A
female
age
30-35,
*ofialoren
writes:My boyfriend is Swedish and I'm English.He thinks England is backward and old. He liked some parts of it but generally I got the feeling that he was disappointed.It annoys me because he keeps yapping on and on about Sweden and how amazing everything is in Sweden and blah blah blah..I love my country and hate it when he keeps putting it down. I feel like nothing I have is good enough- my uni looks **** to him, the accommodation is crap, apparently Swedish houses are better than my uni accommodation (well......what do I say) and so on. The roads are ****, the water is not good.I'm inclined to end this because all I hear is how amazing Sweden is and how **** the UK is :( :( :(Help !The irony is that he loves British things like films, and he'll try and do the accent in vain. haha Reply to this Question
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female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (22 October 2010):
 Maybe he is not actually putting down your country- it would surprise me, because - wide generalization of course - Swedish people neither are prone to bragging nor are fiercely patriotic- moreover, they are "politically correct " . He is just comparing SOME things, in which Sweden notoriously has reached standard of absolute excellence. And before the British contingent cusses me out , I LOVE England. I totally love it.
But, as a third party observer that knows both places, well, yes ,SOME things are objectively better in Sweden, like student housing,in and out of campus. Hospitals. Public transportation. Maintenance of public parks.
But- who cares ? England is the place who gave to the world Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, the Preraphaelites painters, the Beatles, afternoon tea , Mary Quant, David Beckham and Hugh Grant :). And you guys have London ! I mean : LONDON . A place where probably half of the world would love to move if they could. While, not many people migrates to Stockholm ( which is a beatiful city too, btw...but just somehow, does not cut it ).
So, just ignore him. Be tolerant if you can, and let him take pride in his country's very commmendable accomplishments... you've got so much over there in England, that you can afford to be generous !
A
female
reader, TasteofIndia  +, writes (22 October 2010):
 Ugh, I'm from the East coast and my fella is from the West coast. He refers to them as the "Least coast" and the "Best coast". It drives me bananas!! But, his hometown pride stops there. Your boyfriend is taking it way too far! He's just being a JERK! Maybe you should tell him how unattractive it is. Good luck, sweet.
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A
male
reader, CaringGuy +, writes (22 October 2010):
Tell him to sod off back to Sweden.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (22 October 2010): u cant even buy alcohol whenever/whereever u want in sweden !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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A
female
reader, LadyCorsair +, writes (22 October 2010):
 Flynn you're awesome lol. So I'm guessing he's living in England at the mo, and benefiting either from our benefits or education system in some way? If Swedens so fracking great, why is he here in England?
There's nothing wrong with a few jokes, my ex lives in America and always used to tease me about how they kicked our asses etc but it was all in fun. He loved England when he visited. So the point is, if it's bothering you, tell him to cut it out. If he doesnt, find yourself a nice Brit!
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A
female
reader, glassblower +, writes (22 October 2010):
 I live in America, but I've been to both the UK and Sweden and enjoyed my stays there. They are both lovely countries, just very different. Perhaps he misses his home country, perhaps he has an inferiority complex. I suggest politely hinting that you don't appreciate his comments. If he ignores your attempt to gracefully avoid conflict, by all means speak your mind. Best of luck and have fun in the UK! xoxo glassblower
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A
female
reader, xanthic +, writes (22 October 2010):
 Tell him if he won't shut up, you're going to break up with him. Some people just like to complain because they have nothing better to talk about, and it definitely sounds like he's that type. There's no reason for him to be so obnoxious and look down so severely on where you come from, it's as if he's saying he looks down upon you as well, even if that's not how he feels.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (22 October 2010): Just tell him to stop being so effing annoying. His race is SO great that they molly-coddle murderers and can't fight wars to save their lives.
I mean have you seen the stupid little knives they carry? Ooooh. Back off, he's got some tweezers.
I hate patriotism in any form. No place in the world is 'the best' it's just different.
Flynn 24
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