How racist and xenophobic is Sweden?

Doesn't matter what race you are, if you're not from here you'll be treated like you're an alien.

Life is full of challenges and our dynamic globe is an absolute function of realism,concepts and associated behaviors.Hence,do have a positive attitude,work hard for your projected life endeavors and take relational and realistic risks.
However,it's not easy to relocate to another country be it Sweden or any other civilised society this is a basic fact,there's no place like home another simple fact...besides,if you finally settles down here in Sweden,get a job and flow with the system things gets much better.
Lastly,there's no place in the world that is racism free,but the question is the percentage(moderate,low,pronounced,systematic or hidden)this is the reality in our societal dynamism.

kbelial wrote:

I've heard some controversial things about Sweden - it's either praised as a very liberal/welcoming country OR as racist and xenophobic. There's one article from TheGuardian("Sweden - the country where racism is just a joke").

Frankly, I am not planning yet to immigrate there or even visit since I don't speak the language, it's far from my country etc. but I am just hoping to gather more information. Thanks in advance!

I'm sorry kbelial, but if you are not planning to visit Sweden or immigrate there then WHAT IS THE POINT of your posting this in the first place?

Clearly you must understand that you question is worded in such a way at to generate unnecessary controversy and arguments for the sake of arguing (something in the online world is called TROLLING). This is something that Expat-blog certainly does not need or encourage.

No matter where expats go in this world you're going to find some who have positive experiences and have good things to say, you'll also find those who have negative experiences and have bad things to say. Pitting both those groups against each other serves no useful purpose. It only serves to raise temperatures and anger levels.

Regards,
James       
Expat-blog Experts Team

@James: Thanks for the reply and...the other two posters above.

Sorry if my question came off as "trolling" but it's not trolling. My only motivation is that since I know a lot about other parts of western europe I wanted to increase my knowledge of Sweden since at the moment all I know is (ABBA, Ikea and Stockholm). Compared to say my knowledge of France, I know way more about France, Spain and other parts of europe.

I also asked about such issues since those are the type of things you can't read in Wikipedia. From wikipedia I can read about HDI, currency, GDP, official religion...etc but now how people there "view things in general".

It's just natural curiosity. I also don't think my post has no basis whatsoever...consider this article from "The Guardian" which I accidentally discovered:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre … orm-sweden
It is an article from one of the most popular English newspaper. I don't see how free speech will be considered trolling, nor do I consider my post a 'hate speech' (even if it was it will not be trolling).

Besides: No country is perfect....I am sure there are tons of positive things about Sweden...

kbelial wrote:

I've heard some controversial things about Sweden - it's either praised as a very liberal/welcoming country OR as racist and xenophobic. There's one article from TheGuardian("Sweden - the country where racism is just a joke").

Frankly, I am not planning yet to immigrate there or even visit since I don't speak the language, it's far from my country etc. but I am just hoping to gather more information. Thanks in advance!

I visited Sweden for the first time three months ago (March) and it was FANTASTIC !

When I arrived there I got a strange feeling like I found my PROMISE LAND.

I don't look swedish at all but I didn't hear a single racist comment about me like go home or the like.

If you dress well and follow the rules no one is going to bother you.

I applied for a Residence Permit because I definately want to live in Sweden 

kbelial wrote:

It's just natural curiosity. I also don't think my post has no basis whatsoever...consider this article from "The Guardian" which I accidentally discovered:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre … rm-sweden.

I think you're making the classic mistake of thinking newspapers tell the truth, rather than printing a load of old crap that the unwashed masses will soak up and believe, all in order to sell their daft rags.

I did a paper round when I was 11, an education.

I found out Vanya Seager had very nice breasts, but that's all anyone was going to learn from the Sun...or the Mirror
I moved on the the Daily Mail, Guardian and the times, realising only the Times was a newspaper, the others being a load of toilet paper, preprinted with what goes on toilet paper as it's used.

They need advertising.
The way to get advertising is circulation figures
They get that by printing stories people want to read, not actual news...or even the truth.

