tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post4681063324548318841..comments2023-11-10T23:55:11.147-06:00Comments on A Swedish American in Sweden: Hippie Parties in SwedenHairy Swedehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18041694218084956969noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-73114055077118614072014-08-31T07:35:21.549-05:002014-08-31T07:35:21.549-05:00Interesting to note the changes in the US where se...Interesting to note the changes in the US where several states have begun legalize marijuana in some way. <br /><br />Also, @anonymous, I'm sorry my pure existence makes you sick. I don't think I said that people shouldn't smoke weed. In fact, I have no problem with people smoking it. I just choose not to and don't like it. Hairy Swedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18041694218084956969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-32411815107116304322012-11-04T17:49:31.203-06:002012-11-04T17:49:31.203-06:00"Not having to deal with a bunch of stoned co..."Not having to deal with a bunch of stoned college kids" - how exactly you "have to" deal with stoned people? do they ever come up to you and harass you? just pure existence of you people make me sick. who the f@ck are you to judge others and say what's better for others? <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-15390129853007462652012-05-30T18:34:50.008-05:002012-05-30T18:34:50.008-05:00I'm an expat American living in Uppsala for al...I'm an expat American living in Uppsala for almost 2 years now and I have NEVER come across any weed whatsoever. :(<br /><br />What some of the others said here is true: Swedes seem to think pot is just as heroin, yet they all get wasted every weekend on Systembolaget booze. Damn I miss California!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-30958386235217743752011-05-03T02:14:13.212-05:002011-05-03T02:14:13.212-05:00But things are changing! More and more Swedish tee...But things are changing! More and more Swedish teenagers smoke marijuana and hashish! This is one of the things that prove how wrong it is to spend most of the budget on prevention instead of care. We have been looking at this strictly as a law problem and not as a public health problem.<br /><br />Statistics show that the attitudes among young swedes have changed and also Sweden has a bad track record when it comes to keeping addicts alive. Even though we still spend much more money on prevention and old fashioned methods like the twelve steps I think the changes in attitude and the high death toll shows that change is here. <br /><br />Today drug warriors are facing modern and enlightened listeners that question the reasons for moralizing!Svenhttp://www.cannabis.se/marijuananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-43347592003544211522010-10-11T13:13:46.173-05:002010-10-11T13:13:46.173-05:00well i'm swedish, and maybe i've just happ...well i'm swedish, and maybe i've just happened to be in certain circles, but weed has always been quite common around me. most people i know have at least tried it. then again i'm from down south. it's true that it's kept pretty secretive though.. it's not something you'd discuss with just anyone.Mayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08286568367873813267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-12649708049019549332010-02-10T14:39:01.192-06:002010-02-10T14:39:01.192-06:00it is horribly taboo. way too much if yu ask me. ...it is horribly taboo. way too much if yu ask me. but I think you're right, the attitude towards it probably makes the situation so much worse than it should be.Hairy Swedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18041694218084956969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-74499064801215497372010-02-03T21:41:27.769-06:002010-02-03T21:41:27.769-06:00I would say use of cannabis is much more common th...I would say use of cannabis is much more common than you think. Just go to any kiosk or tobacco store - they will have a wide range of rolling papers and probably blunts.<br /><br />Walking around Södermalm you see bongs and ashtrays painted with cannabis leafs. Around Medborgarplatsen you find a lot of paraphernalia. I think this has to say something. <br /><br />The thing is: it's very taboo. You don't talk about it, simply because people are afraid of getting caught. You can get some pretty harsh penalties for weed in Sweden. People generally only smoke with people they know.<br /><br />I think this however is starting to change, 20 years ago shops that sold "High Times" were busted by the police... Today I say that's unthinkable. Younger people are generally much more relaxed about it. Probably because they are more... let's say international.<br /><br />I don't use it much myself but I think that the Swedish way of dealing with cannabis actually destroy more for people than a few joints every now and then.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-4677808089219630192010-01-31T05:55:39.261-06:002010-01-31T05:55:39.261-06:00@STHLM - true, but it seems to only be popular in ...@STHLM - true, but it seems to only be popular in certain aprts of Stockholm, Stureplan of course being the first that comes to mind.<br /><br />@James - I can definitely buy our arguments about the choice of drugs here in Sweden. That marijuana is seen as a hardcore drug yet cocaine is used as a party drug by the fancy people on stureplan still blows my mind. <br /><br />But the use of alcohol over everything does suggest a certain working class lifestyle that sometimes seems so entrenched in the culture.Hairy Swedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18041694218084956969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-74098341645590041132010-01-28T07:48:45.116-06:002010-01-28T07:48:45.116-06:00@STHLM:
