Recently updated on January 17th, 2020 at 10:09 pm
Scandinavia’s got a lot going for it: sprawling glaciers, dramatic fjords, intoxicatingly-pure air, quaint wooden churches, uber-chic capitals, and trusty-old IKEA.
Combine all of that with friendly and sophisticated folk, and you won’t be surprised to hear that its kingdoms – Denmark, Norway and Sweden – have all ranked highly in the list of the world’s most prosperous nations.
While its people have a reputation for being chilled-out and fancy-free, everyone has their protocols, naturally. I picked up a few little etiquette tips during my journey through Scandinavia that you may wish to follow if you decide to visit sometime soon.
Tip 1. Learn some lingo.
Almost every Dane, Norwegian and Swede I met practiced impeccable English. However, if you can throw a few words or phrases of their own language into the conversation, it’ll be well-received. Here are some of the basics:
Denmark: hello is goddag and thank you is tak
Norway: hello is hallo and thank you is takk
Sweden: hello is hej! and thank you is tack
Tip 2. Room to breathe.
Scandinavians can be quite reserved until they get to know you properly. Respect their personal space and your new-found friendship will soon flourish.
Tip 3. Ps and Qs.
If you thought the Brits liked to mind their Ps and Qs, wait till you meet the Scandinavians. The word thank you appears to be used a lot more in their culture, and often replaces the word please at the end of a request. Manners cost nothing, after all.
Tip 4. Cheers!
It’s custom for Scandinavians to propose a handful of toasts during a gathering or meal. It’s deemed to be rude if you take a sip of your drink before the host or hostess has raised the first toast, and it’s polite to initiate a toast at some point during the occasion too.
Tip 5. Don’t arrive empty-handed.
A bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates… if you’re ever invited to dinner at the home of a Scandinavian, always take a small gift for the host or hostess.
Fancy putting your new etiquette tips to the test? Join onto our 14-day Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords trip to experience its beauty and culture by rail, road and water.