Switzerland (not Sweden)

I recently came across a hilarious video on YouTube that perfectly captures a common misunderstanding: many people often confuse Switzerland with Sweden, and vice versa. Living in the Netherlands made me aware of this mix-up more than once.

Time and again, my Dutch friends would inquire about my ethnic background. I would reply, “I am Swiss,” only to see their puzzled expressions as they struggled to reconcile my appearance with their expectations of a Swiss person. The confusion intensified when I spoke fluent Dutch; they would assume I must be Dutch. But when I clarified that I was Swiss, they’d pause and say, “Oh, Sweden is such a beautiful country! Are you planning to go back there anytime soon?”

I would chuckle and explain that I had no plans to return to Sweden, as I was actually from Switzerland, which only added to their bewilderment.

Interestingly, the mix-up isn’t one-sided; the Swedes often find themselves confused with the Swiss, and they recently released a delightful video addressing this cultural faux pas.