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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ธ.ค. 2023
- Reaction To 7 Culture Shocks Since Moving to Sweden (An American Perspective)
This is my reaction to 7 Culture Shocks Since Moving to Sweden (An American Perspective)
In this video I react to an expat from America and their experience of Swedish culture shocks
#sweden #culture #reaction
Original Video - • Video
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About the waiting time on the phone. Really often they ask you for your number for them to call back to not making you glued to the phone. Often enough they also give you a time when you can expect them to call back.
its so weird that that isnt the standard for all companies by now
Yes, you would think! @@FancyFramePictures
I still prefer our system for package deliveries. We don't have the "porch pirate" problem. I'd rather collect the package from the post office or my local store of choice, which it usually gets delivered to. About how rude it is for the delivery company to return unclaimed packages... I personally think that it's even more rude to order something and and not picking it up for two weeks, which is the normal amount of time they will store it for you. Especially around christmas, black friday and cyber monday, when the space at the delivery point is filling up very quickly.
That seems to be one of the most clueless visitors we’ve ever had.
Most of her “complaints” are things she just hasn’t researched or understood.
She thinks it’s “rude” that the post office returns to sender when no one’s picking up a parcel? You get text messages and letters sent as reminders, but they should just store your goods indefinitely?
Signing for card purchases is so insecure most developed countries stopped decades ago.
😂
Kimberly is an idiot. She said that I was "racist" for writing that most gang criminals in Sweden have an immigrant background, although even the cops and most politicians admit that this is the case.
Its rude when you don't get text messages
Signing for card purchases isn't something she wants to do and not something she does in america, it's just that a lot of foreign bank cards will only let you pay by signing in Sweden, at least that's how it was in the café where I worked. So saying developed countries stoped decades ago isn't really a good point for Sweden, and at least where I worked 7 years ago anyone could pay with signing it just didn't happen automatically the way it did with (some) foreign cards.
Lol. Sweden is the one that is requiring a signature and not accepting the pin code for a foreign card. And the cashiers don't always understand how to do that, which is exactly what she said.
I've worked in multiple stores in Sweden and it's just American cards that require signing. Never experienced it with any other foreign card.
The PostNord thing idk what shes talking about when you choose shipping information u can choose between to pick up at your local store or home delivery u just have to choose it
Often the pick up at local store is free and home delivery is 3 bucks
But thats depending on what website you buy from ofcorse sometimes the home delivery is free too
The reason Systembolaget exists is because in the past Sweden had a big problem with alcoholism, so the government took total control over all sales of alcohol that is above 3.5%. I myself don't mind this system I rather think its a good system, it works well and the planning makes you think about how much you are drinking
No, it’s the result of socialistic, monopolistic politics.
@@NennaC Why does Sweden have a system company?
Our way of selling alcohol limits consumption
It is against this background that Swedish alcohol policy and Systembolaget exist. The aim of alcohol policy is to limit total alcohol consumption, as research shows a clear connection - the more that is drunk, the greater the alcohol damage.
@@kbolt1000 Why should 100% be collectively punished for 0.5% behaving badly?
And if that really was true for most people, why not simply forbid or outlaw alcohol altogether?
It's like allowing people *a little* lsd, or buying cocain and heroin only between 10 and 15 on saturdays...
@@herrbonk3635 when the system company was introduced, the alcohol problems in Sweden were not 0.5% but incredibly much higher, no one is punished even the 0.5% you are talking about can still go shopping, there are so many advantages to having to plan our purchases for example we have less alcohol affected in traffic which leads to safer traffic, your argument here can more or less be seen as from a 10 year old who hasn't learned to look ahead yet, as I said no one is punished everyone over 21 can still go in and buy their alcohol as long as they are sober when they shop. one more thing, the profit from the system company goes a lot to alcoholism rehabilitation, drugs we have 0-tolerance, so I don't understand what you're talking about.
@@herrbonk3635 If we didnt have systembolaget but kept the current alcohole taxes, most beer and wine would be about twice the price. Systembolaget is large enough to get huge discounts when they buy alcohole. I have friends that work in high end restaurants that openly say they cant really compete with selling expensive wine etc, becuase its so damn cheap for people to buy the same wine themselfs at systembolaget, so their profit margin on those are tiny.
About the package from the post, it's not 100% true what shes saying. It depends on your choice when ordering the package. You can choose home delivery express and not express, and delivered to a store near you or a post office and you can also choose if you want the delivery to be eco friendly etc etc.. So we have a lot of choices actually =) And about her friends packade beeing sent back when not picking it up FOR A COUPPLE OF WEEKS, I would say is normal. I think you have 1 or 2 weeks. I mean if it would been unlimited time, their post office would have has to be very large because of all the packages.
