Do Scandinavians feel a bond with Americans/Canadians of Scandinavian heritage? (country, people)

[GSPNative]

My background is partially Scandinavian, and my connection is recent--until about 20 years ago, I had older relatives from that country. I've been there and my name is Scandinavian (it's a common name, but I go by a nickname), but otherwise, I don't have much of a connection. I speak only a few words of the language.


I was recently working on a business transaction with people in Scandinavia. I didn't mention my Scandinavian connection, since I figured that it would be seen as racist pandering or idiotic. "Hi, my name is Ulf and my family is from Blekinge!"


One person on my side of the transaction (with ties to Scandinavia) said that I should definitely play up my Scandinavian heritage, since Scandinavians would trust me more.


Is that true: do people in Denmark, Norway and Sweden like to know of an American's or Canadian's Scandinavian background and ethnic ties to Scandinavia, even if the ties are just blood ties, and does that make the Scandinavian person trust the American/Canadian more?


I cannot imagine telling a group of English people with whom I do business that, "Hey, DNA testing says that I'm from near London! We're neighbors!" That would not go over well (and when I worked in Europe, I didn't care if any Europeans had American parents)--but it would work in Scandinavia?


Thanks.

[elnina]

Just be truthful and do honest business. That's what most people expect and respect.
Nobody cares about your DNA findings or roots that on that level are just laughable anyway. Crooks are everywhere, their background doesn't matter.

One person on my side of the transaction (with ties to Scandinavia) said that I should definitely play up my Scandinavian heritage, since Scandinavians would trust me more.

This person is ignorant.

[cmptrwlt]

Originally Posted by GSPNative

My background is partially Scandinavian, and my connection is recent--until about 20 years ago, I had older relatives from that country. I've been there and my name is Scandinavian (it's a common name, but I go by a nickname), but otherwise, I don't have much of a connection. I speak only a few words of the language.

Danish, Norwegian or Swedish? I guess the latter.

Originally Posted by GSPNative

I was recently working on a business transaction with people in Scandinavia. I didn't mention my Scandinavian connection, since I figured that it would be seen as racist pandering or idiotic. "Hi, my name is Ulf and my family is from Blekinge!"

So you are of Swedish decent?

Originally Posted by GSPNative

Is that true: do people in Denmark, Norway and Sweden like to know of an American's or Canadian's Scandinavian background and ethnic ties to Scandinavia, even if the ties are just blood ties, and does that make the Scandinavian person trust the American/Canadian more?

Trust? Are you planning to scam someone?

Numerous of Americans are of Scandinavian decent. Unless you are directly related to someone, the average person would not be interested.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

I'm an American, you're an American. Does that make you trust me more than anyone else? Would you expect me to give you a better deal because we both have American heritage?

[Veritas Vincit]

It depends on how recent and strong the connection is. If for example your mother was born in Sweden then bringing it up certainly can help create a rapport (which is desired in all business conversations). If it's something like just DNA results or your descendants being immigrants from the 19th century then it's probably a stretch which might even be taken poorly as they might consider you a wannabe.

[Moth]

I studied in Germany for a year. A Swedish student named Gustav lived in the same dormitory. We were chatting once- basically the "where ya from" kind of stuff. I mentioned that my grandmother's side came from Sweden. Gustav said that I should try to track down any relatives still in Sweden as "Swedes love to hear from their American cousins."

No idea if that is true as I have yet to try.

[Travel4Food]

Originally Posted by cmptrwlt

Danish, Norwegian or Swedish? I guess the latter.

So you are of Swedish decent?

Trust? Are you planning to scam someone?

Numerous of Americans are of Scandinavian decent. Unless you are directly related to someone, the average person would not be interested.

Americans of Scandinavian descent mostly have other ancestries aswell, so they are of mixed ancestry...

regardless of that, Scandinavians and other Europeans could care less what ancestry americans do have.. you are culturally American, and your mindset, culture and history has played a role in the formation of the US, not the respective european countries..

[Bentonite]

Beyond a mild, polite interest, I don't think most Scandinavians would care.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by GSPNative

My background is partially Scandinavian, and my connection is recent--until about 20 years ago, I had older relatives from that country. I've been there and my name is Scandinavian (it's a common name, but I go by a nickname), but otherwise, I don't have much of a connection. I speak only a few words of the language.


I was recently working on a business transaction with people in Scandinavia. I didn't mention my Scandinavian connection, since I figured that it would be seen as racist pandering or idiotic. "Hi, my name is Ulf and my family is from Blekinge!"

.

I'm still stuck on the "racist pandering" idea.

Let me clarify: I assume you meant ethnic pandering.

[SwedishViking]

I wouldn't really care, if I was on the recieving end I would be like "Oh really?, how nice ", exchange some curtesies and that's pretty much it.

I think most scandinavians are too used to going to other countries on vacations and meeting every other restaurant and street salesman brag with their 4~ learned Swedish/Danish/Norwiegan phrases to get particularly engaged by it.