5 Things You Should NOT Do In Stockholm 

The quality of our tap water is seriously underrated, and we're so spoiled here taking it for granted. Until you're travelling abroad and realize you can't drink water out of the tap pretty much anywhere you go. You gotta buy expensive bottled water and stock it up.

In some studies they have found out that the tap water in many nordic towns is actually cleaner than bottled water they sell in shops.

The shoe thing in gym is also due to hygiene, you may have stepped in spit or where there been dog poop or pee, if you walk indoors with that you bring the bacteria inside where folk may use the floor to do push or situps.

I am born and raised in Stockholm, during my hole period as a kid and now as a teenager small signals have teatched me that you should not interakt with strangers more than you absolutely need to. But you know that if you need help from someone the will be very helpful and friendly. Don't know why it is so, but I like it, like the silence.

I'm Danish but I think this applies to all the Scandinavian countries. Loud talking on cell phones is considered very annoying in trains, gyms etc.

I never been to a gym but the rule is that anyone that talks in the phone in public should do it as remote as possible. Swedes hate when people talk loud. But they would't say it as it is unswedish to do so. If somebody tells you to not use the phone that would also be considered a disturbing thing. So you just walk around angry without saying it directly to someone if you wanna fit in.

I absolutely hate people who loudly talk on their phone in the gym/buss or anywhere public. Show respect you are not the only one there.

I'm Swedish and I had to skip past the part of the video where you sit next to a stranger on the train because it made me too uncomfortable 😂😂

I think talking loudly on the phone close to a stranger is uncomfortable to the stranger. It is polite to have your conversation in private. I live next to a Pub and I often have people come out of the Pub and talk on their phone in front of my single glazed window, and I can hear everything! Usually it is an argument between a bloke and the female at home when will they come home and not to drink too much, so not sth I want to have to listen to! At lot of people also unconsciously speak louder, I had that experience just this morning when someone walking down the road told the person on the phone and everyone else about their recent appointment at the doctor!

I really wish people would do those things here in the US as well -for example the the thing about not wearing your outdoor shoes indoors or talking on the phone at the gym. In fact talking on the phone on public transportation should be on that list as well.

It's not really a rule at the gym more like an unwritten rule, we focus on training and I suppose most find it annoying when others are loud. And it's not only at the gym. It's the Swedish mentality, respect of personal space. Edit: Of course you can speak with your mom :)

It's about etiquette to not disturb others that are around you. Doesn't matter if it's on the bus or in the gym. If you handle it respectfully like go to more private area and don't scream while talking it's fine. And also I don't like to overhear conversations about your private life either.. :)

The no outside shoes at the gym thing is pretty common here in Canada, too. It helps keep the floors and equipment clean. The salt amd melt water in winter and mud at any time increases wear and tear on the equipment and takes more time for janitorial staff to clean. Also, floor exercises and stretches are less appealing if you get gravel embedded in your back

Yeah i suppose you shouldn't sit on the rulltrappa either 😂 but for this vid it was funny tho 😂😂😂

I heard about a study from a few years back where they had college students doing some focus intense work (maths or puzzles or something, don't remember) while people nearby were silent, talking to each other or talking on the phone. The people talking to each other wasn't too disturbing for the students while the talking on the phone was. The researchers suspected that it was their brains trying to piece together the conversations (since they could only hear half of it) and therefore couldn't focus fully on their actual task

I'd say that the main problem with the phone one is that you are holding up the machine not using it fully/ for longer if you are on the phone instead of working out. ... or at least giving that impression.

I remember when I moved to Sweden few years ago a lady asked me if it's okay to sit beside me on the bus🚌. Because the bus was full and she wanted to sit down not to stand. Of course I said yes. But I was very confused 😕 😐 why she ask to begin with?!! Because in my mind: * She had her ticket so she had the right to have a seat just like me. * We don't practice (social distance) back home. Until later on learned how severe in the Swedish culture to come in to somebody personal space.

Me and my uncle from the North of Sweden took the subway home in rush hour a few years ago. Stood beside me in the escalator causing a que of angry faces to form. Started talking with strangers sitting in the train. Tried to hook me up with a random woman. She giggled. I felt like dying...