Sweden used to have super high alcoholism, and it was normal to be an alcoholism. Systembolaget was a way to counteract that, and it has certainly worked.
*alcoholic
It's quite obvious what the point is.. You have less problems with alcohol if people PLAN the drinking.... Norwegian here. We have the same.
Her experiences are hers, she doesn't say if it was a company or a government service of some sort so it's hard to know really. 30 minutes is not unusual but 90 minutes seems out of the ordinary to me, it must have been extremly busy or it was a company that doesn't want you to call them... Systembolaget is a great thing, people's health is more important than cold wine/beer. More countries should take a responsibility for their citizens. Some can't handle too much
availability. No problem planning one day ahead, americans seem not to be able to handle that, but swedes do.
I can understand that it is a problem if you are so used to always being able to buy alcohol around the clock in principle , but i can only speak for myself as a swede that i am proud that we sedes see health before accses to alcohol and that most Swedes i think do not see no problem at all in the question , there are more important things to worry about. I heard an American who was surprised that there were no arms or gun stores in Stockholm and wondered how we defend ourselves in Sweden ?
also it does have a HUGE selection that they can order home if you want a special bottle and it is not normaly in stock at the local Systembolaget
I agree, I think it´s important to understand that Systembolaget has a fantastic wide variety of products from all over the world. We can buy quality wine at a good prize too.
We have gun stores for hunting.
But usually not in the city center etc.
I love the systembolaget, it has so many different selections and I’m proud. On that I can’t drink alcohol because of a kidney disease but I used to. It’s not a problem really for me
Systembolaget is the best! Compared with at least one neighbor, Danmark, colleagues there go to Sweden to get “the good stuff” since “you only find Carlsberg lager and cheap wine in Danmark” (worded by Danes)
You are right! I come from the countryside. But I live in Stockholm... if I wouldnt stop to talk with neighbours or in the local supermarket.....they would say in a negative way. something like . Aha, now he has been living in Stockholm for a while and he think is somebody special....And then the rumour would go around ...
So there is defenitely a BIG difference between the countryside and the major cities.
Also if there is someone in the village they havent seen before....and he/she dont even bother saying - HI! ..... Most of the people in the village would regard that person as a typical unfriendly Stockholmer. - Acting the way they are expected to act.
She was not prepared, she had no pin code and wanted to sign instead, Swedish stores these days avoid this analog insecure system. Foreigners can easy use Visa and Mastercard here in Sweden but needs a pincode, also often the chip activated on the card, so no Old insecure cards. Why foreigners have hard to get Swish, Bank account and Bankid is because these services demand person numberand that is tougher to get.
to me who is a bit old swedish (65 years old) she sounds like a spoiled brat, packages normally stay for 30 days before being sent back so that packages that are not picked up will sit and take up a lot of room that can be used for other packages, man can also choose home delivery for an extra fee if you can't bear to get to a delivery depot.
You're so right i'm newly retired , i remember when you ordered something from a catalog and had to wait three weeks before you got a note in teh mailbox and could pick up the package at the loading dock or at the post office. I react every time how quickly and smoothly everything happens today . This young girl needs to grow up.
Sweden doesn't have a unique way of paying. It's usually no problem to pay with a non-Swedish card, but i know specifically American cards can be a little trickier sometimes. A lot of foreigners pay with their card no problem. And we also have cards with chip (that you wave in front of the thing), Apple Pay etc.
Also, I don't know what she's talking about with the package delivery thing. Postnord has all kinds of delivery options. You can either get it delivered to your home or pick it up. AND, of course they're gonna send it back if no one comes to collect it. They don't have endless storage? And you only have to pay an extra fee if it's been imported from outside of the EU. Yeesh, this girl is frustrating haha
It's not the delivery that's problem. It's the fact that almost everytime you shop online, you have to sign with bank id for it to work.@@sofiab2920
I've used a Bank of America card for like 15 years here in Sweden with very few issues. Just have to make sure it's VISA because Mastercard or American Express are a bit wonky.
More than 50% of swedish cards are Mastercard these days so that sounds wierd@@MrTjonke
71% market share in Sweden 2018-2021 in fact, so yeah, mastercard works flawlessly, amex can be wonky becuase its oftentimes not offline compatible
You don't need to pick up packages at store close to you, that is an option you have. You can chose how you want it delivered. When I bought a new tv PostNord delivered it up to my door with no extra cost.
I’m sorry but I think she hasn’t grasped some basic concepts. Import from China or the US are associated with customs tariffs because there are no free trade agreement between EU and China or between EU and the US. She would experience the same in US if importing from EU or China.
