Hey I was wondering. I have read about this Jante Law(sp) you have as well as other countries. I thought that had to do with censorship. I was curious if it affects the mysic you listen to and the effect it has oin bands. I know EG had a lot of negative context toward religion, but i also know the dvd is #1 over there. I guess im just an ignorant American but ive tried to look the Jante Law up. Can someone explain it to me???? Thanks Stay grey!!!!
Question for the Sweeds
- Thread starter AxemanAK
- Start date
"Jantelagen" is not particularly Swedish, as you already pointed out. It's just the Swedes that like to think so, or they basically don't know that others have it as well, and because there's a name for it in Swedish.
It's pretty much about "don't think you're better than anyone else (cuz I know you suck, or I can do it better, or I'm jealous my balls off)" typish. It's pretty common in many places, but people would just express it different, or use other terms for the same feelings or disrespect towards the object. Not Americans though, over there everybody basically go "awesome, cool" and so on about anything related to success. If there actually is a "jante law" behind the back of people, I wouldnt know about it.
Regarding censorship I dont really know what you aiming at, cuz in Sweden you can say what you want, watch porno, go topless on the beach and get pissed after 1 am in the morning.
Well, that's MY experience
Stay grey
It's pretty much about "don't think you're better than anyone else (cuz I know you suck, or I can do it better, or I'm jealous my balls off)" typish. It's pretty common in many places, but people would just express it different, or use other terms for the same feelings or disrespect towards the object. Not Americans though, over there everybody basically go "awesome, cool" and so on about anything related to success. If there actually is a "jante law" behind the back of people, I wouldnt know about it.
Regarding censorship I dont really know what you aiming at, cuz in Sweden you can say what you want, watch porno, go topless on the beach and get pissed after 1 am in the morning.
Well, that's MY experience
Stay grey
By the way, I would like to invite anyone who feels the urge to explain the phenomena with more in depth reasoning and possible better wording, not to mention other perspectives, opinions and views as well
continue to stay gray
continue to stay gray
Illnath said:
No, I disagree, the word may well have been invented in Denmark (doesnt mean the swedes knows or cares), but the smart-ass thing is missplaced and not related to success, fame etc. (where the "dont think you better..." part comes in) which is the whole meaning of it in Sweden, as previously pointed out.
ok i think I get it. its basically a means to stay humble and not egocentric. like Yngwie and Celene Deon. Not that im compairing the two but you get the idea. thanks!!!! if Im wrong please let me know.
the Jantelaw or Janteloven as it was called by the Danish/Norwegian (mostly Norwegian, since he did live in Norway) writer Aksel Sandemose (or something like that) in the book "En flyktning krysser sitt spor" (Norwegian and means something like "A refugee crosses its path" Anyone else please translate it better, cause I am not Norwegian.
the basics for the Jantelaw is : "Don't think you are anything special". This makes most sense Danes (don't know about Swedes or Norwegians) because of our extreme use of irony and sarcasm.
The Jantelaw, whether we like it or not is a part of our culture, but it growing smaller because of our increased liberalization and focus on individuality, which is what the jantelaw is against.
Please feel free to correct any mistakes I made... I don't know that much about it!
Mads
the basics for the Jantelaw is : "Don't think you are anything special". This makes most sense Danes (don't know about Swedes or Norwegians) because of our extreme use of irony and sarcasm.
The Jantelaw, whether we like it or not is a part of our culture, but it growing smaller because of our increased liberalization and focus on individuality, which is what the jantelaw is against.
Please feel free to correct any mistakes I made... I don't know that much about it!
Mads
BumZen said:
This is the most accurate description so far.....i think everything said about the danes here applies to us swedes more or less anyways...
I really hate this so called "law"... Everybody should think that they are something. I also hate when people get put down because of success (like earning lots of money). There's a lot of jealosy here, but I guess it's pretty common wherever you go in the world. Anyway, I'm just happy for the guy that wins the lottery, earns $10000 a month, or what not...
Ohh, and about that censorship thing, well, we don't really have any censorship here. Not that I know of, anyway. I remember reading some thread on this american military forum where they described Sweden as some kind of communist regime, where people were afraid to say what they wanted and the newspapers where controlled by the government. Also, they kept mixing up Sweden and Switzerland. Funny stuff.
Ohh, and about that censorship thing, well, we don't really have any censorship here. Not that I know of, anyway.
I remember reading some thread on this american military forum where they described Sweden as some kind of communist regime, where people were afraid to say what they wanted and the newspapers where controlled by the government. Also, they kept mixing up Sweden and Switzerland. Funny stuff. I have seen this in a comedy program in my country. It showed a public toilet in Sweden that is made of one sided mirror glass. When you are in, you can see everything outside But from out, you can't see inside. I could never use a toilet like that man. It is like sitting naked in the middle of the street Man, you swedes are crazy people I like you anyway.
But from out, you can't see inside. I could never use a toilet like that man. It is like sitting naked in the middle of the street Man, you swedes are crazy people I like you anyway.