Local culture in Sweden

Most newcomers will find the local culture in Sweden fairly welcoming. Sweden is very Western and similar to its modern counterparts worldwide. It's fairly easy to find most products, but if not, there will be an equivalent to get by with.

That said, there will inevitably be bumps in the road that any non-native will encounter. The country definitely has its quirks, but if you embrace these, you can immerse yourself in the culture without too much trouble.

Meeting and greeting in Sweden

Swedes are often described as reserved, introverted, serious, reticent, and unfriendly. Small talk and spontaneous laughter are rare. A perceived coldness to social relations in Sweden can be alienating and even upsetting to some.

To a Swede, however, this perceived emotional detachment is simply an accepted way of minding one’s own business out of respect and consideration for the other person’s personal space. If this can be understood going in and is taken without offence, getting by will be easy. In fact, after being exposed to it for a while, you may find visiting other less reserved countries startling.

In a business context, Swedes tend to be formal and egalitarian, with little concern for status. They prefer to maintain strict boundaries between work and private life, so being invited to the home of a business colleague is rare. Small talk and gift-giving don't have much place in business in Sweden. Compromise, negotiated solutions and total honesty are key values in all business dealings.

Family life and raising children in Sweden

A good family life and healthy living are important to Swedes. With some of the most generous maternity and paternity leave laws in the world, Swedes take great pride in raising their children properly. Even after the maternity and paternity leave is over, Swedish daycare is ready to take care of children full time at an incredibly low price.

Swedish children, at ages considered far too young in places such as the US, are permitted much more freedom than may be considered normal in other countries. With a low crime rate and highly independent children, Swedish kids learn to take public transport, walk, or cycle where they'd like to go early on. It may be surprising initially, but young pre-teens can be seen travelling alone throughout town. Sweden's public schools are also among the best in the world, and the country is home to several of the world's top 100 universities.

In addition to this, holiday time in Sweden is off the charts compared to its North American counterparts. Swedes have an average of over a month of annual leave each year, being legally provided with 25 paid vacation days and 16 paid holidays, with some companies providing as many as 50 days per year. With a focus on personal time, all – even managers – actively encourage taking days off.

Language barrier in Sweden

Swedish is a fascinating language that, upon arrival, will sound incredibly strange. After a while, the cadence and fluctuations in sounds will become far more lyrical-sounding and, over a longer time, easier to understand. You should investigate your local Swedish For Immigrants (SFI) course, which is free for all foreigners and offered at varying levels, including specific programmes for academics and various careers. You can sign up for the SFI course by signing up on your local municipality's website.

In most cases, you can get by using English, especially in bigger cities and tourist-friendly areas. That said, being able to speak Swedish is rather essential for getting a job in Sweden. Of course, jobs with international firms or in specific fields may bypass this. Prospective expats should consider the market they want to enter before jumping in to make sure it will be feasible.

Useful links

• List of Swedish municipalities 

Bureaucracy and doing business in Sweden

Sweden is serious about privacy, and this often feels like unnecessary red tape. Things take a bit longer in Sweden, as a high level of identity documentation is frequently required. 

Customer service in Sweden is notoriously poor, and the language barrier only worsens the situation. Staff can be abrupt and seemingly rude, and there is no effort to enhance the customer experience valued in more enthusiastic consumer cultures. Unfortunately, only being able to communicate in English will further complicate things. Even long-term expats tend to remark on this aspect of life in Sweden.

Time in Sweden

Swedes are punctual to a fault. Many jokes are made about Swedes standing outside the entrance to a party, checking their watches for the moment that the clock strikes the hour to enter. If a party is from 7pm to 10pm, arrive promptly at 7pm. Although coming late is quite normal in other cultures, it's considered rude in Sweden.

Everything in Sweden is punctual and efficient. Buses and trains tend to be very on schedule as well, so you shouldn’t necessarily count on a 5- to 10-minute buffer when viewing a schedule.

Religion in Sweden

Christianity is the dominant religion in Sweden, though few Swedes appear to practise it these days. Many have baptisms and church marriages for tradition's sake, but view themselves as agnostic or atheist. Swedes tolerate other religions, generally following the system of keeping such topics to themselves.

LGBTQ+ in Sweden

Sweden is known for its progressive society, offering LGBTQ+ individuals many rights, including same-sex marriage and legal gender change without surgery. Swedish society is widely accepting of LGBTQ+ people, and the country hosts more than 30 annual pride events. Stockholm Pride is one of the most popular in the country and celebrates the country's inclusivity. 

Women in Sweden

Women are widely represented in Swedish society, politics, and business. That said, women are often paid less than men for doing the same work, but the government is funding several gender equality initiatives. 

Although Sweden is largely considered a safe country for women, sexual harassment and assault cases are high according to the country's standards. We recommend that you take normal safety precautions when walking in Swedish cities and towns. It's also legal to carry pepper spray in Sweden, so this is something you can also consider. 

Cultural dos and don’ts in Sweden

• Swedes are serious about recycling. You should take care to always sort through their rubbish accordingly and dispose of it properly.
• Everyone should be considered an equal. Look up "lagom" and the "Law of Jante" online and learn them well. Swedes live by the theory that everyone is equal and that all should strive for mid-level normalcy. 
• Try not to show too much outward emotion. Swedes are private people and rarely express emotion outwardly.
• Take a number. People rarely queue in Sweden, and Swedes have a special affinity for the "take a number" system, which is used in everything from banks to hardware stores.