Canadian Woman Shares The 27 Times She Got Culture Shocked After Relocating to Sweden

Sweden's quirky and distinct practices left this Canadian woman culture shocked.

May

• Published in Interesting
• September 9, 2021

When you think about Sweden, what brings to mind is a Nordic country with blonde citizens, the unique Stockholm street styles, and the rare Midsummer tradition. Likewise, the stats say that Swedes are among the happiest people on earth with their esteemed social equality and work-life balance.

With all the perks that this country possesses, it's no wonder why foreigners who move to this land are astonished and culture-shocked. These have precisely happened to Madeline Robson, a 30-year-old Canadian who moved to Sweden two years ago.

Robson, who fell in love with the country, shares her daily "romanticised" life in Sweden via TikTok. The channel has 155.6K followers as of writing. And now, let's look at the cultural differences she has come across.

Madeline Robson

Getting paid extra on vacation days.

Swedes get paid to care for their sick children.

Parental leaves can take 8 months.

Fair wages for restaurant staff.

The free lunch at school.

They have cars for kids to drive.

Green urban cemeteries also serve as parks.

Barcodes facing up at the checkout.

Babies sleeping outside during winter is normal.

Student loans are almost free.

Swedes don't own an A/C.

Some baby names are banned in Sweden.

The horse high school

Alcohol buying rules

Calling teachers by their first names

Swedes speak English fluently.

Five-week vacation.

Swedes are tall.

Swedes are the second highest coffee consumers in the whole world.

How Swedes dress casually.

Swedes are not into small talk.

A breath in means "Yes" in Sweden.

Ice baths are common.

Laundry machine bookings

Skånska is the most difficult dialect in Sweden.

Swedes have different kinds of sauces.

Swedes eat candy on Saturdays only.

May