From the Sun to the Snow: Unique Things About Sweden Through Egyptian Eyes
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d trade the bustling, sun-soaked streets of Ismailia for the snowy, freezing landscapes of northern Sweden, I probably wouldn't have believed you. Moving to a place like Luleå is a massive culture shock, but it’s also an incredible adventure.
Sweden is famous for IKEA, ABBA, and meatballs, but when you actually live here especially coming from an Egyptian background you start noticing the little, unique quirks of everyday life that truly define the country. Here are the most unique things about Sweden that caught me completely off guard.
1. The Art of Fika (The Swedish "Ahwa")
In Egypt, sitting at an ahwa with a tea and shisha(Hookah), talking over each other late into the night, is a staple of life. Swedes have their own version of this, and it’s called fika.
But fika isn't just a quick coffee break; it’s an institution. It’s a dedicated time to sit down with a coffee and a sweet treat (like a kanel
bulle or cinnamon bun) and just pause. Unlike the loud, chaotic energy of an Egyptian cafe, fika is calm, structured, and almost mandatory in workplaces and schools.
2. The Sacred Personal Space (and Queuing)
In Egypt, personal space is essentially a myth. We stand close, we talk loud, and a line is often just a general suggestion of where to stand. In Sweden, personal space is sacred. If you wait for a bus, you will see a perfectly straight line of people, each standing exactly one to two meters apart. Nobody pushes, nobody cuts the line, and nobody strikes up a random conversation with the person next to them. It took some getting used to, but there is definitely a strange peace to it!
3. Silence is Golden
We Egyptians are expressive. We talk with our hands, we laugh loudly, and silence in a conversation usually means something is wrong. Swedes, on the other hand, are incredibly comfortable with silence. They don’t feel the need to fill quiet gaps with small talk. At first, this made me wonder if people were upset with me, but I quickly learned that Swedes just appreciate peace and quiet.
4. Cards, Swish, and the Survival of Cash
In Egypt, cash is king. Try going to a local market without a wad of bills in your pocket it’s nearly impossible. In Sweden, the culture leans heavily towards digital payments. Everyone seems to pay for their coffee, bus tickets, or second-hand finds with a card or a mobile app called Swish. You'll often hear rumors that Sweden is a completely cashless society, but I've found that's slightly exaggerated. While digital is definitely the default for locals, I still use physical cash regularly for my day-to-day purchases, and it works perfectly fine for me. It’s an interesting contrast, but it’s nice knowing the classic bills and coins aren't extinct yet!
5. The Extreme Light and Dark
We are used to the sun setting around the same time year round in Egypt. Up here in northern Sweden, the sun plays by its own rules. In the winter, you might only see a few hours of dim daylight before it pitches black again. But the tradeoff? The Northern Lights. Seeing the sky light up in green and purple is an experience that makes the freezing winter temperatures entirely worth it.
Final Thoughts
Adjusting to life in Sweden has been a journey of contrasts from the weather to the way people interact. It’s incredibly different from the warmth of Egypt, but the structure, the nature, and the peacefulness of Swedish life have a unique charm all their own.
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