The Swedish Culture RSS
All illustrations are from the books "The Swedes" and "Working with Swedes"
Swedes tend to have their friendships organised in social bubbles. Each of these social bubbles is linked to a particular activity, place or time in a Swedes...
A Swedish first date
Source: "The Swedish Toolkit"
In many countries around the world
You will invest time and effort
to make the woman you like feel special on your first dat...
My Swedish Neighbour
Do not be surprised if your Swedish neighbour passes just in front of you without looking at you nor greeting you, as if you did not exist, as if you were in...
Leave your baby o...
During my first winter in Sweden, I saw a baby left outside on a cold winter day. I stopped. I looked all around nervously. The parents were...
Italians vs Swede...
“Not only did I notice you have eyes, but I noticed they were blue”
The Swedes was pr...
This is when you know that a Swedish bus is fulland that you need to stand! Swedes love their personal space. Swedes was prepared way before Corona
Out of Office - B...
No apologies. No alternative contact details. No polite ending. The world has stopped until August!
Swedish hairstyli...
Swedish women are free. They are free to decide their hairstyle at any age. Yet there seems to be a pattern. Can anyone explain where this comes from?
Italians vs Swede...
While Italians are experts in the art of seduction, Swedish men are more pragmatic.
Women in Sweden
Swedish women are very independent. Sometimes it feels like they do not need men.
How (not) to talk...
Every day we went running. One day I did not feel well, so I stayed home. When she came back, she was ...
Swedes and eye-co...
Swedes will prefer to respect "other people's privacy", and try not to look at others unless they have a reason to.
Dinners and Swedes
In Sweden, a dinner is not a means of getting to know people, but the result of an established relationship.
A typical Swedish...
A typical Swedish workday: Most employees arrive at work any time between 7 and 9 am. Some choose to start the day early, some go training before work, some ...
Lagom - Typically...
Everything is “just right” in Sweden. It is “Lagom”. How would you like your steak cooked? Lagom How is the ...
Equality: A value...
What does equality mean for you, your organisation and the society you live in? You can understand equality in three different ways.
Good enough is en...
Source: "The Swedes"
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In Sweden, we try not to make anyone feel better or worse than others
We make people feel good
Good enough
Good enough is enough
I...
How to get to kno...
Dinners and gifts are not a means to getting to know people, they are a result of an established relationship.
Swedish Women wit...
Swedish women are pragmatic. They want to wear shoes that allow them to easily jump over a stream, cross a snowfield or ...
The Swedish sauna
The perfect way to meet your new Swedish girlfriend's family! You will be thoroughly observed.
Swedish Women Hai...
A guide to women hair fashion through life crisis. Can anyone explain where it comes from?
Swedes and Weather
The climate in Sweden is harsh. This has an impact on the mood, and Swedes often get...
Do not miss the S...
Fika is more than just a coffee break. For Swedes it represents a lot. It is at the core of the social web at work It is a frame for socializing. Never mis...
Swedish Nightmare
You cannot escape. You have no reason to talk. The distance to fellow humans is uncomfortably close. You really hope that...
Swedish women are...
In many countries around the world you will invest time and efforts to make the woman you like feel special. You want her to feel like you really care about ...
In Scandinavia we...
During my first winter visit in Sweden I saw a baby left outside on a cold winter day. I stopped. I looked all around me nervously...
Swedish förfest
I love Swedish förfest! The first time i entered a Swedish party I saw guys...
Dress like a Swede
Swedes like to dress nicely but informally at work. The basic rule is: clean and neat. This will appear...
A Swedish Julbord
The first time it happened to me I did not know how to react. All my Swedish colleagues and supervisors lined up one after the other to tell me how good of a...
Swedes and person...
This is when you know that a Swedish bus stop is full, and that you need to stand. Swedes need space. A lot of Space! What if...
Expressing Swedis...
Swedes are often more subtle in their praise and careful in their expression of feelings. While in many countries we learn to express feelings openly from...
A Swedish Bus Ride
This is when you know that a Swedish bus is full and that you need to stand! Swedes value their personal space as much as...
Swedes and conflicts
Swedes avoid conflict. Each culture defines what a conflictual situation is. What may be perceived as a conflict by a Swede may be...
Being Gallant in ...
Gallant: (of a man) charmingly attentive to women. Ever since I was 12 years old I have been told to open doors for women, to walk on the right side of the s...
Swedes and Week n...
Swedes love meetings. They even have meetings to plan other meetings. Meetings start exactly when they are supposed to and finish exactly when they are suppo...
Swedes and Physic...
When you meet a Swede. Remember to be subtle in your physical contact. Kissing is...
Talking with a Swede
In Sweden, if you want to discuss feelings, get an appointment with ...
Getting married i...
Swedish is a simple language with few words. There may not be different words for things that are nearly the same
Swedes and small ...
Source: "The Swedish Toolkit"
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Sometimes Swedes greet each other by saying “Hej Hej”
Sometimes they just smile
Sometimes they look down
Sometimes they do ...
Is everyone equal...
"In Sweden, equality is about equality of results." This understanding of equality influences many aspects of the Swedish society.
How to make frien...
In many cultures, friendships are built by giving and receiving. Not that much in Sweden.