Cultural D.I.D

Discovery, Invention and Diffusion.
How Swedish Culture has Changed.
The Swedish people have seen their culture change over the last few decades. They have experienced the changes that come with new technology and other cultures that have integrated into everyday life. Swedish people are a very reserved people compared to what we experience here in the U.S.
They value friendships and family greatly but they take time to establish strong friendships. They have a great sense of pride in their towns, regions, and country.They value modesty, material security, and punctuality in their everyday lives. Swedes enjoy a society that has equal opportunities in the workplace but still struggle to have women in top positions of big companies like here in the U.S.
Most people retire at 65 and see the years that follow as the golden years of life when they can travel and pursue interests they didn't have time for while working. This has been made possible because of a extensive social welfare system in place. This system provides health, education and retirement benefits giving people more freedom from caring for their parents in their retirement as they used too.

Average Swedish Family dressed in Modern Clothing

Family is very important to the Swedish people. Parents spoil their children more than in the past. This new type of parent has been nicknamed a "curling parent." Family gender role were heavily in place up into the middle of the 20th century. Roles aground the house have been changing since then and even more noticeably in the last 20 years. Now house chores are split among all family members. Entertainment is one thing that has changed rapidly. While older and middle aged people enjoy classical theater and opera while younger people enjoy hip-hop concerts, break dancing, watching TV and surfing the web. Most Swedes have learned to easily adapt to new, modern styles that have spread through the rest of Europe. Swedes dress in modern, designer clothing but wear heavier clothing than the rest of Europe because of their climate. They have also adopted the new designs of houses both inside and out. The newer homes most often are next to older homes that have been around for hundreds of years. 

Swedish Pop Concert

Swedish people are more aware of social courtesy in everyday life than we are here in the U.S. When walking by people they always wave or nod their head to one another even if they don't know the other person at all. When they are talking to people they find it very rude to talk with hands in your pockets or chew gum while you talk, something we don't even think about here. Public Displays of Affection or PDA were once a big violation of Swedish social norms but with the influence of new cultures and mass media showing more and more PDA it is become excepted into most younger peoples lives. Following their friendly nature, Swedes often get together with friends. When they get together it is usually a planned visit and the visits last for a few hours. Dinner gatherings are very popular and the guest always brings either chocolates of an odd number of flowers for the host. After the party the guest always write a thank you note for the host.


Typical Dinner Gathering