What NOT to Do in Sweden | Avoid These 10 Mistakes!
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- Опубліковано 14 тра 2024
- Swedish people are often polite and friendly, and they don't show their dislike very openly. But there are some things that Swedes HATE above all others! Avoid these pitfalls if you visit Sweden.
This list includes some common and some more unexpected items. They might be especially unexpected if you come from a very different culture compared to the Nordics and Scandinavia.
These are the ten things discussed in this video:
10. Buying a round of drinks for everyone at the table. It might sound like a common thing to do, but you should be wary of that in Sweden.
9. Asking about people's salaries. This is still a very taboo topic in Sweden, so avoid it.
8. Boasting is rude in almost every culture, but it's especially rude in Sweden due to the Law of Jante (Jantelagen).
7. If you mix up Sweden and Denmark, or Sweden and Norway, then you've really gone and annoyed us Swedes...
6. Don't stand on the wrong side of the escalator. Really. This is something only extremely ignorant or rude people do.
5. Many people are atheist or agnostic in Sweden, so discussing your religion is seen as....quite odd.
4. It's common to speak loudly in many cultures. Sweden is NOT one of those cultures.
3. Give people some space! Do not walk too close to people.
2. Here's a silly one that I just had to include: don't talk about the Finnish hockey team. We've been beaten a few too many times by them.
1. And finally, the most important thing not to do: do not EVER cut in line. Seriously. Don't even think about it.
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Check out this video for even MORE things not to do in Sweden: ua-cam.com/video/dm18hSIUQL8/v-deo.html
Selfridges used to have an announcement at esxcslstorplease stand on the right Snd allow others tobpassbonbthebleft
That two meters apart thing during the pandemic was very awkward in Sweden where the usual distance is five meters
"Do we really have to stand that close?! Two meters is like intercourse!"
LOL
😂
I stayed in Gothenburg for 3 months during the height of the omicron variant, the more infectious form of covid, and there was just not much social distancing at all. Streets, malls, trains, all packed shoulder to shoulder. Not a mask in sight.
I guess a few thousands people didn't care for safety. they don't represent the wiser population.
Having spent 5 years in Stockholm, I quickly discovered the number one thing not to do in Sweden is saying hello or good morning to neighbors. Such a friendly gesture will make their eyes quickly widen as they run away in a mad panic.
That is SO correct! ...Except if you go out to the archipelago or other small posh areas. There it's custom that you ALWAYS greet others, and if you don't say hello, then they scowl at you and wonder what kind of weirdo you are...
what are u a crazy person?
I understand well, why my husband had been surprised with morning greetings and even smiles everywhere here in the Philippines thats shocked him thoroughly!
Because of Swedish dont use to have or done it as he explained to me.
ha ha ha
Thats why my neighbors hate me , I always say hello! Still there are some that never say a word! Ive been living in the same apartment for 23 years! Sad..! 😭🤓😂✌
Very interesting!
I am American with Swedish roots.. I have always been very quiet by nature, I don't appreciate confrontation but I DO appreciate modesty, personal space, and polite distance from strangers.. I do not like to disclose alot of personal information.
I'm also spiritual but not religious, and I also don't like people buying me drinks!
I want to buy my own, thank you anyway!
I also agree, cutting in line is unforgivable lol
I know being American is a strike against me 😆 but I am very proud of being of Swedish ancestry and happy to know I like to inherently carry Swedish etiquette with me 🇸🇪 ❤️
Seems like there's a lot of Swedish in you despite being American! I wonder if that's because of subtle hints of Swedishness that's been kept in the family...or if this "introverted Scandinavian behaviour" is more universal than one things for some people?
Being Swedish is not a compliment. Take your grouchy self …..
You're just an introverted american. It's not your "Swedish roots"
The average "european" american prolly has like one great great great grandfather whos parents moved to that country just after he was born.
I am the same, I like to think some of it is Swedish roots rubbing off on us, but also I did grow up w/ my swedish side being VERY proud to be Swedish so perhaps it was just natural i would turn out introverted and polite and non confrontational.
Being Swedish, but with a whole cadre of close friends from all around the world, I think I'll just link them this video instead of trying to explain our weird habits over and over 😂
Definitely the easiest way to explain Sweden I think ;D
This video had nothing to do with being swedish, at all.
