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Cultural Etiquette
Cultural Dos and Taboos
1. The handshake is the standard greeting for men and women. Friends, family and those who share some familiarity, however, do not use the handshake.
2. One should use the formal form of address such as Mr. or Mrs. followed by a surname, unless invited to move to a first name basis. Younger people are more apt to move to less formal forms of address quickly. Among men, it is common for last names alone to be used in forms of address. Outside the personal sphere, however, it is advisable that professional and governmental titles be used. In business, titles are used more rarely in verbal communication although they are customarily used in written communications.
3. If men wear hats or headwear, such items should be removed when speaking to someone, especially a woman.
4. Punctuality is the norm in this culture, so be sure to be consistently punctual for both business meetings and social occasions.
5. Common gestures include a toss of the head denoting "come here," but generally, the Swedes do not use many gestures. As such, one should try to be restrained as well, avoiding gesticulation or excessive body language.
6. Most Scandinavians, including Swedes, tend to have fairly quiet dispositions. As such, one should avoid speaking loudly or indulging in any overt and flamboyant behavior. One should maintain a well-modulated tone when speaking.
7. In conversation, sports (especially skiing), sightseeing (especially regarding the natural beauty and environment of their country), travel and politics are considered to be good topics of conversation. Note, however, especially in regard to matters of political or social import that Swedes appreciate tolerance and will rarely be impressed by narrow-minded or fundamental beliefs. In this regard, while many political and social topics are open for discussion, one should avoid criticism of other peoples or systems. Inappropriate topics of conversation include personal topics or complaints over the way things function in Sweden.
8. At all costs, avoid littering or indulging in any kind of environmentally-unfriendly behavior. The Swedes do not take kindly to such tendencies.
9. If you are invited to a Swedish home, stand quietly outside the doorway to the entrance of the abode and wait to be asked in; once you are inside the home, remove your shoes and wait again until you are asked to sit down; and when you are sitting at the table, wait for the host's invitation to begin eating.
10. Dining is typically continental-style with the fork steadfastly held in the left hand and the knife in the right hand.
11. Toasts in Sweden have a protocol that should be respected. In any type of dinner function it would be very impolite to drink be fore the host has given a toast. When toasting say, "Skal" (pronounced skoal). The toast is rooted in Nordic legends about Vikings drinking mead out of their enemies' skulls from which the word "skal" or "drinking vessel" is derived from.
12. Initiate your own departure (usually around 10 p.m. during winter and 11 pm in the summer months), as your hosts will rarely do so.
13. In general, if one is invited for dinner, taking a gift is regarded as an appropriate gesture. Generally, most gifts should be wrapped. Suggested gifts include flowers (excluding lilies, carnations, white flowers or wreaths, all of which are associated with funerals), liqueurs, wine, liquor, or fine chocolates.
14. Dress is generally casual and should conform to the temperate climate. Business wear is more conservative; suits are the norm for both men and women. Women generally tend to be more restrained in regard to makeup and jewelry, opting for a more natural look than other parts of Europe.
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