Written and Unwritten Rules
In any society there are a set of rules to abide by and conform to in order to blend in or stay out of trouble. The formal rules, like laws and written regulations are easy to find out about and everyone knows you have to follow them. However, the unwritten rules or customs of a foreign society might be harder to find out about and understand. On this page, we will provide some information about laws/regulations and customs that you may find useful while you are here.
Arms-length Distance
This is the distance Swedish people normally stand apart from each other when talking. Swedes are quite reserved about personal space and if you get too close, you will probably see that the Swede will start to back off. Do not feel offended by this, as it is just normal for us to keep some distance between each other.
Conflicts
Swedish people like consensus and do not like open conflicts. If you have a conflict with a Swede, it would be better to have a discussion about it rather than to show a great deal of emotion or to become openly angry.
Walking, Biking and Driving
Whether you are on a bicycle/walking a track or driving, you will be expected to walk on the left-hand side and bicycle on the right. Keeping this in mind might save you from unexpected collisions. Motor vehicles are always driven on the right-hand side of the road.
Escalators
On the other hand, when riding an escalator you will be expected to stand on the right-hand side so people who are in a hurry can walk up the left-hand side.
Taking your Shoes off
This is a strange habit for most foreigners, but when you enter someone’s house or flat, you will have to take your outdoor shoes off in the entrance. It is normal to walk around in your socks, even at someone else's house.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in restaurants, pubs or in public buildings. If there is a designated smoker’s area, usually outside, this is the only area that you are allowed to smoke. If there is a designated area for smoking inside bars and clubs, no drinks or food can be served or brought into it. Please make it a habit to ask before you smoke, and especially in other people’s homes.
The Number that Makes our Country Tick
After you have lived in Sweden for a short while, you will notice that ten little numbers make the world go round, or at least make life in Sweden a great deal easier. Those are the numbers that make up the Swedish personal ID number. In Sweden, this number is used for just about everything that involves the need to identify who a person is. Things like opening a bank account, buying insurance, using on-line booking systems and services or subscribing to a magazine are made much more easier if you have these ten little numbers. However, do not despair, there are usually ways around it.
TV License
If you own a TV in Sweden, you are required to report this to the "radiotjänst"/TV license authority and pay the TV license. Every now and then, the TV license authority sends out controllers to visit people who have not reported that they have a TV in order to make sure that their information is correct.
Drugs and Alcohol
The purchase and consumption of alcohol is subject to a number of laws and rules. Only persons of 18 years of age or older are allowed to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. Only licensed serving places and the state owned Systembolaget are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages that are stronger than 4 volume per cent. If you buy alcohol at a licensed serving place (pub, bar, restaurant), you may not take it outside. It is also forbidden to bring your own alcohol into a bar, pub or restaurant. It is always forbidden to consume alcohol in “public places”. This does not include the outdoor serving areas of licensed pubs or restaurants or your own back yard. Sweden has a rather strict view concerning drugs. The purchase, possession and consumption of drugs of any kind (including marijuana), for which you do not hold a valid prescription, is illegal. Of course, the distribution of any kind of drug (even if you have a prescription for it) is strictly illegal. The only place that is legally allowed to sell prescription drugs/medication is a pharmacy.
Car Insurance
If you buy a car in Sweden, you are required to insure it from the first day that the ownership of the car is transferred to you. It is the responsibility of the seller to send in the paperwork for the transfer of ownership, but you should check that this is done. If you do not insure the car right away (traffic insurance), you will be fined, and the fine is not cheap. Swedish Motor Insurers have more information.
