SWEDEN | Socializing | Cultural information
Mentality & Communication
Swedish people are generally held to be punctual, law abiding and respectful of rules and regulations. Smoking, for instance, is not permitted in public places such as banks, post offices or in shops. These restrictions are respected. When Swedish people wait for something they form queues, it's not polite to push into the front of a queue.
People from abroad can sometimes think that Swedish people are a little bit difficult to get to know. They may seem distant and reserved. But they can also make loyal friends once you get to know them.
It is important to bear in mind that Swedish law strictly forbids attitudes and behavior deemed offensive to women on sexual or other grounds. Equal rights for women are well protected, both by law and in practice, and their violation will not be accepted.
Sweden is a tolerant, modern society that for many years has made it a key priority to secure minority rights through legislation and in practice. Homosexuals live openly and self-avowed gay people occupy responsible positions in public life. While pockets of ignorance and discrimination may remain, they are few and far between.
Going out to Eat or Drink
People in Sweden are normally expected to pay for their share when eating out with colleagues or friends, and tend to calculate the exact amount they owe. As a foreign woman you may be surprised to find that your Swedish date does not offer to pay for you. By the same token, Swedish women may insist on paying for themselves. However, many Swedish women still respond positively to a bit of old-fashioned courtship. On the other hand, it is not unusual for men and women to form friendships without being romantically involved.
In Sweden you can only buy alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine and spirits at a special store called Systembolaget. Systembolaget´s business is a state owned monopoly, and from the very outset its retailing activities have been separated from any private profit. Systembolaget staff are entitled to request customer identification as a means of ensuring that no sales are made to people under the age of 20.
Local Customs
Midsummer is a big celebration held at summer solstice. It is Sweden's most enthusiastically celebrated festival. At midsummer Swedish people dance around a maypole, drinking schnapps and It is also traditionally the night where girls are supposed to meet their love - which can make for an interesting night for some. All Swedes head to the coast or to their holiday homes, and enjoy the almost 24 hour sunlight. The Lucia Festival (13 December) has only been celebrated for about 60 years but has become very popular. As well as commemorating the martyrdom of a pious Sicilian girl, Lucia celebrates the coming of Christmas with processions of robed youngsters, plenty of glögg (a hot alcoholic fruit punch) for the grownups, and singing.
When Sweden is at its darkest, Santa Lucia comes in with candles in her hair. Even though she originally was an Italian saint, Lucia has become one of Sweden's most popular traditions. Early in the morning of 13 December, thousands of Lucias light up the Swedish winter darkness. In her long white gown and crown of lit candles, she and her followers of maids, lads, little Santas and gingerbread men sing of Christmas and treat their listeners to coffee and saffron buns. Many parties are also arranged on the night of the 12th awaiting Lucia. The Swedish traditions have, due to immigration, become enriched by foreign traditions and holidays from other cultures and religions. A lot of people with foreign descent keep practising their religion in their new home country and consequently a lot of Swedes have started celebrating those holidays as well, one such is Ramadan. Old and new Swedish traditions coincide. If one should not like herring, one can always order a kebab, pizza or a falafel. Sweden is a multicultural smorgasbord!