In Sweden, the art of enjoying life the art of enjoying life without inconveniencing others. Troublemakers pay dearly for their whims, so you should learn 10 simple rules of behavior before you travel. you should learn 10 simple rules of behavior before your trip so that you can make your way to make your own in the fairy kingdom and avoid making a nuisance of yourself in front of the locals. locals.
1. In Sweden, smoking is prohibited on the streets, in transportation and in public places. Smoking areas are marked with permission signs.
2. The right of public access (Allemansrätt) allows free movement on privately owned land, provided that the guest behaves decently and respects the environmental regulations. It is forbidden to fell trees, break branches, destroy nests, litter, trample crops and drive a car or scooter off the trail during nature recreation.
3. Beware of tick bites while outdoors, as Sweden has several endemic tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease outbreaks. Closed clothing and high boots, in which you should tuck your pants, will help to protect you from the dangerous insect. Sleeve cuffs should fit snugly around the wrists, and long hair should be hidden under a hat.
4. In spring there is an increased activity of snakes in the forests, which are going through the mating period. In case of a snake bite, it is recommended to carry ammonia. Cauterizing the wound in the first minutes after the bite weakens the effect of venom.
5. When going fishing, you must buy a license at the nearest information office or sports equipment store. Fishing is free only in Sweden's four largest lakes - Vättern, Venern, Jelmeren and Mälaren.
6. If you are planning to hunt in Sweden, we recommend renting equipment from a private landowner or hunting cooperative to avoid legal complications related to obtaining a permit and insurance. In this case, all legal worries are the responsibility of the host country.
7. It is customary to tip only cab drivers 10% of the cost of the order. In restaurants and cafes, the waiter's gratuity is included in the bill, but if you round up the amount, the staff will be very grateful to you.
8. The sale of alcohol is strictly controlled in Sweden. High-calorie drinks can be bought only in the state monopoly stores (Systembolaget) from Monday to Thursday. The cost of alcohol is clearly exorbitant, but experienced tourists successfully circumvent the restrictions by stocking up on hot drinks at airports.
9. Swedes value accuracy and punctuality. You can't be more than 5 minutes late for meetings, otherwise you won't be taken seriously.
10. Only customers are allowed to use the toilet in restaurants, bars and cafes. To avoid abuse of hospitality, the privacy cabinet is often locked, so do not panic when you find the door with the coveted WC sign closed, but ask the staff for help.
