BetterMost, Wyoming & Brokeback Mountain Forum
Our BetterMost Community => The Holiday Forum => Topic started by: Sason on January 04, 2013, 05:36:31 pm
-
Only two more days, and then the threat and horror of Holiday Greetings is over!
Swedish holiday greetings are an annual nightmare and threat to our mental health!! :o
During the days leading up to xmas, if you don't expect to see somebody until after new year's, you say "god jul och gott nytt år" --- which translates, literally, "good christmas and good new year".
During xmas (three days here), you say "god jul" --- "good xmas".
During "mellandagarna" --- "the intermediate days" (the days between xmas and new year's), you say "gott slut" --- "good ending" (of the old year).
On new year's eve, you say "gott nytt år" --- "good new year".
And finally, during the first week or so of the new year, you say "god fortsättning" --- "good continuation" (of the new year)
Got it?
These are the greetings that every Swede has to know without a trace of hesitation, no matter when or where or under what circumstances you greet somebody!!
If you fail to do this correctly, you are faced with social degradation and devastation! Your friends will defriend you! Your family will defamily you! Your work will dework you! You're a disgrace and a shame to all human life!! You will have to live the rest of your pitiful life way the hell out in the middle of nowhere, away from the rest of society and normal, decent people!
You see now why we need so many days off at this time of year? The Horror of Holiday Greetings is such a stress to us, that we need all that free time to rest and calm down.
-
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
It's similar here. We have several greetings for Christmas, which are interchangable. And Christmas is three days long, just as in Sweden.
The time between X-mas and New Year's Day is called "zwischen den Jahren" literally "between the years".
After x-mas but before Silvester/New Year's Eve you say "Guten Rutsch" - literally "good slide"
And finally, from stroke midnight of New Year's through 3/4 of January you say "Frohes Neues Jahr" literrally "good new year".
But the catch is, you say your wishes for a good new year only once per person. After that, it's the usual good afternoon or whatever. So if you meet your neigbours on the street in January, you have to decide quickly if you've already seen them in the new year or not, lol. :laugh:
Clearly, you are right: we simply need more holidays with all that decisions. ;)
-
And of course we need more holidays for all the confusing little dots and circles we make over letters ;) ;D :laugh:
-
Exactly! ;) :laugh: 8)
-
Too funny...no wonder you need to travel to America for rest and relaxation!
-
Thank you for your kind understanding of our distress, Lee!
Yes, travelling abroad is our only chance to escape the inevitable...
-
Only two more days, and then the threat and horror of Holiday Greetings is over!
Swedish holiday greetings are an annual nightmare and threat to our mental health!! :o
During the days leading up to xmas, if you don't expect to see somebody until after new year's, you say "god jul och gott nytt år" --- which translates, literally, "good christmas and good new year".
During xmas (three days here), you say "god jul" --- "good xmas".
During "mellandagarna" --- "the intermediate days" (the days between xmas and new year's), you say "gott slut" --- "good ending" (of the old year).
On new year's eve, you say "gott nytt år" --- "good new year".
And finally, during the first week or so of the new year, you say "god fortsättning" --- "good continuation" (of the new year)
Got it?
These are the greetings that every Swede has to know without a trace of hesitation, no matter when or where or under what circumstances you greet somebody!!
If you fail to do this correctly, you are faced with social degradation and devastation! Your friends will defriend you! Your family will defamily you! Your work will dework you! You're a disgrace and a shame to all human life!! You will have to live the rest of your pitiful life way the hell out in the middle of nowhere, away from the rest of society and normal, decent people!
You see now why we need so many days off at this time of year? The Horror of Holiday Greetings is such a stress to us, that we need all that free time to rest and calm down.
And we thought all that cold weather made you guys stay inside. :laugh: ;D
-
There is no hiding!
The holiday greetings are mandatory even in phone calls. ::)
-
too funny - thanks
-
Oh my gosh, you ladies are hilarious. Wow, you're right, I'd stay in my house and unplug the phone if faced with THAT much pressure. Here in the U.S. at the moment, you're almost better off not saying anything to anybody unless you've known them long and well enough to know their entire belief system, and even then you hesitate and rethink before opening your mouth to speak at all. I tend to stick to a generic "Happy Holidays" because it works for everything, and most people will just smile back and say "You too". Political correctness got out of hand a LONG time ago, and only continues to worsen. You never know WHO you might offend. Ugh! Now I think I'd rather live in the Alps with you all. ;)
-
LOL @ the Alps! ;)
I'm not sure you'd be better off there, they probably have different types of yodeling for various holidays, that you'd have to learn. ;D
Actually, I spoke too hastily about the number of holidays.
Just read in today's paper a compilation of the number of public holidays in 2013 in various countries.
Germany - 9
Sweden - 10
USA - 10
France - 12
Russia - 14
Argentine - 19!
So it seams that Germany, USA and Sweden are together at the bottom of the league, at least this year. But I think it's safe to say that in Sweden we have more public holidays in clusters than USA, esp at this time of year.
