The Law of Jante (jantelagen) represents an unspoken social rule that suppresses individuality and encourages conformity, implying that no one should consider themselves superior to others in any aspect. This cultural phenomenon is deeply rooted in Scandinavian societies, but similar attitudes can be found elsewhere, such as the "tall poppy syndrome" in English-speaking countries, where outstanding achievements are often downplayed or met with resentment.
In Sweden, it's quite common to reason according to the jantelagen, especially among the older generation. It's less common among young people in Sweden to talk about the jantelagen, but it has left deep marks on Swedish culture, and therefore it's important to understand how it has influenced the culture in Sweden.
The Ten Rules of Jantelagen:
- You shall not believe you are something.
- You shall not believe you are as good as we are.
- You shall not believe you are wiser than we are.
- You shall not imagine you are better than we are.
- You shall not believe you know more than we do.
- You shall not believe you are more important than we are.
- You shall not believe you are good at anything.
- You shall not laugh at us.
- You shall not believe anyone cares about you.
- You shall not believe you can teach us anything.
The Law of Jante is a fictional set of rules created by Aksel Sandemose in his 1933 novel "En flykting korsar sitt spår". Although written in Norwegian, Sandemose was born and raised in Denmark. The novel portrays a small Danish town and its inhabitants in a negative light, giving rise to the concept of "Jantelagen". This concept has become widely known, often used by people unaware of its origins in the novel. Source Wikipedia
In Sweden, it's considered impolite to stand out too much or brag about one's achievements. This is the main point taken from jantelagen. Although there are no official statistics on how many Swedes actually think according to jantelagen, you'll be surprised at how many people can get slightly annoyed with those who talk about their successes and boast about themselves.
Jantelagen, as concept has been criticized in recent times for potentially being harmful and holding people back, as well as being discriminatory. (Riksdagen.se)
To build a good relationship with a Swede, it might be good to be cautious when discussing achievements and successes before getting to know someone, as Swedes value humility and modesty and may perceive open boasting as arrogant.
