På svenska
Lund University, Box 117, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden. Tel: +46 (0)46 222 00 00
Surviving in Sweden
Here is a "first approximation" guide for you, because you will certainly be confronted with fewer surprises if you know some of the small differences in how Swedish people behave.
Punctuality
Both at work and in social life, one is expected
to be punctual. A major exception is the "akademisk kvart" (15 minutes
during the day and "dubbel kvart", 30 minutes in the evenings), which is
the practice in the academic world.
Queues
Whenever you are waiting for something: in a cinema
queue, to pay in a shop etc., you are expected to wait in a proper
queue. Almost no excuse is good enough to get in front of the people who
arrived before you. Many institutions, e.g. banks, post offices, shops
etc. use a system of "queuing tickets". When your number shows on the
screen, or the shop assistant calls your number, it is your turn.
Keep talking...
Some foreigners complain that it is difficult
to meet Swedes socially. Swedes often take longer before inviting people
home or going out with them in the evening. Since you will probably be
here for a relatively short period of time, if you are anxious to make
Swedish contacts, you might consider taking the initiative.
...but listen too
When talking, Swedes usually do not
interrupt. When you speak, people are normally interested in what you
have to say and listen, so do not forget to listen to them!
The telephone
What do you say when you pick up the receiver?
Just "Hello"? Try to remember that in Sweden that is considered
impolite. You might answer directly with your name or phone number or
"Hello, this is... (your name)". To call a local area you do not need to
use the first three (in some cases four) first digits. If you are in
Lund you do not need to dial 046 before calling anyone in Lund. For
someone abroad to call you in Lund, they dial the number for calls
abroad, the country code for Sweden and 46 followed by your local number.
No smoking
Smoking is not allowed in public buildings and, as
in many other countries, regulations against smoking are getting
stricter. Therefore remember to always check if there is a sign saying
"Rökning Förbjuden" (No smoking) before you light up a cigarette. It is
also considered an act of courtesy not to smoke in the house of someone
who does not smoke - or at least ask if it is alright to smoke indoors.
When dining, it is a courtesy to wait until everyone has finished their
meal before smoking.
Tell time
In written Swedish language, noon or mid day would
be written 12.00. One hour later (1 pm) would be written 13.00. Five
o'clock in the afternoon would be written 17.00. However, in spoken
language one often say "one" for 13.00 or "three" for 15.00.
Take off your shoes?
In winter, it is not usual (and it gets
pretty hot) to wear heavy, outdoor shoes indoors. Remember this when you
visit a Swedish home you will find it convenient to follow the Swedish
habit and bring a pair of light shoes with you to wear indoors.
Thank you
When invited it is customary to have a small present
for the hostess and also to say thank you for the evening when you leave
and also on the next occasion you meet the host/hostess (Tack för
senast).
Sidansvarig: Sigurborg Ragnarsdottir Webbansvarig: Per-Evert Persson Ansvarig utgivare: Personal
Last modified 19 Dec 2012
Contact info
Visiting address:
Room 253A and 249, Byrålogen, Paradisgatan 5C, Lund.
Postal address
IRSO, Box 117
221 00 Lund.
IRSO Office (map - new window)
Opening hours
Book time:
Sigurborg.Ragnarsdottir@pers.lu.se
Human Resources Advisor
Sigurborg Ragnarsdottir
Phone: 046-222 71 51
Marie Fernbrant
Phone: 046-222 01 75