-
LOL @ the Alps! ;)
Did I ever mention how geographically-challenged I am? Here in America when I was growing up in the 70's and early 80's, they didn't teach a single course in geography in public schools. They set down a twirly globe somewhere in each classroom, and that's about all we got. America was still so unbelievably arrogant as to be convinced we would always be the one and only world power that existed. I would bet that an extremely large percentage of Americans actually live their entire lives within these borders. Anyway, when I think of the northernmost European countries, I just call them the Alps based on having seen "Heidi" too many times as a child. I think you're all walking down the street side-by-side with reindeer and living in the dark half the year. Is that not the case?? ;D
-
Germany - 9
Sweden - 10
USA - 10
France - 12
Russia - 14
Argentine - 19!
Poor us!
The nine in Germany are the bare minimum though, the nation-wide holidays. The federal states have additional holidays which vary from state to state. Also, in the nine holidays Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday are not included, which are holidays, but on Sundays anyway. And then we have Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve off, which are called Quiet Days, not official holidays, thus didn't make it on the list.
Now I wonder whether Aregentina also has additional free days which didn't make it on the list. It's never too late to migrate, now is it? ;) ;D
-
Did I ever mention how geographically-challenged I am? Here in America when I was growing up in the 70's and early 80's, they didn't teach a single course in geography in public schools. They set down a twirly globe somewhere in each classroom, and that's about all we got. America was still so unbelievably arrogant as to be convinced we would always be the one and only world power that existed. I would bet that an extremely large percentage of Americans actually live their entire lives within these borders. Anyway, when I think of the northernmost European countries, I just call them the Alps based on having seen "Heidi" too many times as a child. I think you're all walking down the street side-by-side with reindeer and living in the dark half the year. Is that not the case?? ;D
You forgot the naked women. The blong, naked women walking down the streets all the time. ::) ;D
But seriously, that's horrifying that a whole nation didn't learn any geography in school at all!
-
Poor us!
The nine in Germany are the bare minimum though, the nation-wide holidays. The federal states have additional holidays which vary from state to state. Also, in the nine holidays Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday are not included, which are holidays, but on Sundays anyway. And then we have Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve off, which are called Quiet Days, not official holidays, thus didn't make it on the list.
Now I wonder whether Aregentina also has additional free days which didn't make it on the list. It's never too late to migrate, now is it? ;) ;D
I'm not sure how the list was made exactly. And of course it varies from year to year.
But they did say that Argentinians normally only have two weeks of vacation.
So, I don't know about migrating.....
-
But seriously, that's horrifying that a whole nation didn't learn any geography in school at all!
I can't speak for the whole nation, but I certainly learned a lot of geography--like six years--in grammar school. I was one of my favorite subjects. At one point not only did I know all the US capitals but I also knew the difference between Sweden and Switzerland!
-
I can't speak for the whole nation, but I certainly learned a lot of geography--like six years--in grammar school. I was one of my favorite subjects. At one point not only did I know all the US capitols but I also knew the difference between Sweden and Switzerland!
Oh, that's wonderful to hear, Paul!
Makes me yodel with joy while I curdle the milk and wind the cuckoo clock.
-
Oh, that's wonderful to hear, Paul!
Makes me yodel with joy while I curdle the milk and wind the cuckoo clock.
Ehem, speaking of geography.... cuckoo clocks come from the Black Forest, not Switzerland, not Alps or anything. Just sayin' ;)
-
Ehem, speaking of geography.... cuckoo clocks come from the Black Forest, not Switzerland, not Alps or anything. Just sayin' ;)
Uhm....maybe I'm confusing a cuckoo clock with a delicious torte, then. 8)
Georgraphy is such a pain! ::)
-
Did I ever mention how geographically-challenged I am? Here in America when I was growing up in the 70's and early 80's, they didn't teach a single course in geography in public schools. They set down a twirly globe somewhere in each classroom, and that's about all we got. America was still so unbelievably arrogant as to be convinced we would always be the one and only world power that existed. I would bet that an extremely large percentage of Americans actually live their entire lives within these borders. Anyway, when I think of the northernmost European countries, I just call them the Alps based on having seen "Heidi" too many times as a child. I think you're all walking down the street side-by-side with reindeer and living in the dark half the year. Is that not the case?? ;D
I can't speak for the whole nation, but I certainly learned a lot of geography--like six years--in grammar school. I was one of my favorite subjects. At one point not only did I know all the US capitals but I also knew the difference between Sweden and Switzerland!
Same here. I learned geography as a child in school too, but it was part of American and World History and not a separate class.
And I wouldn't criticize Americans too much for staying in our borders their whole lives. The US isn't Europe. I can drive for 8 hours and still be in the same state - in Europe, I would have likely passed through two maybe 3 entirely different countries. It's a lot easier for Europeans to travel than Americans. We sometimes have to cross our entire continent and then entire oceans to get somewhere not American.
