One of the most charming aspects of life in Stockholm is that when you lose something, about 95% of the people will put it somewhere in the hopes that you will find it. (Not like in Texas where someone sees a hat and proudly declares, “This is MY hat now.”)
During the winter, Stockholm’s streets and parks turn into impromptu lost-and-found displays. Sort of like open-air galleries curated entirely by strangers with excellent manners. And gloves are the main exhibit. It’s a small but thoughtful gesture that speaks volumes about the city’s culture of consideration, not to mention passive optimism.
A single glove found on the ground will likely end up draped over a tree branch, perched on a fence post, or artfully arranged on a bench so the owner might spot it on their next walk. It’s a small but thoughtful gesture that speaks volumes about the city’s culture of consideration.
I recently had my own experience with Stockholm’s unofficial lost-and-found network. I left my helmet in the park and completely forgot about it for six days. Six days! In any other city, that helmet would have either been adopted by a skateboarder, eaten by a raccoon or listed online as “vintage Nordic headgear.” But not in Stockholm.
When I finally remembered, I took a chance and walked back to the park. There it was, hanging neatly on a fence, as though it had been patiently waiting for me to come back. (I’m fairly sure I felt an air of disappointment directed toward me as well, emanating from its straps.)
Over the years, I’ve seen all sorts of items lovingly placed in plain sight: scarves, stuffed animals, and even shoes (though, honestly, how does someone not notice they’ve lost a shoe? Did they limp home in shame or was it a Cinderella story gone wrong?). But last week, I came across my favorite find of all – a toy dinosaur perched on the fence outside my workplace.
Yes, even dinosaurs can get lost. Whether they’re looking for their home, their cave, or their time machine, the people of Stockholm are here to help. There’s something heartwarming about a city where people don’t just ignore lost objects, they elevate them, literally, to better their odds of getting found.
So if you ever misplace something in Stockholm, don’t panic. Just look up and you might find your missing mitten waving at you from the top of a street sign.
Trying to convince my adult children who have never been on an airplane to come visit their relatives – I only have a few more months before I go alone. Advice?
Summer weather is amazing, almost everyone speaks English and the ice cream and pastries are wonderful! I hope they decide to follow!