Its Fall and it seems like the summers not completely ended. With days that are mostly damp to days that are sunny and bright, it seems like "a box of chocolate" definition by Forrest Gump, except that it holds good for the weather these days. A friend who is now based in Germany, doing his research at University of Tubingen, is now back for a fortnight and is reliving Uppsala.
Reaching Uppsala yesterday, the first thing that he pointed out is that its cold (9 celsius in the evening). It appreared that he has a mental list of things to do, namely, get a bagfull of the sour cola candy available at ICA. One thing he always points out with his head held high are the beer prices in Germany and that he always has a great big stock of brewskies, which are way better than the ones available here. Its not a mystery why alcohol regulation is state governed- to avoid legless mania in society. Whilst shopping today, he was very specific about the potato crisps he wanted to buy and that the crisps in Germany lacked variety. I wouldnt know as I havent been to Tyskland, yet. Yes, I am learning the Swedish names to countries while he leaks bits and bobs of the German language. We also had a revival of our student diet- baguette, butter, and brie with and bluberry squash.
Next thing on his mind looks like he wants to get together with the friends who are still in Uppsala, if they havent flown to their nests. Also, the nations. These are the last few days where one needs only a layer to have a seat outdoors on those lovely dark picnic benches and quench his thirst.
September 05, 2012
A "must share" blog
I dont know if I have made a mention of this particular trait of the Swedes that I most certainly admire in any of my previous blogs. It is not about them being reserved or extremely nice and plain. Not of their love for black clothing or being most patient or tolerant. No, its not about the way they wait for buses. Its about something which is in parts related to table manners.
Let me throw in a scenario- you are at a dinner party and for dessert the Swedish host brings in a Kladdkaka. A very sticky chocolate cake with a texture gradient within its radius. The name literally translates to "messy cake". This is my most favourite of all swedish desserts, not that I ve tried many of them, but this deserves the mantle. It is always savoured with fresh whipped cream by many. Now that you have a fair idea of how good this dish may be (for those who havent gotten a chance to try), you have to believe me when I say that its never enough. Not for someone like me with very high metabolism who had a whole cake for breakfast recently. Here comes the interesting part. In this scenario, there were just enough slices of that cake for all the guests (all Swedish, except for yourself) and one extra. That extra slice is lying there on the tray. You are waiting to see if anyone asks to have it. You are drooling, craving for it like a true chocoholic. You race towards the tray but other fellow chocoholics that you know of amongst the other guests dont seem to rush anywhere near it.
The reason is this- Swedes are taught to not take the last piece of anything on the table, no matter how much you like it. Its just a thing that you do, or dont do. I come from a culture where you gobble up most in your dessert bowl and race towards the remainder. This was fascinating. I asked some friends why they did that. Some of the answers were-
"Someone else may want it more"
"Swedes are more spiritually attainted than the rest"
"We just dont/cant do that!"
" You know we Swedes cant do that"
" Its a Swedish thing"
I asked a close friend of mine (a Swede) why he cant be a Maverick and break it. To which he said, " I ve figured out a way to beat that thing. If I really want that last piece, I halve it and leave with a piece". Smart, ingenious and genius! Very Swedish again! I dont blame it for when it comes down to Kladdkaka. Had it been the wild west, I d even get into a brawl over it.
Alright now, for those who hadnt figured it yet, sharing is caring. But, if you choose to unleash the devil in you for that last slice amongst a party of Swedes, you are forgiven. Moreover, its your duty to lap it up to avoid it from going waste. Be green, avoid food wastage!
Let me throw in a scenario- you are at a dinner party and for dessert the Swedish host brings in a Kladdkaka. A very sticky chocolate cake with a texture gradient within its radius. The name literally translates to "messy cake". This is my most favourite of all swedish desserts, not that I ve tried many of them, but this deserves the mantle. It is always savoured with fresh whipped cream by many. Now that you have a fair idea of how good this dish may be (for those who havent gotten a chance to try), you have to believe me when I say that its never enough. Not for someone like me with very high metabolism who had a whole cake for breakfast recently. Here comes the interesting part. In this scenario, there were just enough slices of that cake for all the guests (all Swedish, except for yourself) and one extra. That extra slice is lying there on the tray. You are waiting to see if anyone asks to have it. You are drooling, craving for it like a true chocoholic. You race towards the tray but other fellow chocoholics that you know of amongst the other guests dont seem to rush anywhere near it.
The reason is this- Swedes are taught to not take the last piece of anything on the table, no matter how much you like it. Its just a thing that you do, or dont do. I come from a culture where you gobble up most in your dessert bowl and race towards the remainder. This was fascinating. I asked some friends why they did that. Some of the answers were-
"Someone else may want it more"
"Swedes are more spiritually attainted than the rest"
"We just dont/cant do that!"
" You know we Swedes cant do that"
" Its a Swedish thing"
I asked a close friend of mine (a Swede) why he cant be a Maverick and break it. To which he said, " I ve figured out a way to beat that thing. If I really want that last piece, I halve it and leave with a piece". Smart, ingenious and genius! Very Swedish again! I dont blame it for when it comes down to Kladdkaka. Had it been the wild west, I d even get into a brawl over it.
Alright now, for those who hadnt figured it yet, sharing is caring. But, if you choose to unleash the devil in you for that last slice amongst a party of Swedes, you are forgiven. Moreover, its your duty to lap it up to avoid it from going waste. Be green, avoid food wastage!
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