Think you know Sweden? Think again! You may know the lyrics to all the songs in ABBA and have tried all the dishes on the IKEA menu, but that doesn't mean you're ready to fully enjoy the Scandinavian charm when you visit the country in person.
There are plenty of things to enjoy in Sweden, from the country's incredible natural beauty to modern city life, but to avoid some cultural upheaval, we suggest you learn the following fun facts about living in the land of meatballs, granola, and Bjorn Borg.
Global influence in pop music
Sweden is known for producing incredibly successful pop bands, singers, and DJs. Sweden is the third largest exporter of music in the world after the United States and the United Kingdom. The most famous band is, of course, ABBA, one of the most famous bands in history. Other artists include Zara Larsson, Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, Robyn and Alesso, Roxette, Alcazar, Ace of Base, Hammerfall and The Hives.
Love for coffee
Coffee is so loved in Sweden that the Scandinavians are the first in the list of the world's top coffee drinkers! Here, the coffee break is so ingrained in the culture that it has become a true tradition. Fika is a national coffee break that is organized twice a day: during the break, employees rest, enjoy coffee with a bun/cake, and socialize. Unlike most Western countries, where breaks depend on the workplace and organization, in Sweden they are collective and mandatory, which is recognized as an important aspect for good functioning, reducing stress and increasing productivity.
Perhaps this explains why Swedish workers are the fourth happiest in the world.
Fermented fish
"Surströmming" is a very peculiar fish delicacy: fermented herring, which in summer is eaten with crusty bread, sour cream and red onions. You may be wondering why this fermented fish is only eaten in the summer? The fact is that it is so smelly that it is often opened underwater to reduce the radius of the smell! Admittedly, it doesn't sound too appetizing, but if you like salty, fishy yummy with a pronounced taste, then you should definitely try surströmming. This signature dish is so flavorful that it's even on the list of prohibited foods in air travel regulations, so don't try to bring it on the plane when you get home!
Equal parental leave
Sweden has a progressive approach to gender equality, so you'll find more dads with a stroller in this country than in any other country. Men are required to go on maternity leave, and it must be at least 90 days, and if twins are born - 180. In total, paid parental leave in Sweden lasts 480 days.
Students scream every night at 22:00
Every night at 22:00, residents of the student dormitory scream, and howl. They say that these collective shouts are the students' way of letting off steam!
In honor of graduating from high school, Swedish teenagers stand on trucks and pour beer on each other
If you see a group of teenagers driving a truck and pouring beer on each other, then you are witnessing the Swedish tradition of celebrating the end of high school. Parents watch as students toss their hats in the air and then wave to them as their children leave for one of the biggest parties of the year.
Please get in line...
In Sweden, everyone is standing in queues. Whether it's a bank, a pharmacy, or a phone repair shop, you'll have to pick up a number from a machine and wait for your turn. You may only need to ask one question, but if you dare to ask it before your number is called, you'll be met with a barrage of murderous stares from those around you.
Say Yes
In the northern regions of Sweden, it is enough to suck in air through closed lips to express consent – this is considered the most unusual way in the world to express consent.
In other parts of the Scandinavian countries, it is enough to simply say ja, but over time, the people of the north have simplified the process so much that they don't even need to say a word.
Would you like dessert?
Believe it or not, the most popular dish in Sweden is black pudding! Moreover, it can be served not only as an independent dish, but also in addition to others. Blood sausage is even served as a dessert, adding sugar, raisins, lingonberry jam and cinnamon.
Pizza with kebab
If you are a connoisseur of real Italian pizza, then this way of cooking it will be a blow for you. In Sweden, they like to cook kebab pizza – not the most obvious combination, but it's pretty darn delicious.
Turkish immigrants brought kebab to Sweden in the 1980s, and thirty years later, it has become a favorite pizza topping among Swedes. Kebab pizza starts out as a classic tomato and cheese pie with onions, pickled peppers, thinly sliced kebab meat, and yogurt-white sauce. This Swedish invention is extremely popular in southern Sweden and is considered a great hangover cure.
Nose Academy
The Museum of Student Life in the city of Afborgen at the university has an unusual collection called Nasoteket, which translates as "Nose Academy". It has more than 200 casts of noses! They are made from the noses of famous and not so famous people from Scandinavia who are associated with the university. The collection includes a cast of the nose of the astronomer Tycho Brahe, which is made of silver, there are casts of the noses of the first Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang and the first Swedish female archbishop Antje Jekelen. There is also the "Unknown Nose" - this is a monument to an ordinary person who did not receive immortality in the form of a cast of the nose.
Nasoteket opened in 1987. It is managed by a special Nasal Committee, which seriously and humorously considers scientific works on the human nose.
