BUS SCHOOL (SCANDINAVIA, ETC. PART 2)

Here's what struck us most about Scandinavia:  People seem content.  

Now I know not every day is "happy dance day" anywhere in the world.  There are issues and problems and disagreements.  I'm trying not to turn a 2-week visit to Sweden, Denmark, and Norway into a visit to Utopia, but there are striking cultural/political differences between those social democratic countries and our republic right now.  Ours is struggling to hang onto democracy, mired in massive governmental corruption, has an ever growing income and wealth discrepancy leading to anger, resentment, all the 'isms', and a terrifying flirtation with fascist-leaning strongmen who promise they have all the answers, but really are just power-mad money grubbers.  

What I want to report is that it doesn't have to be like this.  And where it isn't, people get along and look out for each other.

Here are some things we learned "on the bus".  I took notes.  Truly.  I was so impressed with our excellent guide, Heidi from Denmark, as well as all the local guides who were part of our trip.  

(Insert Personal Testimonial: Rick Steves Europe Tours is known for the quality of its guides -- he pays them a living wage so there is no tipping and no trotting us off to souvenier shops where they get a kick back on sales.  They are well-educated on all aspects of the history and culture of their countries, and are open, friendly and well-organized.  This was our 5th trip and this was my favorite guide.  Also, one local guide said he loves Rick Steves groups because he can "tell the truth", meaning he can talk about political issues with honesty without worrying about offending a more conservative audience.  R.S. travelers do tend toward the liberal side in general.)

1)  TRUST AND CONSENSUS: The first stunning thing I learned in "Bus School" (Heidi's narrative while driving places), was that Scandinavia operates on a model of "trust and consensus".  Wait.  What did she say?  Yes, they highly value the ideal and practice of trust.  They assume people want what is best for each other.  They are surprised that someone would do something to hurt another deliberately.  When disagreements arise, they work to come to consensus so that everyone is heard and has a part in the final decision. This is true of personal relationships as well as in the political system.  

Let's contrast that with the rampant lack of trust in each other and our government in the US, where disagreements and differences are fought over with the intention that one side will "win" by whatever means -- cheating, threatening, and bullying allowed.  I have become so inured to this system that I was ridiculously incredulous that Scandinavia does it all so much more respectfully and humanely and people actually value this approach.  

2) HUMILITY: Here's a simple, but telling example.  We got off the plane in Stockholm airport and found the baggage claim area.  People gathered around the carousel waiting for the bags to arrive.  I am used to the push and shove approach where early comers get the prime location right in front of the baggage belt so they can lean in, get their bag first as it rolls past on the conveyor belt, blocking everyone behind them. Once spied, they reach in to grab the sometimes heavy and awkward suitcase, knocking another person out of the way, then make their way through the crowd with some aggression to leave the area and dash to their destination.

In Sweden, we all stood behind a yellow line around the carousel, which created a "lane" of emptiness where, when one saw their bag, they calmly stepped forward, took it from the carousel, and wheeled it unimpeded inside the yellow line in that empty lane, clearing the area for others behind them to do the same.  It was late at night when we arrived; I was really tired and sort of out of it.  I stood watching this most civilized and respectful scene with awe.  I really could hardly believe it.  

I learned at Bus School that another aspect of Scandinavian culture is that no one is thought "better" than anyone else and to boast, brag, or pull rank is not a done thing.  No one wants to "stand out" and be the focus of attention. It would be considered the height of rudeness and would be frowned upon and scorned a bit.  People are self-effacing and do not seek undue attention, feeling decidedly uncomfortable in the limelight.  Blending in is the norm.  So, at the carousel they all took turns.  Politely, patiently, without resentment.  Imagine.

3) SOCIAL COHESION AND SOCIAL WELFARE:  It is important in Scandinavia to work towards an egalitarian society.  Yes, these countries are capitalist.  The means of production are not in the the hands of the government.  But vast income inequality is not the goal.  A society where all can live comfortably is.  They work to ensure that polarizing forces do not take hold.  Famously this has meant that the Social Democrats have been elected most frequently.  These countries run on a Universal Welfare system.  This is not "welfare" like we think of it in the U.S. where some people need governmental assistance to survive.  This is welfare in the sense of "for the welfare of all".  

So what does this mean?  It means there is a "people first" philosophy where income is taxed at a very

high rate (39-52% depending on the country), which applies to everyone from low-wage earners to multi-millionaires.  This sounds terrifying and outrageous to us. Who would want to pay that much of their income in taxes?  In the U.S. it becomes a game of the wealthy, especially, to try to find enough loopholes in tax law to keep one's wealth from being taxed at a higher rate.  Middle and lower wage earners generally don't have these loopholes, so overall they pay a higher tax rate than let's say, billionaire Jeff Bezos.  In the U.S. everyone tries to keep as much of their wage as possible because every penny is needed to survive and thrive.  How will I pay for health care?  Education for my kids?  Childcare?  Elder care?   How can I take time off work when a new baby arrives?  Will I be able to take a vacation from the job, for a week or two?

Um.  Yes.  If you live in Scandinavia.  Because what you pay into the system in taxes helps fund all of those things for everyone.  Parents get 80% of salary during paid parental leave, some up to 18 months for each parent.  Childcare and Eldercare are highly subsidized, capped based on income to make it affordable for all.  Hospital stays are free and other health care heavily subsidized such that out of pocket co-pays are generally less than $250 annually. All education is free, even college, and in some cases a living stipend for an apartment is also offered.  Workers get 5-6 weeks paid vacation annually.  

How in the world can this system work?  Like this: Everyone is expected to work and pay into the system through taxes.  If one needs skills training, it is provided free of charge. Help is available for any aspect of job transfer; if you quit or get fired or are moving from temporary to permanent employment, you get help finding a new job.  If you have a language barrier (as in the case of recent immigrants) you get free language and culture lessons.  The system relies on people eager to contribute to it through their work, and the system rewards this work by providing  a universally applied "for the welfare of all" comfortable standard of living.  People there are delighted with the way this all works.  They seem to be truly happy and content.

So, do not be fooled by the rhetoric of the billionaire class in the U.S.  This is not communism, nor is it socialism; it is a capitalist social democratic/universal welfare system where all contribute fairly and all benefit equally.  What a concept!  

So much to learn, right?  Let's take a break and come back to Bus School later.  Time for recess!

At least that's the view from here...©

Photo Credit:  Hub.  He's our official photographer.  These are just some random choices of Sweden and Denmark, from the hundreds he took on our trip.  I should make a photo book. (I always intend to.) There are so many great ones.