“This Is Blowing People’s Minds”: Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won’t Feed You In Their Home

Sweden is a unique country. Famous for its incredibly long summer days, mass output of pop music and high standard of living, the nation is usually seen in a positive light online. Recently, it’s made the news for introducing “sexy trashcans” and applying to join NATO. However, about 3 weeks ago, the internet was abuzz after someone shared on Reddit that when they would visit their Swedish friend’s house as a kid, they would have to wait in the friend’s bedroom while the Swedish family ate any meals. The guest was never even offered food. The internet went wild discussing how bizarre they found this behavior, and some Swedes confirmed that their childhood experiences were similar. Bored Panda even published a piece last week featuring reactions to this Swedish quirk that you can read right here.

To help get to the bottom of this cultural phenomenon, Twitter User Wally Sierk posted a thread two weeks ago explaining why some countries are less likely to feed their guests than others. Below, you can read Wally’s explanation, as well as some of the responses it has received. Then we’d love to hear in the comments how you feel about all of this; is it common in your country to feed guests? Or do you follow the Swedish model of “please, wait in the bedroom until we’re finished”?

After the internet went crazy about Swedes not feeding their kids’ guests, one amateur historian and sociologist took to Twitter to explain why some countries are less likely to offer their guests food

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

He explained that it can be traced back to the Protestant church attempting to minimize societal conflicts by making sure nobody owed anyone anything, so people cut down on hospitality

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: WallySierk

It’s interesting to learn that in some countries, giving others less was a solution to violence in society. Each culture has its own quirks, and apparently Scandinavia is not known for being particularly hospitable or friendly. According to InterNation’s 2017 Expat Survey, when it comes to the places where it’s easiest for expats to find friends, out of 65 countries, Norway, Denmark and Sweden all came in at the very bottom of the list. Finland didn’t do much better either, at the 57th slot. In terms of friendliness in the same 65 nations, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark all ranked in the bottom 16 spots as well. Similarly, all of these countries fell in the bottom 20 spots when ranking places where expats feel most welcome.

On the contrary, Portugal was ranked the number one country where expats feel welcome, with Spain close behind at number six. Both of these countries were listed as places guests will “almost always” be given food on the map shared by Wally Sierk on Twitter. Portugal was also the number one “friendliest” nation for expats, while Spain was the seventeenth friendliest. And when it comes to where you can find friends, Portugal was the twelfth best country, according to expats.

Learning about different cultures is always important, so we have a better understanding of one another and avoid passing judgment. Many people on Twitter seemed appalled by the idea of not feeding a child’s guest, but if that’s the culture, who are we to judge? Some things will always be hard for foreigners to understand, but I’m glad Wally took the time to explain the interesting history of minimal hospitality among some northern European countries. So if your child has a Swedish friend who invited them over for a play date, there’s no need to be scared. (Maybe pack them some snacks though, just in case!)

Some readers responded with their own potential explanations, while others shared personal experiences of being fed (or not fed) as a guest

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: DaSmoothBrain

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: DanielHeithorn

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: call_me_kenneth

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: PaisaPoints

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: mor10

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: nasserrabbat

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: AnnaGulper

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: IsabelleBrez

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: savehansson

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: FrappuccinoSlim

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: theyoungjoo

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: Isa_sketches

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: MythicMeebo

"This Is Blowing People’s Minds": Amateur Historian Explains Why Some European Countries Probably Won't Feed You In Their Home

Image credits: ChasMacMedia

Howdy, I'm Adelaide! I'm originally from Texas, but after graduating from university with an acting degree, I relocated to sunny Los Angeles for a while. I then got a serious bite from the travel bug and found myself moving to Sweden and England before settling in Lithuania about two years ago. I'm passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and eating delicious food. But as you can see, I cover a wide range of topics including drama, internet trends and hilarious memes. I can easily be won over with a Seinfeld reference, vegan pastry or glass of fresh cold brew. And during my free time, I can usually be seen strolling through a park, playing tennis or baking something tasty.

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I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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What do you think ?

POST

Anna M. G. Novák Vanclová 2 years ago (edited)

Sorry but the temperature theories under the original thread are so eurocentric and stupid. Do these people realize the map extends further east (not to mention there are also other continents)? And I guarantee you that various siberian nations, Mongolians, people from cold mountainous parts of central Asia etc. would all be very hospitable and feed you a lot if you showed up at their doors. And if you really want to bring temperature to this "sociology of hospitability", maybe consider this: where is a traveller more likely to starve and die of exposure if locals don't take good care of them, in Siberia or in the Mediterranean?

