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1 like = 1 piece of semi-useful advice* for living in Sweden
*The word useful is going to do some heavy lifting here
*The word useful is going to do some heavy lifting here
1/ Swedes appreciate preparedness.
I was not prepared for this thread.
I was not prepared for this thread.
2/ Coffee is not just a morning drink. Be prepared to drink more coffee than you imagined possible.
Sleeping is no longer an option.
Sleeping is no longer an option.
3/ From 3 - 4pm on Christmas Eve the entire country stops to watch Donald Duck. It's practically the same show every year.
Do not question this tradition. I'm pretty sure doing so is grounds for deportation.
Do not question this tradition. I'm pretty sure doing so is grounds for deportation.
4/ Don't skip office fika! It's an important part of office life.
Your colleagues will view you more highly for partaking in the ritual coffee break chit chat, rather than hiding at your desk because you are busy.
Your colleagues will view you more highly for partaking in the ritual coffee break chit chat, rather than hiding at your desk because you are busy.
5/ And speaking of fika.
Never - and I cannot stress this enough - ever - take the last piece of cake on the plate.
It's far too much of a provocation.
Never - and I cannot stress this enough - ever - take the last piece of cake on the plate.
It's far too much of a provocation.
6/ And if you are going to be making the office fika from scratch (because eventually it will be your turn), don't skimp on the butter in the kanelbullar (cinnamon buns).
More butter = more friends.
More butter = more friends.
7/ And since I'm hungry and this is getting slightly cake themed, here's some advice I tend to ignore:
Certain cakes (like semlor) are only to be consumed on specific days or at certain times of the year. Eating them outside these times is often looked down upon.
Certain cakes (like semlor) are only to be consumed on specific days or at certain times of the year. Eating them outside these times is often looked down upon.
8/ Leave Stockholm in the summer months.
(Unless you have a thing for ghost towns)
(Unless you have a thing for ghost towns)
9/ This should really have been the first thing in the list:
If you plan to live here: apply for a personal number on day one. You basically cannot do anything else on this thread without one.
If you plan to live here: apply for a personal number on day one. You basically cannot do anything else on this thread without one.
11/ Whilst we are at it: everyone in Sweden likes to complain about #YoungWallander.
Highlights include:
'We don't have carpeted floors!'
'Who has a washing machine in the kitchen?!'
'Someone forgot to tell the British actors how to pronounce words that contain Å,Ä or Ö'
Highlights include:
'We don't have carpeted floors!'
'Who has a washing machine in the kitchen?!'
'Someone forgot to tell the British actors how to pronounce words that contain Å,Ä or Ö'
12/ On the subject of washing machines. Not everyone has a washing machine at home - and often turn to their housing association's tvättstuga (laundrette).
There's usually a strict booking system in place for these, and when you book it - it's all yours!
There's usually a strict booking system in place for these, and when you book it - it's all yours!
13/ If you use the tvättstuga when it's not your turn, then prepare to face the wrath of Sweden's most popular pastime: the angry note.
Learn how to read these. Learn how to write them. Taking the conflict face to face is often far too controversial for most neighbours.
Learn how to read these. Learn how to write them. Taking the conflict face to face is often far too controversial for most neighbours.
14/ Want to get anywhere in Sweden?
The inter-city rail system is fantastic, cheap and reliable.
Don't expect it to be quick though. Distances between big cities in Sweden are much greater than you might first think they are!
The inter-city rail system is fantastic, cheap and reliable.
Don't expect it to be quick though. Distances between big cities in Sweden are much greater than you might first think they are!
15/ Underrated / boring / probably actually useful advice:
Get a mobile bank ID.
It's an app on your phone that is linked to your bank account. It lets you sign payments, log into government services and more - all from your phone.
Get a mobile bank ID.
It's an app on your phone that is linked to your bank account. It lets you sign payments, log into government services and more - all from your phone.
16/ I can't believe it's taken me until now to give my favourite piece of advice:
Join an association. Sewing, football, e-sports, whatever.
