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.

1. Foreign Staffing, Inc.

2.  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.

3.  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.

4.  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.

5.  Swedes value direct communication.
 They see it as a way to express
genuineness and sincerity.
 Using agendas and concrete plans is
helpful, even more so if you send it to
the company before the meeting.
 It is important to adhere to the plan
during the meeting.
 Even though small talk isn’t valued as
much with Swedes, as they like to get
to business right away, some brief
small talk at the beginning of the
meeting helps to open the meeting
on a pleasant note.

6.  Impress your Swedish colleagues by
offering a Swedish translation of your
business card and any pertinent
documents you will bring to the
meeting.

7.  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.

8.  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.

9.  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

10.  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.

11.  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.

12.  Swedes are generally very reserved and
prefer clothing that is elegant and
conservative.
 Do not wear flashy clothes as Swedes
discourage pretentious displays of wealth.
 Senior business people and lower ranking
business people do not dress any differently
from each other, as doing so would mark
status.
 Make sure your clothes are neat and clean,
always wrinkle free.
 Avoid glitzy jewelry, overdone makeup and
especially strong perfumes.