Social norms in Sweden

Swedish society is known for its unique cultural norms and social behaviors. Here is a our take on some common social behaviors

1. Punctuality: Swedes value punctuality and expect others to be on time for appointments, meetings, and social gatherings. Its a good idea to be time else its considered really impolite.
2. The personal space: Swedes value personal space and tend to keep a comfortable distance when interacting with others, especially with strangers. They may seem reserved at first, but they are friendly and polite.
3. Needless to say everyone is equal. Swedish society places a strong emphasis on gender equality and strives for gender-neutral treatment in all aspects of life, including work, education, and social interactions.
4. Humility and Modesty: Swedes typically avoid boasting or showing off their accomplishments. Modesty and humility are valued traits in social interactions.
5. Fika Culture: “Fika” is a Swedish tradition of taking a coffee break, often accompanied by cinnamon buns i.e. “kanelbulle”. It’s a common social activity to bond with colleagues, friends, or family.
6. Environmental Awareness: Environmental consciousness is significant in Swedish society. Recycling, energy conservation, and sustainable living are highly encouraged.
7. Work-Life Balance: Swedes prioritize work-life balance and value their leisure time. They typically have a strong commitment to their careers but, also make time for family, hobbies, and outdoor activities.
8. Social Welfare System: Swedes take pride in their comprehensive social welfare system, which aims to provide a safety net for citizens, ensuring healthcare, education, and social security for all.
9. Independence and Self-Reliance: Swedes value independence and self-reliance. Children are encouraged to be self-sufficient from an early age. It is at times difficult for people from collectivistic societies but independence is worth it, we think!
10. Non-Confrontational Conflict Resolution: Swedes generally prefer to avoid confrontations and strive for peaceful conflict resolution through consensus-building and compromise.
11. Many times one is frustrated with medical care and especially everyone goes through the local hospitals (vårdcentral) “tougher” prescription rate of antibiotics or strong medications. The body is wonderfully designed for survival and it can frustrating at times but, it works, we dont need antibiotic resistant bacterias anymore :).

It’s essential to remember that cultural norms and social behaviors can vary within any society, and not all individuals may conform to these generalizations. However, understanding and respecting these social norms would help you “the newcomers” navigate Swedish society with ease or rather less frustrated at times ;).

For further information and support contact us at SwedishLIv.. We are definitely social :D.