Opinion:Ten things about Sweden that are actually quite good
评论：关于瑞典其实挺不错的十件事
I was dragged to Sweden for love,like so many other foreigners,with the promise(or lie)that it would only be for a year or two.
我像许多外国人一样，因为爱情被“拽”到瑞典，当时得到的承诺（甚至可以说是谎言）是：只会住一两年。
I’ve always been suspicious of Sweden-lovers:the ones who move here because they are inspired by Sweden’s social democracy,or who have calculated from international rankings that it’s the best country in the world,or who are unhealthily obsessed with ABBA or Eurovision.
我一直对那些“瑞典迷”抱有怀疑：有些人是因为受瑞典社会民主启发而搬来，有些人是通过研究国际排名得出“瑞典是世界最佳国家”的结论，还有些人则对ABBA或欧洲歌唱大赛有着近乎病态的痴迷。
What I miss is the culture of argument:of friends shouting at each other about politics or literature,then staying friends.
我怀念那种争论文化：朋友们为了政治或文学吵得面红耳赤，但依然是朋友。
But sometimes I feel I should put in a word for Sweden,because on the whole it is a country that works very well.So here are ten things I think Sweden actually does quite well.
但有时我也觉得应该为瑞典说几句公道话，因为整体来看，这是一个运转良好的国家。以下就是我认为瑞典“其实做得挺不错”的十件事。
1.Paid parental leave and heavily subsidised childcare
1.带薪育儿假与高度补贴的托儿服务
The most striking thing about Sweden is that fathers are expected,almost as a matter of course,to take at least six months off work when their children are born.
瑞典最突出的地方在于：父亲几乎被“理所当然”地期待要在孩子出生后请至少半年的育儿假。
There are480days of paid leave in total,390of which are paid at up to80percent of salary.
瑞典一共提供480天带薪育儿假，其中390天的补贴可达工资的80%。
This has changed the way families work,not just giving women more freedom to work,but also changing men’s relationship with their children.
这不仅让女性拥有更多职业自由，也改变了男性与孩子的关系。
I am very grateful that I was able to spend six months each with my son and daughter.It gave me a completely different bond with them.
我非常庆幸能各花半年时间陪伴儿子和女儿，这让我和他们建立了截然不同的亲密关系。
2.Lagom work culture
2.“适度”的工作文化
Because both parents are expected to share childcare,no one is expected to work long hours.
由于父母双方都要共同承担育儿责任，因此没人被期待长时间工作。
If you regularly work late at the office,people will start to suspect that you are inefficient,or that you can’t manage your time.
如果有人经常在办公室加班，别人反而会怀疑他效率低下，或者不会管理时间。
Finishing work at4pm is completely acceptable in most companies.
在大多数公司，下午四点下班完全可以接受。
The Swedish idea of‘lagom’(not too much,not too little)is applied to work-life balance too.
瑞典的“lagom”（不多不少、刚刚好）的理念，也体现在工作与生活的平衡上。
3.Cycle lanes
3.自行车道
Sweden is not as good for cycling as Denmark or the Netherlands,but the cycle lanes in Malmöand Lund are excellent,and Stockholm is getting better.
瑞典的自行车环境虽然不如丹麦或荷兰，但马尔默和隆德的自行车道非常出色，斯德哥尔摩也在逐渐改善。
It’s possible to cycle across most of the cities on segregated paths,and drivers are generally respectful.
在大多数城市里，可以骑行在分隔开的自行车道上，司机们通常也比较礼让。
4.Public transport
4.公共交通
It’s expensive,but Sweden’s public transport system is generally efficient and reliable.
虽然价格昂贵，但瑞典的公共交通系统总体上高效且可靠。
In Stockholm,the Tunnelbana(metro)is fast and extensive,and regional trains are usually punctual.
在斯德哥尔摩，地铁（Tunnelbana）速度快、覆盖广，区域列车通常也准点。
Compared to Britain,where I come from,the reliability is striking.
相比于我来自的英国，瑞典公共交通的可靠性令人印象深刻。
5.Bureaucracy
5.官僚体系
Sweden has monstrous layers of bureaucracy,but the actual bureaucrats are usually polite,efficient and helpful.
瑞典的官僚体系层级庞大，但实际的公务员通常礼貌、高效且乐于助人。
If you make a mistake on your tax return,someone will phone you up and help you fix it.
如果你在报税时出错，税务部门的人会打电话帮你更正。
It’s a huge contrast to the UK,where the bureaucracy is both obstructive and rude.
这与英国形成鲜明对比，英国的官僚体系既刁难人又态度粗鲁。
6.The countryside
6.乡村与自然
Sweden’s countryside is stunning,with forests,lakes and the sea never far away.
瑞典的乡村风光极为迷人，森林、湖泊与海洋从不遥远。
Thanks to allemansrätten(the right of public access),you can camp,swim,or walk almost anywhere.
多亏了Allemansrätten（公众自由通行权），你几乎可以在任何地方露营、游泳或散步。
This makes Sweden one of the best countries in the world for outdoor life.
这使瑞典成为世界上最适合户外生活的国家之一。
7.Child-centred society
7.以儿童为中心的社会
Children are valued and respected in Sweden in a way that is unusual elsewhere.
在瑞典，孩子受到的重视与尊重在其他地方并不常见。
Schools put emphasis on play and well-being rather than rote learning.
学校更强调游戏和幸福感，而不是死记硬背。
There are playgrounds everywhere,and public spaces are designed with children in mind.
到处都有儿童游乐场，公共空间的设计也充分考虑了孩子们的需求。
8.Equality
8.平等
Sweden is not a utopia,but it is a society with relatively small gaps between rich and poor.
瑞典并非乌托邦，但它是一个贫富差距相对较小的社会。
People are not judged on what car they drive or what clothes they wear.
人们不会根据别人开什么车、穿什么衣服来评判他们。
This creates a relaxed social atmosphere.
这种氛围带来一种轻松的社会环境。
9.Politeness
9.礼貌
Swedes are not warm or chatty,but they are almost always polite.
瑞典人或许不热情，也不爱闲聊，但他们几乎总是彬彬有礼。
If you bump into someone in the street,they will apologise to you.
如果你在街上撞到别人，对方会向你道歉。
This makes daily life smoother and less stressful.
这让日常生活更加顺畅、减少了压力。
10.Coffee breaks(Fika)
10.咖啡休息（Fika）
Sweden may have“extremely average coffee”,but the culture of taking a break with colleagues or friends is wonderful.
瑞典的咖啡或许“极为普通”，但和同事或朋友一起休息片刻的文化非常美好。
It gives you time to connect with people,and shows that work is not everything.
这给了人们交流的时间，也表明工作不是生活的全部。
Fika is probably Sweden’s best invention.
Fika也许是瑞典最好的“发明”。
