The citizen behavior in Sweden: 5 Aspects that make a difference.

This time, I want to share five positive citizen behaviors that I have perceived while living in Borlänge, Sweden:

1.    Respect for Personal Space

In Sweden, there is a collective consciousness in places of common use. Each person uses these environments always thinking about others. I have noticed that when I go up escalators in airports, subways, and shopping centers, that is, in places with high pedestrian traffic, people, most of the time, line up one behind the other, forming something known as a "free lane" to allow passage if someone wants to go faster.

Residents position themselves in an organized manner almost instinctively to wait their turn to board public transportation, without pushing or stepping on others. Additionally, people tend to walk on the streets on the right side, just like cars do, to achieve an adequate flow of pedestrians on the paths, which allows enjoying walking. 

I know that these ways of behaving are easier to apply in places that do not have high densities, but still having this awareness about respecting others' personal space makes the social experience more enjoyable.

2.    Consideration for pedestrians 

It feels wonderful when all types of vehicles stop at pedestrian crossings on the streets, giving priority to the pedestrian's passage. In my opinion, this is a simple behavior to apply, which makes a difference when you give greater relevance to the actor who is more vulnerable and with whom accidents can be avoided.

It seems logical and obvious, but it is not. They won't let me lie when I say that on some occasions when we want to cross a street, in other places, the driver accelerates to avoid slowing down the vehicle. The dynamic between pedestrians and drivers is such that the pedestrian waits for there to be no cars to be able to cross a street, when it should be the other way around, and the car stops when it sees a pedestrian, in authorized pedestrian crossing zones. In addition to the above, we are not accustomed to crossing at these authorized crossings, we cross where it is easiest for us. This causes an increase in accidents and traffic.

In addition, what caught my attention is the suitable signage that allows you to navigate accurately about the points where you can cross streets and different places. Being so well marked, it facilitates correctly using pedestrian crossings and enjoying a walk in the city.

3.    Sense of security

As a woman, it's a relief to be able to enjoy spaces, go for a walk, or jog regardless of the time of day, and know that it's unlikely for someone to commit any type of violent or sexual act. On the other hand, last month, I was talking with a friend who shared with me that sense of security when her son goes to the park or walks from school to home, without feeling imminent danger.

I couldn't say either that here many situations that threaten people's safety don't occur, or where their belongings are stolen, or even more serious incidents. Recently, my husband had to catch a train, so he left his bicycle at the train station, and when he returned, he found it without the saddle.

So far, based on my experience in this city, we cannot speak of absolute security. However, there is a significant difference, in general terms, regarding the severity of what can happen to you, about feeling safe in the place where you live.

4.    Silencie Culture

Even though it's a matter of preferences and tolerance regarding noise, in Sweden, there is special consideration regarding noise generation. Swedes are careful with the volume of their voice when they are in public places; the use of headphones to take calls or listen to music in public places is part of their culture and is appropriate behavior in public spaces.

Swedish citizens value privacy in both personal and public spaces. Although it might seem like a minor detail, it can change the experience of enjoying the city and its surroundings.

5.    Punctuality

Punctuality is a deeply ingrained quality in Swedish culture and is associated with productivity and respect for others' time. Meetings start and end according to schedule. They have an affinity for being concrete and tend to go straight to the point of what they want to discuss. It is well-regarded to arrive on time for any appointment you have, whether it's professional, with friends, or of any other nature.

 In conclusion, it is interesting to see how various aspects that contribute to an enjoyable experience when living in a city are particularly related to civic attitudes and how each individual can contribute to having a better experience in the place where they live. In this country, although they have cities organized properly, collective consciousness, honesty, and respect for others are notably evident.

Although it cannot be ignored that other factors are required to improve the quality of life for citizens, it is interesting to identify those that can have a significant impact on the city and may turn out to be very simple, yet overlooked, and even relegated to a secondary role. Something as basic as adequate signage can, in a simple way, drastically change the pedestrian's experience in enjoying the city. 

In this country, although they have cities organized adequately, collective awareness, honesty, and respect toward others are noticeable. I believe that these values are strongly ingrained in Swedish society, which means that collective well-being always comes first. Increasing our collective values will allow us to seek other alternatives before compromising the integrity of another person.

Finally, I think that there is a great challenge in guaranteeing security in the territories to restore the trust of citizens, as this is a fundamental pillar that must continue to be prioritized in territorial planning and is undoubtedly also part of civic responsibility.