The Scandinavian family

What, you may ask, are the differnces between these three countries? I know I wondered. 

If we use family positions, Sweden 🇸🇪 would be the big sister, Denmark 🇩🇰 the little brother, and Norway 🇳🇴 the little sister. It goes like this.

Sweden is the strongest, and historically has had the most influence over the countries. She’s the most reserved, most dependable, and has been known to be bossy. If there would be an outing of rhe family, she would plan it and lead it. She’s the inventor of the family, and relies on her smarts to find her way in the world.

Denmark was weaker and smaller historically, but as he grew he got stonger than his big sister. He flexed his might and gained territory that used to be hers. Later, as an adult, he gave some of it back. He’s still the fun loving one. He smokes, jay-walks (which one would NEVER do in Sweden), plays in a jazz band (and competes in the international jazz competition in Copenhagen). He’s more ‘continental’, as he’s physically connected to Europe. 

Norway, well, she grew up really poor, but now she’s the richest sibling.  From her viking (the verb) days she gained land and booty, but her recent 1960s descovery of oil in her Northern backyard really propelled her forward. Now her oil money (40% of ber exports...the rest is largly fish) finances a huge pension that invests in her future. She’s really rich! She’s busy catching up now, building roads and tunnels and bridges in her rough mountainous terrain. She’s the happiest sibling, always with a lilt in her voice. She has a saying that roughly translates to ‘hikers are never grumpy’. She’s outdoors more even than her siblings...skiing is almost a requirement. She’s mainly reliant on the sea, both historically for conquest and now for fishing. 

So, there’s a snapshot of this family. There’s lots of rivalry still, especially between Sweden and Denmark. They fought the most as they were growing up, but now as asults it has matured into good natured teasing and sports competition. Norway remians a bit more distant, not even being part of the EU...except in trading and sending lots of money, like any rich little sister would.