Much of Swedish life is carefully organised into such activities, and it's the easiest way to make friends in a new country!
Join an association. Sewing, football, e-sports, whatever.
Much of Swedish life is carefully organised into such activities, and it's the easiest way to make friends in a new country!
17/ Let's talk about Swedish. Yes, lots of Swedes do speak excellent English.
But not everyone does, and English will only get you so far.
So I guess the advice is, learn Swedish! A little goes a long way.
But not everyone does, and English will only get you so far.
So I guess the advice is, learn Swedish! A little goes a long way.
18/ SFI (Swedish for immigrants) is a good place to start. It's free and usually available close to where you live.
Most people who move to Sweden start here.
Most people who move to Sweden start here.
19/ Personally I really enjoyed the teaching at @Folkuniversitet. But not everyone learns in the same way - and there are tonnes of options out there.
Local libraries are particularly good at organising språkcaféer where you can practice over a coffee.
Local libraries are particularly good at organising språkcaféer where you can practice over a coffee.
20/ Learn to complain about the weather.
This comes pretty naturally to me, but my advice is to prioritise learning a few sentences in Swedish that enable you to complain about all kinds of weather.
Useful in case you end up in a lift with your neighbour.
This comes pretty naturally to me, but my advice is to prioritise learning a few sentences in Swedish that enable you to complain about all kinds of weather.
Useful in case you end up in a lift with your neighbour.
21/ Embrace queuing.
Queuing is a national sport in Sweden, and almost always involves taking a number, rather than a physical queue.
Learn to quickly spot the ticket giving machines. You will save yourself hours of your life in the long run.
Queuing is a national sport in Sweden, and almost always involves taking a number, rather than a physical queue.
Learn to quickly spot the ticket giving machines. You will save yourself hours of your life in the long run.
22/ Practice memorising four digit codes. They will rule you life.
Want to get into your building? There's a code for that.
Gym? Code
Work? Another code
Bank ID? Tricked you - that's six digits.
Want to get into your building? There's a code for that.
Gym? Code
Work? Another code
Bank ID? Tricked you - that's six digits.
23/ Swedes are much more social in the summer months than during the winter.
If you meet a giddy Swede at a midsummer party, don't expect them to be as welcoming come the slushy month of march.
If you meet a giddy Swede at a midsummer party, don't expect them to be as welcoming come the slushy month of march.
24/ Swedes from the north might sound like they are having an asthma attack - but they are in fact just agreeing with you.
Short sharp intake of breath = audible nod
Short sharp intake of breath = audible nod
25/ Most restaurant lunches include more than meets the eye.
Pay a fixed price and get meal + bread + salad + coffee.
Fill your boots!
Pay a fixed price and get meal + bread + salad + coffee.
Fill your boots!
26/ And if you’re going to a restaurant with friends, prepare to calculate who owes what, down the last digit, without any awkwardness.
It’s also pretty common just to get separate bills too.
It’s also pretty common just to get separate bills too.
27/ Let's talk about false friends between English and Swedish (there are a lot).
Gift
Poison / married
Want to buy someone a gift? That's a gåva!
Unless it's Christmas, and then it's a julklapp!
Got it?
Gift Poison / married Want to buy someone a gift? That's a gåva! Unless it's Christmas, and then it's a julklapp!Got it?
28/ More false friends?
Kiss
Puss
Kiss
Wee
Try not to confuse any of these. Could get messy.
Kiss Puss Kiss WeeTry not to confuse any of these. Could get messy.
29/ And whilst we are on the subject of kissing.
If you are from a country where you like to greet with a kiss, that might not go down well here.
Swedes like to hug to say hello/goodbye. These days it's much more of a wave from a distance though.
I miss hugs.
If you are from a country where you like to greet with a kiss, that might not go down well here.
Swedes like to hug to say hello/goodbye. These days it's much more of a wave from a distance though.
I miss hugs.
30/ *Quick ad break*
If you are enjoying this feed - you probably might also enjoy my book. It's about my attempts to understand this strange land before I became a citizen.
