Swedes study and work hard but they also take their rest and relaxation seriously. So the fika – a coffee break that normally consists of coffee or tea, cookies or sweet buns, but can also include soft drinks, fruit and sandwiches – is a social institution and an important part of the national culture. You can fika (it’s a verb as well as a noun) with your family or on your first date.
Lagom is an important and often-used word in Sweden. Meaning good enough, or just right, it sums up Swedish cultural and social ideals of equality and fairness.
Openness and equality are also important concepts. Homosexual relations have been legal since 1944, and same sex couples have been able to adopt since 2003 and get married since 2009. The country was the first in the world with freedom of the press (1766), and is at the top of global press freedom rankings.
The Swedish people seem to have found the perfect life and work balance despite the 40 hours working week, thanks to family laws.
For instance, the parental leave allows them to enjoy a total of 480 days over 8 years. You will also come across Swedish families who will move to their traditional cabin on weekends for some leisure time.
Friday and Saturday evenings are highly valued by the Swedes. Families usually go out to the supermarket to buy big packets of candy and pizza, also known as 'fredagsmys'. Alcoholic drinking is also taking place on Fridays and Saturdays, as people will usually go to the state monopoly to buy enough alcohol for the weekend.
link; (expat.com)
The Swedish people seem to have found the perfect life and work balance despite the 40 hours working week, thanks to family laws.
For instance, the parental leave allows them to enjoy a total of 480 days over 8 years. You will also come across Swedish families who will move to their traditional cabin on weekends for some leisure time.
Friday and Saturday evenings are highly valued by the Swedes. Families usually go out to the supermarket to buy big packets of candy and pizza, also known as 'fredagsmys'. Alcoholic drinking is also taking place on Fridays and Saturdays, as people will usually go to the state monopoly to buy enough alcohol for the weekend.
link; (expat.com)
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