As someone else wrote there are a lot of different ways to have goods delivered - home delivery or to a pickup point. Personally I prefer to use a pickup point since I can decide when to pick up the delivery. I think several American carrier services like UPS have a terrible customer service since their default delivery method is home delivery, but they don’t inform you when they will bring the delivery and you have to be home all day just to receive a package.
She is complaying of waiting time to talk to someone, but often you cans solve problems via chatt and often the price can cal you if you want
It's super common that the chat function is just bots or that they just handle standard issues there. I still have to call to solve stuff pretty often.
You misunderstood her. She wanted to sign. That is no longer the system used in Sweden. Cards, Apple Pay, Swish and so on are the common methods.
I believe you still can sign reciets. If you don´t have a code for the card or the "blipp" ability you can sign the reciet if you have and ID to confirm you are you. But I agree with you most people don't do it because all the methods that exist that cut out that part.
It’s not possible to sign the receipt in every store do to different cash registers.
@@johanandersson9208no the signing was abolished about two years ago, it’s not an option anymore. The signing system is very unsafe, but I think that’s an EU directive not only Swedish.
Whenever I get a foreigner they still have to sign, i think its just some american cards that most likely never work like amex. im sure there are others. its just americans though. cant recall it happening to others
My wife moved here from Thailand and after a week she had Bank ID and a Swedish bank account and often buy stuff online or in shops that only use Swisch.
The opening hours are to limit the consumption of alcohol. There are not many stores abroad that have such a range or knowledge of wine/alcohol/beer, which is absolutely wonderful.
Who cares, it's still totalitarian.
Systembolaget is definately made that way to make you plan ahead and discourage drinking yes, the flip side is that systembolaget is one of the largest purveyors of alcohole in the world and hence get insanely low prices from producers. The selection is HUGE and if they dont have what you want, they import it for you free of charge. Considering we have extreme alcohole taxes it's quite ridiculous that we can still get a 0.5 liter can of lager for about a dollar.
We have earlybird right to the door😊
Its always free to get your packages, i dont know what that woman talks about 😅, and yes we always have several delivery options, to the front door 😄
About the Payment system it’s not a Swedish system (though swish and bank-id is Swedish adaptations) it’s a European Union system, foreigners have very little issues paying in Sweden, only Americans have an issue as they have a very different system.
1. No cold beverages are sold so you d not realy want to drink it right away, that's the whole purpose, you should not start drinking right outside of the store, where would those empty bottles go ey?
(Workday is usually 7-16 or 8-17, but if you work outside of 6-18 you get extra pay, by law.)
2. Just use cash, I know there are stores that don't accept cash, but all grocery stores still do.
3. True, but usually there is a voice telling you some kind of estimated time.
4. Coffee to-go is a weird way to recover time spent on smalltalk with every random person. Smalltalk has a time and place and it's called "fika".
5. Of course the package will be returned to sender usually after 2 weeks, would it be better to trash it? If the package is small enough the mailman will stick it in your mailbox, which is usually larger than those tiny birdhouses in the US of A. Intercepting the mailman and ask for the package is also a valid solution, just make sure to bring your ID, so he can verify the package is meant for you.
6. Quiet? Yes, it's called showing respect for other peoples ears. There is a Swedish saying "låt maten tysta mun" = let the food silence your mouth.
Yeah cause I've never seen anyone drink lukewarm beer or hard liquor outside systembolaget
As a Swede I find it shocking that an American finds the limited access to buy cold beer and wine seems to be so important. Almost every wine I've ever heard of is not supposed to be served cold; the need for cold beer is not that important to a Swede since our climate isn't really that hot (and if so, only for a limited period during a year).
I agree, but white wines and champagne and other sparkling wines needs to be chilled. Beer as well. But what is the problem of chilling it yourself. Just plan ahead!
Naw, I’d rather call it useless service to not provide chilled drinks. Also, it should be possible to buy anywhere. We are all adults right and should be able to make our own choices without someone else saying we are not allowed to. That’s monopoly.
@@NennaC so freedom for you is buying alcohol at any time of the dsy? Does freedom also means to have a political 2-party system (Donkeys and Elephants) where everyting else is not represented. Also having an ex president like Trump and an old, really old msn as president?
@@user-mo6qx1ed3e yes, freedom is to be able to decide if and when to drink myself. Personally I don’t drink alcohol at all but if I would, I see no reason why other adults should decide what I should do. Why on earth would I approve of monopolies? As you mean US when you refer to a 2 party system, I can inform you that they absolutely can and often do start other parties. RFK for example just started one. They have just not reached any significant level of popularity to compete with the two so far, that’s why you think they can only have two. In Sweden there are 8 parties which currently act more as one and agree in most things, is that any better? Regarding Trump, I think he is the greatest president they have had in the US in a long time. He seems to be a true patriot who cares about his country, families, children, jobs and economy. During his time economy went very well and he never started any war. US has lately taken a more social-liberal turn which I think is the wrong way to go. Socialism hasn’t led to much good in the world. The age of a president doesn’t matter as long as the president is fit and alert enough to govern. I’m not into age discrimination, it’s more about your ability. When it comes to organs and guns, sure it must be up to everyone whether to donate organs and guns should definately be legal because criminals always get guns no matter if they are legally available or not. By forbidding guns you make it impossible for law abiding people to own guns and defend themself. You don’t make it harder for criminals, they always get them anyway.
