Ten sure-fire ways to bug your Swedish friends
Published: 27 Feb 13 15:31 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/46446/20130227/
Sweden can be a difficult country to integrate into at the best of times, but what about the opposite? How hard it is to get under the skin of the Swedes? Check out The Local's guide to exactly what really makes a Swede tick.
- Quiz: 'A Swedish city with a pulse' (24 May 13)
- Stockholm's ten best-kept secrets - revealed (22 May 13)
- Quiz: 'The best town in the country' (17 May 13)
Learn the language, eat the meatballs, read the Stieg Larsson trilogy, pretend to care when the Swedish Academy announces the Nobel literature prize winner, feign indignation at Princess Madeleine preferring Manhattan to Gamla Stan.
While this integration can be tricky at times, (especially as the contents of meatballs is becoming more and more mysterious), we found that distancing yourselves from the Swedes is, well, rather easy.
IN PICTURES: Top ten ways to bug your Swedish friends
We've taken a look at a few of the things that Swedes hold most dear, and looked into how you can use it to your advantage (or disadvantage) by using it against whichever Swede it is you're planning to bug.
But why would you want to bug a Swede, anyway? Good question. But if you've read this far, it's a safe bet you're looking for some answers.
So, use this list as warning for how to avoid potentially crossing your friends in the north, or take notes on exactly how to irritate Sven from accounting.
Without further ado, here are top ten ways to bug your Swedish friends.
Patrick Reilly
Follow Patrick on Twitter here
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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Oh the irony...
He never spoke to me again.
Another Swede told me that the reason is I was too hospitable and made him feel uncomfortable.
Even when you have the best intentions, Swedes are annoyed.
You know what? **** you weirdos! Get a life and see how *every* other civilised nation lives.
9. Someone will politely remind you that you're not in Switzerland.
8. You will be told you're a neanderthal.
7. Most people will invite you in, ask if you want some coffee and then get to know you.
6. Not everyone watches this show!
5. If you jump the queue in a rude fashion, you will have the choice of returning to the end of the line or have an instant face remodelling. That is, if I'm present.
4. Not everyone watches this show!
3. Tea is not as uncommon as ut was 20 years ago. Lot's of people drink tea and have plenty of fresh and different teas at home.
2. Not everyone watches this show!
1. See number 5.