6 . “One day I went to a Swedish friend’s and while we were playing in his room, his mom yelled that dinner was ready. And check this. He told me to WAIT in his room while they ate!” an Internet user shared on a media platform. Consequently, there was a lot of criticism (批评) of the Swedes. Many said they wouldn’t dream of being so mean in their culture. Would a host in Sweden really not invite a guest to join their meal if it’s dinnertime?

It does happen, says Richard Tell Strom, a food historian at Stockholm University. He says this so-called “non-hospitality” was customary when he was a kid in the ‘60s and ‘70s. If he was over a friend’s house and it was time for dinner, he would go back to his own house to eat. Or he would stay and wait in another room while his friend finished his meal. Then they’d continue playing.

“Some Swedes think feeding a guest creates a sense of duty.“ explains Telstra.” And in a society that values quality and independence, people don’t want to put a burden on someone or feel like they owe someone something.” However, it wasn’t a common rule. Families in the countryside, for example, were more likely to feed guests. People lived farther apart, so it wasn’t as easy for people to go home and eat. The “no dinner for you” policy has slowly faded, says Tell Strom. “Since the 1990s, food has become a new symbol in society. We have open kitchens. People like to dine there and show off their cooking.”

But non-sharing hosts haven’t completely disappeared, says Mohini Mchta, a food scholar. She admits she had a tough time adjusting to life in Sweden when she moved there in 2020. She was used to cooking dinner every day for friends and hosting dinner parties almost weekly in India. She learned that in some cultures, like her own, sharing a meal with someone is a way to break the ice-but this isn’t always the case for Swedes.

7 . A Cappella Competition

Do you love to sing?

Come and show off your talents at the Chilton Youth A Cappella Competition

October 20th, 11:00-17:00

Edward Greatcoat Theater, Sealey Road, Chilton

Rules

Please remember that this is a cappella (清唱) competition!

No instruments or recorded music will be allowed.

Competitors may sing published or original songs in any style.

Competitors must be between 8 and 15 years old.

There are four categories (类)：

Solo (8 — 11 years old)

Solo (12 — 15 years old)

Group (8 — 11 years old)

Group (12 — 15 years old)

Competitors under 2 years old must stay with a parent or other adult at all times.

Each competitor must pay an entry fee of $10.

Winners will receive $500 and a course of 20 lessons with famous voice teacher Vickie Leonard.

Winners will be decided by three judges from the Chilton School of Music. Their decision is final.

Additional information

Please arrive at the Edward Greatcoat Theater between 9:00 and 10:00 to register, as the competition will start at 11:00. The parking lot has limited spaces so you are advised to come as early as possible.

Shared dressing rooms with showers will be provided for all competitors.

Tickets for the competition are available at the theater from October 1st. There is no charge for these, but again, spaces are limited.