New in Danderyd and Sweden
  • Home
    • NEW IN DANDERYD
    • RISK FREE GUARANTEE
    • INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST
    • FAQs >
      • FOR RELOCATION AGENTS
      • TELL A FRIEND
  • HOW IT WORKS
  • SUPPORT TEAM
  • Workshops 2021
    • Learn Swedish
    • Professional job hunting in Sweden
  • BLOG
  • GUIDES
    • Ultimate checklist
    • Bidding guide
    • What to wear
    • Christmas tree
    • Child benefit
    • Semlor
    • EXPAT LIFE
  • *STORE*
  • *LOG IN*

8 simple things NOT to do in Sweden

9/3/2017

2 Comments

 
It is easy to confuse the very formal, organised Swedish state with the very informal nature of society.  Being new here almost guarantees you’ll get them confused at some point! Here are eight things you can do that should help you avoid the most common mistakes:

1. Don’t listen to music in public

We're not talking about having music in your headphones, that’s fine (and you’ll see people doing that all over the place). Listening to music on your speakers is considered rude, even though many young people do it.
Don't listen to music in public! New in Danderyd and Sweden

2. Never forget to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home

Shoes are strictly worn outside and in certain public settings. For instance, if you happen to find yourself in court – do NOT remove your shoes. However, if you're in a library or hospital, you will notice that certain areas are no shoe zones. Look out for helpful signs and strange blue plastic things in baskets on the floor – they are for covering your shoes with if you don’t want to take them off.

3. Avoid chivalry

If you happen to be male, maybe even a southern gentleman and decide to hold the door for some unsuspecting woman, she might consider it to be an insult. Sweden has come a long way when it comes to gender equality and the current generation of young to middle aged women do not want to be treated differently at all. However, holding doors and offering to help someone who is carrying something (especially a buggy) is fine.

4. Expect to use on-line banking

Physical banks are becoming a thing of the past in Sweden and cash is disappearing. Do not expect to receive much service even if your bank happen to have such a location and do not expect them to handle cash, except if it is coming out of an ATM. Getting used to on-line banking will help you.

5. Don’t judge Swedes by your first impression

One of our resident Swedes says: “Swedes are like coconuts – hard shells with fluid insides. Sort of.” You may well notice that when talking to a Swede that you don’t know that the person usually reacts to your communication with a perplexed look. That's just the Swedish default mode. Keep on talking and you'll see them relax and get into the swing of chattering.

6. Don’t think that people expect you to understand tradition

Things such as surströmming, nubbe and crayfish are sometimes presented as being part of mythical traditions that must be dealt with in accordance with strict regulations. Not even swedes know how to deal with crayfish and most of them hate nubbe. Go with the flow, it's not an exam.

7. Avoid riding your bicycle on the side walk

Doing this is actually illegal, unless the pavement has a sign marking its dual nature. It will also awaken the rage of the Swede, causing some seriously angry looks to be hurled your way.

8. ...and don’t walk on the bicycle path

This is just dangerous. Let's say you're walking in the bicycle path and a bike rider turns a corner and hits you. You will be to blame. Even to the point of being responsible for paying his or her medical bills. It's called negligence and the Swedes don't mess around.  Plus it will hurt.

 
If you now have even more questions about life in Sweden, get in touch with us :)

2 Comments
Neil Young
26/10/2017 08:21:05 am

It's actually fine to hold the door open for someone whether they are male or female, treating people equally is what is important.

Reply
New in Sweden
26/10/2017 12:21:01 pm

Quite right Neil

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe to the blog here:

    About the blog

    Interesting bits and pieces about life in Sweden, including all-important song words.

    Categories

    All
    Accommodation
    Books
    Business In Sweden
    Celebrations
    Children
    Classes
    Danderyd
    Djursholm
    Driving In Sweden
    English Language
    Events
    Family Life
    Food And Drink
    Insurance
    Language
    Learning Swedish
    Looking For A Job In Sweden
    Moving
    Moving To Sweden
    News
    Nursery
    Online
    Personal Number
    Personnummer
    Public Transport
    Registering In Sweden
    Residency In Sweden
    School
    Semlor
    Society In Sweden
    Song Words
    State Of Expat Life In Sweden
    Stockholm
    Swedish
    Swedish Culture
    Things To Do
    Travel
    Visa
    Winter
    Working In Sweden
    Workshops

    Archives

    January 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
    • NEW IN DANDERYD
    • RISK FREE GUARANTEE
    • INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST
    • FAQs >
      • FOR RELOCATION AGENTS
      • TELL A FRIEND
  • HOW IT WORKS
  • SUPPORT TEAM
  • Workshops 2021
    • Learn Swedish
    • Professional job hunting in Sweden
  • BLOG
  • GUIDES
    • Ultimate checklist
    • Bidding guide
    • What to wear
    • Christmas tree
    • Child benefit
    • Semlor
    • EXPAT LIFE
  • *STORE*
  • *LOG IN*