Swedish Engagements

Hej,

This story is actually a couple week's old, but I am finally getting around to sharing it.

I had a co-worker return to the US to propose to his girlfriend. When he got back, none of the Swedes asked him about it, even though they all knew why he had flown home. Finally, after about a week, he mentioned her by the new appelation (fiancee). The Swedes all heaved a great sigh of relief, then asked him where his ring was. Turns out, when you get engaged in Sweden, both the woman AND the man wear rings. So, our Swedish coworkers were all afraid to ask him about it, thinking she had said "no" since he came back without a ring.

I then learned that the women in the office thought I was a big jerk for being engaged but not wearing my ring!

When they learned of the American custom, they understood (sort of), but they still think we're weird. :-)

Jared