Swedish habits

The first thing you might notice here is that people typically try to avoid open conflict. Your neighbors might not complain directly about the noise in your apartment, but they may leave a note in your mail slot. And the same goes for leaving a mess in the commonly-used laundry room. At first this might seem passive-aggressive but in a country where rules are generally decided by everyone involved, it’s more likely a way to resolve and prevent face-to-face conflicts.

Another feature of life you’ll soon encounter here is queuing, or waiting in line. Sweden is full of disciplined, world-class queuers — and they take standing in line very seriously. In the bank, in the post office, in the hospital, in the tax office, in the job center, and in some shops, you will need to take a piece of paper with a number on it, or nummerlapp, and wait your turn.

Although it may take some time and some Swedish language skills to see it, there is much to appreciate in Swedish habits. Behind every queue, meeting or seemingly strange consensus-based process is often a fair, open and honest mindset. Although they might have an oddly reserved way of showing it, Swedes are curious at heart and often eager to meet new people.