@@NennaC You might argue that, but doesnt that then also go for cocaine, metamphetamin, prostitutes, organs and guns?
I´m Swedish and have lived in Spain, took me 3 month to learn the language! It´s good that you can´t buy cold drinks, that might prevent drinkdriving. Get a Visacard, than you can pay everywhere. Please, you have 14 days to collect your package, and it´s protected from dihonest deliverys.
It is a EU regulation that demands a 2 Faktor autentiation to prevent fraud.
In Sweden since most people have bank id its community to us that as 2FA but you decid in internetbank how to 2fa. It could also be a SMS verifikation.
Its the same with the pin code. Its safer.
Mastercard and visa work everywhere. American Express, not so much
A couple of years ago she tried a Swedish bakery in the states. She bought something and a coffee and went out and sat in her car eating it. I comment on that, thats not the Swedish way to do it. 😀
If you have problems with your National US card is understandable, US is NOT the center of the world. You need an international card!
in most cases you don't have to sit and wait on the phone, if there is a long queue you can usually choose to be called when it's my turn, that way you don't have to sit on the phone and wait,I don't think I've ever waited more than 15-20 minutes, normally they say it's a long queue and I can choose to be called when it's my turn, you usually don't need a bank ID either for to shop online you can choose to receive an SMS code to your phone then confirm the purchase with that code on the web page, there is also nothing to prevent a foreigner who lives/works here from getting a Swedish bank account, just go in and talk with the bank you would prefer.
Yeah in rural areas people always says hi to their neighbours and such
You really need to look up Gotland! We have something called medieval week here which could be really interesting to have an outsider reaction to. It was also one of the largest hubs for Vikings during Viking times and had the Battle of Visby, one of the most gruesome battles, often forgotten or never talked about.
If u mean the battle of visby 1361,the viking age was long gone by then. With about 300 years..
13:28 A store or a shop have to pay to play music in Sweden, and are fined to play music, you ned something called a Stimlicens, and a stor about 300kvm open 6 days a week pay about 640sk (about 63 usd) every 3 months. This is to pay artist for their music.
This is a strange video... It's almost like a doubt she has been here and making it up. I wonder where in Sweden she has been/live. I have not experienced ANY of these, nor have I ever heard any of them from my expat friends, tourist friends, or immigrated friends.
Of course music is played in most restaurants, of course we do take away coffee, what companies have she been on the phone on, that have basically only happened to me with mobile/cable companies and only a few times my whole life. Just every thing she mentioned is very foreign to me. Also, I love Systembolaget and the reason why it exist. If you want cold beers right away you can buy low alcohol ones in every 7-11 or supermarket.
To be able to have a BankID you need a swedish social security number. When you have that you can use swish and pretty much sign for everything online. You don’t need BankId to pay for things in the store tho, differs from store to store, if you have an international card you usually don’t have to sign.
About the talking to strangers, once you know the person you talk to each other. We talk about the weather and stuff at the hairdressers (for example), unless we know our hairdresser, then we talk about everything.
The reason beer and wine isn't refrigirated is to discourage impulsive drinking and drinking while driving home or likewise
Bank ID is awesome and foreigners are not allowed to open accounts. Swish is also great which is a payment method that uses your phone number to send money instantly in like 3 seconds. you can transfer to friends stores mostly everything
The refrigerated thing is also due to lack of space and which beers would you put in? There are 450 odd breweries in Sweden. Which get to be chilled and which get left out?
talking about parcels, usually its 2 weeks i think before it gets returned to sender, there might be an option to prolonge it if u know the person is gonna be slow to collect it, i havent tested that though also u can get it sent to your home but i think it costs extra and obv u have to ask for it
We do get our goods to our doorstep even from Postnord if you pay for it. If not we have to pick it up from the closest pickup place…
About Postnord, it's true that you usually must go and pick up a delivery. But depending on which firm you order from they often offer home delivery, sometimes for free and sometjmes for a fee. So, it differs.For example, I live in the countryside with 12 (!) cats and always get cat food delivered to my home for free. It usually depends on how much the order is worth and what deal the company has made wiith the postal services. Some companies offer free freight, although it's rare. We also have other postal services, such as "Early Bird" that always delivers to your home.
