Sweden is the largest and, historically, perhaps the most influential of the three Scandinavian cultures -- Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Today, Sweden is a country trying to preserve tradition while adapting to a changing economic and social landscape.
The highly publicized Swedish Middle Way between capitalism and socialism has produced a stable middle class whose members have many of life’s necessities given to them but little personal opportunity in a sluggish economy. While many Swedes value social welfare systems’ benefits, the younger generation has become unmotivated and uninspired in a society where no amount of personal effort seems to affect a person’s life.
Quality and Concern for All
The Swedish approach to life is that nothing should be in excess or extreme. The best course is always the middle, and this means businesses and societies should be organized and run according to the majority’s concerns. While trying to maintain cooperation among all equally, it may be difficult for Swedes to say, “No.” They have developed many polite ways of indicating negativity, including, “this may be difficult,” or “Nja” -- combining the Swedish words for yes (ja) and no (nej) -- when they really mean they won’t, can’t or don’t want to do something. Sometimes you might hear “Tja,” which really means something like “it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to do that.”
Although many Swedes understand English, German is often the second language spoken, and most Swedes will be amazed if you speak any Swedish at all. Because of the need for consensus and flattened authority, superiors rarely directly instruct subordinates, but rather invite subordinates to do certain things. Direct, challenging and overtly negative speech is not admired or valued, even if compromise takes longer. Keep your voice low, especially in public. Words are carefully chosen and spoken softly.
First Among Equals
In Viking times, the king was traditionally referred to as “First Among Equals,” an interesting notion of authority in an equalized organization. Even today, Swedes share not only similar physical characteristics, but also an egalitarian approach to gender role responsibilities. Women can achieve high professional positions, and men can be househusbands. In fact, most Swedes do not marry until a child is expected.
A Smorgasbord of Tastes
Smorgasbord is a famous Swedish tradition. You are expected to make several trips to the smorgasbord table, each time to sample a different kind of food like herring, cold and hot meats, and vegetables. Try lutfisk -- dried cod treated with lye -- and if you can, the delicious reindeer meat. In the winter, the traditional Thursday meal is pea soup and pancakes served with lingonberry jam.
The Good Life -- Swedish Style
Swedes love nature and many have a small cabin or family home in the country to which they retreat when the weather turns warm. With a unique system of joint private land ownership and public use, many Swedes leave cities to enjoy the outdoors.
Enjoying saunas is a Swedish pastime, but there is important etiquette to follow: Separate times are usually reserved for men and women, and it is perfectly OK to enjoy the sauna without a bathing suit. And yes, real sauna pros do take a dip in a cold stream, shower or nearby snow afterward.
But the Good Life Is Not Free
Keep your comments about high taxes, social welfare and utopian economy to yourself. However, Swedes will share their opinions once they get to know you. Enjoy the best of what Swedes have worked so hard to create and be a student of what you do not understand. In the land of the midnight sun, life burns brightest when it shines for all.
