Actually, I do like winters in Sweden. Finally, after a few years of mediocre, rather warm winters, this year, in 2018, cool air and snowy clouds came and stayed for a little longer than usual. But now it’s already the middle of March and, watching out the window, there is a big snow storm going on.
I understand that a “good winter” is not only joyful snowballfights, relaxing walks in idyllic landscapes and warm coziness in cafés or at home on the sofa, but also icy roads, slippy pavements and ideal conditions for a flourishing flu.
What I don’t like about winter in Sweden
- It’s too long. I’d prefer a winter that’s only two to three months long. Say, December to the end of February. Then it should abruptly finish and the first of March should welcome Springtime with sun and snow melting 15°C.
In times of quickly developing Artificial Intelligence, I wonder, if future technologies can allow humans to control weather conditions. Who knows. However, I wouldn’t be surprised, if it was a Swede who invented a weather regulating app. - It’s too dark. To see the sun go down around 15.00 in December and go up around 08.30 (in the south of Sweden) is very annoying. In the late afternoon your body tells you, “got to bed now!” and in the mornings, “nooo, don’t wake up already, can’t you see it’s still dark outside?!”
Just a few months later, when ligth hours become more “energy beneficial”, it will start messing up your morning sleep by telling you around 04.00 to “get up and get going!” Very confusing. - Blue plastic bags on shoes. Once you have gotten the flu and want to see the doctor, you make an appointment at the vårdcentralen (helthcare center) to get an examination. A few meters in, in the entrance hall, you will likely find a bin with blue plastic bags which you are supposed to wrap around your wet, snow dripping shoes to avoid dirt and slippery surfaces inside the building. Makes sense. But walking in those bags makes you feel like you’re a virologist walking around in a contaminated area or some kind of clown that forgot to put on the rest of his costume. Plus, you won’t have to ring a bell at the desk to let the nurse know you’re there, your presence has already been announced by your blue shoe bag crackling sound.
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Apart from that, Sweden isn’t that bad during winter times. After writing this article above, I have to admit that – although I do love watching dancing snow flakes and the sound of walking through fresh snow – I am really looking forward to a warm spring now.
What are your experiences and impressions of the Swedish winter? Let me know in the comment section below or tweet me @hejsweden!
