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Sometimes Swedes greet each other by saying “Hej Hej”
Sometimes they just smile
Sometimes they look down
Sometimes they do not even look at you
Swedes are not rude
Maybe a little shy sometimes
If it is the first time you meet a Swede
It is common to shake hands
And to introduce oneself
If your name is Eva and you are Swedish
You may simply say
”Hi, Eva.”
Omitting the verb and subject in the sentence
It is clear, simple and efficient
A foreigner expecting ”Hi, I am Eva” or “Hi, my name is Eva.”
May be left thinking that you think that she is called Eva
If they ask you “Hur mår du?”
Just reply “Bra tack”
It means that you are fine
Nothing more
Remember that time is everything to a Swede.
Avoid small talk
Swedes will talk to each other if they have a practical reason to do so
Illustrations: Working with Swedes
"The Swedes" and "Working with Swedes" present many of the unknown social rules in Sweden
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