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Travel with Rick Steves

417a Scandinavian Smackdown; Green Book Road Trips

Travel with Rick Steves

Rick Steves

Places & Travel, Rick Steves, Travel, Public Radio, 721132, Society & Culture, Npr, Europe

4.52.5K Ratings

🗓️ 12 January 2019

⏱️ 51 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Have you heard the one about the Swede, the Norwegian, and the Dane? Find out what Scandinavians tend to think about their Nordic neighbors, and the sometimes not-so-subtle differences that help give each country its distinct identity. Then listen in for the story of the US travel guide from the mid-20th century that helped African Americans find a welcome on the road.

For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcript

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0:00.0

People in Sweden will tell you that they can't tell when a Norwegian is angry.

0:04.0

That's because the way they talk makes them sound like they're always happy.

0:07.0

They're very positive singing. You cannot be mistaken.

0:11.0

If someone sounds almost ridiculously positive, it's a Norwegian.

0:14.7

While their Scandinavian neighbors tend to think that the Swedes can be a little standoffish.

0:19.4

Probably the Norwegians and Danes are more likely to thrust a beer in the guests hand and invite them in for dinner where the Swedes just want to kind of take a look and see what is this all about.

0:30.0

Coming up, learn how the Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes view one another.

0:35.1

Not long ago, many African American travelers had to rely on a special guidebook when segregation

0:40.0

made it hard to find a welcome place to stay.

0:42.2

You were just regular houses, and there was no phone numbers.

0:44.7

You would just drive up, knock on the door and see

0:47.0

that you listed in the Green Book.

0:48.7

A lot of times the people wouldn't even charge.

0:51.3

Learn the history of the Green Book and hear about the rivalries between Scandinavian

0:55.7

cousins in the hour ahead on Travel with Rick Steeves.

1:01.0

It's easy to take the comforts of modern travel for granted. But not so many years ago,

1:06.0

travel for business or pleasure wasn't always so easy, especially for African Americans.

1:11.0

It could be strewn with daily obstacles and danger.

1:15.0

Coming up today on Travel with Rick Steves, Calvin Alexander Ramsey shares the story of a special

1:20.0

guidebook that circulated among African- communities in the mid 20th century.

1:25.0

We'll find out how black businessmen and families relied on the Green Book to find a welcome

1:30.2

and a safe welcome on the road during the days of segregation and Jim Crow laws.

...

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