Today at lunch time, I fancied doing something different for a few minutes and pondered what could be fun to brighten a Monday. An article read over the weekend came to mind: Sweden had just launched a national number enabling anyone to call and talk to a Swede. 
The Swedish Tourist Association (STA) has created the Random Swede Hotline in celebration of the country’s 250 year anniversary of abolishing censorship. There is no restriction on what you can talk about. Even the Prime Minister has registered and is taking some calls. It was too exciting not to try!
And so I dialed ‘the Swedish number’, +46 771793336, and listened to a lovely voice telling me: ‘You are calling Sweden. You will soon be connected to a random Swede somewhere in Sweden’.
The first two attempts got unanswered and I was informed a lot of people were trying to contact a Swede just then. Then I got lucky and Magnus answered.
Magnus is a University professor with a PHD in History of Sciences who teaches sciences, social policy, economics and other deeply fascinating subjects. He explained that in the past 2 weeks since the programme was launched, he took about 10 calls, mainly from English speaking countries. He once struck lucky with a caller and they talked for an unexpectedly long time on economics and politics, especially US politics. I am afraid my conversation might not have been as exciting for him this time.
Still, we did have a nice chat! We talked about several subjects including the social aspect of the ‘Call a Swe
de’ idea. I explained my reaction towards the campaign was more an interest towards its cultural aspect than a purely touristic approach of ‘come and visit our country’. I love how it breaks the boundaries between nations and people, and how, once again, it demonstrates that the Swedes are open and down-to-earth with an easy-going culture. Magnus agreed, at least about the Swedes who had volunteered and downloaded the dedicated app – he mentioned they were 20,000 to 30,000. For him, it is also a good way of keeping alive the bond between people at a time when ‘borders are closing’ and ‘the EU might fall’. That last comment left a little blank in the conversation before we swiftly moved on other more positive subjects, like languages, studies and European cultures.
What I got from the call is the satisfaction to have connected with someone friendly and interesting outside my daily life and routine, as well as a recommendation to read Thomas Piketty’s book ‘Capital in the 21st Century’ for a fresh outlook on today’s economy in the world. A good book recommendation is always a plus on any day. Also, I discovered that calling a total stranger with no other purpose than talking to a total stranger is quite a thrill! I might try again soon and gladly recommend it, it might spice up your day.
Thank you for reading.
Yours, Virginie