Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Events
    • Shop
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Events
    • Shop
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
👤

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR EXPATS, DIGITAL NOMADS, AND DREAMERS.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Your Escape Plan

Typical Swedish

  • BY EA Editors
  • May 25, 2016
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

There are a few things that are typically Swedish and if you want to understand your new country you should be aware of these social norms that make Sweden typical Swedish.

 

What is tea for the British is coffee for the Swedes. Fikaor coffee breakis a very important part of everyday life in Sweden. People will meet with friends, colleagues and family and enjoy a cup of coffee with some pastry. But having company isn’t really necessary to enjoy your fika, a nice cup of coffee all by yourself counts as a valid coffee break as well.

 

Many stores close early, especially at weekends. Unless you want to go to a gas station to buy your bread for breakfast you should do your shopping before 10:00 pm. It’s worth keeping in mind that since many Swedes are done with their regular jobs around five you’ll likely be battling crowds to get your shopping done between five and half past six.

 

To prepare you for your first visit to the cold foods section of a grocery store, understand that in Sweden, tubes are also used to package foods such as caviar, mayonnaise, mustard, and other similar condiments. It takes some time to get used to that especially if you come from the US or Canada, but please be assured that food from a tube is just as good as if it comes out f a jar or can.

 

In Sweden, couples are entitled to 480 days of paid parental leave, and this time can be shared between parents. So don’t be surprised if you see lots of young fathers taking care of their new babies and the housework while their wives are back at work.

 

In Sweden people have the Right of Public Access which means that it allows the public to roam freely, even on private land, to camp overnight and to pick mushrooms and berries. The right also brings responsibilities – to treat flora and fauna and other people’s property with care. It can be summed up in the phrase ‘don’t disturb, don’t destroy’. The Right of Public Access is written into the Swedish constitution. But it is not a law as such, rather a custom or part of the cultural heritage that has evolved and become accepted over the years.

Most people take their annual vacation in July so you might find many restaurants and stores closed during that time of year.

 

When you visit a private home don’t forget to take off your shoes. This way you show respect for the home you enter and avoid dragging in dirt especially during the winter months.

Swedes are very punctual and when you are invited to either a business meeting or a private fika or dinner you are supposed to be there at the given time.

 

If you like to have a nice relaxing drink when coming home from work or celebrate with friends at home you should be aware that you won’t be able to buy alcohol in a supermarket. The only legal option to buy stronger spirits is to purchase them from one of the about 400 state run liquor stores.

 

In Sweden you will be charged for the plastic bags you need to bag your groceries. So many people recycle and reuse the bags until they fall apart thus helping to keep waste low and keep the environment a little bit healthier.

 

Drinking straight from the tap is the norm in Sweden. The water is clean and fresh, so you can save both money and the environment by not buying bottled water. And if you like to celebrate your favorite food, maybe you will like Shrove Tuesday (Fettisdagen), which in Sweden calls for a semla; Waffle Day (Våffeldagen) on March 25; and Cinnamon Bun Day (October 4).

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Previous Article
  • Belize

A Look at Belize’s Banking Compliance in the Wake of the Panama Papers and FATCA

  • BY EA Editors
  • December 15, 2015
View Post
Next Article
  • Real Estate

The Basics of Buying International Real Estate Overseas

  • BY David Pierce CCIM
  • July 7, 2016
View Post
You May Also Like
Thailand Apartments for Rent: Prices, Best Cities, and Tips
View Post
  • Thailand
Thailand Apartments for Rent: Prices, Best Cities, and Tips
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 13, 2025
Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026
View Post
  • Spain
Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 13, 2025
Belize Language Reality: Multilingual Life Beyond Official English
View Post
  • Belize
Belize Language Reality: Multilingual Life Beyond Official English
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 11, 2025
Cost of Living in Portugal 2025: What It Really Takes to Live Well
View Post
  • Portugal
Cost of Living in Portugal: What It Really Takes to Live Well
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 11, 2025
Cost of Living in New Zealand: 2025 Complete Guide
View Post
  • New Zealand
Cost of Living in New Zealand: 2025 Complete Guide
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 10, 2025
Costa Rica Cost of Living Guide: Prices, Budgets, and Tips
View Post
  • Costa Rica
Costa Rica Cost of Living Guide: Prices, Budgets, and Tips
  • BY Carla Rodrigues
  • October 10, 2025
Top 10 Best Places to Live in Mexico – Discover Your Ideal City
View Post
  • Mexico
Top 10 Best Places to Live in Mexico – Discover Your Ideal City
  • BY Carla Rodrigues
  • October 8, 2025
Buying a Property abroad
View Post
  • Your Escape Plan
Why More Investors Are Buying Homes Offshore
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 8, 2025
Trending Posts
  • Hungarian Citizenship by Descent Journey from Amercia 1
    • Second Citizenship
    Our Journey from America to Hungarian Citizenship
    • October 1, 2025
  • Buying a Property abroad 2
    • Your Escape Plan
    Why More Investors Are Buying Homes Offshore
    • October 8, 2025
  • Expat Child Syndrome 3
    • Wellness
    The Untold Story of Expat Kids
    • October 6, 2025
  • Abkhazia jewel of Soviet summer escapes 4
    • Field Notes
    Secrets of the Soviet Riviera
    • October 3, 2025
  • Every relocation begins with intention: a checklist, a map, a plan, and the clarity to choose the country that fits your next chapter. 5
    • Plan B
    Where to Move Next: The Best Expatriate Countries in 2025
    • October 7, 2025
InterNations
Know Before You Go
  • Thailand Apartments for Rent: Prices, Best Cities, and Tips 1
    • Thailand
    Thailand Apartments for Rent: Prices, Best Cities, and Tips
    • October 13, 2025
  • Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026 2
    • Spain
    Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026
    • October 13, 2025
  • Belize Language Reality: Multilingual Life Beyond Official English 3
    • Belize
    Belize Language Reality: Multilingual Life Beyond Official English
    • October 11, 2025
  • Cost of Living in Portugal 2025: What It Really Takes to Live Well 4
    • Portugal
    Cost of Living in Portugal: What It Really Takes to Live Well
    • October 11, 2025
  • Cost of Living in New Zealand: 2025 Complete Guide 5
    • New Zealand
    Cost of Living in New Zealand: 2025 Complete Guide
    • October 10, 2025
Learn More
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Newsletter Subscription
Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/