Anyone who has been to Scandinavia with a clear memory of how the first few months were will confirm that culture shock is real. For a moment, you may even start questioning whether whatever expectations you had based on reading about the place were full or just overrated rumors. Truth be told, many out there may be really longing to find a chance to move over and visit if not stay in Scandinavia. But upon arrival, so many new things to learn, compromises and unmet expectations hit you all at ago. That’s the moment reality sinks in that Culture shock is more than just the phrase itself.
The first ever challenge that any newcomer to any place experiences is the struggle to adjust and adapt to new realities. There’s so much that our home cultures teach us either instinctively or directly which really become part of our everyday lives. For instance, you find that the way Ukrainians or Estonians date may not be the same as Scandinavians. The same applies to how children relate with older people, lifestyle, food choices and many more. Collectively, these new experiences that do not necessarily match what you’ve always known to be the normal form culture shock.
After the excitement, be ready for some initial shocks
Like any achievement, landing in or just getting the coveted chance of moving to Scandinavia creates great excitement. Who gets an opportunity to visit the land of the VIkings which also rank as the happiest globally and fails to be elated about it? Not you, never me.
While you carry with you so many questions to answer and curiosities to fulfill upon arrival in Scandinavia, you better prepare for some shocks too. By mentioning shock, please do not get it wrongly to mean that something tragic will happen, no. What this means in a nutshell is that one will need to adjust and accommodate some changes to whatever has been the definition of the perfect way of doing things.
In Scandinavia, you will likely have to adjust to so much all the way from their food, how they interact, what they say, beliefs, dressing and so on. Truth be told, so many times at the beginning, you will feel out of place. The fact that the Scandinavians really love their languages may make it worse especially if you can’t understand or speak English either.
So many people find it so difficult and overwhelming to cope with the quick changes. In fact, the undetermined ones may just pack up and leave especially if they have landed in Winter. It can’t be so easy dealing with cultural faux pas, feelings of confusion, anxiety, loneliness, or insecurity. In essence, it could make you anxious. This kind of experience is known as the culture shock.
Culture shock isn’t by any means a new concept to many so no need to behave as if explaining anything. But what one needs to get clear is that how culture shock plays out anywhere depends on the place itself. In the case of Scandinavia, culture shock can be so broad and wide ranging.
Remember, Scandinavia as a region consists of three countries (Sweden, Denmark and Norway). Each of these countries have their own languages and cultures which they really respect. So, as a newcomer, it remains upon you to identify the critical elements of the cultures and adjust well. Now the biggest problem is language difference.
Without an understanding of the Scandinavian languages, it becomes a heavy burden for anyone to know what aspect of the culture matters most. For instance, how do you relate with older people, what friendship really means, what foods to buy where, cooking and dressing. It can be so much for a newcomer.
If there was anything to give as advice to a newly arrived person in Scandinavia then it would be trying to make friends with the locals. You know what? If you have a native Scandinavian who really means well and wants to help you get properly into the new society, they will do it. At least a friend will softly but determinedly keep telling you the nitty gritties or trivial aspects of the culture which matters the most.
The biggest nightmare to anyone who just arrived in Scandinavia is language barrier. Although the information out there is that Scandinavians know and easily use ENglish in conversations whenever they realize you don’t speak their language, the reality is different.
Right from the moment you touch down at the airport to the train or bus that takes you to whatever destination municipality, the local language reigns high. You will have to keep guessing and asking what really the communication means. This becomes a heavy burden if you will be staying for a longer time there since communication from public and private agencies will all come in local language.
The languages used across all the Scandinavian countries have an element of distinction which means that foreigners must scratch their heads and really invest in learning them. It’s never a walk in the park trying to learn Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at an advanced age. But nobody cares as it’s your decision to come over and so learning the language intensely you must do.
Meeting and Greetings
We are all social beings and the best feeling comes when we build the best relationship with not only strangers but all around us. A person from a society where close interactions and carefree life is the order of the day may need to slow down when in Scandinavia.
You’ll realize that the Swedes, Norwegians or Danes have something in common. They are reserved, introverted, reticent and sometimes difficult to befriend in a normal way. If you are traveling to Denmark for example, expect this kind of behavior from the locals. Small talks are uncommon as is spontaneous laughter. You may perceive this coldness to social relations in Sweden alienating and sometimes upsetting at the same time.
In their own way, Scandinavians believe that emotional detachment is an accepted way of minding one’s own business. It is also a consideration that an individual needs his own space. If you are able to understand this while going in, it is likely that you will not perceive it as an offense, and thus, you will easily get along with them. Fascinatingly, after being exposed to these kinds of experiences for some time, you find visiting less reserved nations as surprising.
Food and drinks take a big part in the life of the Scandinavians. It is common to see people consume ubiquitous hot dogs, Noma, Danish open Sandwich (for Danes), Pinnkjot and Ribbe in Norway. These may shock you at your arrival. Depending on your taste in food, it is likely that you will find the Scandinavian foods delicious with time. Ideally, there is more variety than this in the majority of restaurants.
Bureaucracy and doing business
Privacy and doing business in Scandinavia, for example Denmark and Finland entails many bureaucratic procedures that you may sometimes feel like unnecessary red tape. In fact, it is likely to take longer for you if you would want to do business here. The high level of documentation may sometimes make you feel shocked and unattached, but with time, you will get used to them.
If you don’t speak even the basic Danish then it is going to be hard for you to interact with your prospective customers as well. It is very normal for a Danish person to greet or ask anything in Danish, before they can even think that you are a foreigner.
Scandinavians are punctual to a fault. If you belong to a group of people who have problems with keeping time, then be sure to get problems in these countries too. In many parts of the world, some can show up to a meeting 30 minutes past the expected planned time, only to realize that he or she is actually the first person at the venue.
In Sweden, Denmark and Norway, showing up late even with a minute is considered rude and a show of disrespect. Everything in this part of the world is punctual and efficient.
Life in Scandinavia may be extremely discomforting for a teetotaler. This doesn’t mean that someone is gonna force the liquor down your throat or just ambush you when tipsy, no. The culture of drinking alcohol in Scandinavia comes across as something normal.
Friends will come with low alcohol drinks and try their luck inducting you to the bottle. They do it every time to non drinking friends just so that they be sure you want to be part of the team. in the streets after work or during the weekends. Even for the most strict of us, at least lean chances still linger that one will drink, even if just a tot. But as a person, it’s all upon you to take control and don’t overindulge.
