November 22, 2006

"Taxintegration"

Sweden's older population, the 70 plus crew, grew up in a Sweden without immigrants (besides the Italians that came during the 50's), black people, Muslims. No interaction at school, work, neighborhood lead to many of these senior citizens living in a Sweden that is today totally new to them. With people they know nothing of and have the utmost prejudice for.

Then came the Taxis. In most larger cities, a large number of immigrants or "new Swedes" drive these Taxis. And when you get old in Sweden and have trouble taking the bus or train yourself (especially while going grocery shopping), the government gives you a taxi card where you ride the cab for a small sum.

All of a sudden all these older people have to meet with Mamadou, Abdi, Nima and the likes. They sit together for a longer period of time and the final verdict on their OK'ness will be given in the end; whether or not Mamadou, Abdi or Nima, opened the door to the car and helped the passenger out, carried the groceries all the way to the door.

Like one older Swedish lady said: "I rode with a black fellow today. He was totally black. But he was soo nice to me, he even carried my groceries to the elevator."

Welcome to the 21st century grandma...

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's almost as if communication and interaction might lead to destroying stereotypes and fears....

...crazy thought.

Sophia said...

This reminds me of the movie 'Driving Miss Daisy'. You should watch this movie.

nzm said...

It's the innocence of old age!

Either that, or the aged feel that they've managed to live this long, they have a right to be candid!

Shaykhspeara Sha'ira said...

Wil: lol indeed! Go figure! :)

Sophia: Is it the one with Morgan Freeman?

Nzm: very true. When you reach that age I guess you stop caring truly what people around you think.

Anonymous said...

That's quite amazing, what a story? We never look at the everyday things happening around us and what consequences they might have. Thank you for highlighting this :-)

Destitute Rebel said...

I agree with nzm, its the innocence of the old age, these people dont realize that things have changed and they usually dont mean any harm, its hard to change ones ways when you are at that age.

Shaykhspeara Sha'ira said...

Leon, by all means. :)

D Reb, of cours eit is much harder to change when one is 70-80 years old. But this is still a very interesting way to integrate the older crew with the new swedes.

Sophia said...

Yes Shaykhspeara it is the one with Morgan freeman.

Shaykhspeara Sha'ira said...

Ahh ok, well I haven't seen it, only saw a clip of it once.