Thank you so much,
It's my first time in Sweden, it's very helpful for me
Really happy to hear that! :D Hope you're enjoying your time here...even though it's cold and snowy / rainy right now...
Watching this as a German who is moving to Sweden for a job, I don't see any difference, just a bit longer days in summer and shorter in winter.😅
Haha! That explains why I don't feel much of a difference when I visit Germany 😀
@@ThreeStarVagabondLol that would make sense. Natural-born Swedes and Germans seem very similar
@@ThreeStarVagabond oh, good. My flight to ARN is going in 6 hours from ZRH (extremely random, I just picked a cheap flight, anywhere was fine). This will be my first visit to Sweden. I'm German, too. Looks like I don't have to prepare that much. I already rented a car from Hertz and I plan on driving around a little. All just to clear my head after a recent break-up. Returning on Wednesday.
@@teyton90Sounds like the perfect recipe - change of pace and a change of scenery. It's pretty cold now, but as long as the rain stays away it can be absolutely gorgeous to drive around. If you're staying around Stockholm, check out Mariefred and Gripsholm Castle. If you're heading up north, check out the High Coast area :D
@@ThreeStarVagabond @ThreeStarVagabond IT WAS AMAZING! I rented a car (hybrid, like everyone in Sweden, lol. Extremely lotsa electric cars!) and started driving West - still having no idea what I'm doing. Didn't matter, the nature was so beautiful and I stopped on every brown sign showing an interesting spot (you know these street signs on highways leading you to a POI). So calm and quiet. I drove about 1500km/4 days. Parked my car at the Norwegian border at a beautiful national park and went the remaining km by foot, just so I can say I've been to Norway. Heard some weird animal noises. Went back, then south, through Gothenburg and back through Stockholm.
What an amazing country. I will definitely come back one day (and have time for the places you mentioned).
Thanks for the useful information!
And thank you for checking it out!
been bingeing on your videos, really enjoying them
So happy to hear that! Thanks a lot :D
Visiting from US. Discovered your videos and have watched 7-8 of them. You are terrific and your videos are fun and informative. Keep up the great work.
Thank you SO much! Really happy to hear that :D And happy that I can provide some hopefully interesting things about Sweden :)
The best is giving a compliment to a Swede in front of other Swedes and watching them look around awkwardly and change the subject.
Haha, guilty! We just try to include everyone in the praise, or make a joke of it. If that fails we flee...
Please don't break the Swede. Singling one person out for praise is traumatic.🤣
Wow nice blog god bless I follower for you
No, thats not true at all. Noone I know does that, noone.
Really useful, thanks. Can't wait....
Thanks :D Really happy to help! :D
thank you 🙏 it was very helpful
Thank you - really happy to hear that :D
Another brilliant video, I love number 10, a friend of mine calculates the rounds just like the Swedish, so I’ll make sure he buys the first when we visit Stockholm in February
Haha, that's a good plan! People here often feel better overpaying than having the anxiety of not paying enough. However... If a cheap Swede is in the party he'll actually keep track that the rest of the people all buy rounds then! 😂
Thanks , appreciate, vlog was interesting and informative 😊
Thank you! Really happy to hear that :D
Good to know. Thanks for the tips.😊
Happy to be of some small assistance 😄
Hello, very interesting information as always. Have a great day 👍
Always brings a smile to my face to see such a nice comment :D Cheers, hope you have a great one too!
the more I learn about Sweden the more I like It. Just a place of humble quite people who like to keep to themselves.
Yep, that's pretty much us! A country full of introverts - but we're pretty decent despite that 😂
@@ThreeStarVagabond Yh this sounds like me and the British in general. Pretty much all of that you said could be replaced with Britian and it would make so much sense. Buying rounds is the only one that we do and we do that quite religiously. We are also very quite unless we are drunk which is quite often
@@connortopping6943 Haha! Yeah I think Swedes and Brits get along really well actually! I think there's a really cool ironic humility in Britain... Like, everyone is expected to talk crap about themselves and their place - in a nice way :D
This is amazing. Spot on in every number 🤣
Haha, thank you! :D
I just have to comment, I was laughing so much throughout your video. 👏😂 Your humor is awesome, and I've been convinced for years that I was born in the wrong country (US), and this video just confirms it. I definitely would fit in in Sweden or Finland more than where I live.
You have no idea how happy your comment makes me! Partly I'm happy that you enjoyed the video, but I'm also thrilled that you can identify with the same mentally 😀 Cheers!
