the swedes are generally a content bunch, aspiring for "lagom" in all aspects of life, meaning not too good, not too bad, not too salty, not too sweet, not too anything, anything but extreme to any pole - just right. the lagomy way of life seems to be working for them quite well.

there is one thing that can really get a swede off balance, however, and that's the fear of getting a ticket, henceforth referred to as "a ticket" or "the ticket". the fear of getting "a ticket" is rooted deeply in the heart of the swedes, and goes hand in hand with their aspiration of lagom. you can get "a ticket" if you drive without your driver's license, and surely we wouldn't want that, and also if you get on the subway without paying, and that could really be disturbing. getting "a ticket" could seriously rock your world, and is probably the israeli equivalent of getting kidnapped by an angry militant muslim mob. sneaking in a club could also get you "a ticket". there are, however, brilliant ways to dodge getting "the ticket" (which is, by the way, give to you by "the police") - when you get "a ticket", "the police" will ask for your details, which you give them, usually without checking your details. you can, therefore, claim that "the ticket" was given to someone else who used your details. very brilliant, very dodgy.
I asked one of my newly acquired friends here, what happens if you simply not pay "the ticket". he thought for a minute, scratched his head, and replied: "i'm not sure, I don't know of anyone who hasn't".
that, ladies and gentleman, is lagom for you.