Punctuality
Almost everything in Sweden has a schedule or a timetable, and it is followed to the minute. If a bus is scheduled at leaving 8:53 am that is the time it leaves unless nothing very exceptional happens. If a TV show is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm that is when it starts. And if a meeting is scheduled for 2 pm to 4 pm it starts at 2 pm, not 2:01, and ends at 4 pm, not at 3:57 or 4:01.
Punctuality is very important and that means not being late OR not being early. If you are invited to a party that starts at 7 PM and you drive there and arrive at 6:45 it is not unusual to sit in your car for 15 minutes to be arriving at the correct time.
Why is it so important?
One reason for this being important is efficiency. You should use your time efficiently, and arriving early means that you are wasting your own time. Being late means that you are wasting other people’s time since they have to wait for you.
Being on time is also a way of showing that you are trustworthy.
But most of all, being on time is about respect. In Sweden respect is very important. You must respect other people’s time and space. Time is precious, and not being on time can interrupt other people’s plans.
Personal Space
Talking about respecting space and time, another quirk you should be aware of when interacting with a Swede is how to respect personal space.
Swedes are in general very sensitive about their personal space when talking to each other unless you are in an intimate relationship, keep at least one arm’s length apart, and don’t be insulted when talking to a Swede if they take a step back, that usually doesn’t mean that they have something against you as a person, they are just adjusting the personal space.
And remember, no hugging or kissing on the cheek unless you are close, very close, friends or family.
Conversation Quirks
If you find yourself in a conversation with a Swede, and you have found the perfect distance between you to respect the personal space, there are a few quirks to be aware of when it comes to communication.
Don’t think that the person is uninterested or doesn’t listen because they don’t keep eye contact during the whole conversation or if their facial expressions and gestures are minimal.
And don’t be afraid of the silence. Silence is part of the conversation. For example, you have a lunch date with a friend, you both arrive on time, of course, you greet each other with a hello or maybe a handshake, you sit down and exchange a few remarks about what is going on in your life, then you both fall silent for a few minutes. If you are not used to this way of conversation you might feel the urge to say something to get the conversation started again but don’t worry, for many Swedes this is a natural part of the conversation. Maybe you are pondering about what your friend just said, maybe you are preparing how to best lead the conversation into a specific topic, or maybe you just take a moment for yourself. Just be patient, the conversation is not over, it will soon continue.
Next week
We are now entering March, and the first episode will be about gender equality in Sweden. I chose this since March 8th is International Women’s Day.
As always if you have any ideas of topics you would like me to cover you can send me an email
Hej Då!
PixelPia