@@ThreeStarVagabond I'm happy to hear that it made you happy! :) Currently watching some of your other videos 👏😊
@@freyjav6055 I hope you like them! I kind of jump between topics and locations a bit - guess I just like to keep varied 😊
@@ThreeStarVagabond Varied is quite nice actually, I feel that it definitely keeps things interesting! :) Skål!
@@freyjav6055 Awesome! Well, skål then! :D
This video is hilarious! I laughed so much! Thanks for the laughs and the video😂😅
Haha, so happy to hear that! Thanks for checking it out :D
I can’t wait to go! These all sound like my own preferences anyway (maybe because of Swedish heritage?) 😂 our trip got delayed due to world events, but we still plan on coming to visit soon!
Oh too bad! But yeah, some people find the Swedish mentality pretty weird...but some people fit right in straight away. Maybe introversion is a genetic heritage :D
A great video! Thanks a lot 😊.
My pleasure! :D
Great video! You have such a funny sense of humor!
Thank you so much! I try at least :D
I just happened to fell in love with Swedish culture after this video
Haha! We're a quirky bunch for sure :D
The koran
This has helped me understand my beloved late grandfather so much more as his parents came from Malmos.
Wow, happy to hear that! It's amazing to hear that these kind of videos actually help people in various ways :D
Malmö
Great video! A presentation with lots of humour!
Thank you so much! Appreciate it 😀
Great information! ❤
Just a little bit tongue-in-cheek 😊
Älskar den här kanalen, du är för bra för tuben! Har snart sett alla dina videor.
Fy fasen vad kul! Tack så mycket - men undvik det gamla skräpet för din egen skull ;D
@@ThreeStarVagabond Haha okej! Alla börjar någonstans.
As a Swede. I loved this video, thanks for the laughs 😁😂
Really happy to hear that! :D Thanks - we need to be able to laugh at ourselves after all... ^_^
Very true, life's better that way 😁
as a foreigner it is neither funny nor fun but depressing and sad
This is great. thanks.
Thank you! :D
Fantastic guide, thanks
Thank you so much :D
Din attityd är helt underbar, älsklar att du tar upp problemen på ett avslappnat sätt👍
Tack! Jag gör mitt bästa - det är bra att ta upp saker utan att göra en stor grej av det tycker jag 😊
Sarcasm on point. Love your content
Thank you so much! Haha, I try at least :D
You’re the best! I’m going to Stockholm in a couple of months and I am taking notes from your videos. I’m an American who loves my personal space, so I mainly have to talk softer 🤣
Haha no worries! People here are used to tourists so no one will be all that bothered either way. Just enjoy and have fun! Thank you so much, and hope you'll have a wonderful time :D
lovely as usual
Thank you so much! :D
useful informations, thanks.
Cheers! :D
thanks for sharing
And thank you for watching! :D
😂😅 very informative & well delivered
Thank you very much! :D
Good to know thankiuu !
klar bästa beskrivning vi har av dessa oskrivna lagar. Skickar detta till alla gäster som reser hit. Tackar!
Yay tackar! Haha man försöker iaf :D
Things must have changed since my family came from Scandinavia. My father (100% Norwegian) never quit moving. Hardest working man I've ever known. Put himself through college without being able to read (undiagnosed dyslexia - National Honor Society). We used to joke his photo belonged on the meme "Git er done". He would fall asleep if he sat down. My mother (50% Danish) almost as hard working as dad, very gifted artistically - a perfectionist. Neither parent ever drank alcohol. The only 'Swedes' in our family - came from Finland. I grew up in an American town of Finns. Tried to speak Finn to my aunt - she only spoke Swede (and English). Swedes from Sweden I knew growing up - always exuded a sense of superiority. The rest of us thought this hilarious. So much for the law of Jante.
Really funny to hear! I guess that people who have the drive to move to a different country are more adventurous and want to make more of a change? But yeah, all of this is of course just stereotypes from me. There are always different individuals in each country, and there are just some general cultural trends (that are often broken).
Good morning from Papua New Guinea.
I enjoyed watching your contents. Great contents ❤.
Thank you so much! Really happy to hear that. Oh, and I'd really like to visit Papua New Guinea some day!
@@ThreeStarVagabond
i absolutely agree with this video. Totally rational things that one must NOT do.
