Europe Culture Etiquette

Europe’s Culture & Etiquette
By: Flora Reyes Torres, Andre Lucas, Xueying Lin, Howard Grullon
& Essam Alhumoz
Basic Info on Country: Sweden
● Popular country, which is characterised by its lengthy coastline, forest, and lakes.
● Shares borders with Finland, Denmark, and Norway.
● One of the world's Northernmost countries.
● Sweden has a surface area that is comparable to Spain, Thailand, and the
American state of California.
● Population: 10 million, 0.13% of world's population.
Norms and Values
● Focuses on privacy, modesty, mutual care, hard work, and consideration. They also take pride
in human rights, and equality.
● Concepts include lagom ( the middle way ) and modesty which are the cornerstones within
Swedish culture.
● The ideas they come up with and share have an impact in their country. It helps to generate the
country’s cuisine, architecture, and their communication skills/styles.
● Sweden is a “feminine country” where balance, inclusivity, and consideration make up the
social structure.
● Social welfare helped to supply pensions, allowances, insurance, and expansion of education
and research.
Reference: https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/swedish-culture/swedish-culture-core-concepts
Culture
- The culture of Sweden is to strongly
believe in an egalitarian nature, they
believing in equality for all.
- When Swedes speak, normally, it's in a
calm and soft tone. It is very rare to see
any public display of anger or strong
emotion.
- They rather listen to someone and their ideas
than to hear their own voice heard.
- In Sweden, competition is not encouraged and
children are not raised to believe that they are
any more special than any other child.
- Swedes rarely take hospitality or kindness for
granted and as such, they will give often give
thanks. Failing to say thank you for something is
perceived negatively in Sweden.

Cultural Dimensions
Power Distance: 31%
Individualism: 71%
Masculinity: 5%
Uncertainty Avoidance: 29%
Long Term Orientation: 59%
Indulgence: 78%
Swedish Etiquette
Basic Etiquette
Much etiquette in Sweden is based on maintaining
equality throughout interactions. For example,
thanking people for their efforts and reciprocating
actions that occur regularly.
There are key things that culturally are very important

to all Swedes.
● Punctuality
● Equality
● Patience in society (Lines)
● Modesty
● Personal Space
● Autonomy
Swedish Punctuality & Equality
● Punctuality is essential in Sweden. Avoid arriving
too early or too late for an appointment or an
engagement.
● It is considered incredibly rude to make a party,
colleague, family, or friend wait due to your lack of
time management.
● Equality with your colleauges, family, friends,
partner or spouse regradless of sex is paramount to
Sweden. Everyone is seen as equal and are taught at
a young age that all men and women can accomplish
all things, men take a higher responsibility in child
raising in comparison to other countries due to
Sweden's very generous Parental Leave which allows
each parent to stay with their children equally.
Swedish Patience & Modesty
● Much etiquette in Sweden is based on
maintaining equality throughout interactions. For ● Do not boast about yourself or exaggerate your
example, thanking people for their efforts and achievements. Swedes appreciate a sense of
reciprocating actions that occur regularly. modesty. Swedes do not like to compliment
their own accomplishments and will always
● Everyone is expected to form an orderly queue downplay their capabilities and accolades.
when waiting to be served. Almost no reason is
accepted to get in front of the people who arrived ● The thought behind this is that one person is
before you. In fact, many places use a “queuing not better than another no matter how many
ticket” system, whereby you take a number from accomplishments they have.
a machine when you first enter the store. When
your number is announced, it is your turn to be
served.
● When one answers the phone, they will say

‘Hallå’ (‘Hello') and identify who they are.
Swedish Autonomy & Personal Space
A large part of understanding the dynamics of
etiquette in Sweden is understanding the need
for autonomy.
Being an independent, thriving, and

self-sufficient citizen in Swedish culture
makes their principles in etiquette easier to
comprehend.
They do not believe in “bothering” others,

interfering in other lives, or being intrusive in
anyway. They do not believe in small talk.

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Europe’s Culture & Etiquette

- The culture of Sweden is to strongly

believe in an egalitarian nature, they

believing in equality for all.

- When Swedes speak, normally, it's in a

calm and soft tone. It is very rare to see

any public display of anger or strong

than to hear their own voice heard.

- In Sweden, competition is not encouraged and

children are not raised to believe that they are

any more special than any other child.

- Swedes rarely take hospitality or kindness for

granted and as such, they will give often give

thanks. Failing to say thank you for something is

perceived negatively in Sweden.

Uncertainty Avoidance: 29%

Long Term Orientation: 59%

There are key things that culturally are very important

● When one answers the phone, they will say

Being an independent, thriving, and

They do not believe in “bothering” others,

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