Available in or and in stock at all the usual places you buy books!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fear-Falukorv-Tomas-Spragg-Nilsson/dp/9189141040/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SH4OMB20GK6&dchild=1&keywords=fear+and+falukorv&qid=1599726230&sprefix=fear+and+fa%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1
If you are enjoying this feed - you probably might also enjoy my book. It's about my attempts to understand this strange land before I became a citizen.
Available in
or and in stock at all the usual places you buy books!https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fear-Falukorv-Tomas-Spragg-Nilsson/dp/9189141040/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SH4OMB20GK6&dchild=1&keywords=fear+and+falukorv&qid=1599726230&sprefix=fear+and+fa%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1
31/ Almost everyone in the country gets paid on the 25th of the month.
Avoid IKEA on the weekend after the 25th at all costs.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
Avoid IKEA on the weekend after the 25th at all costs.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
32/ Don't laugh at the 'slutstation' on the metro.
You will be the only one finding it funny.
(Slutstation = end station)
You will be the only one finding it funny.
(Slutstation = end station)
33/ Pick 'n' mix sweets are available at pretty much every supermarket, irrespective of size.
On a Saturday morning, expect to see a line of crazed kids filling their bags with polly, swedish fish and bilar.
On a Saturday morning, expect to see a line of crazed kids filling their bags with polly, swedish fish and bilar.
34/ Don't talk to strangers in public.
The old adage goes that a stranger who talks to you in public is likely either drunk or unstable (or both).
The old adage goes that a stranger who talks to you in public is likely either drunk or unstable (or both).
35/ Street parking signs can be some of the most confusing things you have ever read.
Learn how to read them, or you will be taking out bank loans to pay the fines.
Learn how to read them, or you will be taking out bank loans to pay the fines.
36/ Swedes are more likely to refer to weeks of the year, rather than date ranges.
This week is week 37.
Week 9 is a school holiday in Stockholm.
You can eat semlor on week 7 next year.
This week is week 37.
Week 9 is a school holiday in Stockholm.
You can eat semlor on week 7 next year.
37/ If you buy bryggkaffe (brewed coffee) in a coffee shop, it almost always includes pårtår (free refills). Not always though, so if you are unsure - ask!
Pro tip: If you refill a second time, it's called tretår! (And you probably won't sleep tonight!)
Pro tip: If you refill a second time, it's called tretår! (And you probably won't sleep tonight!)
38/ If you dare to try the infamous surströmming (fermented herring), you must do it outside!
And don't just open a can in a park - embrace the ritual of preparing it and you will be pleasantly surprised. I actually made a video about this a while back:
And don't just open a can in a park - embrace the ritual of preparing it and you will be pleasantly surprised. I actually made a video about this a while back:
39/ If a Swedish red day (bank holiday) falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday, a lot of employers will give you a klämdag.
An extra day off on the Monday or Friday to bridge the weekend, because what's the point of coming in to work for just one day?!
An extra day off on the Monday or Friday to bridge the weekend, because what's the point of coming in to work for just one day?!
40/ And if your employer doesn't give you a klämdag, book one off yourself.
No one else will be in the office - so you might as well enjoy a long weekend!
No one else will be in the office - so you might as well enjoy a long weekend!
41/ If a Swede tells you that they picked wild chanterelle mushrooms at the weekend - don't expect them to tell you where.
A Swede's mushroom picking spot is their most carefully guarded secret.
A Swede's mushroom picking spot is their most carefully guarded secret.
42/ I'm surprised I haven't talked about this yet - since I've been doing it all week.
If you have a child who needs to stay home sick, the state will pay you 80% of you salary to be home to take care of them.
It's a seriously good system!
If you have a child who needs to stay home sick, the state will pay you 80% of you salary to be home to take care of them.
It's a seriously good system!
43/ 
Tacos! (But not as you know them!)
Tacos, or more accurately 'a Swedish take on tex-mex' is a staple Friday night food in Sweden.
Supermarkets are absolutely plastered in taco supplies (but if you are actually from Mexico, please try not to be too disappointed in us).