I’m watching a lot of your videos to prepare for my trip. Your jokes are hilarious
Oh wow, thanks a lot! Really happy that you enjoy them :D And happy if you find them a bit useful as well! ^_^
Thank you so much for your precious tips! By experience, Swedes are usually very friendly and reliable, also self-ironical. They are not icebergs at all! We should learn to appreciate different points of views to improve and enrich ourselves. That's the path to a better world. You do contribute to that by means of your amusing but educational videos. Tack sa mycket! A big thanks to you and your compatriots 🙂🙂
That's so kind of you to say! I'm really happy that I can provide a little bit of help - while hopefully bringing a smile to people's faces as well :D
@@ThreeStarVagabond Tack sa mycket for att svara pa min kommentar sa snabbt! Du ar helt vanlig. Genom dina videos kan jag le, skratta och tanka, men lara mig sa mycket också! Jag ar ledsen att jag kan inte skriva med prickar pa vokalerna! Jag hoppas att du forstar"min" svenska :-) Tusen tack igen! Ha det bra! Giorgio fran Rome 🙂
@@citroen143 Of course! And your Swedish is pretty much perfect (except for the dots) just so you know! Tack så mycket, och hoppas det inte är allt för varmt i Rom nu!
@@ThreeStarVagabond Den snabbaste mannen i Sverige! Du ar väldigt sympatisk. Det ar for varmt i Rom. Tosti betyder en typ av smorgas i nederländska och min katt heter Gustav som din kung. Hälsningar till dig och Kungen Gustav. Inga prickar.....det ar ett problem.....Du borde lara eller undervisa i svenska. Tack sa mycket for dina tålamod och artighet. Goran 🙂
Thumbs up for "What NOT to do in Sweden". We're coming to visit in August. I plan to fact check this video. Looking forward to a wonderful visit. Thank you.
Haha, I think it's all still valid! Except for one thing: the Medieval Museum is closed since they're moving to a different location. Hope you'll have a great time despite that :D
Du är rolig och det tycker fler när jag läser kommentarerna!
Tack! :D Jättekul att höra - inte alla som håller med att jag är kul ;)
Quite useful tips...Yes, I find many swedes very humble natured and down to earth....Facts about Norway, Denmark and Finland was just :D
Haha we love to make fun of each others' countries up here - the Nordics are like sibling countries. But thank you, and happy that you enjoyed it :D
Beautiful country, art and poetry, beautiful people. In every day life, though, Swedes are reserved, distant, and apparently discreetly judgmental. Despite all their good qualities, the people are too cold for me, I would become seriously depressed. Marseille, Naples, here I come
That's a very interesting observation - "discreetly judgmental". That might be a really good description for it. I think there's similar behavour in some other countries as well, but maybe it's not very common. Oh well, let's hope the Mediterranean is better!
Hi and thank you for your interesting videos. would you like doing a video in which you compare Stockholm with Goteborg and Malmö ? tack
That's actually a really good idea! Thanks for the suggestion - I'll note it down. But I need to find time to visit Malmö and examine it more closely again first I think...
@@ThreeStarVagabond I understand, I'm very interested in your perspective about it. Thank you
laughed a lot) thnx, subscribed)
Thanks a lot :D Haha, I try at least!
@@ThreeStarVagabond Especially about hockey, i remember one funny episode, from old happy times, when Jokerit from Helsinki played in KHL, and finnish guys came to Saint-Petersburg to support it. I talked to group of them standing in queue, and one guy ask me if i know some hockey teams from Sweden. I began to recall, "Djurgardens, RedHawks, Kalmar..." and this guy just interrupted me shouting "FFFUUUCK KALMAR!!!" :D :D :D
I have no idea why he hated it so much))
@@deniskolosov8368 That's hilarious! I love how people can get so angry at random teams. His team probably lost a game to Kalmar ages ago, but he still retains that intense hatred :D
#11 - Never dip your pannkakor (Swedish pancake) in your Ärtsoppa (Pea Soup). I did this once and my Swedish father in law fell out of his chair!
!!! What kind of weirdo dips the pancake in the ärtsoppa?! Haha I never even considered that it could be a thing. But now I get oddly curious to try it next Thursday 😀
@@ThreeStarVagabond I like flour tortillas with certain types of soup & chili and I will dip them..., perhaps it was a subconscious thing?? Too funny!
