There’s a lot at home in Sweden, that’s a lot, a lot ofbetter than here in Thailand. But there are also many things that Thailand does better than Sweden. In this list I have collected a number of things that I appreciate extra about this country compared to Sweden.
5 things that are better in Thailand than in Sweden
#1. Easy to split the bill
Are you going out for dinner with the whole group? It is no problem to request separate orders/invoices. It is the rule rather than the exception that we have to divide into family 1 And family 2 etc. So I’m SO tired of the sour and irritated sighs at home in Sweden when I ask to pay separately. It’s not, so to speak very nice to immediately split the bill when I go out for dinner with a bunch of friends who all drink a lot of alcohol – while I have ordered a few soft drinks. I prefer not to sponsor their drinks unless I have to.
#2. Elderly people are treated with respect
In Sweden, diapers are weighed in nursing homes, and in the name of fairness, the state would probably prefer to take back the family diaper. Yeah, well, I’m exaggerating – just a little, right? Age discrimination in Sweden is real. Old people are calculating, a burden. Thank you, I know, for the Thais’ respect for their elders.
#3. The warmth, friendliness and respect
Sweden is freezing for much of the year and, honestly, so are the people. I think our hard surface is partly due to the climate. It’s not easy to keep your spirits up when you’re freezing inside and out.
#4. The safety
I recently spoke to a Thai about the fact that I feel safe here on Koh Lanta. Not in traffic, it should be added, but in terms of the chance of being mugged and robbed. “You could leave a bag of millions of baht on the beach; they will be there when you come back”he said. Not once did I feel compelled to hold on to my bag tightly at the risk of it being stolen by a pickpocket. It’s actually quite unique – I feel much more insecure in Stockholm in that regard. The island mentality here on Koh Lanta is certainly different than in Bangkok, but I am actually not more afraid for my wallet there.
#5. Less excitement
I feel like all of Sweden – and for all intents and purposes the Western world in general – is obsessed with maximizing, streamlining or at least optimizing things. His life, his education, his health and his job. Coming out of that environment and instead entering a bubble where no one is in any particular hurry to maximize, streamline, or optimize takes both patience and reflection. This unheated mood would probably be good for more Swedes.
Feel free to fill in the comments with things you like more in Thailand than at home!
Here you can read about our previous long stays in Thailand. Cover photo: Lady Lodge, Koh Lanta. Author: Annika Myhre/Resfredag.se
#Thailand #Sweden #Travel #Friday