Tacos! (But not as you know them!)Tacos, or more accurately 'a Swedish take on tex-mex' is a staple Friday night food in Sweden.
Supermarkets are absolutely plastered in taco supplies (but if you are actually from Mexico, please try not to be too disappointed in us).
44/ This one's a bit niche:
Don't wear white shoes if you visit the famous copper mine in Falun.
The mine is the source of Sweden's famous red paint. Your white shoes will become that famous colour.
Don't wear white shoes if you visit the famous copper mine in Falun.
The mine is the source of Sweden's famous red paint. Your white shoes will become that famous colour.
45/ Let's talk more about English/Swedish false friends!
vrist
ankle
kind
cheek
Having fun yet?
vrist ankle kind cheekHaving fun yet?
46/ In Sweden people often celebrate name days.
Every day of the year is allocated a name and on the day of your name day, you usually celebrate with cake.
Because who doesn't need another excuse to eat cake!
Every day of the year is allocated a name and on the day of your name day, you usually celebrate with cake.
Because who doesn't need another excuse to eat cake!
47/ If your name doesn't appear on the calendar of names (which is surprisingly common), then you get to celebrate on January 1st.
Check out when your name day is here: https://www.dagensnamn.nu/
(Mine is 21 December, thanks for asking!)
Check out when your name day is here: https://www.dagensnamn.nu/
(Mine is 21 December, thanks for asking!)
48/ Embrace the late, light summer nights.
Sleep with the blinds open.
Go for a midnight walk.
Treat yourself, it won't be long until the sun sets at lunchtime again.
Sleep with the blinds open.
Go for a midnight walk.
Treat yourself, it won't be long until the sun sets at lunchtime again.
49/ Learn a few different Swedish words for snow.
You'll impress your neighbours when you complain about the weather to them:
1. Blötsnö – wet, slushy snow
2. Snöblandat regn – snow mixed with rain
3. Slask – slushy snow mixed with rain and dirt
You'll impress your neighbours when you complain about the weather to them:
1. Blötsnö – wet, slushy snow
2. Snöblandat regn – snow mixed with rain
3. Slask – slushy snow mixed with rain and dirt
50/ More words for snow?
4. Konstsnö – artificial snow
5. Pudersnö – powder snow
6. Nysnö – fresh, crisp snow
7. Drivsnö – snow blown into drifts
8. Kramsnö – squeezy snow, perfect for making snowballs
9. Klabbsnö – wet, warm, perfect for building snowmen
4. Konstsnö – artificial snow
5. Pudersnö – powder snow
6. Nysnö – fresh, crisp snow
7. Drivsnö – snow blown into drifts
8. Kramsnö – squeezy snow, perfect for making snowballs
9. Klabbsnö – wet, warm, perfect for building snowmen
51/ Did I miss any?
10. Majsnö – unwelcome snow in May
11. Yrsnö – snow whipped around by the wind
12. Åsksnö – snow during a thunderstorm
and
13. Muohta – one of the many Sami words for snow!
10. Majsnö – unwelcome snow in May
11. Yrsnö – snow whipped around by the wind
12. Åsksnö – snow during a thunderstorm
and
13. Muohta – one of the many Sami words for snow!
52/ Corduroy / cord trousers are called Manchester byxor (Manchester trousers) in Swedish.
No, I’ve no idea why either
No, I’ve no idea why either
53/ A good work life balance is strongly encouraged in Sweden!
(So I’m going to take a couple of hours off from writing this thread so that I can feed my family!)
(So I’m going to take a couple of hours off from writing this thread so that I can feed my family!)
54/ I’ve gotten a few questions in my inbox about how to find work in Sweden.
I’m no expert - but a few months ago I got great advice from @Movingtosweden_
Here’s what they said:
I’m no expert - but a few months ago I got great advice from @Movingtosweden_
Here’s what they said:
55/ In the winter it’s a good idea to leave a nicer pair of shoes at your place of work.
This way when you arrive to work in your slushed out winter boots, you have something nice and dry to change into!
