Facts and Statistics Location: Between Finland and Norway in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak. Capital: Stockholm. Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north. Population: 9,031,088 (July 2007 est.). Ethnic Make-up: indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks. Religions: Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%.
The official language of Sweden is Swedish.One of two key minority languages is Saami, (spoken in the Northern regions of Sweden) and Finnish. There are also a number of Romanies in Sweden who speak in Romani. Swedish is not only the official language of Sweden. It is also one of the official languages of Finland. Influences on the Swedish language have come primarily from Latin, German and Danish.
Swedish Culture and Society The Church of Sweden professes the Lutheran branch of Christianity and it has a membership of almost 7 million people; making it the largest Lutheran Church in the world. Although over 75% of Swedish citizens are members of the church, only 2% regularly attend church services.
The Ethnic Make-up of Sweden The indigenous population of Sweden is comprised of Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities. Foreign-born or first-generation immigrants are typically of Finnish, Danish, Norwegian, Greek and Turkish ethnicity.
The Culture of Sweden One of the key characteristics of Swedish culture is that Swedes are egalitarian in nature, humble and find boasting absolutely unacceptable. In many ways, Swedes prefer to listen to others as opposed to ensuring that their own voice is heard. When speaking, Swedes speak softly and calmly. It is rare that you will witness a Swede demonstrating anger or strong emotion in public. Swedes rarely take hospitality or kindness for granted and as such, they will often give thanks. Failing to say thank you for something is perceived negatively in Sweden.
Swedens believe strongly in ‘lagom’ or, ‘everything in moderation’. Excess, flashiness and boasting are abhorred in Sweden and individuals strive towards the middle way. As an example, work hard and play hard are not common concepts in Sweden. People work hard but not too hard, they go out and enjoy themselves, but without participating in anything extreme. Due to the strong leaning towards egalitarianism in Sweden, competition is not encouraged and children are not raised to believe that they are any more special than any other child.
The Family The family in Sweden is extremely important and as such, the rights of children are well protected. The rights afforded to Swedish families to ensure that they are able to adquately care for their children are some of the best rights in the world: . Either the mother or father is entitled to be absent from work until their child reaches 18 months old. . Either parent has the right to reduce their workload by 25% until their child reaches 8 years old (and is formally ready for school). . A parental allowance is paid for 480 days, which is intended for both parents. Sixty of these days must be used by the ‘minority’ parents. This allowance is often known as ‘Daddy’s months’. . Parents have the right to up to 60 days off per year to care for a sick child. . A number of people in Sweden however, challenge the degree to which these rights are truly positive as statistics suggest that women often fall way behind their male colleagues in respect to position and pay. . Anyone traveling to Sweden will notice the family friendly environment of most resturants and other such establishments. Even trains have a toy and play area!
The Role of Hospitality Although Sweden is a largely egalitarian and relaxed environment, hospitality and eating arrangements are often a formal affair. It is more common for guests to be invited to a Swede’s home for coffee and cake as opposed to a meal, but, if you are invited for a meal then ensure that you: . Are punctual as it is considered extremely impolite if you are rude. On the other hand, do not arrive too early. It is not an uncommon event in Sweden for guests to sit in the car until the last minute or walk around the block until the expected time of arrival. . Dress smartly, otherwise it would be considered disrespectful to the hosts. . Do not ask to see the rest of the house as Swedes are generally very private and it is likely that the only room (other than the dining / sitting room) that they would expect you to go to would be the bathroom. . When eating, keep your hands in full view, with your wrists on top of the table. . The European eating etiquette should be adhered to in respect to knife in the right hand and fork in the left. . Do not start eating until the hostess has started. . Do not take the last helping from a plate. . Finish everything on your plate as it is considered rude to leave any food uneaten. . Do not offer a toast to anyone more senior to you in age. When offering a toast then lift your glass and nod at everyone present looking from those seated on your right to those seated on your left before taking a sip. You should then nod again before replacing your glass on the table. . It is important that you do not discuss business at the table as Swedes try to distinguish between home and work. . During formal events, the guest seated on the left of the hostess typically stands to make a speech during the sweet, to thank her on behalf of the whole group. . Always write or call to thank the host / hostess within a few days of attending the dinner.