@@8TJA I love it! But yeah I often dip bread in soups and stews as well, but... Yeah, pancakes and pea soup are a special thing for Swedes :D
why are theese two dishes served together?
@@limpanuzz pea soup is cheap and pretty bland, so to make the meal a bit more fun, you serve pancakes as dessert. (And pancakes are quite cheap food too, but everyone likes it)
This is a pretty strange tradition, I would guess it started in the military, pea soup can be made in big bulks, it doesn't require fresh ingredients, you can prepare it the day before and just heat it up. It gives you the time to make pancakes, wich is a bit messy and time-consuming if you have to do a lot of them.
The tradition of serving pea soup with pancakes for dessert (on thursdays for some reason) has been picked up by schools, cafeterias and low-price restaurants everywhere.
I think this tradition is at least a hundred years old.
If you didn't think the combination is weird enough, it will sometimes be served with a shot of very sweet arrak liqueur called "Punsch",
-served warm.
Thank you for this. Visiting Gothenburg in September.. Have wanted to visit for years and finally doing so. Really admire Swedish people…
I hope you're going to like it :D Gothenburg is a really nice place, and September can either be pleasant or a bit rainy. Hoping for good weather when you visit!
@@ThreeStarVagabond well I’m from big London so probably similar weather. Thanks for the upload (was informative and funny) looking forward to exploring and meeting lots of friendly Swedish ladies… 🤞
@@KrisDJFRAY The best of luck to you! UK guys seem to be popular, so I'm sure you'll do fine :D
you didn't tell him about the wind gusts, precipitation will be a side issue, I am willing to bet the rain won't even make your top ten.
@@generalkawasaki9485 Is it really that windy though? I've been there at autumn now and then and it's not been too bad...
I like your outspokenness, my dear brother! I think Sweden might be the right place for me to live! You are fantastic with your expressions!
Haha, it's a quirky place but some people really like it! Thank you so much :D
very funny and good video! :)
Thank you! :D Really appreciate it!
Nice video with nice jokes. I love that the Swedish take standing in a line seriously! Wish everyone was like that.
Haha, it's our national sport! Almost at least :D Thank you, and happy that you enjoyed the video ^_^
@@ThreeStarVagabond
I mean it kinda is our sport though after all. Since it is such a HUGE deal here in Sweden.
Well, if you don't live far up in Lappland like me where almost no people live...🤣
@@ChristofferOrrmalmUtsi Oh, but there's plenty of reindeer to play with at least... Or... Something :D
It's just common sense really 😊
Love how we think that the law of Jante is Swedish when it was a Danish writer, Aksel Sandemose that created it. The fictional town of Jante was based on his home town of Nyköping Mors in Jutland.
🤯 Mind blown! I had NO idea about that! It's one of those things you just assume is true, so I never bothered to look up the actual origins...
Thanks for the tips! I don't want to go to Sweden anymore. But Denmark sounds fun!
Good! One less douche here, and one more for the Danes to handle. They get what they deserve
@@ThreeStarVagabondAn old dirty Danish joke:
Keep Copenhagen clean, help a Swede to the ferry!😂😂😂.
Don't feel insulted, I'm 🇸🇪/🇩🇰
@@Asg2121 Haha! Never insulted by Scandinavian jokes against each other. It's like the Norwegian joke: what separates Norwegians from the apes? The border to Sweden ;D
Oh much Goodness. I laughed the whole way Through! 😂🎉
@@ThreeStarVagabond Sounds like you've already got them all! 🤣
Well the real faithful know what to expect from a society....but also where and how to support its own towns and villages or communities. Swedish are dependent spiritual people and very well educated to what is going in in the world. Thank you for your information and God bless everyone.
So what your saying it to stand on the left side of the escalator, play my music as load as I can through the speaker on my phone, hug everyone I see and boast about what I have while cutting in cue, perfect hope I make it out alive. Thank You for the info I’m sure it will come in handy. ✌️
That's exactly what to do! 😅 And since Swedes are so anti-confrontational, all they'd do is make a fist in the pocket and mutter something
I love your videos
So happy to hear that 😀 This really made my day!
Nice video, visited Sweden 1 month ago.
Thanks, and that's nice! Hope you enjoyed it!
@@ThreeStarVagabond yes we love it, but it's bit hard with cold winter 🥶
@@IndunilUdayalal It really is tough in the winters... That's the thing I dislike the most!
