Do not be surprised if your Swedish neighbour passes just in front of you
Without looking at you
Without greeting you
As if you did not exist
As if you were invisible
He is not rude, nor impolite
He is actually very polite
Scandinavian polite
He does not want to disturb
He will talk to you if there is a practical reason to do so
If something is wrong with the garden
If he is unpleased by something
If your neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances do not greet you and small talk, it does not mean they do not like you
They are just trying to be polite, Scandinavian polite
--
"The Swedes" and "Working with Swedes" present many of the unknown social rules in Sweden
By Julien S. Bourrelle
Watch him on TED