Etiquette in Sweden Meeting and Greeting Key suggestions are as follows: . Ensure that you address your hosts with either their professional title or their honorific title and their surname - Mr. - Herr or Mrs. – Fru. . Younger people are likely to move more quickly to a first name basis than older people. . Personal space is important in Sweden and as such it is recommended that you maintain an awareness of someone’s personal space and that you do not invade it. Avoid any unnecessary touching. Gift Giving Etiquette . If you are invited to a Swede’s home then it is suggested that you take the same type of gift such as a bouquet of flowers or, a box of chocolates. . If you choose to give flowers, then ensure that the bouquet does not include white lilies or chrysanthemums. The reason for this being that both types of flowers are typically given at funerals. . Since Sweden is such a child centred country, it is always recommended that you take gifts for any children who may be part of the family you are visiting. . If you are personally given a gift, then it is custom to open it upon receipt.
oh really wonderful! in the one hand I thought some of these things about people from sweden, but in the other, there are also a lot of thing I would have never immagined! I hope I'll come with you there!!!!
II still don't know it, but I'll try to call the doctor tomorrow. I really hope I can come there with all of you, because I've been waiting for this trip since last year when you told us we would have gone there!
I don't really know... I guess we're the only people who want to come there! anyway I found out that I have to be operated on the 25th february, so maybe I can come there! I only have to ask my parents cos I don't know if I have enough money cos we had some problems... if you can, let me know about the price, then I'll let you know if I can come there. I think it will be hard
I hope it too. you'll go there too, right? anyway I asked her and she's trying to let silvia come with us cos she wanted to, but mrs. torresi told me that maybe there are only 3 places. so, if she can't come, I prefere not to come in order to let her come cos I've already been in wales
"Do not offer a toast to anyone more senior to you in age. When offering a toast then lift your glass and nod at everyone present looking from those seated on your right to those seated on your left before taking a sip. You should then nod again before replacing your glass on the table." Ok. It's a jocke, right?
23 comments:
Facts and Statistics
Location: Between Finland and Norway in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak.
Capital: Stockholm.
Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north.
Population: 9,031,088 (July 2007 est.).
Ethnic Make-up: indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks.
Religions: Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%.
The official language of Sweden is Swedish.One of two key minority languages is Saami, (spoken in the Northern regions of Sweden) and Finnish. There are also a number of Romanies in Sweden who speak in Romani.
Swedish is not only the official language of Sweden. It is also one of the official languages of Finland.
Influences on the Swedish language have come primarily from Latin, German and Danish.
Swedish Culture and Society
The Church of Sweden professes the Lutheran branch of Christianity and it has a membership of almost 7 million people; making it the largest Lutheran Church in the world. Although over 75% of Swedish citizens are members of the church, only 2% regularly attend church services.
The Ethnic Make-up of Sweden
The indigenous population of Sweden is comprised of Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities. Foreign-born or first-generation immigrants are typically of Finnish, Danish, Norwegian, Greek and Turkish ethnicity.
The Culture of Sweden
One of the key characteristics of Swedish culture is that Swedes are egalitarian in nature, humble and find boasting absolutely unacceptable. In many ways, Swedes prefer to listen to others as opposed to ensuring that their own voice is heard.
When speaking, Swedes speak softly and calmly. It is rare that you will witness a Swede demonstrating anger or strong emotion in public.
Swedes rarely take hospitality or kindness for granted and as such, they will often give thanks. Failing to say thank you for something is perceived negatively in Sweden.
Swedens believe strongly in ‘lagom’ or, ‘everything in moderation’. Excess, flashiness and boasting are abhorred in Sweden and individuals strive towards the middle way. As an example, work hard and play hard are not common concepts in Sweden. People work hard but not too hard, they go out and enjoy themselves, but without participating in anything extreme.
Due to the strong leaning towards egalitarianism in Sweden, competition is not encouraged and children are not raised to believe that they are any more special than any other child.
The Family
The family in Sweden is extremely important and as such, the rights of children are well protected.
The rights afforded to Swedish families to ensure that they are able to adquately care for their children are some of the best rights in the world:
. Either the mother or father is entitled to be absent from work until their child reaches 18 months old.
. Either parent has the right to reduce their workload by 25% until their child reaches 8 years old (and is formally ready for school).
. A parental allowance is paid for 480 days, which is intended for both parents. Sixty of these days must be used by the ‘minority’ parents. This allowance is often known as ‘Daddy’s months’.
. Parents have the right to up to 60 days off per year to care for a sick child.
. A number of people in Sweden however, challenge the degree to which these rights are truly positive as statistics suggest that women often fall way behind their male colleagues in respect to position and pay.
