The Drinking Culture In Sweden Is Very Different

[@Demantius]

You missed one important reason; Swedish "drunk driver" laws has so low limits that its almost impossible to have a glass of wine at lunch or dinner if you want to drive a car (legally) later the same day...

[@ann-marielofberg1159]

Yes, I’m pretty sure that is the reason, I also think that having beer for lunch When You’re working don’t be a ”good” thing. When You work, You work, then When You are free, You wanna be totally relaxed. Even the smallest amount of alcohol You feel more relaxed for some people, it “allows” You to skip the controlling half. Subconsciously. You wanna allow Yourself to relax and all the working hours during the week and other things You taking throughout that last days make You tired and might be a reason to Party and You may not have to drink a lot either, You are more sensitive to alcohol so it makes You more drunk than You do compare to times when You are more alert and have vacation.

[@sandorx4]

@@ann-marielofberg1159 Du låter verkligen som en hjärntvättad svensk. 😁

[@cous69cous69]

Dock får tyvärr rattfyllerister inte så hårda straff

[@Blurris.]

om du väntar en timme så kan jag garantera att det är lugnt efter ett glas

[@KajDalfall]

@@Blurris. Vi har blivit hjärntvättade att det inte är det.

[@annabjork4254]

three thoughts: 1: systembolaget (and before it, alcohol rationing) has actually done a significant effort in LIMITING binge drinking by offering beers and wines alongside the stronger liquor but most importantly 2: in terms of alcohol, Europe is split into three "belts" from south to north: the wine belt, the beer belt, and the vodka belt. Obviously there isn't a clear border between each, but Sweden falls into the vodka belt and since distillation has existed, distilled alcohol has been the main drink of choice, and back in the 17-1800s, aquavit was even part of working people's salaries (adapted from beer in the medieval era). As I'm sure you can see, it's much harder to drink hard alcohol in moderation and at lunch. this was such an issue that alcohol rationing had to be instated to deal with the a serious risk to the population's health. 3: over the last 50 years, Sweden has started adapting to a more European (aka beer /wine driven) alcohol culture and it HAS changed (you're pretty young, older generations binge drink less) but I don't think Sweden will ever be Spain, the roots go deep.

[@carlosgarciaruiz1102]

In Spain we drink more to socialize and in Sweden more to get drunk... It is the big difference I see

[@mercurious5053]

Take a quick peek at the russians. We would be like them hadn't the regulations been put in place

[@chasparos62]

Great comment. I think it’s hard for people how have grown up in a different alcohol culture to fathom the magnitude of the problem that the monopoly was designed to combat. The life of the worker was not great when you got a substance abuse problem from your employer and that employer was the way you got the substance. Imagine part of your salary was cocain...

[@sirseigan]

Sweden had a MAJOR alchol problem during the 1800s early 1900s. The System Bolaget was created for a reason. A sawmill workers monthly sallery back in the 1800s included 30 Liter "Vodka", so 1 liter a day... And it was very very common to start the day with a shot of vodka. Then it became unacceptable to be drunk at work (as it put others at risk in the industries etc). A consious normative pressure was built up with a massive information campaign. And after a generation or two it became rock solid. If your breath smelled of alchol at work ypu were branded a unrelaible drunk and could loose your job. That is why Swedish people in general do not drink during weekdays or when they have work. So yes, the cultural has changed quite a bit.

[@mercurious5053]

@@sirseigan yes, exactly. This comment should stand for itself, not as an awnser 👍

[@nagonpainternet5551]

The binge drinking culture came before systembolaget though. I don't think modern Swedes can understand how big of a drinking problem we had here in the end of the 1800's

[@isakoolsson]

1830 var medelsnittliga årsförbrukningen av brännvin à 50% alkohol ca 40 liter/person. Så ja det var ett problem.

[@nope8872]

People over the whole western hemisphere were drinking like crazy during the 1800s. I don't blame them, things were rough. What separates us nowadays is how every country handled this problem. There are of course worse examples than Sweden, but I think it's safe to say that swedish prohibition and later state legislatured consumer control is not among the more successful measures taken during the 1900s. Swedes nowadays are prone to hoarding alcohol instead of minimizing their intake. And because one alcoholic beverage might exceed the national limit to drive, we'd rather not take the risk. Therefore most of us won't have that beer for lunch, and come the weekend we stack up just to be "safe". I really think this system has created more alcoholics than it has prevented it.

[@keithakid]

@@nope8872 The thing I hate the most going back to Sweden... systembolaget.

[@tommykarlberg]

And it is not only a Swedish thing. Getting blasted is common in almost all nordic countrys where the vikings went to or lived in. Scandinavia, GB and Russia. It is at least a part of the tradition I think.

[@GaiasDotter]

I agree! I think it’s changing but it being such an old and ingrained part of the culture it takes time and change is very very slow. I’m going to be 34 this year, when my parents where children people often smoked and drank around kids, it was the norm. But when I and my siblings were young, at least in mine and my family’s social circle that was no longer the norm and not socially acceptable, there were still a few adults that smoked inside and around their own or others children but it was rare and it was frowned upon. From my friends I have learned that it seems to vary between different social circles but that the no alcohol or smoking around kids seems to be a bit more prevalent. And now that I’m at an age where friends and family are starting their own families and having children it’s even more prevalent, I don’t know of any parents around my own age that drinks around their children. In my family, when it comes to my siblings and their children, one of the parents might have one beer or one glass of wine with dinner on Christmas when they are staying the night at our parents but not more than that. They don’t accept anyone being noticeably intoxicated around their kids, even just a tiny bit. And no strong liquor around small children. So it seems to be changing, at least as far as I can tell from my social circles.