I love the accent and the dry sense of humor
Thanks man! Good thing, 'cause I can't really do anything about either :D
Im married of Swede ❤He's an incredible man. I can tell this video learnt me a lot🎉
I will share this video to my man, he will agree what this video means for🎉
Tack så mycket❤❤❤❤
Happy to hear that! And well who knows - maybe he'll disagree with everything in the video 😀
@@ThreeStarVagabond thank you!
Yes, I had told him earlier and he agreed and told me its true!
He's been thankful too that I've learn about it so therefore it wouldn't shock me.
A very nice and accurate video with a humorous undertone. As a Swede with some Finnish genes, I recognize everything, and a nice picture of NJK's club island in the harbor of Helsinki.
Thank you! Haha, dammit, it seems like I can't sneak in any nice shots of Finland without lots of people noticing. No sneakiness for me it seems :D
@@ThreeStarVagabond
Nothing wrong with sneaking in that image, you're also talking about Nordic countries. But I couldn't help it, I've been there and raced so many times and had a few beers in the clubhouse. I sailed a World Cup there in 1987, many great memories.
@@leiflindqvist9095Oh wow! That's got to be a place full of nice memories in that case. I'm happy that I included it! :)
I lived in Sweden for a few years, thank goodness I was young because I probably broke many of these and was at least slightly forgiven. The worst transgression I remember was using the laundry in the apartments. I wasn't told I had to sign up for a time slot. I didn't and I learned the hard way.
Well, I think most people are understanding as long as people apologize 😊 The worst part is that many Swedes won't complain out loud in cases like that :/
Good to know if you're not a Swede 😂👍 Great video
Haha yeah, all the useful things right :D Thank you!
The stares I got when I accidentally forgot to pull a number -- although I was the only one in the shop. (I still feel stupid when I stand in line like other people and having missed that there was a number dispenser somewhere, and first have to go back and get my number)...
Interesting that you mention the salary thing. It's a bit weird considering that you have all that transparency otherwise.
Will have my first day at a Swedish tech company tomorrow (had my own company before working remote (and I slightly disagree about it being easy to setup)), so your videos were a good reminder :)
Haha everyone forgets to take a number at times - Swedes too :D But oh that's so cool! Hope you'll have a great first day at the company. Fingers crossed for you!
@@ThreeStarVagabond Thank you and keep those great videos coming :) Very much appreciated!
The rules are similar to Germany 😅! Thanks a lot ! I’m booking my flight now 😍 to Stockholm
Haha I guess we're not that far apart after all! Hope you'll love it here! And let's hope we have good weather coming up :D
I like the "rhyme" to remember which side of the escalator to stand on!
In Bavaria, we have the rhyme: "Links hatschn, sonst Watschn" which means "walk on the left or [get] a slap on the face" 😂
That's awesome! Haha you actually have a rhyme like that - I was just trying to be funny, but I think yours is even cooler since it's actually in use 😀
Roligt - för att det är sant!
Tyvärr kanske :D
The difference between Finnish and Swedish escalator culture is interesting, here in Finland it is impolite to pass on escalators and that's why you wait on the stairs until the person in front of you leaves.
Oh interesting! I guess Swedes can be a bit rushed - especially in Stockholm
Ur famous cards vlog was when i came to Sweden..now u look v different but nice like always..great vlogs
Haha thank you so much! :D
I can’t think of a single place where grilling someone about their salary is considered polite.
That IS a fair point! But Swedes have been even more tight-lipped about it than other countries, I believe.
Im from northern Sweden. We do have escalators, but i didnt know about the stand on the right side rule! Oo you learn something new everyday lol
I've heard that people from Kalix stare in fascination at the escalators in Luleå... Or maybe I'm just exaggerating a little bit ;D Cheers!
It might depend on your friend group but we used to buy a pitcher of beer when going out to a bar, then someone else would go next when that was finished. For the mostly though people buy their own drinks.
Agreed! I guess it can vary a lot - especially when there's a mix of Swedes and non-Swedes...or people who hang out often together...
Personal space is called 'Elbow room' in America. It developed during pioneer days when complete strangers would have to dine together during their travels, and many didn't smell too nice coming off the dusty road. They also worried about thieves, so leaving space made them feel that the contents of their pocket were a little safer.
Interesting! So the concept is that old - I had no idea. I've heard the term before but I imagined that it was a more modern concept about having space for your elbows while eating or something.
