14 Dating Culture In Sweden (No.3 is Cute!)
Here comes an introduction to dating life in a European country. Europe as the main actor of the Renaissance was known for its free spirit and progressive mind. However, each country was unique and hold its own culture. Dating, courtship, and marriage were part of it. So, how it is really like to be dating a European? This passage will tell you about dating culture in a particular country, Sweden. Sweden knows for its elegant and highly educated people. They also support gender equality, which is applied to their daily life. Let's find out more about what you should know if you want to date a Swedish!
Also read:
Contents
1. It’s A Fika, Not A Date
Every country has its own unique culture of dating that distinguishes it from one another. Sweden is no exception. Fika, a term in Sweden which often used when a man requests a meeting with a woman and vice versa. Fika means having a coffee together, often enjoy it with some pastries and bread. So if you are on a date with Swedish, don’t call it a date. It’s a little bit confusing, isn’t it? After you have a couple of times of Fika, then you can move to other activities.
You can go to a theme park, ice skating, barbecuing, etc. While dinner and watching the movie is the next step, never called any of it a date. If you are going to ice skating, then say ice skating, if you are going to barbecuing say barbecuing. It may sound weird that we shouldn’t say dating when we are, but once a culture is a culture.
2. Don’t Be Shy
This is the first important rule of dating in Sweden. Swedish people are not shy and hide their feeling. Do if you want to try dating in Sweden, don’t hesitate to make the first move. This apply for both men and women. Gender equality is really strong in Sweden, thus there is no reason for a woman to ask a man out first. If you really want to date a Swedish, it’s really worth you make the first move.
Saying "HI" and make a casual conversation is the best way to start with dating culture in Sweden, but they won’t know what your truly intention was if you’re not confess to them. So, just enjoy the process and make sure that you always make a move.
Also read:
3. Giving Out A Hug Is A Must
Most of Western culture greet with a kiss when they meet each other, say it little peck on the cheek or kissing hand. However, Swedish are not familiar with any of it. They prefer hug more, even in your first meeting. Instead of a kiss, an awkward hug is more allowed even if you just stiffly lean in toward each other and wrapped you arms around then separate again.
In a relationship between man and woman, kissing is a complicated things. You are not allowed to do that until both sides make sure to what extent their relationship is. While you are waiting for that moment, start and end your fika with hug.
Also read:
4. It Starts With A Coffee
In Sweden, you never know if someone has a feeling for you before they ask you out fir a coffe at the end of meeting. Coffee is a good way to start dating for Swedish. But don’t call it dating. You are going on a fika, not a date. If someone you first met is having a quite long conversation with you and ask you for a coffee some other time, it can be a good signal. But if he’s not, he may be not just that into you.
5. Do Not Flirt To Anyone Else
Swedish did not tolerate someone who flirt too much. While the “dating” terms are not allowed even when you are, somebody does not allowed to fika and flirt with another person. One at a time, if you have a fika with a woman (or man), then you shouldn’t have it with other person. If you are fika with someone else, then it consider as cheating. But still, don’t use the word “dating”.
Also read:
4. Pay For Your Own Coffee
Gender equality has applied in every layers of people’s life in Sweden. This also include when you are dating. While in some other country men should take the lead, making decision, and pay for the bills, it does not happen in Sweden. The price for a cup of coffee and the side dish is pretty expensive, but you have to be prepared for paying what you eat. A woman should never expect a man to take the bill.
He sees you equal to them. He may offer to pay, buy he also may not. As for the men, when you offer to pay for her coffee and she replied, “No, thanks”, do not insist to. She really means what she say. For Swedish, there’s no reason why a person should pay for the other person’s drink. Do not bring an empty wallet when you go on a fika, as you have to prepare to split the bill.
7. Strolling On A Sunday
In some ways, dating customs in Sweden may seems odd. They didn’t want to be called dating when they are, and there are many steps that show how far your relationship has progressed. If you are still going on fika it means your relationship is still in early stages. The next could be an outdoor date like a Sunday stroll. Swedish people like to do this so much. It also shows that your relationship is up one level. If you are constantly progressing, it means you want a long term, serious relationship.
