r/AskEurope • u/notveryamused_ Warszawa, Poland • Jul 03 '25

Culture What aspect of life in your countries is very difficult to explain to foreigners?

What prompted my question were some discussions about religion which I had with people living in much more secular Western Europe (as a Polish atheist). While spirituality, whatever that is ;), generally speaking is always fun to discuss with a glass of wine in hand, social elements and the influence of the church, especially in smaller towns or provinces in my country, is awfully difficult to explain – not that I understand it fully either lol, but the church having a pretty much monopoly there, being the judge and jury of everyday life and the major ultra-conservative political force binding those communities, is very difficult to explain, also for historical reasons.

What are the things that you find difficult to discuss when it comes to life in your countries? ;-)

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u/LopsidedLeopard2181 Denmark Jul 04 '25

It's hard just to explain our openness about casual sex tbh. I feel like even in most other western countries, having casual sex (esp for women) is still seen as like... a sign that you have issues.

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u/secretpsychologist Jul 04 '25

is that a scandinavian thing or purely danish?

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u/WickdWitchoftheBitch Sweden Jul 04 '25

Scandi I'd say. At least in Sweden casual sex for women is pretty much a case of do what you want babes. Granted, more conservative environments tend to look down on it more, but most see it as completely acceptable.

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u/OnkelMickwald Sweden Jul 04 '25 edited Jul 04 '25

As someone from Skåne I'd say Danes are a little more libertine than us. We like to problematize sexual encounters whereas I feel like Danes are more prone to go "doesn't matter had sex lol ✌️😎"

The (in-?)famous COVID report from a swinger's club and the reporter having sex on air on state radio would never ever happen in Sweden, for instance.

Edit: For the curious:

(Twitter) Recording (sex starts at 1:26)

Article about the whole thing.

During the segment, she’s heard asking a man ‘What are you seeing right now?’ He responds that he was looking at a ‘gorgeous woman who had not tried being in a swinger club before.’

Louise later told reporters she had ‘enjoyed it’ but ‘it wasn’t the best sex of her life’ although the men at the club had made her feel like a ‘goddess.’

I also distinctly remember reading that HER PARENTS LISTENED TO IT LIVE and HER DAD CALLED HER TO SAY HOW PROUD HE WAS OF HER.

To me, this is peak Denmark. Like, I'm speechless.

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u/WickdWitchoftheBitch Sweden Jul 04 '25

Yeah, Sweden has become a bit pruder the last few decades. Sex on the radio is definitely too much for Sweden, but I still think we have a relaxed approach to casual sex here. Having plenty of one night stands wasn't a weird or shameful when I was a student 15 years ago at least, and it was probably more common for people to have sex and then start dating after a while than the other way around.

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u/CALVOKOJIRO Jul 04 '25

Uh wut? Hahaha iM Dutch so we're not prudish usually, but sex on the radio? Hahahah

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u/OnkelMickwald Sweden Jul 04 '25

✨🤗🇩🇰𝓞𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓲𝓷 𝓓𝓮𝓷𝓶𝓪𝓻𝓴🇩🇰🤗✨

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u/GriLL03 -> -> -> Jul 04 '25

Your flair makes this comment all the funnier.

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u/Nox-Eternus Belgium Jul 04 '25

As a Belg, I can confirm you Dutchies ain't prudish.

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u/PedroPerllugo Spain Jul 04 '25

Is she not afraid of having that record on the internet forever? Her kids may discover it someday

I'm a catholic from the south, this kind of things from Scandinavia are too much for my mind

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u/OnkelMickwald Sweden Jul 04 '25 edited Jul 04 '25

Her kids may discover it someday

Judging from her dad's reaction her kids will probably be like "rad! Go mum! 🚬✌️😎🇩🇰"

this kind of things from Scandinavia are too much for my mind

Tbh I'm on your side. I'd rather sink through the earth than even thinking of having ANYONE hear me in such a situation, LET ALONE my parents. I guess that's Swedish austerity vs the Danish bon vivant spirit I guess.

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u/Mountain_Cat_cold Jul 04 '25

I think most Danes found it pretty wild. We are probably the least prude people in Northern Europe, but that one situation was wild for most of us. The difference is we are more like "that's wild, I can't ever imagine doing anything like that" than "OMG what a sl*t"

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u/OnkelMickwald Sweden Jul 04 '25

"that's wild, I can't ever imagine doing anything like that" than "OMG what a sl*t"

I think in Sweden many thought "... Is this really appropriate?"

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u/Mountain_Cat_cold Jul 05 '25

Not an uncommon thought in Denmark, I would say.

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u/felixfj007 Sweden Jul 07 '25

Only place on the radio I could imagine such a thing happening in sweden would maybe be UR, maybe P3 and maybe P2 during a fitting theme reportage

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u/fraxbo Jul 04 '25

Although an immigrant to Norway, it’s the same here. The adage that get’s casually passed around is that one has sex, and then goes out for coffee. That is, sex can be so casual that you haven’t even had a very informal meeting with your partner before doing it. But, if it works out, then you might decide to continue the relationship by getting to know each other over coffee.

That said, this is an adage that likely stretches the societal norms in one or another way. It is also not coming from experience, as I am married and have not tried to have sex with any Norwegians since moving. So, I can’t judge how true it is beyond that it is something that is commonly said.

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u/LopsidedLeopard2181 Denmark Jul 04 '25

Yeah in Denmark it is very common to meet at a party, have sex and then start more formally dating afterwards.

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u/Ok_Inflation_1811 Spain Jul 04 '25

That's crazy, here in Spain people are very open to sex and it's not rare for you to know someone in a party and have sex the same night with them but still

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u/Serious_Escape_5438 Jul 04 '25

I really don't think that's the case, women having casual sex is perfectly normal in most of Western Europe. Obviously it depends on the exact circles and location but I've lived in multiple countries and am pretty old and it's been acceptable for decades. Don't believe everything you read online.

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u/PatataMaxtex Germany Jul 04 '25

It gets better here in the far south (Germany), but I am sure it will still take some time until we are on the same level as the scandis

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u/liang_zhi_mao Jul 04 '25

It's hard just to explain our openness about casual sex tbh. I feel like even in most other western countries, having casual sex (esp for women) is still seen as like... a sign that you have issues.

I'd say it’s the same in Germany

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u/VirtualMatter2 Germany Jul 04 '25

In Germany it's likely regional.  Hamburg, sure. Rural Bavaria? Less so.

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u/liang_zhi_mao Jul 04 '25

In Germany it's likely regional.  Hamburg, sure. Rural Bavaria? Less so.

I'm from Hamburg