{"id":5638,"date":"2017-02-24T13:36:38","date_gmt":"2017-02-24T12:36:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hejsweden.com\/?p=5638\/"},"modified":"2022-11-29T11:25:40","modified_gmt":"2022-11-29T10:25:40","slug":"how-to-be-swedish-in-10-easy-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hejsweden.com\/en\/how-to-be-swedish-in-10-easy-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"How to be Swedish – in 10 Easy Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"
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10 Steps to Swedishize yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You are going to spend some time in Sweden, for travelling, work or a semester abroad? You wonder how to blend in and act like a typical Swede?  Follow the 10 steps to Swedishness below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more steps and ways how to become Swedish, read the book: How to be Swedish<\/strong> – A Quick Guide to Swedishness – in 55 Steps.<\/a><\/em> Now on Amazon,<\/a> Adlibris<\/a> and MatthiasKamann.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s start with the top 10 list – steps to Swedishness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Drink a lot of strong coffee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Winters in Sweden are long and dark. To get some extra energy and heat, Swedes found coffee to be the drink of their choice.  <\/span><\/p>

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Swedes really love coffee, they drink an average of 3,2 cups a day. It is an essential part of their daily routines. One in the morning, several at work, and in the evening one cup (to avoid falling asleep during an episode of Wallander<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But beware, Swedes don’t drink their coffee the way you used to in your old country. Swedish coffee is strong. Very strong. So strong indeed, you will notice when you pour your standard amount of milk into the cup but your coffee strongly resists turning from black into brown. Basically, you can consider Swedish coffee a bit stronger than Espresso and slightly weaker than tar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the first time you try Swedish coffee, only try a little Espresso-size mug, to find out which impact it has on your digestion. Just make sure you drink your coffee with a toilet within a few seconds reach. So,<\/strong> get your digestive system prepared for your 3,2 cups of strong coffee per day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you’re used to Swedish coffee, every other coffee in the world will taste like black colored water.<\/p>\n\n\n

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2. Take off your shoes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You received an invitation to come over to a Swede’s home. You are a bit nervous because you’re not used to Swedish culture and customs yet. You ring the doorbell and your Swedish friend opens the door for you. You say “Hej!”, your friend says “N\u00e4men, hejjj! V\u00e4lkommen in!<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you do once you have stepped over the oversized door sill onto a fine door mat? Right. You take off your shoes<\/strong> and place them carefully in front of the vast shoe collection sorted in a practical two level sko hylla<\/em> (shoe shelf) under the coat rack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re not used to taking off your shoes at home, you want to make sure not to embarrass yourself with socks that not only look like Swiss cheese but maybe even smell like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, make sure to always wear a pair of fresh, immaculate socks when you visit a Swede!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Find it difficult to receive a favor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Swedes have good personal qualities. They can be generous and welcoming. Plus, many Swedish people have a good memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In combination this means, Swedes can remember that you invited them for a beer, even if it’s a while ago and that they haven’t invited you back yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you’re out in a pub or club with a Swede, it’s completely fine if you invite them for a drink. But have a look at a Swede’s face when you indicate to the waiter that you pay for both. Your Swedish friend will make the same facial expression as a student trying to memorize vocabulary. If they won’t have the chance to invite you to something that same evening, they will take care to equalize the debt next time you meet, even if that is just for a fika. You invited him or her for a beer in a Swedish pub before? Expect the best latte macchiatto with cream and syrup in return. Remember, alcohol is expensive in Sweden<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A way to reduce the feeling of guilt, in situations of receiving a favor, is to say “thank you<\/em>“, a lot. “Tack, tack, tack-tack!<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if a Swede ever invites you for something, don’t forget to return the favor within an appropriate time… say, the same evening or at the latest next time you meet for a fika<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Fear magsjuka<\/em>, stomach flu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No one wants to be ill. Including Swedes. But there is one illness they particularly try to avoid, “magsjuka<\/em>“, the stomach flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens when you have magsjuka? <\/em>It’s when the content of your digestive system splits up into two parties. One leaving your body the way it entered it. The other party taking the backdoor. Both in a hurry. Which makes you hurry to the bathroom, and stay there for a while until you can return to your bed, drink tea and continue watching streamed movies from the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also a bit unpleasant to have, because Swedish people around you will treat and avoid you as if you were a zombie.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Sweden you often hear the word magsjuka<\/em> in connection with the following words…<\/p>\n\n\n\n