@@ThreeStarVagabond Americans have always been lacking in formal 'manners.' It's so bad that a few years ago, corporations had to send people to schools to learn how to dine properly. Actually though, Emily Post had the right idea- She said good manners was the ability to put people at ease... The reason people eat chicken with their fingers now is because at a formal dinner, one of her guests picked up his chicken and began to eat. The other guests gasped... But to their amazement, Emily Post immediately picked up a piece of chicken and began to eat it so her guest wouldn't be embarrassed... So from then on, people felt free to eat chicken with their hands....
@@cassandralibertywest4310 I like that approach! I view manners in general as a sign of respect for the other person. But if you haven't been taught what manners are the appropriate ones, then no disrespect is meant by not following them - so it's better to take it all in stride and assume that people have reasons for why they act like they do, and that it's not meant as a slight.
@@ThreeStarVagabond I agree. In this world though, it can actually be dangerous to go to another country and do something out of innocence which ends up offending people! I think some things are universal though- Like not coughing or sneezing around people and the like.
@@cassandralibertywest4310 Absolutely. And a smile is always a smile...at least most of the time...
There are a lot of differences from my culture: Brazil. Normally, we are closer than Swedes. People here tend to speak loud, gesture with hands while speaking, neighbors love to greet to each other and unfortunately some people listen to the music aloud in public transportation.
😂 I would visit Sweden just based on just your sense of humor and the escalator mnemonic.
Not to toot my own horn in any way but I'm afraid that most Swedes don't come up with catchy rhymes like that, so it might not be worth a visit just for that :D
thank you very much for the tips.i always admired the Swedish people special the socialist and equality mind the simplicity and the equilibrium in the society.
also that they don't show off people❤
Thank you! Some see us as pretty weird, but I like it this way 😀
Quite similar to the UK then, although the jante law is unique, that's interesting and pretty cool.
Yeah it seems like the UK and Sweden are pretty similar quite often. Guess all of northern Europe have a lot in common even if it's not the Jante law..
Hilarious!😅Vive those Swedish values. I'm not Swedish but cannot stand people jumping the queue either! Australians hate people bragging too, queue jumping, paying for a round in a pub has disappeared here today too (RIP). However (unfortunately) we are somewhat more relaxed about the volume of people's conversation in public sometimes and Aussies will (generally) quite freely chat with strangers. I think it probably harks back to our history and the fact that if you'd actually made it alive to Australia on that hell ship, you deserved a bit of a warm welcome?😃Or maybe it's because we're on a island so far from...everywhere, that we're just so excited to talk to you and find out why the hell you made the effort to come here?😅What I remember really appreciating during my stay in Sweden was the superior design and practicality of everything. It's very clean. Things don't just look nice, they actually work too. I agree the people could be reserved, but on the other hand, just a simple spontaneous reflection with someone I met randomly in a shop seemed to scratch the surface and led to a fascinating conversation.
Good point! Swedes are reserved but very open to...well...opening up if others indicate that they want to chat. And happy to hear that you had a good time over here! I've just been to Sydney so far, but that was a really nice place as well. Loved the walks along Bondi, and going to Manly etc. And wild parakeets! It seems like Aussies are a bit like...more laid back, maybe a bit "rougher" version of the English. And I think the Nordics and the UK share a lot of similarities to start with, so it would make sense that there's a lot to recognize in each others' cultures.
Wow you have uppload hundreds of videos, hard work. And only 2k subs?
Yeah but most of the old ones suck. And maybe the new ones too.
LOL the buying a round thing is so true. Mainly because you need to re-mortgage your house if you do. No wonder they get anxiety (that shit gets expensive!)
It's all a matter of priorities! Eat dinner? Nah, let's grab a beer! Buying clothes for the kids? No way, that's precious beer money! :D
Thank you for this. I now my swedish genes made to me and that I definitely born in the wrong country. Looking forward to seeing beautiful Stockholm and check out your other videos. 😊❤
You can be an honorary Swede in that case :D But thank you so much, and hope that I can make the city live up to the praise!
@@ThreeStarVagabond Tack! I have no doubt 😀
We have escalators in snaller towns like Kiruna and the right and left escalator rule but it isn't common in small towns.
