Sweden - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Sweden is a strikingly beautiful country with a reverence for the natural environment. Its extremes in geography, climate, and history have given rise to a population that values honesty, self-sufficiency, and harmony. Swedes are a rights-driven, modern, and tech-savvy people who also retain a deep respect for their own cultural legacy. A good background knowledge of the beliefs and values that make up the Swedish way of life will prove invaluable for anyone hoping to do more than just scratch the surface. Culture Smart! Sweden offers insights into the lives and personalities of the Swedes today, along with tips on socializing, communication, and how to make the most of your time there. Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas. Front Cover Title Page Copyright About the Author Contents Map of Sweden Introduction Key Facts 1. Land and People • Geographical Snapshot • Climate • The Swedish People: A Brief History • The Swedes Today • The Sá¡mi Population • Sweden's Cities • Government 2. Values and Attitudes • Unquestionable Equality • Fierce Independence • Self Expression • Mutual Respect and Punctuality • Lagom: “Just Enough” • Jantelagen: The Jante Law • Harmony Over Confrontation • The Honest Swede • Orderliness and Security • The Swedish Model • Attitudes Toward the Monarchy • Attitude Toward Nature • Sexual Freedom • Attitudes Toward Homosexuality • Work—Life Balance • Attitudes Toward Others 3. Customs and Traditions • The Swedish Year • Festivals, Traditions, and Holidays • International Award Ceremonies • Family Occasions • Religion 4. Making Friends • Work and Social Life • Clothing • Greetings • Tourist-Friendly Swedes • Invitations Home • Fika—the Art of the Coffee Break 5. The Swedes at Home • Quality of Life • The Recycling Revolution • Living Conditions • Architecture • Finding a Home • Identity Cards and Residency • The Daily Round • Parental Partnership • The School Years 6. Time Out • Leisure • The Great Outdoors • Sporty Swedes • The Cultural Scene • Restaurants, Food, and Drink • Visitor Attractions • Shopping • Banks and Currency Exchange 7. Travel, Health, and Safety • Driving In Sweden • Trains, Buses, and the Subway • Taxis • Crossing the Road • Scooting Around • Boats and Ferries • Where To Stay • Health and Security 8. Business Briefing • The Business Environment • What Motivates the Swedes? • The Informal Office • Office Hours and Availability • Unions • Gender Representation • The Manager As Coach • Teamwork • Setting Up a Meeting • Making a Presentation • Negotiations • Contracts • Managing Disagreement • Working in Sweden • Starting a Business • Business Entertainment 9. Communicating • Language • Communication Styles • Humor • Silence • Nonverbal Communication • The Media • Telephones • The Internet • Mail • Conclusion Appendix 1: Swedish Sporting Legends Appendix 2: Useful Apps Appendix 3: Useful Web Sites Further Reading Index Acknowledgment Sweden is a strikingly beautiful country with a reverence for the natural environment. Its extremes in geography, climate, and history have given rise to a population that values honesty, self-sufficiency, and harmony. Swedes are a rights-driven, modern, and tech-savvy people who also retain a deep respect for their own cultural legacy. A good background knowledge of the beliefs and values that make up the Swedish way of life will prove invaluable for anyone hoping to do more than just scratch the surface. Culture Smart! Sweden offers insights into the lives and personalities of the Swedes today, along with tips on socializing, communication, and how to make the most of your time there. Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas. -- Amazon Sweden Is A Strikingly Beautiful Country With Virtually No Poverty And A Profound Reverence For The Environment. Its Extremes In Geography, Climate, And History Have Given Rise To A National Personality That Avoids Ostentation And Confrontation. The End Result Is A Person Who Is Modest, Reserved, And Romantically Nationalistic, Though There Is Much More To Be Discovered. While The Younger Generation Has Readily Embraced New Ideas And Social Change, Swedes Retain A Deep Respect For Their Own Cultural Legacy. A Good Background Knowledge Of The Beliefs And Values That Make Up The Swedish Way Of Life Will Prove Invaluable For Anyone Hoping To Do More Than Just Scratch The Surface.