At many gyms its not allowed to speak on the phone. Also, it can be disturbing and some subjects people talk about you simply dont want to hear 🤣

One additional rule for you. In a block of flats, you should not take a bath after 22 because the flow of water when draining the bathtub can be disturbing to neighbours.

Don’t do the gym thing but general rule overall I’d say; be considerate because Stockholm is so crowded with people everywhere it’s exhausting with all the noises, narrow streets and listening to very personal conversations can be awkward. People on their phones tend to be less attentive to their surroundings which can be a problem. Like getting in the way, blocking space. If you explain to the people at the gym/elsewhere that your parents live across the world, I’m sure people would be very understanding however, it usually pays off to explain if needed. The tap water is one thing I miss when I’m abroad.

For some reason lots of old people, mostly men, likes to use the speaker when they talk with somebody on the phone. Very rude, mostly for the one on the other end that gotta share what they say with half of Stockholm :)

I have to begin by saying, I'm an American, absolutely fascinated by Sweden, it's culture, language and its way of life! I know Americans are considered either very loud or rude or boisterous to other nationalities and to some extent that's probably very true! However, there are still some of us that more reserved and quiet. I like to think I'm one of the quite ones, or maybe introverted, so when I see these videos of respecting other people's personal space, or being quiet in certain places, I can fully understand. I find it uncomfortable when strangers get too close and not just because of the current social distancing for the virus. It's also very uncomfortable hearing telephone conversations that should be done in private. I've watched so many of your videos Stefan and I really love what I've learned about Sweden! You're so lucky to be living there! The world could learn a lot from Sweden!

It's such a culture thing to not bother others in public places so my guess is that being on the phone disrupts peoples focus and being in their "zone" mentally. I think it's just an instinct by now to move towards some other area than the public gathered place if we ever need to take a phone call that the rule is like an unwritten rule. I've learned these type of "be mindful of others" mentality is very common in Asian countries too so it seems like a pretty common theme in pretty old countries that's been around for a long time. Fun video as always ^^ Edit: the difference between phone and in person talking is that you talk louder on the phone to be heard by the other person so it disturbs more. :)

Even in the US, I think talking on the phone in the gym is inconsiderate. Can you imagine if everyone in a crowded gym decided to talk on their phones at the same time?

Sure you can talk on the phone in most places, ... but, but there's something called good manners too

When I had a gym membership 10 years ago (and I’m 3 hours north of Portland), they would make you go to a remote area if you were on the phone for more than just “I have to call you back.” People have kids, emergencies, etc., so it isn’t a complete ban. A lot of people don’t want to listen to the TVs in the gym so they use their phone to listen to music (with their headphones in).

The difference between talking to your friends at the gym and talking on your phone is your friends are in close proximity to you at the gym. On the phone, especially long distance, you may have to scream or talk much louder than you normally would if the person was right next to you.

I think a lot of those apply in many parts of Europe inc the UK.

I'd say the unwritten social rule is that you don't talk on the phone in any shared space without going to the side so people won't be bothered. Honestly though, this is not something that bothers everyone and just going to a less crowded place in the gym is a perfectly good solution, because of course it's important that you talk to your mom!

Pretty much all of this goes for visiting pretty much any city here in Norway too. We like our peace and we think it would be really odd if someone had a full on phone conversation at the gym and although there isn't any rule carved in stone about not talking on the phone while in a gym, it doesn't look right to us. And also so true about the shoes being taken off or plastic protection on them at the gym, I used to wear my outdoor shoes entering the gym and going to the locker room before but this definitely is not ideal during fall or winter when you drag the rain/leaves/snowdirt inside to the locker room with you so now I always take my shoes off by the entrance and I never worry about people stealing my shoes because as you said, most of us Scandinavians have a lot of trust in each other.

