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Sweden Stockholm

Two Weeks In Sweden: What I’ve Learned

April 17, 2014 By Mac Leave a Comment

Since my arrival in the land of the Sweden I have done a lot of things: slept outside in below freezing temperatures, visited a hotel where people sleep in below freezing temperatures, personally fed some reindeer (to make them fat for eating), and adventured out onto a frozen lake.

Here is what I have learned about Sweden and the Swedes during my first two weeks in the country:

  • All alcohol in Sweden is regulated and sold by the state. The government-owned liquor stores are called System Bolaget, and they are the only place you can go to buy some booze. But not really (I was told this but discovered otherwise), you can also buy beer (and only beer) in grocery stores, but none of the beer is above 3.5% alcohol.
  • Everyone speaks English. Even the people who don’t speak English very well, still speak English better than some of the best speakers I have met elsewhere in the world. It doesn't matter if you are at a 7-11 or at the System Bolaget, you will have no problem communicating (assuming that you read this in English, and have no problem speaking).
  • Dr Falafel Sweden Uppsala

    Some typical Swedes getting some typical Swedish food.

  • Swedes have difficulty identifying one single dish as being particularly Swedish, and so I have come to the conclusion that Swedish food consists primarily of kebab, falafel, and Thai food.
  • Wi-fi has been incredibly easy to come by, and one of Sweden’s main convenience stores, Pressbyran, offers free wi-fi at all its locations.
  • Sweden Candy Aisle

    Willy Wonka ain't got shit on this place.

  • Swedes apparently love candy because every grocery store, large or small, has an entire aisle dedicated to fill-a-bag-of-candy dispensers. I feel taken advantage of.
  • The hot vacation spot? Thailand. For reasons that have yet to be explained to me, Swedes love going to Thailand, and most people I discussed travel with had been there (at least) once.
  • IKEA Bus

    Don't forget Stockholm's legendary IKEA bus.

  • Sweden is expensive. It’s hard to put it in perspective using the Swedish Kroner since the conversion is something like 6.4:1, but to give you an idea: a six-pack of shit beer would cost the equivalent of $12 and a cheap lunch would cost somewhere between $10-12 (and cheap means like McDonald's cheap).
  • Yes, there are more blonde people here than anywhere else in the world I have visited (and it’s noticeable should you choose to pay attention). And yes, people are taller here. I am 5'10” and don’t walk around thinking everyone is giant, but there have been more than a few times that I, the only non-Swede in a room, has been surrounded by people who all passed 6’ during puberty.
  • System Bolaget Store Stockholm

    Welcome to System Bolaget – the government-owned store of alcoholic beverages.

  • Breakfast buffets are everywhere and they usually consist of bread, assorted meats and cheeses, tiny sausages and/or meatballs, fruit, and cereal (and confidently walking into a hotel early in the morning can score you a free buffet).
  • Every single person I talk (Swedish person) has mentioned summer at one point or another during our conversation. Apparently summer in Sweden is superior to anywhere else in the world, and I must come back for summer (although my visa will not allow me to do so this year).

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Filed Under: Sweden Tagged With: First Impressions, Retrospect, Stereotypes

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ABOUT ME

Yari-SelfI’m Mac. I go places, eat food, do things, take pictures, and write words. If I have my way, then this journey is far from over; if I don’t, then it’s been fun. Find out more here!
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QUICK SWEDEN FACTS

Capital: Stockholm
Language: Swedish
Currency: Swedish Krona / SEK
Population: 9,644,864
Time Zone: CET (UTC+1)
Calling Code: +46
Drives On: Right
Drinking Age: 18 for bars, 20 to buy in store
Drinking In Public: Legal
Drinking Tap Water: Okay
Flushing Toilet Paper: Okay
Cellular Network: GSM/WCDMA
Vaccinations Required: CDC
Credit Cards: Visa/MC widely accepted
Tipping: Not expected (but not uncommon)
Emergency Number: 112
  • Outlets: Europlug Types C & F with two round prongs
  • Visa Requirements: External Link!

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