Escalators in Kiruna? All I saw when I was there was snow, a couple of pubs, and Empes ;D
Those terms in number 3 😉 are synonymous,
Tautology strikes again :D
This video will help us as we head to Sweden in June 2023 for a family reunion, of sorts. We are 2nd and 3rd generation Swedish Americans. I think Swedes will find some of the viewpoints and traditions we learned (or mis-learned) from our parents and grandparents as being strange or old fashioned. Question: what would be an appropriate host gift to bring our Swedish relatives?
Happy to hear that! And it's got to feel so nice to connect with a distant branch of the family like that :D Hmm... I can't say for sure, but I think most Swedes love quirky stuff with a local touch. Like, say that you were from Texas. Then I think a real cowboy hat would be a thing people would appreciate, since it has a local connection. It's something that'll be a talking piece - and I think people appreciate that.
@@ThreeStarVagabond Based!
@Agnes A bit boring perhaps, but never goes wrong.
@@ThreeStarVagabond Unless the host family is deeply religious, booze never goes wrong. Maybe a fancy local (Texas) bourbon?
@@HawkJedilord Ooh, that's a really cool idea! I think most people would love stuff like that.
Some of those rules applies in the U.K. too. Though we love to buy each other rounds, which may not be such a good thing.
Haha nah it's a fun tradition with rounds. But yeah I guess many of them are pretty similar in many countries.
There are a lot of videos on Swedish idiosyncrasies but they don't really give you a sense of it. This video is brilliant - I know just what he means.
Thanks man! Maybe it's just because I've experienced a lot of the issues that caused these Swedish behaviour quirks - so I can present them from a personal perspective :)
I’ve seen so many videos from other Nordic countries throwing shade at poor swedes. Also at each other but they seem to always pick in Sweden (mostly for a sing-song sounding language?). Anyway, it’s funny to see a Swede toss insults back that way!
Thanks for the video!
Haha thank you! (Whoops, I thought this was a comment on another video. Edited away that to make my response less confusing!)
All of these rules also apply in Norway ❤
That's because Norway is a damn fine country just like Sweden ;D
Hey, a question about standing to the right and walking on the left on the escalators. On the sidewalks, pedestrian-only, on which side of the sidewalk are we supposed to walk? It feels like it's a free-for-all and people bump into each other all the time. What is the rule here?
Oof that's a difficult one. A long time ago the rule was that men walk closest towards the road, to protect women and children. That's been abandoned ages ago though. It's supposed to be on the right side these days, but it really is a bit chaotic - I walk on both sides myself!
@@ThreeStarVagabond thanks! To be honest, it's very frustrating, because I used to be the one trying to avoid collisions, but I stopped doing that and now people walk into me with a surprised look on their face, no matter on which side of the sidewalk I find myself :)
also, I think that, especially in Stockholm, there's a very strong "it's only me here" idea of thinking. So people care about their personal space, but only about theirs, so they don't care if they interfere with someone else's space (for example: standing in the middle of the main passage or forcing themselves first into the train). Just my 2 cents
The crack about standing on the left on the escalators had be crying laughing at my desk.
I felt so silly recording that one in front of all the people at the central station! 🤣 I kept getting such weird glances...
People boarding subways in Stockholm don’t allow passengers to get off before they get onto the trains themselves. Oftentimes that causes irritability at stations.
Totally agree! That's one thing I missed. I don't know why people have gotten so rude in public transport.
This is the funniest guy! He should replace Rick Steves and do tour videos on US TV. He is great.
Haha, I wish I could do that! Thank you SO much :D
sounds like paradise
An introvert's paradise :D
In general, in Sweden you should just behave like an NPC. A few standard phrases, smile nicely and move on. You can't really do anything wrong. Whether it's fulfilling is another question. I've been to all the Scandinavian countries and the people just aren't my cup of tea, as they seem quite introverted and standardized. I'm from the Alps myself and not extremely extroverted, but the reticence of the Swedes is quite striking. On my last vacation it was Pride in Stockholm. Compared to Pride in Zurich, it's about like a Catholic Easter procession. I think it's a result of the weather and the environment. And the sometimes very monotonous and barren landscape doesn't make up for it, unfortunately. There's a reason why Scandinavia has very few people compared to the area. For now, I will travel again to the south, where also very many Swedes spend their vacations. Maybe I'll try the north again when I'm 80.
To each their own eh! :D
How do I move here? Fantastic!
Haha, it's a pretty neat place! More introverts are always welcome ;D