-
I taught Goegraphy for 30 years. Geography is not place names. When I told someone excitedly that I was about to become a geography teacher, he asked me to name the states of America in alphabetical order ;D. I remember saying ahh... Alaska, Arkansas, then stopped. When I was in primary school I had to learn the rivers of Australia's east coast in order but never taught that sort of thing. I taught how landscapes are formed, where, why and how people farm and how cities develop etc. Obviously we study particular examples as case studies.
It is probably why I love train travel and am amused at fellow tourists reading a book or more recently taking out their ipads. I just love staring out the window at the passing scenery even if it is not dramatic alps.
Australia is much the same size as USA (excluding Alaska) in area but we are great travellers probably because we have to go so far that we stay a long time. About 75% of Australians and NZers hold passports but less than 30% of Americans although the figure varies.
Australian and NZ employees receive 4 weeks annual leave. NZ has 11 public holidays and Australia has much the same but varies with the states.
It is now possible to travel over much of Western Europe without a passport (not the UK) but obviously I need a passport to enter the EEC anyway.
Last year I rented a motor home in Darwin with my sister and was shocked when I was asked for my passport as I have a NZ driving licence. Fortunately I had not stayed at my sister's home on the way there or I probably would have left my passport in her safe while we travelled. I do not usually carry my passport while travelling wholly within Australia or NZ. Back in the 70's I did not need a passport to travel between Australia and NZ but I do now. There is always talk of removing this requirement which would make life a lot easier for me. I am thinking about applying for NZ citizenship after I have lived here 5 years (only 3 so far) but it costs over $500. As long as I do not get a crinminal record there is no restriction on my travel and I can vote in NZ as a resident (but no longer in Australia as an ex-pat) and I am eligible for all NZ health and age benefits.
-
I taught Goegraphy for 30 years. Geography is not place names. When I told someone excitedly that I was about to become a geography teacher, he asked me to name the states of America in alphabetical order ;D. I remember saying ahh... Alaska, Arkansas, then stopped. When I was in primary school I had to learn the rivers of Australia's east coast in order but never taught that sort of thing. I taught how landscapes are formed, where, why and how people farm and how cities develop etc. Obviously we study particular examples as case studies.
It is probably why I love train travel and am amused at fellow tourists reading a book or more recently taking out their ipads. I just love staring out the window at the passing scenery even if it is not dramatic alps.
Same here. On my travels through Europe, the only time I took out my Kindle was on the airplane or on the train at night because you couldn't see anything out the windows. During the day, I stared out across the farmlands and suburbs and countryside, just giddy. Looking at people's houses, wondering what they did, how they lived. I just loved it.
Australian and NZ employees receive 4 weeks annual leave. NZ has 11 public holidays and Australia has much the same but varies with the states.
Americans on average get two weeks.
-
I can't speak for the whole nation, but I certainly learned a lot of geography--like six years--in grammar school. I was one of my favorite subjects. At one point not only did I know all the US capitals but I also knew the difference between Sweden and Switzerland!
Reminds me of one of my favorite games as a child. It had a pegboard map of the U.S., with peg holes for state capitals and other cities. Each player had different colored pegs. There was a "spinner" with the alphabet around the circumference of the circle, and a sort-of egg timer-like thing. When it was your turn, you spun the arrow on the spinner. Then you had as much time as it took for the sand to run through the egg timer to put as many of your pegs as you could into the holes marking cities whose names began with the letter pointed to on the spinner.
I learned a lot of U.S. cities that way.
I taught Geography for 30 years. Geography is not place names. ... When I was in primary school I had to learn the rivers of Australia's east coast in order but never taught that sort of thing. I taught how landscapes are formed, where, why and how people farm and how cities develop etc. Obviously we study particular examples as case studies.
But wouldn't you agree that it needs to be both, Brian? What's the good of knowing how a landscape was formed if you can't locate the region on a map?
I say the same thing, roughly, about my own (former) field of history: No point in making kids learn the causes of, say, the American Revolution, if they can't say when it was fought.
-
Golly, I seem to have unintentionally caused 2 whole pages of off-topic ruckus based on my geography comment. Sorry to OP Sophia.
As someone above said, yes, it IS horrifying that so many Americans couldn't locate so many countries on a world map to this day, because we simply weren't taught. I am glad to know that some portions of the country, at least, got some education on the topic. I would LOVE to take an extended course in this even at my age, but I've never found one. The first time I travelled across an ocean, I was 36, and it was only because I was in love with a Belfast man. If not for that one single reason, I'd most likely still be sitting here on my arse dreaming of seeing Scotland in my NEXT life. Instead, I've gotten to spend, in total, more than a year of my life living in the UK over the last 10 years, and have been privileged and blessed many times to travel to the most glorious place on the planet (for me). But the huge majority of the friends I grew up with, never even dream of such things, let alone hold passports to get them there. They look at ME like I'm an alien for daring to leave this hallowed ground. It would be hilarious if it weren't so truly sad to me.