I have recently moved to Sweden. It has almost been 3 months now. People around me have been telling me that I came just at the right time – the timing couldn’t be better. It was the start of summer and everyone just leaves their nest and come out to embrace the sun.
Honestly, I’m loving it.
I don’t want to make this article big and boring talking about the 100 things that I love about Sweden.
Instead, I will talk about the highlights. Everyone loves highlights.
Fika
When I first heard the word Fika and read about it… I thought it’s just another word for “Coffee and Break”… but it is much more than that.
Actually, it is very easy to explain this to an Indian.
Fika is just a Swedish word for “Adda”, thoda aur apni bhasha mai bole toh “Tapri”, I won’t go further than that, but you got it, right 😁
For people looking from outside, it would appear as if a bunch of folks talking and hanging together (but we know what it means).
Where did we spent most of our time in college (now workplace)?
Tapri (I don’t know about you)
Where did we had the best of the ideas?
Tapri
Unofficially, Tapri is bigger than Fika 😁
Although… Swedish went a step ahead and made it a ritual. It’s so engraved in Swedish culture that we block our work calendar for Fika. And during that time we talk about anything except work. It’s a good time to know people, make friends and just talk.
Long Vacation Days
Actually, it’s very long vacation days.
I know this now because it’s summer and 4 of our team members are on vacation (at the same time — all seniors). And not just a vacation for a week or 2 or 3 but they are away for more than 30-40 days. Now, that’s the best part I like about Sweden. People take long vacations here, completely switch off from work and enjoy the summers.
This is important as well. Because winters in Sweden are long and dark. It’s better you make the most out of summer.
Well, I have lived quarter of my life in India and it’s mostly summer there… but still, when I step out and see happy faces… makes me feel good.
Beaches are full.
Parks are full.
Restaurants are full.
Wow!
I strongly suggest you to visit Sweden during summers if you want to take the actual feel of this beautiful place.
Reliable Public Transportation
This is a bit embarassing: during my first week when people asked me what you like in Stockholm, my first response was always about the reliable transportation system. And then I saw there faces and they were like 😅. I did that 2-3 times and then I realized… they have grown up here… transportation system is not something you would be talking with a Swedish 😆
But to all my Indian friends… I hope you will understand.
I’ve lived in Pune and still don’t know which bus comes at what time and goes where. The waiting times are insane and sometimes bus doesn’t come at all (this makes us strong, jugadu and adds to our struggle, but that’s the story for some other time)
Here transport system is so reliable that it works by the minute hand. You can literally open google maps and match the exact time of arrival. It’s so damn accurate.
RECYCLING
Sweden recycles everything.
We think we know about recycling but seriously we don’t know shit. Sweden recycles everything.
- Papers
- Newspapers, flyers
- Plastics
- Colored glasses
- Clear glasses
- Light bulbs
- Can and bottle deposit system
- Clothes
- Polythenes
- Cartons
- Waste
- Etc.
There are recycling stations located in every locality. You will have to store everything separate. And once you have enough garbage, you take all that and walk to the nearest recycling plant and put it in its suitable bin.
It is a pain to do it.
But when you read about the advantages of recycling on nature and ultimately on our lives, you would want to do it.
In my current place the recycling zone is at the basement and its a luxury. In most places it’s not within the building and people take all of it and dispose it appropriately.
Laundry In Sweden
Most apartments in Stockholm doesn’t have a washing machine. There is a separate common laundry room, usually at the basement of the building. You book your slot beforehand, and make sure you respect the time.
I personally liked this setup… but most of the people do not seem to like it.
The reason why I like it is because of the following:
- You do not need to buy or maintain your machine
- You do not need extra space in your apartment to setup washing machine
- Machines that comes with the Apartment are big heavy duty machines that does the job really well.
- Now I can actually say – It’s my Laundry day
Let me show you the booking system. I got to use both the old (booking board) and new (digital) system.
In this you have your own lock. You lock the slot you want to do the laundry. As you can see on the board.
(I don’t have the image for digital one. But I’ll click it this Sunday and update it here.)
What else?
Well, I don’t know yet. These are the highlights. These things are always on top of my head whenever someone asks me about the pros of living in Sweden.
Okay, so I would like to conclude this article here.
Do let me know your thoughts in the comments?
Would love to hear from you.
Amazing! You pinned your thoughts so well👍😊