Understanding the Swedes…

What is characteristic of Swedes? Blond hair with blue eyes you say. You have probably already found out that this is not always the case. What you may not have figured out yet is why we behave the way we do… Below you will find some hints that can make your stay in Sweden a little bit easier.

Be on time
Both at work and in our social life, we are usually very punctual. If you want to be like a Swede you should rather arrive five minutes early than five minutes late. One exception from this rule is the so-called “academic quarter”, which only exists at the university. Lectures are usually posted to start at 10 o’clock, but in fact they start at 10:15, but not all lecturers apply this Uppsala phenomenon so please ask to be on the safe side!

Taking your shoes off
When you visit somebody´s home, you will usually take off your outdoor shoes right at the entrance. It is quite normal to walk around in your socks only, even if you did not think so!

No smoking
Smoking is not allowed in public buildings. If there is a special smoker´s area, you are not allowed to smoke anywhere else. To be sure, take it as a good rule always to ask before smoking (especially in people´s homes).

Social life in Sweden…
There is a saying that we are reserved and that we are difficult to get to know. We have to admit that this may be true (especially during the dark months). Student activities will hopefully give you the opportunity to make friends. Do not be afraid to seek contact with people and to take the initiative, it will be greatly appreciated. Most of us are not asocial, just a bit shy.

Paying the bill
After grabbing a beer with your friends or after having a wonderful dinner, with the man/woman of your dreams you will realise that picking up the tab is an unknown phenomenon in Sweden. The bill is usually split according to how much you eat and drink. Tip is included in the price, but you are welcome to give some extra if you feel like it.

Answering the telephone
What do you say when you pick up the receiver? Just “Hello”? In Sweden this is considered as impolite. Commonly we answer directly with our name or phone number so do not be surprised.

Systembolaget
You will not find beer stronger than 3.5% at the supermarket and no wine or spirits. To obtain some involves a trip to the Systembolaget, which is open Mon-Sat. You will also need to be over 20 and you will need your valid ID(passport or European Identity card) to be able to purchase anything there. Even if you are over 20 it is still better to take your ID with you as the staff will ask anyone looking younger than 30 for it!

Queues/lines
Besides punctuality we are known to be law abiding and very fond of forming queues. Whenever you are waiting for something: at the cinema, to pay in the shop etc you are supposed to wait in a proper queue. Almost no excuse is good enough to push your way forward in the queue. A modern version is a system with queue tickets (a little paper with a number, indicating when it is your turn). This gives you the liberty to move around freely while you are waiting (and it can be quite some time at the Systembolaget on a Friday afternoon). Do not forget to take a ticket and look for the number display!

We have tried to give you some hints of how to behave in Sweden. During your stay you will realise that some of the above mentioned is not true and other things is exactly the way we describe it.
Welcome to Sweden and enjoy your stay!

A trip to the supermarket

Useful to know before you embark on a fun filled adventure to a Swedish supermarket.

You may notice that items can cost e.g. 4.65 kronor. However the lowest coin is 1 kronor, so after the cashier has added up the cost of all the items, it is rounded up or down.

Plastic and paper bags are placed before the register. They usually cost 1- SEK for plastic and 2- SEK for a paper bag. Small thin plastic bags at the other side of check out are free.

FOOD DICTIONARY

Dairy products
Minimjölk (yellow) = milk with 0.05% fat - you might as well buy water!
Lättmjölk (blue) =  skim milk with 0.5% fat
Mellanmjölk (green) = semi-skim milk with 1.5% fat
Mjölk (red) = milk with 3% fat
Ekologisk mjölk = organic milk
Låglaktosmjölk =low lactose milk

Filmjölk = something in between buttermilk and natural yoghurt. Go and try some "A-fil" with fruit and muesli for a refreshing and tasty breakfast

Matlagningsgrädde = cream for cooking with, 15% fat
Vispgrädde = whipping cream, 40% fat

Smör = butter
Margarin = margarine
Sprättägg = free range egg
Ost = cheese
Keso = cottage cheese
Messmör = soft goat cheese

Meat, fish and shellfish
Nötkött = beef
Fläsk = pork
Gris = pig
Kyckling =chicken
Kalkon =turkey
Lamm = lamb
Ren = reindeer
Älg = elk

Köttfärs = minced meat
Leverpastej = French paté
Falukorv = the most popular Swedish sausage
Kassler = smoked pork chops
Blodpudding = blood pudding
Note: “Hamburgerkött” which can be found in the cold meat section is horse meat.

Lax = salmon
Sill (in jars) = herring
Torsk = cod
Hummer = lobster
Räkor = shrimps
Kräftor = crayfish

Fruit and vegetables
Apelsin = orange
Äpple = apple
Päron = pear
Hallon = raspberries
Jordgubbar = strawberries
Persika = peach
Plommon = plum
Citron = lemon

Lök = onion
Vitlök = garlic
Gurka = cucumber
Sallad = lettuce
Kål = cabbage
(gul/röd/grön) paprika = (yellow/red/green) pepper
Ärtor = peas
Spenat = spinach
Morot = carrot
Champinjoner = mushrooms
Potatis = potatoes

Bread
Långfranska = French loaf
Tekakor = teacakes
Råglimpa = rye loaf
Vörtlimpa = wort flavoured rye bread (available usually at Christmas and Easter)
Knäckebröd = crispbread
Skorpor = rusks
Kex = crackers

Spices
Basilika = basil
Koriander= corriander
Kanel = cinnamon
Ingefära = ginger
Saffran = saffron
Svartpeppar hel/malen= blackpepper whole/ground
Dragon = tarragon
Kummin = caraway
Spiskummin = cumin (don't mix this up with kummin!)
Muskotnöt = nut meg
Timjan = thyme
Glöggkryddor = Christmas punchbowl spices
Körvel = chervil

Miscellaneous
Socker = sugar
Strösocker = sugar granules
Farinsocker = brown sugar
Snab(b-)bitsocker = quick dissolving sugar cubes
Florsocker = icing sugar
Sirap = syrup
Vetemjöl = plain flour
Grahamsmjöl = brown flour
Havregryn = oats
Kronjäst = fresh yeast (at the milk counter)
Bakpulver = baking powder

Grötris = round-grained rice for rice pudding
Långkornigt ris = long-grained rice for rice dishes
Buljong (-tärning) = stock (cube)
Senap = mustard
Sylt = jam
Flingor = cerial
Glass = ice cream
Jordnöt = peanut
Hasselnöt = hazelnut
Mandel = almond
Valnöt = walnut

Tvättmedel = washing powder
Sköljmedel = rinsing and softening agent
Diskmedel = washing up liquid
Tandkräm = tooth paste

Drinks
Vatten = water
Kolsyrat = carbonated
Saft = lemonade
Cider = cider, but often with no alcohol
Öl = beer

Other words and phrases of relevance
Stark = strong
Lätt = light
Späda = dilute
st. = it is short for stycken which means pieces,
Extrapris = bargain price
Kortpris = price for those who have a customers card of the supermarket
Jämförpris = comparison price, this is the price per kg or litre.
Pant = money back in exchange for empty bottles, cans. You add the cost of the deposit if the price is given + pant.