10 unwritten rules best to follow when visiting Sweden

Sweden and its people is highly run by and adapted to a system of unspoken rules. A way of conduct that is impossible to make sense of or explain but still remains the core of this Nordic culture. As an outsider, this may seem kind of boxed in and routinely, but without it Sweden would quickly turn into a chaos, with people taking all kinds of freedoms. It is also a fact that you will seldom see a Swede upset or overly excited about anything. However, if you do not stick to these 10 unwritten rules, in Swedish known as “Jantelagar”, you will not make it out of the country alive.

1. Wait until passengers have exited the subway train

Whatever you do, do not get in the way of Swedes exiting a subway train. Loud sighs and angry looks will most definitely be thrown your way. A good idea is to wait by the open doors until you are absolutely sure that everybody has exited. Then you can enter and try to find a seat.

2. Don’t cut in line

No matter the city, region or part fo the country. Swedes like to wait in line. For them it is a structure way of waiting, ensuring equal rights and treatment. Nobody is better then the other and should thus not be given a better place in the cue than anybody else. Even if you are only buying a candy bar at the local grocery store and the customer in front of you is buying the whole store. Patience is a virtue, possessed and nourished by Swedes.

3. Swedes love to fika

Fika is a national Swedish term for a ceremonial coffee break. It gives the Swede a clear reason and opportunity to socialize and interacts with his/her fellow man. It normally includes coffee and a biscuit. New to the Swedish culture you will probably be appalled by how many times people “fika” in this country. It will probably also be the first word you learn. To suggest a “fika” to recent acquaintances is normally a hit and will lead to life-long friendships.

4. Do not speak too loud or too long in public places

Swedes has evolved into a people who hate cell phones. As one of the top countries in cell phone density, with more mobile phones per capita than most other counties, talking on the phone has retired to an activity primarily to be exercised at home or in other private spectra. So when the forgetting or non-caring few starts talking on the subways or on the bus, the passive-aggressiveness that is so typically Swedish will be apparent.

5. Waiting for the bus

The same rules apply at the bus stop as in any other waiting line. The tricky part here is that the cue isn’t always straight or clearly marked out. So be sure to make a mental note when you arrive at the stop, who was there before you and follow him/her into the bus. 6 Källsortera. Släng inte kartonger och glas i papperskorgen, svensken gillar att sortera sina sopor. Hemma hos varje svensk finns oftast en källsortering.

7. Don’t offer your seat to seniors

What is a common practice in other courtiers do not apply to Sweden. Our elders are consider healthy, with a long life span. It should be considered a rare occurrence whenever a Swede offers his/her seat to a senior citizen. Equality, believe it or not, are fought for in buses and subway trains rather than on other frontiers. In Sweden all have the right to sit in the seat they have found and cannot be expected to leave it for anybody. Young or old.

8. Choose a newspaper and stick to it

It’s Svenska Dagbladet or Dagens Nyheter that are Swedens major nationwide newspaper. Which one you choose reflects a lot of who you are and where you stand. It is not about simple reading and rather about choosing one and sticking to it.

9. Never reveal who you voted for

You will find few Swedes eager to tell who they voted for in recent political elections. Kids go whole life-times never knowing what their parents voted for. It is a prinsciple that can not be explained. One’s political engagements are to be clearly separated from one’s private.

10. Do not brag

Nobody like a brager. And Swedes are reluctant to brag themselves even if given the best excuse to do it. Talking about yourself, your recent successes do not go well with the Swede. It actually doesn’t even have to be bragging, but too much self-reflection and you are out, passed up as a bragger. So be careful or you’ll be judged.