Det är ingen generell gymregel, detta med telefonen. Men av artighet så låter nästan alla bli att prata i telefonen när de är på gymmet.

tap water in sweden is soooo fresh even tastes like cold water from fridge

I can't stand people who speak on the phone when on public transportation. Whenever I get a call and I'm on a public transportation I tell the person calling that I will call them back shortly. If I absolutely have to speak to the person at that moment I try to speak as softly as possible and be quick.

Hearing someone being loud or on the phone in public confined spaces is frightening for Swedes. There is no where to hide. “What if you tell someone a secret on the phone, am I in on it now?” I also think there is some sense of “you’re at the gym to work out, so focus on your work out. Don’t talk on your phone, eat lunch, scroll Instagram etc”.

I remember my honey telling to drink the water from the faucet; coming from chicago I was paranoid lol

Hum. I understand a few of the things you have spoke about. I don't like speaking on my cell phone in public! I don't understand it! My conversation is my business, people want to be important or what ever the case maybe. The public transportation is public, it is not your home, get with the program and quick people. Don't worry! I will pay you a visit when. I start traveling. I never go anywhere and people always talk with me! It is my energy! My spirit, if can't tell all ready, you will see, let your mom know we send our best and she understands! Some people or many are confused about life and think everything is about them! Low vibration, wake up people, stay blessed and keep it moving! 👼👼👼👼👼🤑🤑🤑🤑😁😁😁😁😁🎉🎉🎉🎉😍😍😍😍😂😂😂😂😂

Stefan your videos are very very good!

I worked out at World Class in Kista for many years, and they had an explicit rule against phones, and signs with a red cross over a mobile phone at several spots in the gym. I thought it was great because I think I would get distracted (and stressed out) by hearing phones ringing and people talking on the phone (especially business calls). I never see anyone talking on the phone at my current gym either (Friskis & Svettis), so I guess it’s an unwritten rule. Or it could be that I’m there so early in the morning that people don’t have anyone who’s awake to call... Maybe it’s common with mobile phones later in the day, I don’t know. Thanks for a yet another great video!

Social media detox = more YT-vids. I like it!

Nice video! It is good to know what not to do in Stockholm City.

Here in Santa Fe,NM we had the same rules at the gym where I worked before pandemic ... no outdoor shoes in the gym and no phone talking for everybody’s convenience, including mandatory personal headsets for music ... the same rules as where I worked in Umeå ... a little less annoyed ppl in the gym.

Me being so Swedish I literally instinctively skipped forward to avoid the awkwardness of you sitting down next to a "stranger" ... 😂 We are so neurotic.

The last depends entirely on how you behave. If you talk low and stick to short messages, it's okay to talk on the phone at gyms and on subways, but people who chat and laugh out loud for a long time disturb others. The rest of the world does not need to know what you are talking about on the phone. If you are going to talk on the phones, do the same as when you have a fika. we sit down to relax and do not run around with the fika .remember your life is just exciting for you, people on the subway or at the gym are not interested in your life and have no interest in listening to your conversations

this was precise!

I got in trouble for talking to my mom on the phone at the gym in the UK! Same as you I wanted to talk to her more than I wanted the machine, so I just went outside to finish the conversation, when I asked at the desk the receptionist was confused and said it isn't a rule, but I can see why it would be annoying. At the gym in the States I've heard people have full on shouting matches over the phone, I'd honestly probably feel too awkward to tell them to shut up.

Another reason they maybe don't want you to talk/be on the phone at the gym is because it can create queues/ keep people from accessing the workout tools. At the gym I go to there are sometimes people who occupy a machine while being on the phone instead of actually working out (this doesn't really apply to the treadmills I guess, pretty easy to multitask there). Very annoying when you are just waiting for a specific tool/muscle group.

I think that woman telling you to get off the phone committed a much worse transgression by inconveniencing a stranger.

Being able to drink tap water is quality of life for sure. I can’t understand why many people even here in Sweden buy bottled water!

About the gym, I was also told that sometimes small pieces of gravel get stuck on shoes and wears out the threadmill, other machines, and the floor very quickly.

We have the exact same rules in Canada - very Northern culture , i learned to love it with all my heart.

