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.
- Stockholm's ten best-kept secrets - revealed (22 May 13)
- Quiz: 'The best town in the country' (17 May 13)
- It's elementary: Water, water, all around (10 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.
Stockholm riots spread south on fourth night
Wednesday night saw more burning cars, smashed windows, and stone throwing at police in at least 15 suburbs around Stockholm, as the fourth night of riots swept the Swedish capital. READ () »
Karolinska joins free online-course community
Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet has signed up to offer free online courses, joining a network of 27 universities worldwide that reach nearly a million students. READ () »
Mixed results for Sweden refugee job push
Fifteen percent of refugees in Sweden who enrolled in the new establishment system the past two years have gone on to find jobs, new figures show, leading some observers to worry that the low success rate will place a burden on the benefits system. READ () »
Swedish pressure needed on Assange: accuser
One of the women who has accused Julian Assange of sex crimes has called on the Swedish government to increase pressure on Ecuador to hand over the WikiLeaks-founder to authorities in Sweden. READ () »
Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby
Following three nights of violence that left cars smouldering in several Stockholm suburbs, The Local travelled to the north-western district of Husby where the disturbances began to see how the riots have affected local residents. READ () »
Bergman auction canned after suspected theft
An auction of memorabilia belonging to Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Berman has been scrapped by authorities after claims the items were stolen from the family. READ () »
Stockholm man lay dead in flat for two years
Workmen in southern Stockholm found the body of man who may have lain dead in his flat for over two years, with the police blaming the belated discovery on society's broken social networks. READ () »
Fashion prize turns Rookies into players
Swedish designers who fight for brand-name recognition in the notoriously hard-to-crack fashion business tell The Local's Victoria Hussey about the importance of the Swedish Rookies Award. READ () »
- 22/05 Stockholm's ten best-kept secrets - revealed »
- 21/05 The 'absolute truth' about tacos in Stockholm »
- 20/05 Eurovision: The final word from Malmö »
- 19/05 Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö »
- 18/05 Live Blog: Eurovision Song Contest final »
- 17/05 Get set... get ready.... get betting: Five Eurovision songs to watch »
- 16/05 Eurovision host: 'Not everyone has to like me' »
- 16/05 Malmö Eurovision hype from Abba to Zlatan »
- 15/05 'It won't be easy to win again': Robin Stjernberg »
- 14/05 In the spotlight: Ireland's hidden Eurovision hero »
- 23/05 Social Democrats launch left-wing global network »
- 23/05 Tax evasion 'ok for Joe Normal' say Germans »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
- 23/05 IMF's Lagarde in Paris for high stakes court grilling »
- 23/05 Clinton tells the French to be more positive »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
- 23/05 Bern seeks new frozen dictator funds law »
- 22/05 Billionaires' biotech centre set for Geneva »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
In cooperation with DoToday
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
"A week full to the brim with LFC football…. Div 5 LFC match against Nåjdens FK has been moved. This is due to the Svenska Cupen final: 26 May, 17.00 kick off, Nationalarenan Friends Arena, Solna. Next match is on Tuesday (see below). ………………………………………………………… Friday: Div5 Ladies: Rotebro IS FF – Långholmen FC (Skinnaråsens IP) KO: 16.15 ………………………………………………………… Saturday: Vets: Långholmen FC – IFK..." READ »
- 20/5 15:25 Hockey. Hockey. Hockey. (Boston Blatte)
- 16/5 08:32 Be British, be sincere and be bold (Brits Mean Business)
- 19/4 15:47 UK and Sweden sign Defence MOU (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
- 09:25 Freelancer needed to build a website
- 09:24 Living costs in London
- 09:18 Lamination or Plastic surgery for Certificate
- 08:53 What does Lagom really mean?
- 05:41 Husby Riots and violence against the police...
- 03:13 Investment market in Sweden
- 01:05 An alternative on the menu
- 00:56 What has happened to TL?
- 23:17 International school in Lund
- 22:39 Restaurant Inspection Scores
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
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.