Depends who you're hanging out with ...@STHLM: <br /><br />Depends who you're hanging out with and what socio-economic situation they have. <br />I think it would be very entertaining to legalize cocaine and speed here just in order to see how the moral debates would be. Would they be like the weapons debates? "How dare we produce weapons and sell them to other countries when we've been neutral", etc. Likewise, how's cocaine use, or even legal cocaine work with Swedes's self-image: they're so clean and just up there on our moral high horse -- yet they use cocaine, which among recreational drugs, has one of the filthiest and morally corrupted routes on its way to Sweden.<br /><br />I also think it would be interesting to discuss why Swedes seem to prefer alcohol and stimulants over psychedelics. It should say a lot about their psychological make-up (working culture, uptightness, lack of interest in exploring inner-life, and their expectations for free time. Or so I think it does and I have plenty of hypotheses about it :DNotes from the Northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11198523688583880045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-57852209431251022972010-01-28T07:32:46.021-06:002010-01-28T07:32:46.021-06:00While marijuana is a bit uncommon cocaine is a pop...While marijuana is a bit uncommon cocaine is a popular party drug at least here in Stockholm.<br /><br />It's easily accessed and a lot more people then you'd think use it. :)STHLMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-69441186028107404732009-11-29T14:23:41.337-06:002009-11-29T14:23:41.337-06:00I think just about anyone coming here around colle...I think just about anyone coming here around college age tends to be shocked by the attitude towards drugs. maybe not a bad thing, but it is definitely different that the US.Hairy Swedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18041694218084956969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-65485606336858600792009-11-29T08:37:40.007-06:002009-11-29T08:37:40.007-06:00im always amazed at the lack of drug use as well. ...im always amazed at the lack of drug use as well. i was so suprised to hear that most of the people ive asked have not tried it. i myself have not tried it, but im not being a hypocrite.<br />i believe that less that 2 percent of people at the age of 20 in canada have NOT tried some sort of illegal drug, thats LESS THAN 2 PERCENT!!! where as in sweden, i have not read any kind of statistic, but it seems thats its probably over 60 percent.<br />im not sure. all i know is ive seem weed at almost every party ive ever been to in canada, and i have yet to see it here.<br />and whats really shocking is Sweden prudence shall we say about drug use. its a an actual taboo in this country! honestly, i dont mind it either, i prefer it this way as well. <br /><br />dont even get me started on potato chips!! i cant believe i havent seen a single Old-Dutch chips bag anywhere.. :*( their chips taste funny here. not as "fatty" as our Western ones! D:Gamma-rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12149803854567501954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-16400403403612872482009-09-09T16:12:23.277-05:002009-09-09T16:12:23.277-05:00oh I like it. your connection to systmet is a good...oh I like it. your connection to systmet is a good one and one that I think I agree with, state sanctioned drug use.<br /><br />and the chip scavengers... well Im usually following right behind and I dont even smoke. potato-goodness is hard to beat.Hairy Swedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18041694218084956969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-29877082303812532532009-09-07T07:11:47.683-05:002009-09-07T07:11:47.683-05:00I think it has to do with the way people who take ...I think it has to do with the way people who take drugs operate in Sweden.. considering it's very heavy focus on alcohol, almost to the point of silent nationalism what with the whole connection to the goverment run Systembolaget, if you end up doing anything but that you're seen as one of those kind of people who can't get their lives in line with those around you.<br /><br />And you can never have too many chips. I salute those scavengers of potato-goodness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-30644052287415263782009-06-06T09:38:59.813-05:002009-06-06T09:38:59.813-05:00@Croatian – The medicinal use of marijuana is one ...@Croatian – The medicinal use of marijuana is one of the arguments that comes up quite a bit in the US also. Especially in California.<br /><br />I think though, as you say, it really does come down to the different cultures.<br /><br />@Tony – glad you’ve enjoyed it! I would check out www.thelocal.se. They’ve got a discussion board, notice board, links to jobs and housing stuff. Probably your best bet for getting into the English speaking community.Hairy Swedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18041694218084956969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-85573015473741905312009-06-06T09:21:22.704-05:002009-06-06T09:21:22.704-05:00hi Mr.hairy!