This way when you arrive to work in your slushed out winter boots, you have something nice and dry to change into!
56/ And speaking of the winter commute - one of the first pieces of advice I got in Sweden was:
Pee before you leave the house.
Don’t need to pee?
Pee anyway.
If it’s cold, chances are you will need to pee before you get to your destination!
Pee before you leave the house.
Don’t need to pee?
Pee anyway.
If it’s cold, chances are you will need to pee before you get to your destination!
57/ And chances are in the early stages of winter, your public transport will go slow/stop in the middle of nowhere/breakdown.
So plan extra time for the commute. Check the public transport app before you leave the house for any blockages.
And pee.
So plan extra time for the commute. Check the public transport app before you leave the house for any blockages.
And pee.
58/ Volvo is a wonderfully reliable Swedish (kind of) car brand.
Until they are not. And you spend your entire Thursday night at the side of the road, trying to convince your car that it wants to take you home.
(This is a self pity tweet)
Until they are not. And you spend your entire Thursday night at the side of the road, trying to convince your car that it wants to take you home.
(This is a self pity tweet)
59/ Let's talk about lagom.
Lagom is often explained as the 'not too little, not too much, but just right' approach to living.
Much of Swedish daily life seems to live within these boundaries, never edging towards the extremes.
Lagom is often explained as the 'not too little, not too much, but just right' approach to living.
Much of Swedish daily life seems to live within these boundaries, never edging towards the extremes.
60/ But as @LolaAkinmade very excellent explains in @lagombook, my lagom is different to your lagom.
So in groups we have to compromise our lagoms to find the optimal solution for everyone.
So 'optimal for the setting' is a much more appropriate way of understanding lagom!
So in groups we have to compromise our lagoms to find the optimal solution for everyone.
So 'optimal for the setting' is a much more appropriate way of understanding lagom!
61/ Julmust is the most delicious thing you will every drink.
It's only* available at Christmas, which is what makes it so special. It's tied to the celebration and brings memories of years gone by.
It's alcohol free and outsells CocaCola every year!
It's only* available at Christmas, which is what makes it so special. It's tied to the celebration and brings memories of years gone by.
It's alcohol free and outsells CocaCola every year!
62/ Påskmust is the most delicious thing you will ever drink.
It's only available at Easter, except for when it's Christmas, and then it's called julmust.
And there are many brands to taste. But all adaptations use the original (secret recipe) syrup!
It's only available at Easter, except for when it's Christmas, and then it's called julmust.
And there are many brands to taste. But all adaptations use the original (secret recipe) syrup!
63/ In Sweden the freedom to roam (almost) anywhere in nature is protected by the law.
Want to sleep on a mountain, camp by a lake or pick berries in the forest? Go right ahead! (As long as you respect your surroundings!)
https://visitsweden.com/what-to-do/nature-outdoors/nature/sustainable-and-rural-tourism/about-the-right-of-public-access/
Want to sleep on a mountain, camp by a lake or pick berries in the forest? Go right ahead! (As long as you respect your surroundings!)
https://visitsweden.com/what-to-do/nature-outdoors/nature/sustainable-and-rural-tourism/about-the-right-of-public-access/
64/ This one took me a long time to figure out:
Kummin
Caraway
Spiskummin
Cumin
You’re welcome.
Kummin Caraway Spiskummin CuminYou’re welcome.
65/ When you’ve lived here for a while you’ll soon learn that a lot of IKEA products are just named after Swedish towns.
What you might not realise though is that some of the more luxury products have Norwegian names.
The doormats?
Well - they are named after Danish places...
What you might not realise though is that some of the more luxury products have Norwegian names.
The doormats?
Well - they are named after Danish places...
66/ Don’t be surprised to see cardamon used in sweet baking.
For a lot of the world the spice is used in curriers, stews etc.
In Sweden it’s very much seen as something to bake sweet buns with. And frankly, they are delicious!
For a lot of the world the spice is used in curriers, stews etc.
In Sweden it’s very much seen as something to bake sweet buns with. And frankly, they are delicious!
