utlandssvenskar

The Swedish language actually has a word for Swedes living abroad: utlandssvenskar. The literal translation would be abroad-Swedes, or Swedes abroad. I've asked a few people, but I haven't been able to find another language, or culture, that makes the same distinction.

The connotations of 'Swedes living abroad' are not positive. The stereotype is negative: someone who retires early, moves to a warm and sunny climate, and from that vantage point proceeds to criticize the old homeland, while at the same time growing increasingly out of touch with what actually goes on there.

Obviously this is interesting to me because I am one of those Swedes living abroad, and I don't think the stereotype applies to me. I keep wondering why this category exists, what that reveals about Swedish culture. I haven't been able to come up with a good answer.

yeah, really

I'm a member of a site for expat Swedes. Sometimes there are interesting discussions on the forums, but most of the time there isn't much activity.

One topic gets people going, though. Television. There is a flurry of messages anytime someone asks for the best ways of accessing Swedish TV from somewhere.

OK, I'll be honest. I think that's a little pathetic.