Experiencing Sweden

Culture

Sweden has many authors of worldwide recognition including August Strindberg, Astrid Lindgren, and nobel prize winners Selma Lagerlöf and Harry Martinson. In total 7 Nobel prizes of literature has been awarded to Swedes. The nation's most well-known artists are painters such as Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn, and the sculptors Tobias Sergel and Carl Milles.

Swedish twentieth-century culture is noted by pioneering works in the early days of cinema, with Mauritz Stiller and Victor Sjöström. In the 1920s–1980s, the filmmaker Ingmar Bergman and actors Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman became internationally noted people within cinema. More recently, the films of Lukas Moodysson and Lasse Hallström have received international recognition.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s Sweden was seen as an international leader in what is now referred to as the "sexual revolution", with gender equality having particularly been promoted.[78] At the present time, the number of single people is one of the highest in the world. The early Swedish film I Am Curious (Yellow) (1967) reflected a liberal view of sexuality, including scenes of love making that caught international attention, and introduced the concept of the "Swedish sin". Sweden has also become, in recent decades, fairly liberal regarding homosexuality, as is reflected in the popular acceptance of films such as Fucking Åmål, which is about two young lesbians in the small Swedish town of Åmål. In the absence of legislation on same-sex marriages, Sweden offers both registered partnerships and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Swedes are among the greatest consumers of newspapers in the world, and nearly every town is served by a local paper. The country's main quality morning papers are Dagens Nyheter (liberal), Göteborgs-Posten (liberal), Svenska Dagbladet (conservative) and Sydsvenska Dagbladet (liberal). The two largest evening tabloids are Aftonbladet (social democratic) and Expressen (liberal). The ad-financed, free international morning paper, Metro International, was originally founded in Stockholm, Sweden. The country's news is reported in English by, among others, The Local (liberal).

Until 1991, the Swedish Public Service company, with its two television channels SVT1 and SVT2 (plus three digital channels), had a monopoly on broadcasting television on the terrestrial network. Swedes were not able to receive any other television channels until satellite dishes became available in the 1980s. In 1987, TV3 began sending commercial television to Sweden via satellite in London. Two other channels, TV4 and Kanal 5, soon followed suit.

In 1991 the government announced it would begin taking applications from private television companies wishing to broadcast on the terrestrial network. TV4, which had previously been broadcasting via satellite, was granted a permit and began its terrestrial broadcasts in 1992, becoming the first private channel to broadcast television content from within the country.

In 2007, CNN reported that Sweden became the first country to open an embassy in virtual world Second Life. The Embassy serves to promote Sweden's image and culture, rather than providing any real or virtual services.

Swedish cuisine, like that of the other Scandinavian countries (Denmark and Norway), was traditionally simple. Fish (particularly herring), meat and potatoes played prominent roles. Spices were sparse. Famous dishes include Swedish meatballs, traditionally served with gravy, boiled potatoes and lingonberry jam; pancakes, lutfisk, and Smörgåsbord, or lavish buffet. Akvavit is a popular alcoholic distilled beverage, and the drinking of snaps is of cultural importance. The traditional flat and dry crisp bread has developed into several contemporary variants. Regionally important foods are the surströmming (a fermented fish) in Northern Sweden and eel in Scania in Southern Sweden. However, Swedes has traditionally also been very open to foreign influences, ranging from the french cuisine during the eighteenth century, to the sushi and cafe latte of today.

Business Customs

The business traveler to Sweden will quickly realize that while most customs and procedures are similar to the United States there are a few quite noticeable differences. After arriving in the world class Arlanda airport, one can catch a cab to center Stockholm, being sure to ask for the fixed fee before departing, all very standard. The difference is that the cab driver will open the door for you and help you with your luggage.

Swedes tend to be less formal than Americans are in all but two areas, “toasting guests” and dinner parties. The procedure is well defined and best explained by your Swedish host. If one remembers to make strong eye contact before and after a “toast” and not to drink until the host “toasts” you, the rest will fall into place. The guest of honor usually is seated to the left of the hostess and is responsible for offering the “thanks” or behalf of all the guests in a toast to the host and hostess.