Also read:
Things To Do When You Date A Swedish
Swedish surely have their own rules in dating. Even though it may seems stiff and strict, let’s take a look at the bright side. There are lots of fun thing you can do together with your Swedish girlfriend or boyfriend. Here are some beginner’s guide of what things you can do to spend the time with your Swedish partner.
1. But First, Let Us Drink A Coffee
Fika, the term for a coffee break in Sweden is a start for a relationship between a man and a woman. Whether it’s the first meeting or not, a guy (or girl) is not interested in you if they did not ask you for a fika at the end of meeting. After you have your first fika, you are not allowed to flirt or going on a fika with somebody else from then on. But you are not allowed to called it dating. Do not say you are dating when you are dating, but make sure everyone knows that you are dating.
Also read:
2. Have A Lunch Together
You only allowed to do this after a few fika. Doing some other activities than fika means you have move on to the next step of your relationship. But not too fast, you can’t do this only after one fika meeting. If you have it already, you may ask her (or him) for a lunch together.
3. If Lunch Is Too Boring, Go To Theme Park
After some coffee together, lunch may seems boring as you have to sit (again) while talking to each other. If you’d like to do some other activities rather than sit and face each other, going to a theme park together could be an option. Enjoying the fresh air under the sunlight together while doing some fun activities make you know each other better and draws you closer to each other.
Also read:
4. It’s Winter? Then Ice Skate
Visiting a theme park on a freezing seems impossible. Then you can opted to go for ice skating. Just imagine how much fun it would be, laughing together while sliding down the ice hill. Another time worth spent together, right?
5. Cooking The Meal Together, Why Not?
Yet another fun activities to do with your Swedish partner. Cooking your lunch together! You can shop for the ingredients together, enjoying every step of the raw material turn into some edible things. You can get a lot closer to each other after doing this particular activities. A laugh when she add too much salt into the food can also add some seasoning on your relationship.
6. Would You Like A Dinner With Me?
After a series of broad daylight activities, it’s time to move on to the next step of your relationship. Go to a dinner! In Sweden, a date take place in the night shows that your relationship is serious. That is why you can’t go dinner while you still doing fika. Choose a romantic place for dinner, so your partner will be sure that you really love her.
Also read:
Wondering about your man? Let's find out who he really is.
From the newly dating to the happily married, trust issues can creep up on anyone. With cheating cases soaring over 40% in the last two decades, it's natural to have your doubts.
Could he be sending flirty texts to another woman? Or secretly swiping on Tinder? Or even have a hidden criminal past? Or, the worst fear - could he be cheating?
This useful tool can bring the truth to light. It'll dig out hidden social media accounts, dating profiles, photos, any legal run-ins, and more. Let us help clear your mind.
7. Have A Movie Time
In term of a man to woman relationship, having dinner and watching movies are in the same level. If you have date for a long time enough, you may start to ask her for a movie together.
Some of those dating rules written above may not too familiar for you, and that's what make Swedish dating rules are unique and different than in any other country. Despite their free mind and modern way of living, Swedish still has that conservative rules and culture when it comes to dating! Dating Culture in Sweden is different from any part of Europe countries. In case you ever heard, always spread love in every corner.
Also read:
Utilize this instrument for a comprehensive background check
Whether your relationship is in its budding phase or you're in the blissful realm of marriage, escalating infidelity rates (over 40% in the past two decades) warrant your caution.
You may want to ascertain whether he is engaging in secretive text conversations with other women, maintaining active profiles on dating platforms like Tinder, or concealing a criminal history. Or you might be fearing the worst - infidelity.
This robust tool is designed to uncover hidden social media and dating profiles, unseen photographs, undisclosed criminal records, and much more, providing you with the clarity you need.
Leave a Reply
