{"id":5055,"date":"2016-06-16T16:20:04","date_gmt":"2016-06-16T14:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hejsweden.com\/en\/?p=5055"},"modified":"2024-08-27T09:14:42","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T08:14:42","slug":"have-coffee-breaks-called-fika-swedish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hejsweden.com\/en\/have-coffee-breaks-called-fika-swedish\/","title":{"rendered":"Fika – A Very Swedish Tradition – How to Fika Like a Swede"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"fika,<\/a>
Swedish fika<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fall in love with\u00a0the concept of fika<\/em><\/h2>\n

Fika<\/em> is a big part of every Swede’s everyday life. Basically, fika<\/a><\/em> just means to hava a coffee.<\/em>\u00a0But it is so much more than just that. It has been described as a social institution or even phenomena. Swedish people – often described as distant, calm and unsocial – love their fika<\/em>. It gives them the opportunity to meet and hang out with friends, get to know new people, check out\u00a0potential partners or network with business folks.<\/p>\n

Fika\u00a0[\u02c8fi\u02d0\u02ccka]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Fika at work<\/h3>\n

At many working places, fika is\u00a0part of the regular daily schedule. In the morning a fika at 10:00 and in the afternoon at 15:00 is not uncommon.<\/p>\n

For you sweet little new-Swede, that means two 10 – 30 minutes-extra breaks, called fikarast<\/em> or fikapaus<\/em>. When everyone\u00a0gathers in the meeting room, you better stop working and join the group. You won’t get any extra points from your boss when you pretend you have no time for a break, because your work is just too\u00a0important.<\/p>\n

Among the consensus-oriented Swedes, fika<\/em> is a great way to exchange knowledge, opinions about what’s going on in the company, and generally bond with your colleagues. Resulting in better productivity for the company and better wellbeing\u00a0for each employee.<\/p>

\"Book<\/a><\/div>\n

Swedes spend in total\u00a09,5 days <\/a>each year having fika<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What’s on the fika-table<\/h3>\n

Essential for\u00a0a fika<\/em> is the cup of coffee. But, of course, not everyone likes it. To have a tea, soda or any other drink instead is just as fine.<\/p>\n

Most Swedes combine their break with some pastry, called fikabr\u00f6d<\/em>. Among the most popular are kanelbullar (cinnamon buns), chokladbollar (chocolate balls) and biscuits.<\/p>\n

Fika for meeting and dating<\/h3>\n

During leisure time, fikas<\/em> tend to be a little longer than during work. From 30 minutes to several hours. You can meet your friends, someone you have a common interest with and want exchange knowledge, or even get to know a potential flirt or partner. The informality of a fika makes it easy\u00a0for everyone\u00a0to suggest or\u00a0agree to a fika<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Swedish dating culture – Flirt like a Swede<\/a><\/p>\n

If you don’t like the person or get bored, you can always say “Sorry, I have to go home now because I have booked a laundry time<\/em>“.<\/p>\n

Where to fika?<\/h3>\n

Preferably in a caf\u00e9 or restaurant. But of course you can also invite someone home for a fika. Maybe not for the first time though, that can be a little creepy, but certainly when you know the person a little better.<\/p>\n

If you\u00a0don’t feel like meeting up with someone, no problem, just go by yourself. Enjoy the atmosphere in the caf\u00e9 and have a good strong cup of Swedish coffee.<\/p>\n

Fika history<\/h3>\n

The word fika<\/em>\u00a0originated from the 19th century word kaffi<\/em> (coffee) – then Swedes switched positions of the two syllables and removed one f<\/em>.<\/p>\n

kaffi -> ffi-ka -> fika<\/p>\n

During the history of Sweden, coffee had been banned several times. Some Swedes\u00a0didn’t follow the rules and had to come up with a secret word to meet for “kaffi”.<\/p>\n

Useful Swedish words and phrases<\/h3>\n