Agree with you. Am married to a Swedish guy and start a life here is not easy as back home but oi take it positive, follow the rule.  I can say take it or leave it. Your not happy well its your choice no one to blame.

kbelial wrote:

It's just natural curiosity. I also don't think my post has no basis whatsoever...consider this article from "The Guardian" which I accidentally discovered:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre … orm-sweden
It is an article from one of the most popular English newspaper.

The only thing I get from that article is that the guardian probably isn't worth reading.
The basics of the story is correct. There was an art exhibit, and she ate the cake. The Swedish scandal press also made up sensationalistic articles about it. 
However its interpreted in the worst possible way.
The artist that made the cake, of African descent no less, says it was taken out of context and misunderstood.
On the other hand, a political figure perhaps should have given some thought about how it "might" be interpreted.

Over all most Swedes (especially the young) don't really care where you're from.

But all is not perfect here.
I have found (as a swede) that even though most swedes proclaim that everyone has equal worth, many do have an instinctive distrust to the unknown. Many also lack a good understanding of poverty and the problems an immigrant can experience. We have a trust in the system and a belief that nobody have to be homeless and starve. That you just have to ask for help. This off course has lately been shown not to be totally true, but it still lingers on. 
For example beggars used to be a very rare thing to see, but the last few years we have had an big influx of beggars from the poorer countries in Europe, something we as a society simply lack the experience to deal with.

And last, there is a somewhat large part of the elderly population that does have or have had racist tendencies, remember that eugenics had a firm footing in Sweden before the World War 2.
Most of them grew up without ever having seen a person of coloured skin i.e. the fear of the unknown.

I been here for a year now in Sweden.  Am very open and curious about the way people look to us with different skin,. I see many eyes of discriminating, feeling lost on my first 7 month.  I adjust myself,  try to think positive meet some great friends who look positive living in Sweden.. I felt some Swedish are racist at themselves.. Equality is now far beyond Swedish now a days is second priority of the government. Many older people have not given the great previlage as the new comers is.  I remember a News last year that an old lady would like to have her tooth fixed buy they couldnt coz she doesn't have enough money while others got full free medical care.

Actually, they are not racist Theyre really open about other immigrants, thats why some immigrants are taking advantage of their system....research is much more accurate than what youve just heard....

Racism is growing throughout Europe. I won't be surprised if it's the case in Sweden too.

kbelial wrote:

I've heard some controversial things about Sweden - it's either praised as a very liberal/welcoming country OR as racist and xenophobic. There's one article from TheGuardian("Sweden - the country where racism is just a joke").

Frankly, I am not planning yet to immigrate there or even visit since I don't speak the language, it's far from my country etc. but I am just hoping to gather more information. Thanks in advance!

Not sure if this is an instigating troll post, which i suspect, so I reply quickly:
From a Gothenburg point of view, Sweden has very little racism compared to other countries I have experience from. On the countryside there is some hillbilly-racism as there always is. Someone said you are treated like an alien - I do not agree, at all, people are generally very helpful, probably even more so towards foreigners than to locals, Swedish culture takes pride in helping eachother (socialism) and it really tells.

It's like everywhere. If you respect rules and the way of life, learn Swedish and work, you'll be considered as a Swedish

Racism there is, though it's not necessarily intentional. Swedes rely too much on the system, so they're lack of real life experiences as a common ground to understand anyone outside Scandinavian countries. It also follows that Swedes could easily buy into what medium say about other countries, so don't be surprised if some Swedes come up to you trying to teach you a lesson about human rights and stuff, just because you're from certain countries. And all these stereotypical illusions and generalizations make them quite judgmental and biased, to put it mildly.

I am leaving this country for good. Yiiiippppiiiiiii!!!!!!

Sorry, I could not express myself in any other way.
I agree with Jenna.

My dear

Racism is a nasty element that impacts all countries. I have to wonder your motivation for your question.

It is considered bad form to be a racist in Sweden, though there are folks who still are. Like many countries, racist tend to keep their racist views covert ***.

Well said Frollo