Our way of selling alcohol limits consumption
It is against this background that Swedish alcohol policy and Systembolaget exist. The aim of alcohol policy is to limit total alcohol consumption, as research shows a clear connection - the more that is drunk, the greater the alcohol damage.
The quietness is just respecting others' space.
*That's not just a Swedish thing [ to sit down and drink coffee/tea and eat something sweet ]. That's a common thing all across Europe. You can observe this from East to West, from North to South. In Bavaria and Austria, we call this "Brotzeit" and "Jause". Because we Europeans have an other [and, tbh, better] food culture than the "USofA".......and we have the better cakes / cookies / pastries / desserts...., just facts.* 🔥😈🔥 ☕🥐🥨🍪🍰🍨🥧
You are right! And calling it "fika" everytime is pretty new too. Only 40 years ago, that word was still considered vulgar slang by many people.
Swede here, haven´t signed a receipt in like 15 years... her payment issues sound very strange. The thing most foreginers find strange is that we barely use cash anymore, and many places doesn´t even accept it. Not a big fan of that myself...
It's probably caused by the american cards being far behind on security. The online shopping is likely failing due to her bank not having the 3D Secure verification, which is required in all of EU nowadays, I've sometimes noticed a similar problem when ordering online from US stores where the transaction gets declined due to the store not doing the 3Dsecure process but my bank required 3dsecure verification for all online transactions above some limit.
Sounds about right! Happy friday!@@belgarion514
The long waiting times on phone can sometimes be intentional to make you think twice about making that call.
I tried to cancel my deal with my internet provider. I knew in advance it would be a hassle. It couldn't be done on their web page or via email, you had to call. I ended up in a loooong phone queue. Would that call be about signing up as a new customer I bet there would be no waiting.
I haven’t so much trouble with all that she talking about, but of course is some of them, like waiting for someone to speak with if you need to.
In my opinion lot’s of this situation is no problem and all.
She maybe have problems more than she should, because lots of people in the higher ages, are a little bit afraid to speak English because they don’t speak so well.
I try by best and I know I sometimes get frustrated when I don’t can find the right words, and I know I don’t speak and spell correctly all the time.
But lots of people say they know what I mean anyway, because I’m use more words than I have too.
I like Systembolaget. But that’s mainly because they have the means to have a huge selection of drinks. When I compare to what I find in other countries that I’ve been to. You have to go to several different stores to get even close to the same selection.
Why does Sweden have a system company?
Our way of selling alcohol limits consumption
It is against this background that Swedish alcohol policy and Systembolaget exist. The aim of alcohol policy is to limit total alcohol consumption, as research shows a clear connection - the more that is drunk, the greater the alcohol damage.
Signing the purchase in a shop is no longer a valid way to show that you are the owner of the card making the purchase, which is probably why the staff didnt know what to do. We only use PIN code with the card nowadays, its better for the security.
It's true, you can't get a BankID if you don't have a Swedish social security number.
That in turn makes it impossible to get the pay app Swish (they require identification with BankID).
But in the majority of places they have standard european terminals that accepts most common credit cards from all over the world.
I have never seen a credit card terminal where you need to sign the transfer on a screen.
Apple Pay and Google Pay works in most cities but maybe not out in the outback.
Yes, the fee you pay for goods imported from outside the EU is import tax and sales tax (sales tax if you have payed for the goods).
I've never heard anyone have a problem with their debit card before. 🤔 What most people struggle with is that few places accept cash.
And the package thing she's talking about is weird too. Yeah, sometimes you can't, but you often choose which way you want it delivered, and Postnord is just one of the many postal service providers. But even when speaking solely about Postnord, they deliver thousands of packages to people's door every day, like 🥴
as for systembolaget it has its pros and cons like anything else. The reason for all the inconveniences is absolutely to discourage people from drinking more than necessary and for people to plan their consumption ahead of time. It's also non-profit driven since its owned by the state which means you will never find booze on sale there.
ok so from when i was old enough to buy alcohol in the Systembolaget store, i have always planned ahead was easy to learn, and also when it comes to the sustem about bank id, u can actually vote using bank id and use the phone to pay a friend money u have borrowed just by using the phone, but this is about a culture clash right so makes sence there was some time before learning our way. One thing is that i dont think we had any bank robbings for at least 10 years now coz the banks dont even have money, its all electronic
I think some US States have restrictions on when you can sell alcohol. Illinois - 7 AM to 2 AM Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 3 AM on Saturday and 8 AM to 2 AM on Sunday.
