conformity, and introduces a negative pressure not to distinguish yourself too much from the crowd. There’s another interesting article on it here: https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/what-is-janteloven-the-law-of-jante/

  • anistorian@lemmy.worldEnglish
    10·
    7 days ago

    Yeah, no Janteloven is absolutely toxic and should not stand as an example of anything. It was written as a commentary on social control and backwardsness in Denmark in the early 20th century. The commandments are as follows (with my own translation of meaning, not words):

    “Du skal ikke tro, du er noget.”

    • Don’t you believe in yourself

    “Du skal ikke tro, at du er lige så meget som os.”

    • Don’t you believe you are as good as us

    “Du skal ikke tro, at du er klogere end os.”

    • Don’t you believe you are as smart as us

    “Du skal ikke bilde dig ind, at du er bedre end os.”

    • Don’t you tell yourself you’re better than us

    “Du skal ikke tro, at du ved mere end os.”

    • Don’t you believe you know more than us

    “Du skal ikke tro, at du er mere end os.”

    • Don’t you believe you are more than us

    “Du skal ikke tro, at du dur til noget.”

    • Don’t you believe you are good at anything

    “Du skal ikke le ad os.”

    • Don’t you laugh at us

    “Du skal ikke tro, at nogen bryder sig om dig.”

    • Don’t you think anyone likes you

    “Du skal ikke tro, at du kan lære os noget.”

    • Don’t you believe you can teach us anything