Religion
The Church of Sweden is Lutheran, with a membership of over 7 million people. However, there are other churches of other denominations all around the country. Churches in major cities usually have a service done in English once a week.
Customs and etiquette
Swedes are a soft-spoken, humble and mild mannered people. Boasting is considered crude and impolite and most Swedes think that it is good to listen more often rather than dominate a conversation. Displaying anger or any other strong emotion in public is often frowned upon.
The Swedes like to take everything in moderation. Too much hard work or too much play is not a part of the Swedish way of life. They like to work but they also know when and how to have fun without doing anything extreme.
Meals are often formal affairs. If you happen to be invited to a Swedish home, be punctual, as being late is often considered rude. But do not be too early, either! It is also considered a good gesture to bring something as gift, like flowers or a box of chocolates. When it comes to eating meals do not start to eat ahead of your hosts and do not leave anything on your plate since this is also considered rude.
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Currency
Sweden has rejected the euro and chose to keep its national currency, the Swedish krona (SEK). In regards to the foreign exchange rate, 1USD is currently equivalent to 6 SEK.
Business Hours
Business hours usually run from 8 am to 4 pm from Monday to Friday. It is important to schedule business meetings a day in advance to make room for ample preparations as well as have the schedule confirmed before any engagement.
Health
There are no health risks associated with traveling to Sweden although some precautions may be taken to safeguard against ticks when visiting forested regions. The country has an excellent medical care system and Europeans can avail of the reciprocal health agreements between Sweden and other countries in the EU. Close contacts with live birds should be avoided if possible since small outbreaks have been detected in some areas of the country. In cases of emergency the emergency number is 112.
Language
The country has no official language but Swedish is the language used by the majority of its inhabitants. Swedish has similarities to Danish and Norwegian languages. A majority of Swedes are also fluent in English thanks to links to Europe and the popularity of overseas travel. English is also a compulsory subject in most Swedish schools.
Safety and Security
Sweden is largely free of violence and terrorist incidence. The country has a low crime rate and most crimes usually involve theft or damage to personal property like cars or residences and public areas. Tourists are encouraged to keep valuables with them at all times, especially when in crowded public areas since pickpockets and snatchers are increasingly becoming a common problem.