You absolutely do not always have to pick up your package, it depends entirely on the delivery company as well as other things like the size of the package or what you choose when making the order. There is a multitude of delivery companies, ranging from small startups to the former swedish postal service and DHL, UPS, german DB Schenker etc. You dont pay to collect, but you might get a letter with import taxes if you order from outside the EU from a company that doesnt process that already at purchase.
Also alcohol commercial is very restricted and in some ways prohibited. The service that is good is descriptions and recommendations concerning taste and selection. Alcohol is supposed to complement food.
Coffee is a ritual!! It is a beautiful thing.
So I lived in Utah for a year.
It was definetly different!
They also have a state owned liquor store system. One that is (was?) pretty terrible.
Like stepping into a Soviet supermarket in the late 80’s.
One thing absolutely positive about Swedish Systembolaget is the totally wild selection from all over the world. Very good.
High taxes yes. Expensive yes.
But the selection is excellent.
Greetings from Nynäshamn,
Sweden
as others said, home delivery is a thing, it's just often involves an extra delivery fee, due to gasoline costs. especially on the countryside, it's easier for the post to hold packages at larger cross-points, like grocery stores, than having to drive to every single house in the middle of nowhere.
while it might be less convenient for some people (not everyone passes the pick up point on their way to/from work) it's a lot more secure than having the delivery clerk just drop it in front of your house. (just look at all the videos online of people stealing packages, or underpaid delivery clerks handling packages awfully)
and of course they don't hold packages indefinitely, you are paying for delivery, not storage. if you send someone a package, just notify them ahead of time, to evade situation like int he video where the recipient is away on holiday.
on a side note, i once had a bad timing with a delivery when i spontaneously had to go cross country to be with family after an incident, and all i had to do was to call the store holding my package, and they extended the pickup time-limit manually by a week
while i do get her intention, the whole video seems a bit whiny to me, like when she talked about the coffe to go, she made it sound so negativly, that people actually take their time for breaks, instead of always being in a rush. also it largely depends on where you are. my local train station has a lot of people getting coffees to go in the morning, compared to a coffeeshop in the middle of town
If you are from Europe or the EU then buying things in stores are no problem, or online .
We do often have long wait times for customer service by the phone. But it is mostly state owned services that would have such long wait times. Private owned companies are usually shorter unless you call at peak hours or if there has been a big incident.
But honestly we have so much self-service for everything I might call a customer service hotline once per year at most.
99% of things I can do on my own online, or just use the chat for quick assistance.
Regarding packages, you either pay for delivery when you order or when you pick it up or you can pay for delivery to your doorstep. You can usually choose how you want it delivered and if you want it delivered to a box where you can pick it up, the post office or to your door.
Having lived in Scotland, it's exactly the same thing as you have there and yeah, it's usually 2+1 week they say it's 2 but it's actually 2+1 week before they do anything about it. That's because storage is limited, these are not warehouses but usually backrooms with some shelves in them so during certain times (specifically Christmas but also mothers and fathers day) they would fill up REALLY fast if that wasn't the case.
Indeed, when in rural areas, people wave and say hi to people they think might live around there. A sort of neighbourly thing, even if you don't know for sure they live in the same place.
It's in urban places where people ignore each other completely.
Never had any problems about our systembolaget.
Just shedule the buy. Some people still drink themself to death. But nowhere near as we did back in the days.
And because of systembolaget sweden has maybe the biggest assortment in the world with high quality wine/spirits/beer products.
Think that private owner only orders what sells to make a profit. Not so here.
Interesting.
I moved to the US 1990 and back in 2002. Culture shock twice. A bit of all this.
I think you missed the 7th thing?
”To-go-coffe” is not ourway of drinking coffee. That’s it!
Yep... U need to sit down when u drink swedish coffee.... It's strong.
Easy to drink american coloured water on the go.
Even starbucks sucks...
The temperence movement has had an influental role in shaping the Swedish democracy in the later half of 19th century. Since then alcohol has been a part of Swedish culture that has been politicized.
One part of that history is the establishment of "folkparker" (peoples parks) in all of Sweden. Were you could come in an hang out with your family or dance to live music at the evenings. No alcohol allowed.
Before this the men got home from their jobs to beat up their wife, then met up with other men at the roadside to get blind drunk and beat each other senseless.
In the 1950s Sweden starts "Systembolaget". All alcohol sales is controlled by the state and the surplus is invested in research and care of alcoholism.
"Apple" customer support is absolutely perfect.
I am from Sweden...why would you say hi to strangers? I find it so weird, you can't possibly say hi to everybody out on the street? To neighbours maybe, if even that. I guess we don't half-*ss relationships, when we say hi, we mean it. When we ask how you are feeling, we mean it. On the other hand, I often take the elevator where I live and oh it is like the worst thing that could happen to some people if they see me already standing in there going up. I have to be the one saying to join me. Swedes are sometimes too awkward. It is mostly old ladies that are chatty.
