April 4, 2003 5:41 AM

Anything for a free drink

Swedes fool thirsty Norwegians

I'd forgotten that April Fools Day was this past Tuesday until I read this.

The stereotype of the bargain-hunting Norwegian, the rivalry with their Swedish neighbors and April Fools' Day combined to create a wicked prank that left booze-craving Norwegians looking silly, Swedish newspaper Bohusläningen reports.

Some Swedish practical jokers in the Strömstad area - noted for its booming border trade in meat, alcohol and other tempting items that are far cheaper than in Norway - set up a row of signs along the E6 near the Värmlands Bridge, the traffic artery used by Norwegian shoppers.

The ten signs appeared in the official colors of Systembolaget, Sweden's state alcohol monopoly, and seemed to lead to their new drive-in store, which offered free taste tests and other bargains.

The signs led gullible motorists around Strömstad, then south, before ending at a recycling plant in Österröd.

Newspaper Bohusläningen reported traffic congestion at the recycling plant, and appeared to be amused by the joke on their shopping-crazy neighbors.

I suppose it could have been worse; at least the Swedes didn't invade Norway, but then, who would have noticed?

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on April 4, 2003 5:41 AM.

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