TIL about Jantelagen, Janteloven, or the Law of Jante -- or, why Scandinavians don't like to stand out

3 days ago by artifex to c/til

Swedes prize equality, dislike boasting and often prefer to blend in. The century-old idea of Jantelagen helps explain why – and offers visitors a key to decoding Swedish culture.

The century-old idea of Jantelagen helps explain why Scandinavian cultures prize equality and egalitarian behavior. Building a culture that prizes social welfare, a degree of conformity, and introduces a negative pressure not to distinguish yourself too much from the crowd. There's another interesting article on it here: https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/...

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anistorian 9 points 2 days ago

Yeah, no Janteloven is absolutely toxic and should not stand as an example of anything. It was written as a commentary on social control and backwardsness in Denmark in the early 20th century. The commandments are as follows (with my own translation of meaning, not words):

"Du skal ikke tro, du er noget."

  • Don’t you believe in yourself

"Du skal ikke tro, at du er lige så meget som os."

  • Don’t you believe you are as good as us

"Du skal ikke tro, at du er klogere end os."

  • Don’t you believe you are as smart as us

"Du skal ikke bilde dig ind, at du er bedre end os."

  • Don’t you tell yourself you’re better than us

"Du skal ikke tro, at du ved mere end os."

  • Don’t you believe you know more than us

"Du skal ikke tro, at du er mere end os."

  • Don’t you believe you are more than us

"Du skal ikke tro, at du dur til noget."

  • Don’t you believe you are good at anything

"Du skal ikke le ad os."

  • Don’t you laugh at us

"Du skal ikke tro, at nogen bryder sig om dig."

  • Don’t you think anyone likes you

"Du skal ikke tro, at du kan lære os noget."

  • Don’t you believe you can teach us anything
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