Foreign Staffing, Inc.

Proper Swedish business

etiquette is essential to gain new

partners and clients in Sweden’s

business community.

In Sweden, proper etiquette is

valued on a personal as well as

business level.

Your Swedish colleagues

appreciate behavior that is

calm and reserved.

It is vital that you respect the

personal space of your Swedish

colleagues by not standing too

close and not speaking too

loudly.

Avoid using any superlatives as

this can be interpreted as a

sign of insincerity.

Preparing yourself and

understanding this most

elegant culture will allow you

to travel with ease, execute

successful business transactions

and build long-term beneficial

relationships.

As global growth becomes

ever more de rigueur,

becoming confident in Swedish

business etiquette will allow

you to gain new partners and

clients abroad.

Sweden is an egalitarian society

wherein men and women are treated

as equals.

It is important that you always provide a

firm hand shake to each and every

person as you enter and as you depart.

Maintain direct eye contact as well.

Keep in mind that Swedes generally

prefer introduction by a third party.

Always use titles until told otherwise and

show due respect older Swedes by

using the full title and surname.

Swedes value direct communication.

They see it as a way to expressgenuineness and sincerity.

Using agendas and concrete plans ishelpful, even more so if you send it tothe company before the meeting.

It is important to adhere to the planduring the meeting.

Even though small talk isn’t valued asmuch with Swedes, as they like to getto business right away, some briefsmall talk at the beginning of themeeting helps to open the meetingon a pleasant note.

Impress your Swedish colleagues by

offering a Swedish translation of your

business card and any pertinent

documents you will bring to the

meeting.

Always be punctual, and if by

chance you are going to be late,

promptly notify your Swedish

colleagues.

If you are going to be more than 30

minutes late, offer your colleagues

the option to reschedule.

All the same it is important to avoid being

too early as you may create a situation

of distress for your Swedish colleague.

Meetings should never be scheduled

before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.

And avoid scheduling meetings from

June through August, as many Swedes

vacation during these summer months.

During conversations, Swedes are

comfortable with silence as they

consider the subject under

discussion.

There is no need to fill these silences

with idle chatter.

It is also vital that foreigners not

suggest that one region of Sweden is

better than another as Swedes are

very loyal to their home regions

And refrain from grouping together the

Northern European peoples.

Swedes are very different than their

neighbors; Danes, Norwegians, and

Finns. Each has a distinct culture.

Also, know that sarcasm is seen as rude

and arrogant. Swedes are also very

private and as such it is polite to not

inquire about one’s personal life.

Swedes prefer to keep separate their

business life and personal life.

Do feel free to comment on nature or

the weather with your Swedish

colleagues.

Swedes are very focused on nature and

often take time to admire and

experience it.

Swedes are generally very reserved andprefer clothing that is elegant andconservative.

Do not wear flashy clothes as Swedesdiscourage pretentious displays of wealth.

Senior business people and lower rankingbusiness people do not dress any differentlyfrom each other, as doing so would markstatus.

Make sure your clothes are neat and clean,always wrinkle free.

Avoid glitzy jewelry, overdone makeup andespecially strong perfumes.