The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-08
STRANGE WAYS OF
SWEDES At HOME
Difference Between American and
Stockholm Customs as Seen
by an American.
BY w. 3. CHAMBERLAIN,
Manaqinu Editor of The journal.

. 'So''J -NieOI VI TIC Souttidt'
Copyright, 1906 by The Minneapolis journal.
Stockholm, July ia barber will
shave you Tor 6 cents-but you have
to wash your own face and comb your
own hair. - . -.
Everybody trusts you and you are
expected to trust everybody. This
works well almost invariably. g.. a..
You never have a. dispute with the
cabman over the fare. A taxameter
measures the distance you travel and
shows what you owe at any minute.
You get bill every day at the hotel.
This permits you to correct any mis-
takes at once. 800 <%.
The hotel clerk wears gorgeous
uniform, is called porter and is graft
fed for a 25.cent tip at any time.
Women shine your shoes, shave you,
cut your hair and even give you bath
unless you rebel. Men take off their
hats when they meet men acquaint-
ances and bow low.
Every third man has some kind of a
uniform on.
Policemen salute the streetcar con-
ductors and are saluted by them.
Everybody is excessively polite to
everyone else.
A servant who brings you something
says $50 good You say "tack'
(thanks). -.
Hats Dotted to Shopmen.
You take off your hat when you en-
ter a shop and return the shopman s
low bow.
They don't believe in department
stores. Every merchant sticks to his
own line. You can't buy a watch
from a jeweler or a diamond ring from
a matchmaker.
Altho drinking is common, one sell
dom sees drunken man.
The pavements are nearly all cobble
and the carts running over them make
a deafening din. The city is now ex-
perimenting with wooden blocks.
It you. order ice water to drink, you
will be Immediately "spotted' as an
"Amerikansker.'
Tips are everywhere given, but they
are small. Ten ore (21h cents) is the
ordinary tip to cabman or porter.
10 waiter you give 10 per cent Of
your bill. If it is a woman, she will
while a man will take off his cap and
say Etacka.'
The newspapers are numerous and
widely read, but not at all up to Ameri-
can ideas. They are often very un-
wieldy in size. A Stockholm news
paper manager, when there is pressure
Of advertising simply makes his pages
longer, 1uStedu OIL more numerous.
One often needs a stepladder to read
halftOne illustrations and pen and ink
drawings of antique execution are con-
sidered very enterprising.
Gentleman Bows First.
A lady always waits for a gentle
man to speak, instead of the reverse
as in America.
The comedians crack jokes on the
| rich Swedish American who has come
home tt" spend his money. The point
of them usually is that he has forgot
! American up with it.. . e
- Society is SO fond of grand opera
| that the season lasts from Sept. tt
June l.. The state furnishes the opera
house and endows itl A government
theater is also being built IS
It is light all night in summer anc
dark all day in winter.
The pedestrian has no rights the
driver is bound to respect. If run ove7
it g his own fault and he may be sued
for the damages, if any.
portion to the population than in any
other city in the world. There is a
phone in every shop and Office and
street kiosks containing Instruments
are numerous. There are two com
panies, the Rix (National), and Allie
mamma (GeneraD. Rents and tolls are
very low. The instruments are hardie1
than in America, the receiver and
transmitter being combined on light
handle that fits to the ear and mouth
pu mhfy IS ea aed SRa mfsds
entreprenor or literally water
pipe intrOducer