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
Swedes love to have a frame for socializing
Fika is a set time during work where colleagues meet up to drink coffee twice a day
Eating lovely Swedish cakes,
sweets,
biscuits
or sandwiches
Fika is where relaxed interactions happen
Conversations can be about anything
Private life, weather, sports, training, work., etc.
And sometimes fika can become “business fika”
And may last longer
There are set fika times both in the morning and afternoon
Never miss them if you want to be part of the team
You’re expected to participate
And sometimes even to bring some cakes
You prepare them yourself or buy them at the bakery
Planning is essential in Sweden
Some workplaces will have a fika schedule
Where you can see when each employee needs to bring cakes
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"The Swedes" and "Working with Swedes" present many of the unknown social rules in Sweden
By Julien S. Bourrelle
Watch him on TED
