In Sweden we are very equal. Both parents take care of the kids, both women and men do cook and we are of course fighting to get the some salary level as men. But it has some implications to the social life of men and women.
If you see a man standing with a door open in order to be polite, he isn't Swedish. Men do not hold up doors for women. There is a big difference when being abroad.
A smart advice: if you're heading for the movies, you can call up your date and ask her to book the tickets and pay for them online. You can always claim you have some problems with your broadband. That way you don't risk having to pay for her ticket.
If a Swedish man asks you out for date, don't expect him to pay. Even if he asks you out for a plain cup of coffee, you will have to pay for yourself. It's not about the money. A cup of coffee isn't expensive.
I tried to tell a man that he by not buying his date a cup of coffee he was clearly demonstrating that he wasn't generous. Not just when it comes to money.... I was trying to give him an advice for his future dating.
The answer was: I'm tired of paying for women. We are equal in this country and I'm very equal. How would I know if the woman only is interested in getting some free coffee?
I had no answer to that. I was glad I didn't spend more time or money on dating that guy. I could just imagine "it's your turn to turn off the lights","it's you turn to wash the car","it's your turn to send an SMS....
I've always made sure I pay for myself. It's just lately when I've been unemployed, it has occurred to me that Swedish men do not have any manners.
Or is it just because I've become middle aged? Shit, that's why....
By writing about things like this on my blog, nobody will dare to ask me out!
