List of countries in the world. Facts and information

The most sacred tradition of any work team is fika, a unique coffee break. Employees will not understand such diligence if they drink a tonic drink at the table or refuse to relax with colleagues during the Fika. Answering business calls or emails during the fika is also not acceptable.

Any pair of parents has 480 days of maternity leave. Each adult can spend 3 months with their beloved child, and the remaining days are divided between the two and taken as needed until the child reaches 8 years old. Neglecting parental leave means causing universal condemnation. No one will appreciate this feat.

In addition to maternity leave, parents can take parental leave (of any duration) with 80% salary retention. Everyone in the team understands this perfectly well: the child should stay home rather than infect the entire group. An employee can easily say, Sorry, I haven't seen your message yet. My baby has a cold, and I was busy. And everyone will understand.

Most Swedes have an average of 33 days off yearly (at least 4 weeks). They usually take their vacation in July or August. But asking your boss for a break from work in September would be a big mistake.

Family time is significant to Swedes, so they try not to devote more than 6 hours daily to the office.

Physical punishment of children has been prohibited by law in Sweden since 1979. This aspect is treated highly strictly.

Swedes have a big sweet tooth: a family of 4 eats about 1.2 kg of chocolate and candy per week, but all this is mainly on Saturdays. In the 40s of the last century, medical luminaries decided to experiment to see what would happen if you only ate sweets once a week. The practice proved itself and turned into a tradition.

Before giving a child a name, it must be approved by the Swedish Tax Agency within 3 months of the child's birth. To the great joy of newborn Swedes, interesting options like Ikea and Metallica are prohibited.

Swedes prefer to relax in the fresh air. Friday is usually shortened, as working people rush to country houses or hike.

All land, except for areas adjacent to the house and intended for agricultural activities, is available to all citizens, regardless of who owns it. Here, you can have picnics or pitch tents. The main thing is to clean up after yourself.

Here, it is not customary to talk to strangers on the street, in public transport, in a store - in general, nowhere. Moreover, the stranger's column includes neighbors, people working in the same office building as you, salespeople, etc.

Sweden, the largest Scandinavian country, covers over 450,000 square kilometers and has a population of about 10.4 million, surpassing the combined populations of Norway and Denmark.

Sweden is a global innovation hub, home to influential brands like IKEA, H&M, Spotify, Electrolux, and Volvo, which have shaped industries such as furniture, fashion, music, and automobiles.

The Nobel Prizes, established by Alfred Nobel's will in 1895, have been awarded since 1901 in six categories: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences. The ceremonies take place annually in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death, celebrating over 600 individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the world.

Sweden has made significant advances in recycling and waste management, with over 99% of household waste recycled or converted into energy. Its innovative waste-to-energy technologies highlight the country’s commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation for future generations.

Sweden is a top country to observe Northern Lights in winter. Areas like Kiruna and Abisko above the Arctic Circle provide ideal conditions to experience the stunning Boreal Aurora, attracting tourists looking to witness this natural phenomenon.

The country people have greatly influenced global pop music, producing iconic artists like ABBA and prolific songwriters and producers like Max Martin. Their efforts and legacy continue to act the music scene, resulting in numerous chart-topping hits worldwide.

Local culture values personal space and individual boundaries, emphasizing privacy and comfortable distances in social interactions. This reflects a societal focus on autonomy and mutual respect, contributing to a harmonious social environment.

In Sweden, there is a notable trend of eating out rather than cooking at home. The country boasts a vibrant restaurant and café culture, including a high number of McDonald's per capita. This reflects a modern lifestyle where convenience and diverse food options make dining out popular.

Here, individual washing machines are less common since many residential buildings feature communal laundries. This practice promotes resource efficiency and aligns with Sweden's focus on communal living and sustainable amenities.

Sweden ranks first in the EU in terms of patents issued. Digital technology is a big focus here, but the Swedes have invented the three-point seat belt, the pacemaker, oat milk, the adjustable wrench, the walker, and many others.

The locals are very concerned about the global environmental situation. Only 1% of waste is sent to landfills, 52% is used to generate energy, and 47% is recycled. The country is so good at eliminating waste that it has to import waste from other countries to keep its energy production facilities running.

Local people society is almost entirely devoid of hierarchy. Everyone addresses each other by their first names, regardless of their position or social status. Students omit their academic degrees when talking to teachers.

You should have exceptional respect for personal space. God forbid you start talking to a passerby or asking how things are going at the checkout. This will cause absolute horror.

It is not customary to ask personal questions about family, previous work, etc.

Locals are very shy. If someone makes them angry or irritated, they will bombard them with letters and messages, but in life, they will never express their complaints to their face.

Swedes do not like unnecessary chatter. Even a friendly meeting can begin with a long pause. No one is in a hurry to fill the silence at the table with chatter.

Moving to the country is easy, but making friends is difficult. Many ex-pats complain that after several months or even years, their acquaintances do not progress beyond polite hello and bye. Swedes are very meticulous when choosing people to be their close friends. It takes a lot of time and patience to earn the trust of locals.

The best way to find friends is to pick a hobby and join several suitable groups. There are many of them on any social network. Another way is to choose a sports section that suits you. Swedes devote much time to active physical activity, especially since their work schedule allows it.

The Swedes say every person's dream consists of three V's: a villa, a Volvo, and a dog (Villa, Volvo, Vovve). Even this is more achievable than your washing machine and dryer. That's why everyone uses public laundries located in the buildings' basements. By the way, the laundries are entirely free. Before washing, you must familiarize yourself with the establishment's rules.