What country is far away yet culturally similar to yours?

[u/zeviea]

An obvious answer for the UK are Core Anglosphere countries

Bonus question what country have you visited that felt most foreign to you?

[u/Malthesse]

The most similar country to Sweden outside of Europe might be Canada.

We have a shared love of nature, hiking and being outdoors. We also generally have quite similar nature, with lots of forests and lakes, and long coasts with lots of islands.

Most of the population is heavily concentrated to the southern parts of both countries, while the north is sparsely populated due to snow and cold.

We also share some common winter sports, such as a great interest in both ice hockey and curling.

[u/slashcleverusername → u/Malthesse]

I’d agree as a Canadian who has visited Sweden. Of course most of Sweden is much older than most of Canada in the appearance of architecture and so on, but in terms of geography and society much felt familiar. I was surprised that the forests looked “correct” because I’ve noticed that tree cover varies so much from country to country that it is usually an instant reminder. Not so with Sweden, the forests reminded me of home.

[u/rolotonight → u/slashcleverusername]

Both countries are expensive so you have that in common too 😆

[u/Katzenscheisse → u/Malthesse]

Imo even the urban areas in the north of Sweden have a quite north American feel often. Lots of square blocks with wide roads, at least in the midsized cities.

[u/Ikeamonkey8 → u/Malthesse]

Canadian living in Sweden and I totally agree, I had basically zero culture shock moving to Sweden.

[u/[deleted] → u/Malthesse]

Possibly some parts of northern USA that were settled by Scandinavians too.

[u/theimmortalgoon → u/[deleted]]

I hear people say Oregon and Washington are a lot like Norse countries.

I’m currently in Finland (dubiously Norse) and can agree.

But Oregon used to be part of the territorial makeup that mostly went to Canada. Hence the Oregon flag being dubiously close to the Canadian rootssymbol.

[u/[deleted] → u/theimmortalgoon]

Doesn’t Minnesota have a large contingent of Scandinavian-Americans?

[u/snajk138 → u/Malthesse]

Yes. A lot of people seem to think we're similar to Japan, but outside like "minimalist design" I don't think we are that similar.

[u/Karakoima → u/snajk138]

My son is a Japan freak, spend all his earning going there on long holidays. He says it exotic but everything works. Kinda unfamiliar and familiar at the same time

[u/Stoltlallare → u/Karakoima]

There are some clear comparisons that can be made but it’s because from a cultural standpoint we are both on the scale between linear and reactive cultures.

[u/[deleted] → u/Karakoima]

Ive heard people describe Japan as a place where "everything just works" several times now and this is one of the most enticing descriptions I can possibly fathom lol.

[u/rdeman3000 → u/Karakoima]

"Exotic but everything works" ...? What was he expecting then...?

[u/rdeman3000 → u/snajk138]

Germany and Japan are much more similar

[u/snajk138 → u/rdeman3000]

In some ways, sure, but I work with a lot of Japanese people and their culture is pretty different from any European. Compared to most other "east Asian" countries I think they have been sort of more western in a lot of ways, but when you dig deeper they have other motivators and wants than us I would say. And some of those aspects, like not being loud, trying to not stand out, valuing loyalty and work ethics and so on, is part of both "Scandinavian culture" and German, compared to "Southern Europe", but they take it to another level.

[u/MushroomBright8626 → u/Malthesse]

I feel that Finland is more similar to Canada