Sweden Culture Tips
Some basic cultural knowledge will be helpful when doing business with Swedes:
* The concept of “lagom” – “just enough” or “everything in moderation” – affects Swedish attitudes and beliefs.
* People expect to be treated with an equal amount of respect and will express their opinions based upon their ability to contribute.
* Since many people view status symbols as pretentious, you cannot evaluate an individual’s rank or importance based on external cues.
* Swedes see themselves as being egalitarian and direct and are comfortable addressing everyone in a concise mode of expression.
* It is considered disrespectful to be late for business meetings or social occasions.
* Sweden is a relatively low risk and low change tolerant culture; societal change is difficult to bring about and not received with enthusiasm.
* Swedes can be quite exacting about punctuality, agendas, and timetables.
* Swedes use silence to think before speaking and to avoid confrontation. Do not continue speaking simply because the other party is silent.
- taken from RW3′s CultureWizard™