32points

Lara M 2 years ago

Yeah, Russians take the obligation of hospitality very seriously - and Russia is as cold as any of the Scandinavian countries. You will get food pushed on you if you're a guest in a Russian's home.

14points

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Ricardo Teodoso 2 years ago

You don't need to bring other continents yo the mix, just look at Scotland, Ireland and Baltics, for example. Those places are also cold, (Ireland and Scotland are further North than England) yet those countries/regions were not dominated by Protestants, and look at it, they offer food.

2points

Leo Domitrix 2 years ago

Agreed. Hospitality isn't about temperatures/climates. It's about *people*. And you better believe you'll get fed in Slavic nations. Also in most American homes, Canadian, Mexican, etc etc...

2points

nono notme 2 years ago

The history aspect is b******t too. Lumping the Netherlands in with the Nordic viking countries is also a stretch. Not to mention that in many of these countries it's actually still quite normal to get food as a guest, it's just more standard to play out during the day and then go back home for dinner. Often this has more to do with the parents saying "be home before dinner." Than with any cultural or historical ties. Not to mention small NL is the 2nd largest food exporter of the world after the US. We are really really not short on food...

0points

Jiminy 2 years ago (edited)

German here: In my childhood it was absolutely common to eat your midday meal at friends' houses if you went there after school or on the weekends, and there were almost always cookies, cake, chocolate or ice-cream in the afternoon. It was not common to eat the evening meal though, you mostly got home before that. I get the feeling with my child that it's still this way today. So I am a bit torn with the generalization.

26points

h to da izzle 2 years ago

same here, always were asked to join for dinner if i was at a friends house.

7points

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jimmy pop 2 years ago

My first thought. Grew up in southern Germany, it wasn't unlikely at all to be fed as a guest while they had their meal. Dinner or otherwise, if you were around, you'd get something, too.

3points

farbenzirkel 2 years ago

Childhood in Northern Germany and Berlin - in both areas it was common to eat with the family when you visited and it was time for lunch/dinner. Sometimes it went a step further that the mother stuck her head in the door and asked if you and your friend were hungry and might have something to eat.

1point

Bayou Billy 2 years ago

Childhood in Canada... Same here. This is just one person inventing stuff for clicks... Zero causation or correlation. Fail post.

0points

LaLaMama 2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

-1point

kath morgan 2 years ago

Uk: it’s not that we won’t feed you, it’s that we want to be able to plan for it. You can stay for dinner just let me know beforehand or there won’t be any food in.

13points

Pat Bond 2 years ago

My lived experience tells me for England, it's "usually yes" for food and Ireland is "almost always"

3points

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POST

Anna M. G. Novák Vanclová 2 years ago (edited)

32points

Lara M 2 years ago

Yeah, Russians take the obligation of hospitality very seriously - and Russia is as cold as any of the Scandinavian countries. You will get food pushed on you if you're a guest in a Russian's home.

14points

Load More Replies...

Ricardo Teodoso 2 years ago

2points

Leo Domitrix 2 years ago

Agreed. Hospitality isn't about temperatures/climates. It's about *people*. And you better believe you'll get fed in Slavic nations. Also in most American homes, Canadian, Mexican, etc etc...

2points

nono notme 2 years ago

0points

Jiminy 2 years ago (edited)

26points

h to da izzle 2 years ago

same here, always were asked to join for dinner if i was at a friends house.

7points

Load More Replies...

jimmy pop 2 years ago

My first thought. Grew up in southern Germany, it wasn't unlikely at all to be fed as a guest while they had their meal. Dinner or otherwise, if you were around, you'd get something, too.

3points

farbenzirkel 2 years ago

1point

Bayou Billy 2 years ago

Childhood in Canada... Same here. This is just one person inventing stuff for clicks... Zero causation or correlation. Fail post.

0points

LaLaMama 2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

-1point

kath morgan 2 years ago

Uk: it’s not that we won’t feed you, it’s that we want to be able to plan for it. You can stay for dinner just let me know beforehand or there won’t be any food in.

13points