Day 160: Social responsibility

Do Not Feed the Pigeons

Today a lady tried to feed some pigeons in Kista in front of this sign. Being British I left her to it and judged her internally, without saying anything, for ignoring the sign .

This is not correct Swedish behaviour!

Promptly another lady appeared and shouted "Don't feed them, it's bad!" and shook her finger at the offending bread spreader. She stopped and looked sorry.

In England we complain constantly about the state of things, it's a national sport. We enjoy complaining and leave the campaigning to the motivated few. In Sweden people are keen to uphold regulations especially when backed up by a sign or three. I have often heard people say "get your feet off the seats!" when on public transport, "Put your own tray away" in a cafe and leave notices in communal areas to forewarn of upcoming noise, parties or moving in.

However, later on in the same day I witnessed a trainload of people ignore an old man and not one person offered him a seat. I gave him mine. Furthermore people are loath to queue unless there is a ticketed system, won't stand aside for you on the escalator or move their bag for you on the bus and will never end a loud or personal phone call in a public space to save anyone else's ears. 

This has led me to believe that Swedish people have regulated kindness- they will do a great favour to society provided it is sanctioned previously by society at large and signposted as proof. On an unregulated, personal scale however, I'd go with Britain all the way.