Shes from a culture that are about 20 years after the culture in sweden. The credit cards of course have a pin code no one have used a signed recite for 10 years in sweden. The customer service here normally use chat online. I also prefer the telephone but its just it takes a lot more people to keep a csllcenter up with a chat one person can help 10 people at the same time. The postal is like other people already said
We Swedes like to plan everything and hate to stress so, we are not the "grab 'n run" type of people. The planning makes our meetings lot more relaxed and enjoyable.
And yes you can have things delivered home to you here as well. Thing is that it is easier to pick the packeges up at you close general store since you then can pick it up when you have the time.
We dont have any different payment system, its because of her card. probably does not have a chip or something so she has to sign. We usually do not sign ever. and about the customer service telephone wait times: yes they are crazy (for some places), but usually you can do all things yourself by logging in (using your bankid so they know its you and have everything connected to you) and changing things there or cancel or whatever so there is no need. And for the things you cannot do youself or you need help etc pretty much all places has a chat that helps you with no wait time. I never use the phone. If they do not have a chat I just email them and gets help the next day or the day after.
There is fridges at some Systembolaget in Göteborg
You can pay a little extra to get the package delivered to your door. And of course the package gets sent back after a couple of weeks, imagine if they wouldn't. It would be cluttered with unclaimed packages.
If you're in rush to get drunk just pop it in cold water, but I guess it's a way to discourage drinking outside the shops - not a bad thing imho. Picking up a package in the (minimum) 2 weeks time is a good thing or their warehouses would have to be huuuge because people are lazy and won't pick their shit up :)
I agree that it’s a good thing to discourage. Nowadays, packages from PostNord will normally be kept for only 6 days and automatically returned day 7 (but it may be possible to extend with another week). Further, last year I never received several packages and letters delivered by PostNord, while others arrived after 3-4 weeks (it should not take more than a few days). Schenker packages are kept for 10 days and DHL and Bring for 14 days, and I’ve never had a problem with them.
Nobody needs to buy a bottle of wine on a sunday. You know the opening hours, plan your purchase. Nothing stops you from keeping a number of beers, or wine, or spirite at home.
I mean it depends.
There is often an option to have your package delivered to you for an extra fee.
The free type of delivery is that it go’s to a “pick up spot” close to your address where they tend to have limited space to hold your package so that’s why you have a limited time to actually pick it up as there’s more and more things coming in every day.
And also, no we don’t typically pay to collect packages…
The experience about payment I totally recognize. I am Swedish, living abroad since almost 20 years, and when I am back I have constant problems with the Swedish Bank ID system
Me too. I’ve always lived in Sweden but I can’t use Mobile Bank ID. You need a new version of the operating system in your phone and my phone from 2017 is too old. Although it's working fine otherwise I must buy a new one just to be able to use Mobile Bank ID. Since I can’t afford it at present, I can’t buy second hand goods from Tradera anymore.
Kim is wrong aboute some things at first you can juse cards if you have visa or mastercard and you can get packet deliverd if you pay some fee.
I live 3 swedish miles from a systembolaget. But I can order to my gasstation and pick up 2 times a week, wednesday and fridays. I dont think swedes reflects because we are all used to it. You just plan ahead and if you cant, so be it.
We all use swish and cards with 4 numberpin. Dont know what issue this woman had in the store, never heard of it. Odering online might be different, we usuallt have Mastercard and Visa I think. But you can use the IBAN aswell. I know I have when ordering outside EU.
When you get a packege, it comes to your nearest gasstation or ICA, they store it for 10 days. You get a reminder. We dont have any postoffice anymore and your gasstation might not have a big place to store things.
U ca use foreign cards in Sweden, in stores and online. Whats she is says is wrong..
You chose if want it to be delivered to your home (often cost at bit more) or to the "post office"
With visa or Mastercard, there is no problems. Same as in US. Long waiting for custumer service...well, it depends on what time you call. I always call in the morning, right after they open. Sure, sometines it takes 10 minutes, if longer I hang up and try again later. Never heard of 1,5 hours of waiting in line..
For Systembolaget, the reason is obviously to reduce drinking. The lack of cold beer/wine however is abour EU competition rules. Since this is a monopoly there is an exception rule, but then they obviously can’t favor some suppliers. So either they build stores so that everything can be chilled, or nothing can be chilled.
Sweden is way ahead when it comes to paying online/store/or to a friend. Bank ID is the shit. If u got that then U can basiclly do anything. (Not just paying) very secure and instant payment etc.
