Lagom – pronounced “logum” – is what you could call the Swedish formula for happiness. It can't be precisely translated, just felt, but it means something like “just right”. Not too much, not too little. Happiness requires balance, and that is an art which the Swedish have mastered.
One simple factor could be that the region's high societal trust, strong welfare systems, relatively low crime and low unemployment means there are far fewer people who consider themselves unhappy.
What is Lagom? Lagom in the Swedish language literally means not too much, not too little, the right amount, and is a philosophy that aims to balance, in every area and juncture of everyday life. Lagom is the secret that explains a lifestyle based on social awareness, moderation and sustainability.
Swedish society is based on equality and individualism. Swedes are proud of their nation and its accomplishments. Lagom, which means “not too much, not too little…just right” is a word often used and heard in Sweden. Swedes also have a profound respect for integrity.
The greatest happiness principle is the ultimate standard of morality set up by classical utilitarianism (see Utilitarianism). That classical creed conceives of good as happiness (see Happiness) and holds that right actions are those which maximize the total happiness of the members of the community.
Being loud and flamboyant is the quickest way to irritate the locals in Sweden and you might even be gently reprimanded if your voice carries over to the next table. If you see Swedes turning their body away from you and shading their eyes, take this as a sign to lower your voice and tone it down.
Swedish personality characteristics include humbleness, open-mindedness, honesty, creativity, quietness, competitiveness, and fairness. Most of these traits of Swedish people are highly desirable and highly appreciated.
Some claim it is because of the harsh climate and the geography of Scandinavia. Add in the relatively small population (compared with the area of the Nordic countries) and you get the recipe for silence. People are used to silence, because of their nature and climate. Population density is among the lowest in Europe.
Studies do confirm that Swedes behave in ways that can be interpreted as being a sign of shyness. However, research about national character draws a sharp line between the behaviour and the feeling of shyness. There is actually no evidence that Swedes feel shyer than any other nationality.
They have a natural glow: As well as a nutrient-rich diet - including a lot of herring and other fish oils which help maintain glowing skin - the Swedish tend to have higher cheekbones, giving them natural contour and highlights.
Swedish mens' flirting cues are a bit more subtle than in other countries. For example, they won't stare at you or even try to say more than three sentences. Basically you can divide male Swedish flirting activities into two categories: Standing on one spot, looking nice and groomed.
Swedes respect other people's space and time. They don't like to intrude. They respect that time is precious and has to be used to everybody's benefit.
They are taller than the average person, as Swedes rank among the top 20 tallest people in the world. Most of the population also have fair skin, blond hair, and blue eyes, partly due to genetics, diet, and environmental factors like having little sunlight exposure during winter.
In the northwest are mountains, and lakes abound throughout Sweden. To the south and east are forests, fertile valleys, and plains. Along Sweden's rocky coast, interspersed with bays and inlets, are many islands, the largest of which are Gotland and Öland.
Below are a few samples of strange laws from Sweden: "It is illegal for a woman to marry a tree." "It is against the law for a parent to shame their child." "It is legal to sue yourself."
The Culture of Sweden
It is rare that you were witness a Swede demonstrating anger or strong emotion in public. In terms, Swedes rarely take hospitality or kindness for granted and as such, they will give often give thanks. Failing to say thank you for something is perceived negatively in Sweden.
That's because some Swedes think feeding a guest creates a sense of obligation, explains Tellström. And in a society that values equality and independence, people don't want to put a burden on someone or feel like they owe someone something, he says.
The most common greeting in Sweden is a handshake. It is usually firm and accompanied with direct eye contact. Most adults will shake hands with each person present when entering or leaving a social setting. In rural areas, the custom of handshaking is not as common on a casual basis.
Paternally, through their Y-DNA haplogroups, the Swedes are quite diverse and show strongly of Haplogroup I1d1 at over 40% of the population tested in different studies, followed by R1a1a and R1b1a2a1a1 with over 20% each and haplogroup N1c1 with over 5% at different regional variance.
"Either the genetics is subtly different in Swedes, such that they have blond hair and fair skin but the propensity to develop more melanin when they see the sun, " Professor Scott says. "[Or] maybe there is a form of conditioning in which the genes get set by environmental triggers in a particular sort of way."
Swedes are very interested in sports, with nearly one-half of the country's inhabitants belonging to sports clubs. Outdoor recreation is important throughout the year. Facilities for mountain hiking were developed by the Swedish Touring Club about the end of the 19th century.
Puss means 'kiss' in Swedish. But it's a specific type of kiss: usually brief and with a closed mouth, equivalent to English 'peck'. It doesn't have to be romantic or sexual, and you'll hear people say it to their friends and family members as much as, if not more than, to their partners.
Other carnal activities of choice include anal sex, sex toys and sex with the neighbour, while by far the favourite fantasy was sex with more than one woman. The sample of 2,112 men aged 20-80-years-old, overwhelmingly opted for bums and breasts as the most attractive features on a woman.