Five reasons to date a Swede (and five reasons not to)
Can't decide whether to date a Swede or a fellow foreigner this Valentine's Day? The Local guides you to the pros and cons of hooking up with a Nordic viking.
Five reasons to date a Swede
1) They're beautiful
We know appearance isn't everything, but let's face it, Swedes are the best looking people on earth. Swedish people constantly top the lists of the most attractive people in the world, and why would that not be at least a good starting reason to snag one for yourself?
Alexander Skarsgard's abs look like challah. #Tarzan pic.twitter.com/ctJr5dg4OQ
— David Hines (@hradzka) December 10, 2015
2) Gender equality
Gender equality is something the Swedes take seriously. Not only does it extend to nation-wide policies like incredibly generous parental leave, but Swedish men won't be averse to helping out with the cooking and Swedish women don't expect their Valentine's date to pick up the dinner check. The expression may be 'go Dutch', but it should be 'go Swedish'.
Sweden does gender equality on steroids. Photo: Hasse Holmberg/TT
3) Sweden is a brilliant country
Why wouldn't you want to end up in Sweden if the dating turns into a proper relationship, which it often does? It is stunningly beautiful (the nature as well as the people, see above), people are happy, and quality of life is great, with one ranking declaring it the best place in the world for immigrants.
When in doubt, go for a Swede. Photo: Tove Freij/imagebank.sweden.se
4) They speak great English
The language of love is universal, but this is nevertheless a wonderful reason to date a Swede. If you're going to shoot for another nationality besides your own, the odds are ever in your favour of being understood if you pick a Swede (just watch out for these). Plus, you don't have to bother learning to say "my place or yours?" in another language.*
Swedes are very international. Photo: Alice Lessner/imagebank.sweden.se
*Ska vi gå hem till mig eller dig?
5. … the sex
Swedes are super liberal. The stereotype has to be based on something, right? Swedes are quite comfortable and open about one-night stands, and practice makes perfect, as they say. But be careful: the Swedes don't really date and if you stick around for breakfast in the morning (or fika in the afternoon) it means you are pretty much an item. Get ready to meet your svärföräldrar (in-laws) at their sommarstuga (summer house) next Midsummer's Eve.
Just one of the reasons Swedes are awesome. Photo: Karin Malmhav/SvD/SCANPIX
Five reasons not to date a Swede
1. You can forget the chatting
Swedes are not the most talkative people in the world. They often speak in syllables – or even sounds. This places a lot more responsibility on you as the foreigner to make the first move. It is not worth waiting for a Swede to ask you out – they won't. But if you take the first step and invite them to, say, a fika, they are almost programmed to accept. No Swede ever could say no to coffee, cake or a Valentine's date.
How do Swedes manage to hook up with each other? Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT
2. They're sticklers for rules
If you want a bit of spontaneity in your relationship, you have picked the wrong nationality. Sweden is a country where the buses are on time and your Swedish date expects you to be, too. Don't even think about whisking them away for a surprise mini break – some of them might enjoy the thrill, but you run the risk of ending up with a nervous wreck on your hands. Swedes like to plan, they like to schedule, they like to know what's going on.
If you haven't made a date for Valentine's, it may be too late. Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT
3. They are difficult to impress
In Sweden, individual success is inappropriate. Don't brag, they don't want to know. Just got a promotion and raise? Nobody cares. Bought an expensive car? Your Swedish date will prefer to take the bus or metro (at least in the city traffic hell that is Stockholm). Subtly impress them instead with understatements, gender equality and by arriving on time.
Proud of your new car? Your Swedish date won't care. Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT
4. They'll make you eat weird stuff
Swedes love being noticed by foreigners. They will rush to make you try all the country's national and regional delicacies (we use the word 'delicacies' in a liberal sense here). While we agree there are few things better than cinnamon rolls, Swedes also eat some pretty strange stuff, ranging from fermented fish, to pickled herring, to extremely salted liquorice. Want to date a Swede? Make sure you can stomach it. Literally.
5. Sweden's a great place for singles
Love is great, but it can be a hassle. Fed up with trying to decipher the reserved Swedes? Just stay solo. It's the best country for being single, with several laws designed to make it easier for people to enjoy life without a partner. According to this study, one in four Swedes live alone, the highest number in Europe. So in this single paradise (or is it?), nobody will judge you for enjoying Valentine's Day on your own or with a group of friends.