The ”cake” is smörgåstårta. Its like layers of sandwiches with diffrent filling between the layers. And topped up with lots of goodies
If someone wants alcohol we have generous open hours for bars and nightclubs are even open till 4 in the morning at some weekdays as well as weekends. In larger cities the opening hours are more generous. And its a bit of a non existent problem in sweden to buy alcohol because you end work later in the states 😂 I wouldnt go 6 to 10 flight hours to buy alcohol….
But i dont totally agree with it beeing a good system. The government obviously say it reduces the mount of alcohol the population drink. But looking at Danmark they are drinking less and less and we are going the opposite direction despite our sustem. In denmark you can get beer and wine from the corner shop.
You usually dont have to sign, mostly certain foreign cards. American Express for example is not accepted everywhere. But its like that pretty much everywhere you go in europe, not all cards are accepted. Could just get cash from the bank machine. But i dont get if you live in sweden why you wouldnt get a swedish bank account. And I dont agree with that you have to have a Swedish creditcard to buy things online. Its more that it has to be master or visa, its not a country thing but which cards are accepted. Paypal, applepay and Samsung pay usually works too.
You dont pay to collect packages, you pay for transport/delivery. If its a package that comes from another country it can be customtaxes. If you buy something online you can get it delivered to your home just like in the states. But if you choose to get it to a pickup place, yes they dont have endless space to keep your package for you. Sounds a but spoiled to me and a bit of an attitude when she brings it up. Why not just order something for when you know you can be at home hahaha…
It amazes me that you haven't moved back home yet, as you seem to be in a deep state of cultural chock.
It's not quite true that you always need to go pick up packages.
I've had two recent thigs be delivered by truck directly to my door. A chair and a TV, for example.
Smaller things, though, yes. If they don't fit in the mail box, you typically have to pick them up from a nearby store or gas station, for example.
But isn't the point that this makes it much cheaper? I mean, we typically only pay about $3 shipping within Sweden. The times I've had it delivered to my door, it's been 10 times as much.
And yes, you sometimes have to pay a toll on imported things. And then there's VAT, which may be added as well.
3:30 I agree with her that systembolaget is kind of totalitarian. However, most wines should NOT be consumed cold... :)
In that case the postal service was also “totalitarian” before it was privatized, but it worked way much better than it does nowadays. PostNord is a disaster. Thus, the proverb “it came like a letter in the mail” has acquired the opposite meaning. I don’t agree that’s totalitarian, though.
@@mrjallo9912 Not at all. Postal service is part of the basic infrastructure of a country, just like roads, railroads or electricity. That's what we got the state for! These also worked better when run without commercial interests, at least from the perspective of the citizen.
Not from from the perspective of the corrupt state and its large company Vattenfall though, that makes so many *billions* on the huge taxes on electricity after it was commercialized, by the state.
If you are not a resident in Sweden, you can not open a Swedish bank account nor use BankID or Swish. You are stuck with whatever bank card you have from your native country. That means that if you have a bank card that is not compatible with EU standards, you are screwed.
Swish + BankID are brilliant. The problem is that every single country in Europe is implementing their own cashless payment method and none are compatible.
Concerning the problem with paying for things I understand that. The combination of BankID with the withdrawal of most currency based payment (grocery stores still accept cash) makes it hard to buy stuff here in Sweden. Probably should be looked at from the govs side.
Systembolaget (aka Systemet) is great because of the extremely professional people working there (most often anyway). Also it is one of the reason that sweden have less problematic drinking than many other countries. E.G. France 30 % of the population vs. Sweden 15 %. And it is not that hard to plan ahead… :)
i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/17/article-1357892-0D3BD410000005DC-175_968x562.jpg
Except its not the case that we are somehow less then other countries. On the contrary we are pretty much the same as europe - or higher. And compared to the US - Sweden is way higher on the scale.
So no, its not working.
Over all Systembolaget it a good system. A bit expensive but highly competent employees and you can order basicly anything you know exists through them.
Different states have different rules. Everything from dry states to shopping in grocery stores. There are a few that limit opening hours.
The fee is importing tax since Brexit, and it is an EU law
Nobody uses phones to call for customer service. You use the chat.
Waiting to speak to customer service so long is probably mostly the state authority's like the tax office, the unemployment authority, or the absolute worst one with the well deserved bad reputation "försäkringskassan".
People avoid eye contact and doesn't speak to each other in the cities and larger towns but in the rural areas its preferred to say hi to show that you're friendly and not some dodgy outsider thats there to do harm.
yeah, sounds to me like she has some weird american bank format, that's rare in all of europe. i've had both mastercard and visa on my swedish bankcards, and none of my american friends that visited me ever had any trouble using their cards.
the only problem that came up once was at a gas station, where the register automatically pulled 50$ fromt he card prior to filling the car, to ensure thre is sufficient funds, and then refunded the difference a few days later