There is an anecdote that concludes the Swedish worker is the most efficient in the world, unfortunately he only works 8 months a year. Swedish workers do get 5 weeks of vacation each year. Nothing of import happens in Sweden during the month of July. July begins the day before mid-summer’s night June 20 and ends in mid August. The Christmas celebration actually begins when the country shuts down for the Nobel prize ceremonies December 10, and the St Lucia festival December 13. Business is usually back to normal after Orthodox Christmas in January. The month of May has three official holidays, making it the month of long weekends. Consequently the business traveler should focus on specific periods, e.g., September 15 to December 10, January 15 to April 30, and early June. Business is conducted during the vacation periods, but the senior management is often not available.

Swedish business people appear to be willing to spend more time discussing a situation than do Americans. During a business meeting there is always time to get to know each other and to discuss the program in sufficient detail that all feel comfortable with each other’s position. Promptness for meetings and functions is very important, as is organization, be it company matters or an event.

Travel Advisory

U.S. travelers to Sweden must have a valid passport. A tourist or business visa is not required for stays up to 3 months. This 90-day period begins when entering the Nordic area: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland or Finland. For further information concerning entry requirements for Sweden, travelers can contact the Swedish Embassy at 1501 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005, telephone: (202)
467-2600. Sweden has no vaccination requirements.

Medical care is widely available in Sweden. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid out of the United States. Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Center for Disease Control International Travelers' telephone hot line at (404) 332-4559.

Sweden honors the ATA Carnet, an international customs document designed to simplify customs procedures for business and professional people taking commercial samples, advertising materials or film, or medical or professional equipment into specified countries for a short period. More than 40 countries participate in the carnet system. The U.S. Council of the International Chamber of Commerce, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036-4480 (fax 212-944-0012, tel. 212-354-4480) has been designated by the U.S. Bureau of Customs as the U.S. issuing and guaranteeing organization. U.S. firms should write to the U.S. Council at its New York address to apply for ATA Carnets.

Visa Requirements

U.S. travelers to Sweden must have a valid passport. A tourist or business visa is not required for stays up to 3 months. This 90-day period begins when entering the Nordic area: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland or Finland. For further information concerning entry requirements for Sweden, travelers can contact the Swedish Embassy at 1501 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005, telephone: (202)
467-2600. Sweden has no vaccination requirements. U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security options are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links:

State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html 
United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/

Telecommunications

High speed internet connections are available at all business hotels.

Transportation

Visitors can access Sweden by air or by ferry. Sweden enjoys a modern infrastructure and all modes of transportation are available. In addition to busses and taxis, a highspeed train is available from Arlanda airport to downtown Stockholm.

Language

The native language is Swedish. English is the second language in Swedish schools. Most people understand English, and this is certainly true of the business community.

Health

Medical care is widely available in Sweden. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid out of the United States. Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proven useful. Further information may be obtained from the Center for Disease Control International Travelers´ telephone hot line at (404) 332-4559.

Business Hours & Holidays

Business infrastructure in Sweden is similar to that in the United States. The two countries have had a long history of educational exchanges at the student and professorial level. Consequently most business leaders have been taught the same operating principles by professors who have collaborated on writing the text. One slight difference may be that the senior business people in Sweden may be a bit more “hands on” then their American counterparts. Perhaps due to the Swedish tradition of social democracy or the great egalitarian concerns, Swedish managers are more consensus builders than decision-makers. Delays in reaching an agreement are less a negotiating tool as in other cultures and more an in-house management activity. Offices are also closed on Mid-Summer's Eve, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve. Government and many business offices generally close at 1:00 p.m. on the day before major holidays.

Temporary Entry of Materials & Personal Belongings

Sweden honors the ATA Carnet, an international customs document designed to simplify customs procedures for business and professional people taking commercial samples, advertising materials or film, or medical or professional equipment into specified countries for a short period. More than 40 countries participate in the carnet system. The U.S. Council of the International Chamber of Commerce, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036-4480 (fax 212-944-0012, tel. 212-354-4480) has been designated by the U.S. Bureau of Customs as the U.S. issuing and guaranteeing organization. U.S. firms should write to the U.S. Council at its New York address to apply for ATA Carnets. U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security options are handled via an interagency process.