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SharePreply recently conducted a survey on what is typically Swedish. How do people from other countries see Sweden? What traditions and ways of life stand out? And what strange expressions do you find only in Sweden?
5 things that are classed as typically Swedish
What is it that is typically Swedish? Maybe it's not what we think. Here we have listed the five most typical characteristics that foreigners in Sweden and abroad think of us Swedes.
1. food should be eaten on time
Swedes like to stick to precise times when it comes to meals and coffee breaks. Breakfast (which may consist of porridge) is usually eaten between 07:00 and 07:30 and lunch is served at 12:00. In between, we have coffee breaks around 10:00 and 15:00.
2. Right of public access - Freedom in nature
The right of public access is a uniquely Swedish concept. In principle, we all have the freedom to move freely in nature, even in areas owned by private individuals (temporary stay in these areas). This means that you can hike, cycle and pick berries almost anywhere, as long as you show consideration and don't destroy nature.
3. absolutely no shoes indoors!
Are you visiting someone's home? Then take off your shoes when you enter. This is natural for us Swedes and is a sign of respect and a way to keep the home clean. Guests are expected to follow these unwritten rules. This may be unusual for visitors from other cultures where shoes are usually kept on indoors.
4. queue systematically and politely
When you have to queue, for example at the ICA, it is done systematically and politely. This applies whether it is on the bus, in the supermarket or to enter a concert. Respecting the order of queueing and one person at a time reduces the number of conflicts and stress in public spaces. It is a way to show respect for each other.
5. The weather is always a topic of conversation
If you meet a stranger and want to start a conversation, it is always good to talk about the weather. It's a common conversation starter and a neutral topic in Sweden that rarely causes conflict. It may seem like a boring topic, but it acts as an icebreaker.
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Monnah says:
Yes, that thing about what is typical of oneself as a group is probably always difficult to see and is best viewed from the outside. I recognise myself in that list, hehe.
14 January 2025 - 8:24
Helena says:
Quite true, it may be easier for others to see many times!
14 January 2025 - 14:43
Snows says:
I don't recognise the part about taking your shoes off indoors. I've been taught since my mother's milk that you have to bring indoor shoes because you can't go without shoes when you're invited to someone's house.
As far as eating on time is concerned, I think that is also being relaxed, but I know that some people drink afternoon tea at three. We never do that here at home.
The right of public access is truly a unique privilege.
14 January 2025 - 8:58
Helena says:
Interesting about your comment about the shoes! I can probably recognise it, if it was a slightly "fancier" party, and you might want some nicer indoor shoes. But in other contexts, I'm probably used to taking off my shoes.
14 January 2025 - 14:45
bmlarstravellingblog says:
We can recognise ourselves in most of these points, although mealtimes, especially since we became full-time unemployed, are something that has been relaxed considerably. Our right of public access is really unique and something we really need to be careful about. I think it goes without saying that we take our shoes off before we step inside, although we sometimes bring indoor shoes, depending on the occasion. And then the weather, which we so often talk about and discuss, which many in other countries think is totally unnecessary. It is what it is...
14 January 2025 - 12:18
Helena says:
Yes, I don't know why we're talking about the weather, but it's an "easy" topic of conversation somehow... 😉
14 January 2025 - 14:46
Mr Nilsson's wife says:
Typical Swede 😊 I seldom eat file or porridge for breakfast. The time varies so I am not typically Swedish. Take off your shoes indoors, yes you do. I think we are good there. Far from all Swedes are good at queuing, some think they are always in the queue at a concert and that the doors will soon be closed. And don't talk about the weather. It's so boring. There are so many other things to talk about.
Fun post.
Kramiz
14 January 2025 - 14:21
Helena says:
Haha, I guess it can be a bit boring to talk about the weather, but it's easy and conflict-free ... 😉
14 January 2025 - 14:47
Lillan Child says:
Yes, it is very typically Swedish things that are listed. This thing about taking your shoes off indoors is strange that it's not done everywhere. It becomes so downright disgusting on the floors if you go in with all kinds of street dirt or mud. When I lived in Greece in the summers, you used to take your shoes off indoors, so it's probably not just Swedish. However, this thing about always eating at the same time is not my thing anymore. I try as best I can to eat when I feel my body needs it :)
14 January 2025 - 15:12
Helena says:
Agree that it feels strange to have outer shoes indoors, unnecessary cleaning .... Then you can choose to have some kind of indoor shoes of course.