thx for this glamorous blog first and...hi Mr.hairy!<br />thx for this glamorous blog first and second ,do you know any website to find out a room or shared apartment in Stockholm with English speakers,please!Tonynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-65155525249309477762009-06-04T16:05:19.022-05:002009-06-04T16:05:19.022-05:00I'm reading your blog while preparing to do so...I'm reading your blog while preparing to do some reports about Sweden and I find your observations very helpful (you'd know who I was cuz I contacted you by email). Just to add to this discussion. Croatian Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a war veteran is NOT GUILTY for cultivating small amount of marijuana for personale use! The Court concluded marijuana helped the veteran with symptoms of PTSP. Anyway, marijuana is commonly used among young people in Croatia (not saying that is good) although it's illegal here. Especially at the Adriatic Coast in the summer you can smell the smoke of marijuana at parties, beaches... Different cultures, different habbits!Croatian Reporternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-8784534049243047932009-06-04T14:30:37.178-05:002009-06-04T14:30:37.178-05:00I have written about the prostitution thing a few ...I have written about the prostitution thing a few times (http://welcometosweden.blogspot.com/2008/09/swedish-taxes-and-prostitution.html). I still struggle with it a bit.<br /><br />It almost seems counterproductive. As if it drives the sex buyers underground which just doesnt seem like a safe situation. And then theres the whole idea that a woman, for example, is allowed to sell sex then someone should be allowed to buy it. Since the woman is making a choice to sell sex then shouldn't the oppression be gone? <br /><br />Maybe everyone just needs to smoke some weed and chill out.Hairy Swedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18041694218084956969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-58163078776190119832009-06-04T13:46:36.253-05:002009-06-04T13:46:36.253-05:00@Hairy Swede (re: the morality thing is an interes...@Hairy Swede (re: the morality thing is an interesting issue. Kind of going back to that hard working protestant/lutheran background so many Swedes talk about. But then I have to ask about the prostitution thing. Because technically being a prostitute isn’t illegal. Its trying to pay for a prosititute that is. So is the morality that it is wrong to buy sex but not to sell it? Or is this a law that has taken on a more present day morality?)<br /><br />Prostitution is a highly moralized issue as well. But you've probably noticed that, if you haven't already written about it. It used to be illegal to sell sex in Sweden, but due to research and certain debates a reform went through (sexköpslagen; it was 1999 if I remember correctly). This is also a sticky moral issue -- you may have noticed how most Europeans think Swedes are extremely prudish about porn or prostitution (whether they are or not I'm not going to get into) -- yet the basic idea of sexköpslagen is that the women who prostitute themselves do so for structural reasons (i.e. oppression) and the men do it because they are oppressors. Check this out for more info on the ideology: http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/108/a/25123<br /><br />Regarding the chat in here about illegal drugs in Sweden, imagine if they were illegal to buy, yet legal to sell.Notes from the Northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11198523688583880045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-25334209789547558472009-06-04T13:18:19.810-05:002009-06-04T13:18:19.810-05:00@m8 - its true. we like the mellow.
@anonymous - ...@m8 - its true. we like the mellow.<br /><br />@anonymous - Ive got the same impression of Europe in general when it comes to marijuana. Whats interesting is the Danish thing. Which is technically part of Scandinavia. Maybe it just has something to do with being closer to mainland Europe.Hairy Swedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18041694218084956969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-51733639477053784952009-06-04T11:52:15.432-05:002009-06-04T11:52:15.432-05:00Sweden (the nordic countries in general?) has a lo...Sweden (the nordic countries in general?) has a low usage of marijuana. the interesting thing is that so many swedes think that marijuana is really hazardous to your health and that most countries smoke as little (or as well hidden) as swedes do. However, it's my experience that people toke up all over Europe (not sure about Eastern Europe though). Morrocan hasch in Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Southern France. Weed in the UK, the Netherlands, Northern France, Germany, Denmark and Switzerland (boy do the Swiss smoke).<br /><br />I guess Swedes are just quite sheltered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-42030591028692287702009-06-04T04:03:39.658-05:002009-06-04T04:03:39.658-05:00@anon - Why don't you get the hell off the sit...@anon - Why don't you get the hell off the site if you don't like it? You did ruin the mellow. We just don't do like that man.m8surfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-57664783113982876452009-06-04T00:49:39.145-05:002009-06-04T00:49:39.145-05:00@izi – thanks!
@Ann-Katrin – oh wow, that sounds ...@izi – thanks!<br /><br />@Ann-Katrin – oh wow, that sounds pretty intense. And people complaint that kids in the US sometimes get too much drug education that speaks of the evil that is marijuana.<br /><br />@An American Girl – well said.Hairy Swedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18041694218084956969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-18449436026505618512009-06-03T17:43:22.390-05:002009-06-03T17:43:22.390-05:00Anonymous, duuuuude... you're harshing the mel...Anonymous, duuuuude... you're harshing the mellow... ;0)An American Girlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1837418360328434663.post-72518044299075633012009-06-03T17:02:59.663-05:002009-06-03T17:02:59.663-05:00You should have been there in the 80-ies and early...You should have been there in the 80-ies and early 90-ies, we were all taught about the horrible effects. "Vi barn från Bahnhof zoo" - sorry, don't know the English title, it was a German film I believe, took place in Berlin I think - was shown at every(?) school etc. I have personally seen what can go wrong if one is one of few with some other issue that gets triggered by abuse, through a schoolfriend, but even if you didnt druggies would tour school and tell about their own personal hell. <br /><br />Personally I find it so nice not having to smell that sweet heavy smoke wherever I go. Even in US it depends where you are, California has gotten out of control lately. Even at the Marriott last year the smell was coming through the ventilation... In NYC as we speak, and here it seems to at least not be on the streets. Haven't felt any smell so far - and I've been here for some days...Ms Spiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12257252986498155541noreply@blogger.com