. Anyone traveling to Sweden will notice the family friendly environment of most resturants and other such establishments. Even trains have a toy and play area!
The Role of Hospitality
Although Sweden is a largely egalitarian and relaxed environment, hospitality and eating arrangements are often a formal affair.
It is more common for guests to be invited to a Swede’s home for coffee and cake as opposed to a meal, but, if you are invited for a meal then ensure that you:
. Are punctual as it is considered extremely impolite if you are rude. On the other hand,
do not arrive too early. It is not an uncommon event in Sweden for guests to sit in the car until the last minute or walk around the block until the expected time of arrival.
. Dress smartly, otherwise it would be considered disrespectful to the hosts.
. Do not ask to see the rest of the house as Swedes are generally very private and it is likely that the only room (other than the dining / sitting room) that they would expect you to go to would be the bathroom.
. When eating, keep your hands in full view, with your wrists on top of the table.
. The European eating etiquette should be adhered to in respect to knife in the right hand and fork in the left.
. Do not start eating until the hostess has started.
. Do not take the last helping from a plate.
. Finish everything on your plate as it is considered rude to leave any food uneaten.
. Do not offer a toast to anyone more senior to you in age. When offering a toast then lift your glass and nod at everyone present looking from those seated on your right to those seated on your left before taking a sip. You should then nod again before replacing your glass on the table.
. It is important that you do not discuss business at the table as Swedes try to distinguish between home and work.
. During formal events, the guest seated on the left of the hostess typically stands to make a speech during the sweet, to thank her on behalf of the whole group.
. Always write or call to thank the host / hostess within a few days of attending the dinner.
Etiquette in Sweden
Meeting and Greeting
Key suggestions are as follows:
. Ensure that you address your hosts with either their professional title or their honorific title and their surname - Mr. - Herr or Mrs. – Fru.
. Younger people are likely to move more quickly to a first name basis than older people.
. Personal space is important in Sweden and as such it is recommended that you maintain an awareness of someone’s personal space and that you do not invade it. Avoid any unnecessary touching.
Gift Giving Etiquette
. If you are invited to a Swede’s home then it is suggested that you take the same type of gift such as a bouquet of flowers or, a box of chocolates.
. If you choose to give flowers, then ensure that the bouquet does not include white lilies or chrysanthemums. The reason for this being that both types of flowers are typically given at funerals.
. Since Sweden is such a child centred country, it is always recommended that you take gifts for any children who may be part of the family you are visiting.
. If you are personally given a gift, then it is custom to open it upon receipt.
oh really wonderful! in the one hand I thought some of these things about people from sweden, but in the other, there are also a lot of thing I would have never immagined! I hope I'll come with you there!!!!
This is all very much a part of my background, so it was quite fun reading through it.
When will you know if you can come? We need to buy tickets ASAP.
II still don't know it, but I'll try to call the doctor tomorrow. I really hope I can come there with all of you, because I've been waiting for this trip since last year when you told us we would have gone there!
Yes, I can imagine. I understand that Silvia Minuti would like to come along, too! That's nice.
Do you know who else wants to come?
I don't really know... I guess we're the only people who want to come there! anyway I found out that I have to be operated on the 25th february, so maybe I can come there! I only have to ask my parents cos I don't know if I have enough money cos we had some problems... if you can, let me know about the price, then I'll let you know if I can come there. I think it will be hard
You need to ask Prof Torresi which flights have been decided on. I hope you can go.
I hope it too. you'll go there too, right? anyway I asked her and she's trying to let silvia come with us cos she wanted to, but mrs. torresi told me that maybe there are only 3 places. so, if she can't come, I prefere not to come in order to let her come cos I've already been in wales
Did you tell Prof Torresi this? I think Silvia has decided not to go now though.
of course I did, but silvia doesn't know when she'll get operated so she let me come there
I have to read it, right? It's really really really really important? 'cause my head is punching me.
"Do not offer a toast to anyone more senior to you in age. When offering a toast then lift your glass and nod at everyone present looking from those seated on your right to those seated on your left before taking a sip. You should then nod again before replacing your glass on the table." Ok. It's a jocke, right?
Done. My head is punching me more than before! Well.... I hope I'll have an unconventional family!
I only hope that reading "toast" you haven't thought about the "toast sandwitch" X°D
enjoy your trip! :)
of course my dear <3
i love you :) and don't worry, you-know-who is in good hands muahaha
ahahahahah cooool! love u :)
Jag är Yuri!!!!!!! I love it! <3
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