Hi Stefan, like your reflections about differences in habits. As for shoes I can add that when you go to for instance a dinner party it is very common to bring an extra pair of shoes. You wear rough ones outdoors and bring a pair of light, elegant shoes you change to in the hallway. Most common among middleaged and elderly people i think.

Cultural differences can be mind blowing that’s why the best education one can receive is through travel.

Stefan i love your cannel and your comparisons between the US and Sweden. I was thinking about the big infrastructure stimulus package being discussed at the momement. How does the general infrastructure in the two countries measure up? Both Sweden and US are sparsly populated with larger metropolitan area concentrated in parts of the country. I was specially intrested in the quality of roads, in urban areas and those rural areas. Also availibility of trains, flights, high speed internet, utilities etc.

Professional video. Good work.

Everything looks so clean

I have never felt such pain before as when you sit down beside her on The train

Regarding training in the gym we don’t like to hear even people talking a lot with other! We are focusing with our training and we need to do it in peace! :)

Yes I live in Stockholm last 2 years and these kind of things I have faced before. So true ..

I used to work at a swimming facility (sweden) that owned a gym, and you were not allowed to talk in your phone in that gym, I think it's mainly depends on gym to gym. Reason was that many people tended to be loud on their phone.

haha you're insane! love this video!

In Sweden, the thing that is drummed into one as a childis to "ta hänsyn till andra/ omgivningen" ! The other is "vara inte uppseendevväckande (not to draw attention to oneself). Speaking (loudly??? ) on one's mobile phone fits into that category.

Stefan, your microphone is backwards! The Blue logo should be facing you. Then you should put it on the "cardioid" setting to get the best directional audio. I hope this helps!

In Japan, you also have to change your shoes at the gym and you're not allowed to talk on the phone in the gym. In the UK, I'm pretty sure it's fine to.

I'm born and raised in Sweden and I've visited Stockholm several times, but the first time I experienced the escalator thing was actually in Washington DC when I went there in 2005.

4:54 right, thats why Swedish people have their muddy shoes all over the subway seats on the regular, bump into you without saying excuse me, and stop right in the middle of the stairs during rush hour to check their phones while holding up hundreds of people behind them. I have been in Stockholm since 2012 and feel at times like I experience a somewhat different city than you do.

the no talking on phone rule is mostly to keep people from occupying a station while being on the phone, or even pretending to talk while filming a woman working out if its a shared gym.

Coming to Sweden in may for a few weeks, let’s get yacked together 🤘🏼

In Germany, Turkish people are on another level: talking on a speakerphone. Always. Anywhere.

I would make that fifth rule more broad: Don’t broadcast private conversations in public areas. Not only may you wish to keep your private relations, well, private, people around you may have their own stuff to listen to (or plainly don’t want to know about the private problems of strangers), like radio or podcasts, or silence itself for that matter.

Standing to the right on an escalator is also in the US, at least in airports...

It always helps to be observant of what others are doing, wherever one is, as long as it's polite behavior :)

Det mer ohövligt att prata i telefon när du ska betala i affärer. Det är väldigt nonchalant mot kassapersonalen.

Very polite way to approach Swedish customs👍

Awsome video

What should do?

i think it is more about you should not to talk in phone to long time. you can make short call. is little bit same thing when you go to bus in sthlm you dont talk to anyone but you can ask with way is place B and thats it

I'm from Sweden. I've never heard that you should not be allowed to talk in the cellphone at the gym. But I know many people that think It's kind of rude to talk in the phone at the bus. You know because they think that that's something private and you should do it outdoors or at home. Small calls is okay thou. You know if you val i someone just to tell him or her that you are going to be a little late or something.

About the shoes... kids in Sweden are learning from very young age to never wear outside shoes indoor. When sporting inside in school or going to sport indoor in a club, we always have shoes only for the indoor use.

Talking on the phone in the gym - wherever we are across the globe - should be as quick as possible when there is something urgent. Otherwise we are disturbing the ones around us (unless we are the only one at the gym). The escalator rule is valid everywhere, or at least is a very natural thing to do. And the shoes too - you need your gym shoes in the gym - this is also pretty much a general rule.