Sweden is just as enjoyable on your own. Photo: Per Pixel Petersson/imagebank.sweden.se
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Five reasons to date a Swede
1) They're beautiful
We know appearance isn't everything, but let's face it, Swedes are the best looking people on earth. Swedish people constantly top the lists of the most attractive people in the world, and why would that not be at least a good starting reason to snag one for yourself?
Alexander Skarsgard's abs look like challah. #Tarzan pic.twitter.com/ctJr5dg4OQ
— David Hines (@hradzka) December 10, 2015
2) Gender equality
Gender equality is something the Swedes take seriously. Not only does it extend to nation-wide policies like incredibly generous parental leave, but Swedish men won't be averse to helping out with the cooking and Swedish women don't expect their Valentine's date to pick up the dinner check. The expression may be 'go Dutch', but it should be 'go Swedish'.
Sweden does gender equality on steroids. Photo: Hasse Holmberg/TT
3) Sweden is a brilliant country
Why wouldn't you want to end up in Sweden if the dating turns into a proper relationship, which it often does? It is stunningly beautiful (the nature as well as the people, see above), people are happy, and quality of life is great, with one ranking declaring it the best place in the world for immigrants.
When in doubt, go for a Swede. Photo: Tove Freij/imagebank.sweden.se
4) They speak great English
The language of love is universal, but this is nevertheless a wonderful reason to date a Swede. If you're going to shoot for another nationality besides your own, the odds are ever in your favour of being understood if you pick a Swede (just watch out for these). Plus, you don't have to bother learning to say "my place or yours?" in another language.*
Swedes are very international. Photo: Alice Lessner/imagebank.sweden.se
*Ska vi gå hem till mig eller dig?
5. … the sex
Swedes are super liberal. The stereotype has to be based on something, right? Swedes are quite comfortable and open about one-night stands, and practice makes perfect, as they say. But be careful: the Swedes don't really date and if you stick around for breakfast in the morning (or fika in the afternoon) it means you are pretty much an item. Get ready to meet your svärföräldrar (in-laws) at their sommarstuga (summer house) next Midsummer's Eve.
Just one of the reasons Swedes are awesome. Photo: Karin Malmhav/SvD/SCANPIX
Five reasons not to date a Swede
1. You can forget the chatting
Swedes are not the most talkative people in the world. They often speak in syllables – or even sounds. This places a lot more responsibility on you as the foreigner to make the first move. It is not worth waiting for a Swede to ask you out – they won't. But if you take the first step and invite them to, say, a fika, they are almost programmed to accept. No Swede ever could say no to coffee, cake or a Valentine's date.
How do Swedes manage to hook up with each other? Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT
2. They're sticklers for rules
If you want a bit of spontaneity in your relationship, you have picked the wrong nationality. Sweden is a country where the buses are on time and your Swedish date expects you to be, too. Don't even think about whisking them away for a surprise mini break – some of them might enjoy the thrill, but you run the risk of ending up with a nervous wreck on your hands. Swedes like to plan, they like to schedule, they like to know what's going on.
If you haven't made a date for Valentine's, it may be too late. Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT
3. They are difficult to impress
In Sweden, individual success is inappropriate. Don't brag, they don't want to know. Just got a promotion and raise? Nobody cares. Bought an expensive car? Your Swedish date will prefer to take the bus or metro (at least in the city traffic hell that is Stockholm). Subtly impress them instead with understatements, gender equality and by arriving on time.
Proud of your new car? Your Swedish date won't care. Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT
4. They'll make you eat weird stuff
Swedes love being noticed by foreigners. They will rush to make you try all the country's national and regional delicacies (we use the word 'delicacies' in a liberal sense here). While we agree there are few things better than cinnamon rolls, Swedes also eat some pretty strange stuff, ranging from fermented fish, to pickled herring, to extremely salted liquorice. Want to date a Swede? Make sure you can stomach it. Literally.
5. Sweden's a great place for singles
Love is great, but it can be a hassle. Fed up with trying to decipher the reserved Swedes? Just stay solo. It's the best country for being single, with several laws designed to make it easier for people to enjoy life without a partner. According to this study, one in four Swedes live alone, the highest number in Europe. So in this single paradise (or is it?), nobody will judge you for enjoying Valentine's Day on your own or with a group of friends.
Sweden is just as enjoyable on your own. Photo: Per Pixel Petersson/imagebank.sweden.se
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