Research brief - ten things I've learned from two decades living in Sweden

Ten things I’ve learned from two decades living in Sweden

Irish times.com

Lagom (pronounced lar-gohm) is a Swedish word meaning just the right amount. It’s also widely translated as in moderation, in balance and perfect-simple. Think of it as the Goldilocks of words – not too hot, not too cold but just right. It’s an important concept to understand as it is applied to just about every aspect of life in Sweden from dress sense to work performance. Lagom is the stamp of approval; too much or too little usually gets the thumbs down. An important tip for expats on this subject is the adjustment needed in your expectations of praise. Swedes don’t usually go overboard in this department, so don’t expect to be told you’re wonderful. If you’re told something was “lagom”, rest assured that you’ve hit the mark. However, after nearly two decades in Sweden, I now instinctively know what would be considered appropriate on most subjects, such as participation at office meetings, the amount of planning notice required to get any activity off the ground or what and how much to serve on any particular occasion. I don’t always choose lagom, but at least now it’s a conscious decision.

how to Fika

Any newbie to Sweden quickly learns that fika (coffee breaks) is an important part of Swedish work culture. This is where you get to socialise with your colleagues and catch up on office news in an informal way. It is a great concept. The real challenge of office fika is gauging what is a “lagom” amount of time to spend at this compulsory activity. Other fika challenges include getting used to drinking copious amounts of coffee (often black, as sugar and milk aren’t considered essentials), developing an appreciation of bulle (Swedish cinnamon loaf/buns – an acquired taste), or getting cornered by someone when you really do have deadlines to meet.

whats the sweet secret to swedish success?

“It’s deeply ingrained in our culture.” said Matts Johansson, founder of Da Matteo, a coffee chain based in Gothenburg. “Most Swedes have fika several times a day, whether it’s at the weekend or during the week. It’s about spending time with people, eating lovely homemade baked goods and drinking great coffee. It’s like going to the pub in other countries.”

Coffee breaks are so important to the Swedish that even the country’s mega-brand, Ikea,has a paragraph about on its corporate website: “More than a coffee break, fika is a time to share, connect and relax with colleagues. Some of the best ideas and decisions happen at fika.”

“Swedish management style differs to most other countries. It’s flat and not very hierarchical," Astrom said. "When you have flat structures it's important to listen to everyone and through the communal nature of fika, chatting between employees and management is encouraged. It’s a great way to get everyone’s views on how companies are run." It’s less about grabbing a shot of caffeine on the go and more about scheduling pauses in to the day.

“With fika, the idea is to sit and enjoy your coffee and bun, even it’s for 10 minutes," Akerlund said. "In New York it was all about grab and go but I thought that if I offered something really good I could change people’s way of doing things, make them stop and relax.”

fika: sweden’s gift to the world

Fika is probably any Swede’s favourite word (or time of day). This much-revered social and culinary institution is a cornerstone of Swedish culture. Essentially a coffee break combined with pastries or small open-faced sandwiches, fika can be had with colleagues, family or friends. It can be in the office, at home, or in a cafe. It can be a very welcome break from the work day, or a leisurely coffee date on the weekend. You can fika twice or more a day, or as often as you like. What makes it special, and slightly different from a regular coffee break, is that Swedes see it as an almost-sacred time to relax, to take a break, and to share this particular moment with someone. It’s the cosy factor that sets it apart.