Irene’s dad was a MD, she was a medical student, with four daughters and all prospect suitors were supposed to take his litmus test of approval. They had to eat under his supervision ‘surströmming’, a tin of fermented fish some would say rotten fish. Ma ushered us into the garden because she didnot want the pungent smell of the fish, when the tin was opened, in her house. The lid of the tin was bulging but that was regarded as a good sign, a kind of quality stamp…
The Dutch also have there own version of fermented fish so I could handle it, apart from that first horrible smell that hit you like a hammer. Dad was delighted that I passed the test with flying colors and said that I was a true Swede now. What also oiled the gears with him was the fact that every time I came by the house I brought along a bottle of whiskey which was and still is liquid gold over there.