17 January 2025 - 8:32
Annie Jansson says:
You really recognise yourself there! Such a good text 🙂 *laughs*
14 January 2025 - 16:53
Channal says:
Hi Helena! What a fun post! These Top 5 typically-Swedish were no news! I follow some Americans who live in Sweden and it's fun when they hit the nail on the head about what is typically Swedish. Often FIKA comes up! Drinking coffee with something sweet! Typically Swedish! If we go abroad, they have no sweet to the coffee. But only a smooth cup. TRIST! Then this with small sweets, Saturday sweets are very Swedish. It has become a huge thing on TikTok. Especially sour sweets! That we like liquorice is nothing strange! Something Americans can't handle is gingerbread with stilton for hot mulled wine! What is so good! And then there's the jantelagen. But I think the younger ones are better at NOT Jante! Typically Swedish is the midsummer celebration with the Little Frogs and eating herring! One of our favourite programmes is "Allt för Sverige". Exciting to see their view of our country.
KRAM to you! Anna
14 January 2025 - 20:35
Helena says:
What good reflections! Yes, it is probably easiest to discover the peculiarities when others look at you from the outside ... Fika is known, and yes, our Saturday candy! When it comes to celebrations, we have some of our own stuff, midsummer of course, but also crayfish disc and Lucia! 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
17 January 2025 - 8:34
The Adventure of the Future says:
Very typical and familiar, I say, as I have many Swedes around me in my circle of friends. Reminds me a lot of Ålanders too but not entirely.
Midsummer celebrations are a must for Swedes here in Madeira. However, we are not dancing around the midsummer pole and singing about the little frogs. But it is important for the Swedes here.
Have a nice day!
15 January 2025 - 7:12
Helena says:
I can understand that some traditions, like celebrating Midsummer, become even more important when you live abroad!
17 January 2025 - 8:35
Hanneles book paradise says:
The shoes thing is true, we had German friends in the 1970s, they thought it was weird to take their shoes off... Plus they had to go out and smoke! 🙂
Old people in the family used to wear indoor shoes, but they are dead now (some "nicer" people). Not seen younger people with indoor shoes.
The right of public access is fine, but some people abuse it; you must not camp too close to houses.
Often standing at the bus stop or letterbox talking weather with neighbours.
The coffee breaks at work were important. Now I eat when I want, but I take the opportunity to have lunch in town as it is cheaper.
15 January 2025 - 10:13
Helena says:
Haha, go out and smoke ... yes, habits have probably changed over time too, and a little here and there in the world, hopefully anyway 😉
17 January 2025 - 8:36
Hanneles book paradise says:
yes, drinking coffee around three in my solitude when the husband at work. And then I see from the kitchen window the neighbour who comes home from work almost the same time 🙂
At weekends we flex.
Yesterday I queued at the library for a literary talk. Completely full, not everyone got in, but the rest of us went elsewhere and watched the talk on the big screen.
In Stockholm, people queued for the bus at Slussen in the 1970s; I hadn't thought of that in Finland. Bibs are apparently a Swedish invention.
15 January 2025 - 10:18
Helena says:
So, are cue cards a Swedish invention? I did not know that. Well, it's handy anyway!
17 January 2025 - 8:37
Lena in Wales and a bit everywhere says:
Very recognisable!
I have lectured a lot about Sweden in the UK and they talk even more about weather than in Sweden.
One myth that I am glad has disappeared is that everything is so expensive in Sweden. This was brought up by many at my lectures.
Take care!
15 January 2025 - 11:37
Helena says:
It used to be more expensive in Sweden, but now with our weak krona, well, maybe not so expensive anymore ...
17 January 2025 - 8:38