Some strange features of life in Sweden that we may not understand
Sometimes you get the feeling that the Scandinavian countries are some other world with its own rules and habits. This is partly true. However, any country has its own distinctive characteristics, which relate not only to mentality, traditions, preferences in different spheres of life, but also to everyday life.
The life of the Swedes is a surprisingly harmonious combination of simplicity, the desire not to disturb anyone and an amazing homeliness in everything they touch. And, of course, the inhabitants of Sweden also have their own everyday peculiarities, which are unusual for Russian people, and sometimes even completely incomprehensible.
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No curtains on the windows
If you're ever in Sweden, be sure to check out the residential buildings in the evening. You will be surprised, but you will not find curtained windows here, that is, the Swedes simply do not use curtains, and in most cases, simple curtains.
Residents of Sweden have long been accustomed to living without window decoration. But here too there is a certain reason that dictates this feature.
Firstly, Sweden is quite dark for long periods of the year, so people are in dire need of natural light. In addition, this is a unique way to warm the apartments at least a little with the help of the sun entering the windows, taking into account the not entirely warm climate.
Secondly, it is not customary for Swedes to look into the windows of strangers. This is not just bad form, but such behavior is even condemned.Usually beautiful candlesticks, decorative lamps, and colorful indoor plants are placed on the windowsills.
They love candles and various small lamps
In many Swedish homes, both candles and small cute lamps can be lit constantly, thereby creating an unusually cozy atmosphere. When in Sweden, be sure to note that the stores have an incredible assortment of candles of different shapes, colors and sizes.
The ceiling light does not always play a major role. The main lighting tool is local, in the form of table lamps with beautiful lampshades and floor lamps. ⠀
Open plan apartments
Unlike Russian apartments, where we strive to zone any space, Swedes prefer completely open spaces. That is, these are walk-through rooms, as well as a combined kitchen and living room without partitions, where Scandinavians like to drink hot coffee in the morning. The Swedes believe that this way the house is filled with more light and warmth and visually appears more spacious.
For the same reasons, light shades predominate in the design of Swedish apartments.
Keys
And this feature seems rather strange. Let’s remember how it is with us: there are all sorts of keys in the bag... - from an apartment, a dacha, a car, a garage, a mailbox, an entrance, and a couple more “I don’t know what exactly.” But the Swedes, as a rule, have one key to all doors.
Garbage sorting
It is strictly forbidden to litter on the streets of any city in Sweden. When disposing of waste, it is important to sort waste (glass, plastic, paper - everything into separate containers), the fine for violating this rule will be 800 crowns - that's about 37 dollars.The amount is quite significant, but the Swedes try not to break the law, not because they are afraid to fork out money, but simply because they are a fairly conscious and organized people.
Sweden sorts and recycles more than 90% of its waste and buys waste abroad.
Silence law
Another strange, but quite logical and reasonable feature is that in Sweden there is a law on silence.
Citizens treat it very responsibly, because they respect not only themselves, but also those around them. So don't be surprised when the police come to your door if you flush the toilet loudly after 10 pm or turn on music. In this case, you can expect a fine and serious punishment for disturbing the peace of your neighbors.
I apologize in advance, but isn't there a silence law in Switzerland? Or is it available in all Scandinavian countries?
Why is it still in Russia (“Rashka” in your opinion)?
Those who are smarter have already left
So, why shake the air in vain?)
You can’t walk through naked - there are no curtains, the lamps are on all day, burning up the electricity bill, the interior is like in an operating room... It’s good that I wasn’t born a Swede!
“If several houses do not have curtains, this does not mean that the whole country has abandoned them. Recently they wrote the same thing about Norway. They no longer know how to attract attention. I was in Sweden myself and in more than one city, and also lived with a family. I asked Norwegian friends about Norway. They have everything there. No need to write garbage. As for the keys (low crime rate, doors are locked to prevent a draft from opening), candle lamps, everything is correct. They are generally turned on the candles. In general, the houses I saw were very cozy everywhere.”
Each country has its own rules, the Swedes don’t hang curtains (they are number one in the world for suicides), the Papuans run around naked, the Americans fall on the bed in their boots (just don’t talk about cleanliness on the streets), etc. Everyone has their own quirks. By the way, the Germans don’t hang curtains either, but I personally feel more comfortable with tulle and curtains.
Aren't there curtains to demonstrate that there is nothing to hide? After all, snitching is held in high esteem there? No?
But we don’t have laws like the law on breaking silence, or rather, we have one, but not like that. Although it would be quite suitable for one of our federal subjects, at least one.
There is nothing strange here! Are there any curtains? but there are blinds. Law on silence? - It’s high time to accept it in Raska! I have it since early morning, where the wipers don’t let me sleep from 5.30. They rattle in the trash.
The elevator roars like a wild animal, especially at night. Nobody cares. Early in the morning, a mad child (all the way across the floor) is rushing around with roars every morning, it’s like his morning warm-up.
Complaining is useless! No one here gives a damn! In my entrance, bags of garbage are thrown right in the entrance, although there is a garbage chute! Just like they were pigs, but more like rats, they remain so! Calling Russians pigs is a compliment.
But it wouldn’t hurt to talk about real life in Swedish, Lagom or Danish. Hygge...
Russians need to learn from them! In everything!