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Going to Stockholm. What do I do?
Gihgehls
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
My work is sending me to Sweden for 9 days, which I am turbo-excited about. However, I will have a fair amount of free time. What are some things I should absolutely do?
Gihgehls on
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* Everyone, except royalty, are on first name basis with everyone else. Swedes gave up mistering people in the late 60ies, I believe. Overall swedes are very casual and informal when it comes to boss-employee or teacher-student interactions compared to most of the rest of the world. So if you are doing something work related while there, keep in mind that the casualness is not a sign of disrespect. In short it's all first names and second person singulars with everyone... unless you have a run-in with the king.
* It's customary to take your shoes off inside homes (most of the time) and walk around in your socks. There is usually a shoe rack somewhere in the foyer near the front door for that. In most public buildings you don't have to take your shoes off, but there are some office type work places and such where they may. If you see a shoe rack, just ask. Bring whole clean socks!
* You bag your own groceries. Unless it's a store, like a gas station or something, with an itty bitty counter. And bags might not be free. Other types retail stores usually bag for you and probably wont charge you for the bag.
* Some public bathrooms, like in shopping centers, amusement parks or train stations may require loose change to use. No idea what the price is these days, but be aware, I guess. Restrooms in restaurants are usually free.
* Fika! Basically a coffe break with pastries of some kind and (if it's friendly environment) gossip. People have them ALL the time, even during work hours. VERY traditional. Try and take a swedes fika break away and he will sullenly hate you for life!
* People pay for their own meal (split the bill) at restaurants, even on dates. It's a pride thing and people may decline even if you offer to pay. Now, there is nothing wrong with offering to pay, but if they decline don't push too hard and keep insisting too much. They may give in and let you pay, but they will probably resent you for it. This resistance to having things payed for go for other areas too. Handouts are fine if they are from the government or their employer. Between everyday people it makes swedes feel uneasy. Especially older people.
You must go walk through Haga park and Djurgården. Beautiful areas. Both within easy walking distance of the city center. Djurgården is in the southeast and has some great biking trails if you rent a bike. Haga park is in the north, a bit more overgrown, has some awesome trails that wind through overgrowth and at the north end of it there is a very tall hill that overlooks the city and Brunnsviken lake. I believe you can go kayaking on the lake as well.
The other obvious areas are the old town island with the royal palace on it, and the west side of that island where Riddarholmskyrkan is. You can go down by the docks there and there are benches that overlook the river cutting through, it's gorgeous. Stockholm City Hall is pretty cool too.
And yes, don't disturb fika. It's a religious thing. And ask about shoes indoors if uncertain.
PM me a link to photos when you get back if you're the kind to take photos and then feel the need to show them off. Seriously.