Canadian Woman Shares The 27 Times She Got Culture Shocked After Relocating to Sweden
Sweden's quirky and distinct practices left this Canadian woman culture-shocked.
Sweden may look polished from the outside, but moving there can still come with plenty of surprises. For Canadian creator Madeline Robson, the culture shock did not come from one big moment, but from a long list of everyday differences that kept catching her off guard.
Robson, who moved to Sweden two years ago, has turned those observations into TikTok content that leans into her romanticized life abroad. With 155.6K followers, she has plenty of people watching as she points out the little things that feel very different from home.
From work perks to school lunches and even candy rules, her list keeps getting longer. Here are the Swedish habits that left her stunned.
Madeline Robson
One of the first things that stood out was getting paid extra on vacation days.
Getting paid extra on vacation days.
madelineraeawaySwedes get paid to care for their sick children.
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That is a very different kind of family support.
Parental leaves can take 8 months.
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Fair wages for restaurant staff.
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The free lunch at school.
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They have cars for kids to drive.
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Green urban cemeteries also serve as parks.
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Barcodes facing up at the checkout.
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Babies sleeping outside during winter is normal.
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It also echoes the dilemma in the sister’s secret financial support situation, where someone debates telling their parents.
Student loans are almost free.
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Swedes don't own air conditioning.
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Some baby names are banned in Sweden.
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The horse high school
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Alcohol buying rules
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Calling teachers by their first names
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Swedes speak English fluently.
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Five-week vacation.
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Swedes are tall.
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Swedes are the second highest coffee consumers in the world.
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How Swedes dress casually.
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Swedes are not into small talk.
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A breath in means "Yes" in Sweden.
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Ice baths are common.
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Laundry machine bookings
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Skånska is the most difficult dialect in Sweden.
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Swedes have different kinds of sauces.
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Swedes eat candy on Saturdays only.
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Her list makes Sweden sound charming, strict, and a little surprising all at once.
Want another family fight? See why she asked her sister to cover extra vacation expenses.
