Life in Sweden - Page 2 of 15

Speaker of Swedish Parliament tries again

Nay. Nej. Nope. No.

by Thomas

On Monday, November 12, after nine weeks of deliberations, the Speaker of the Swedish parliament proposed that Ulf Kristersson, chairman of the Moderate Party (conservative), and leader of the Alliance, should be elected to Prime Minister. As stipulated in the Constitution, the proposal was immediately tabled, i.e. postponed, and further postponed on the next day. … Read more

St. Lucia Didn’t Have a Cat, but Xmas Is Coming

by Thomas

Or maybe she had – there’s no record of it, so we don’t really know. Lucia was killed in Syracuse in the year of 304, that is 1714 years ago. In Catholic countries, she has been revered as a saint on December 13, since the fifth century. In Sweden – which is not Catholic – … Read more

Swedish Election is a Thriller: There’s a New Kid on the Block

by Thomas

The election to the Swedish parliament is just one week away (Sept 9). The outcome is unpredictable if you look at recent polls. Negotiations will most likely be long and hard before the newly elected parliament can agree and ask the leader of one party to be Prime Minister and form his own government. Generally … Read more

Why Swedes are Happier Than We Are: An American Perspective

by Guest Blogger

As an American, I’m aware that most of us would proclaim that we live in the greatest country in the world because we’re the most democratic, wealthy and powerful. But one thing is for sure: we’re not the happiest. Based on my time living in Sweden, it comes as no surprise to me that this … Read more

Where To Watch Football In Sweden

by Guest Blogger

People traveling to Europe don’t necessarily think of Sweden as being one of the premier destinations for watching football. Just last year, a prominent sports site ranked the most entertaining leagues in world football and made no mention of the Allsvenskan (which for those who aren’t aware is the top flight in the Swedish football … Read more

Swedes Recycle Under Full Terrorist Threat

by SwedishFreak

Again, another reason why I love Sweden. Nothing stops Swedes from recycling. Absolutely nothing. Not even a terrorist attack.

Someone pointed this thread out to me on Reddit with a video of Swedes recycling under the terrorist threat they recently had. A rough translation of the text (please Swedes, if I’m wrong, correct me):

When someone looks up the word “Swedish-head” in the dictionary there is these two that are sorting recycling trash while there is a full terrorist threat.

The thread continues to be hilarious, I will share some of the funniest ones with a few translations for those of you who don’t speak Swedish. Like with this one:

Rough translation? If one stops trash sorting so win the terrorists.

Or here is another one that doesn’t need any translation that I love.

And lastly, someone who is freaking out about people writing Swedish and English in the same sentence that cracks me up.

For those who don’t know Swedish “helt sjukt i huvudet” is “completely sick in the head”.

Oh Sweden, how I love you so. You are the best place to be green, that is for sure. I can’t wait to see you soon!

Where To Look For a Job in Sweden

by SwedishFreak

After almost 5 years away from Sweden, I can’t stand it anymore! I want to find a job in Sweden. I’m ready to fika, take my shoes off at work, pay high taxes, and get 5 weeks paid vacation. Not only that, I’d love to go back to school and get my master’s. If I … Read more

Swede Hatches Egg From Grocery Store

by SwedishFreak

Even though this happened in January (and I’m just posting it now), but now every time I cook eggs I think of this story! Supposedly this Swedish women, Agneta, heard somewhere that some grocery eggs are fertile and can be hatched if warmed. She gave it a shot with a 6 pack of eggs from Coop … Read more

Swedishness Podcast Parental Leave in Sweden (episode 1)

by SwedishFreak

Sweden knows its awesomeness, and is ready to share it with the world! Has been for awhile, with great sites like Sweden.se. This year the Swedish Institute has launched a new podcast called Swedishness.

Here is a little information about the podcast:

Together with co-host Philip O’Connor, an Irish journalist who has lived in Sweden for 18 years, Kattis Ahlström interviews Swedish and non-Swedish experts. The podcast is in English and will be released in seven episodes about everything from parental leave and digital technology to Swedish tradition, Swedes and happiness.

In this first episode, Philip and Kattis tackle parental leave in Sweden.

In Sweden, parents of a newborn are given 480 days of leave to split between them to look after their child. Most of the days are paid up to 80 per cent of the parent’s salary and can be taken until the child turns eight. Paid by the state, the system encourages both parents to take time off to spend time with their child. What is it like to have all that time with your child, and what is it like to get back to work after so many months away? Soundcloud

What do you think, Swedish Freaks, about this episode and the new podcast in general?

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