Hi Stefan! I think that not talking on the phone in the gym is the same as standing on the right side of escalator. The rule is not written anywhere but it's a part of general social etiquette. That's my take as I'm also a fellow expat. Cheers from Uppsala! :)

You can but please dont have on speaker take some headphones with you Same on the bus

As a swede I can tell you that personally you didn't do anything wrong by talking on the phone at the gym, (unless as the girl said there were rules against it) but I personally would be uncomfortable if I were next to you and you were talking on the phone. Because I can't not listen when you are right next to me, and even if I am only unintentionally listening in on your conversation, it makes me feel wierd if I can't hear the person you would be talking to. Long explanation summary: I dont think you're in the wrong but the reason talking on the phone is different from talking with a friend in person is that people nearby can hear that you are talking to another person because they can hear the other person talking also. Actual short answer: Swedes are curious creatures and we want to be able to hear the full conversation.

Do more like this with funny music and rather short at sweet. Might even get a viral one out of that.

The thing about standing on the right on escalators is probably typical of cities with subway systems. My wife lived in Boston (which has the oldest subway system in North America) for 16 years before moving to Sweden, and she could gripe on her blog about people not showing proper escalator etiquette.

my only rule is beware not to discuss or critique their culture/ values. They are repressed people and prefer not to think too much. Another is don't bother asking if they are happy or not as it is very cultural thing to say they are happy even though they aren't and have lots of anti depressants

The phone on the gym thing depends on the gyms own rules, but in general you don't want to bother other people while they are working out. A common rule on a lot of gyms is that you don't use your phone while using heavy equipment, but that's mostly due to safety reasons.

Water in Sweden is so clean, in the most northern parts of the country you can literally carry a glass with you and drink right from a nearby stream

i remember a rest stop on a road in sweden that had a lid in the ground and when you opened it there was underground spring water and you just had to lower your cup and drink, it was the best water i have ever had.

I don’t know about being prohibited but in Portugal some people at my gym had accidents with their phones, specially on the treadwill, so they started asking for people to use only wireless headphones or put the phone inside the bad in the bathroom. ☁️🤷🏻‍♀️

I 'm American, but I HATE it when people stand in the middle of the escalator and are oblivious to people trying to get around them--especially at airports when I'm trying to make a close connection!

The water here in Stockholm is the beeeest. And it gets so, so cold! I learned the shoe thing at the gym the hard way. At my gym I was like "weird, why are there lockers right inside the doors? What are all these giant shoehorns for?"

I se a lot of people in gyms that sits in a mashcine, talking on the phone ore watcing...something on the phone..and dont train at all, really inoying. Do they post " im at the gym.....but not really there not training.....that innoys me a lot!

I mean you can speak on your phone while at the gym but you shouldn't be too loud and the same goes for speaking on the phone on public transportation. Idk if you were loud or not but I have seen many people at my gym that are on the phone and that's not a problem.

Yo Stefan, you're probably aware of this but you're speaking into the back of your microphone. Pretty sure it's set on omnidirectional though, but a protip for the best audio quality would be to use cardioid instead of omnidirectional, get a pop filter (or just put a thick sock on your mic) and speak closer to the front side of the capsule. In editing, add a bit of compression and EQ (mainly drop the mids a little bit, between 400-500hz and perhaps boost lows/highs just a tiny bit). Perhaps you're already aware of all these things but it bugged me throughout the video haha, sorry.

i like the intro!

I saw you the other day, wanted to go up and say hi but didn't want to bother you and we gotta keep our distances form each other these days. stay safe :)

I have to wonder if it felt a little liberating to ham-it-up and do all of those *wrong* things, lol... Also, Nalgene bottle goes w/ me everywhere so I always have (delicious Swedish tap) water on the go. :)

I would personally say you can talk but not shout on the phone. When I'm working out I like peace, not loud noices. Mostly heard people talk way too loud on the phone or I don't people who wanna argue loudly in the gym on their phones.

Never heard of wearing out door shoes in the gym. We don't wear outdoor shoes to gym in Iowa. And always take shoes off when I go into any home.