[@johanlejdung6445]

While I agree with the overall analysis I think it changes towards more "enjoyment drinking" as you grow older. With the occasional binge drink for dinner and holidays still, but more aligned with a glass or two for dinner (or lunch on weekends/vacation).

[@Lubin-md4ml]

Jag håller helt med. Först när jag började dricka alkohol runt 19 så var det mest för att bara bli full och för att det var roligt😂 Men sen på äldre dar (jag e 23) så tar man hellre ett gott glas med rött till pastan eller köttbiten, och håller vodkan och spriten till helgerna. Det är både ekonomiskt och praktiskt tänkande enligt mig som jag är jättenöjd med😉

[@melf9361]

Systembolaget was created because alcoholism among the working class was totally insane a hundred years ago. Today and specially the last 20years the drinking culture has gotten a lot more like other countries but most sweds are still in a all or nothing mode (together with Finland, Russia and Poland)

[@cinderellaandstepsisters]

Finnish do not drink that much. The alcohol consumption has dropped drasticly down in 10 years in Finland. Watch The video "Country alcohol consumption comparison." In Europe Finland is likely in the middle even under. The highest alcohol consumption countries are in Europe : The 1st Moldova, the 2 nd Lithuania, the 3rd Chechia and the 4th German Forinstance Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Poland, Latvia, France, Ireland, UK, Russia, Luxemburg, Serbia, Cypros, Belarus etc. are ahead of Finland.

[@dennislindqvist8443]

@@cinderellaandstepsisters The impression I got from Finland is that the majority drink moderately or nothing at all. That was definitely not the case 20-30 years ago.

[@sofiamalin9684]

I don’t think it has anything to do with Systembolaget. It’s just part of our culture, which is why they had to start regulating the sale of alcohol in the in the first place.

[@Katt1n]

"had to" lmao it is called a "förmyndarstat"

[@hurmur9528]

The drinking culture is the same in most "cold" countries like the nordic and eastern european countries. I would say some of them drink more than sweden. I do not agree completely either. Since taking a glass of whine during a workday to food is nothing strange. But the hard alcohol rules regarding driving is a definitely miss from Stefan side to not bring up. I think that has two reasons, nykterhetsrörelsen that had a great impact on our country and the safety regarding traffic that is generally very harsh in Sweden.

[@nikke3D]

@@hurmur9528 Håller med men det är fan 2022 snart haha

[@jte5783]

Sweden is a part of the “pine tree belt” along with Norway, Finland, Russia, Canada and Alaska. The European/Russian part of his is also called the “clear liquor belt” and we have a history of really big problems with alcoholism. People in Sweden actually used to get paid in clear liquor and potatoes (of course they made more liquor of the potatoes), it really was like sickness. So the temperance movement had a huge impact in Sweden when it came here in the mid/late 1800’s. around the same time there was this health/nationalistic movement (healthy mind in a healthy body), which kind of joined forces with the temperance movement. So yeah…us swedes like to call our selves “landet lagom”, but that’s actually quite far from the truth; we often do stuff to a 100%. Drink to our livers explode or never touch alcohol.

[@christopherchristianvanlan1809]

Mediterranean people have a lot more alcohol related problems. It could be ways to try to socialize etc...Still their wine is amazing. They have a lot to learn from Asian food culture. Sweden does not have these health lssues.

[@jte5783]

@@christopherchristianvanlan1809 you are wrong. Sweden most definitely have alcohol related health problems, they have been lessened though. This has a lot to do with the restricting of alcohol and the state monopoly.

[@valtermagnusson933]

​@@christopherchristianvanlan1809 sweden was on the brink of collaplse before systembolaget

[@funnyduck8107]

@@christopherchristianvanlan1809 there are different types of health damages. Low intensity long term drinking causes liver damage while binge drinking every now and then causes more damage to the brain than the liver.

[@mathiasaxelsson]

This video would be much more interesting and informative if you had looked into the history of drinking in Sweden and the reason Systembolaget came to be, rather than just guessing. Your observations are not at all wrong though.

[@Anna-Gunilla1792]

"Partying, going hard, going crazy" is definately for the young, not having children and not at all for all Swedes.

[@johanngerell]

Exactly - when he said that, I thought it was pretty clear what ages he's been exposed to 🙂

[@peterwesterlund]

Maybe he is talking about people in his own age

[@Anna-Gunilla1792]

@Blommor till mor Que?

[@laeronym5884]

@@johanngerell is it? We have quite a high statistic of how many childre grow up with alcoholic parents. And I have seen so many time grown ups at perhaps their 40s 50s getting super like fucked up in a bar or at a restuarant.

[@johanngerell]

@@laeronym5884 terrible when that happens, but it still isn't anywhere close to the frequency of young people getting wasted - which I have nothing against btw, young people *should* have fun :). But saying "this is what Swedes do" is misleading.

[@monicadahlin]

I think that you have missed the point that most people that have families don't party and have a whole lot different drinking pattern. Most adults drink responsible, like a glass of wine with their dinner or a beer in the sun, the binge drinking is mostly for the young and the reckless. The binge drinking has been a part of our culture even back to the Vikings, so the Systembolaget has nothing to do with it.

[@Ragemuffn]

Drinking at work in Sweden can get you fired, that's why we don't. Hardly cultural. On days off we drink at lunch when out and enjoying the day. There are certainly those who can only go ham. But it's not extreme either.

[@emiliebryant5270]

There's a chapter on why drinking culture is like this in Magnus Nilsson's "Nordic Cookbook" which you might like! He is a chef who did a long research project on Nordic food culture.

[@srsly-kd5xd]

Var hittar jag den?

[@TheGhostman64]

@@srsly-kd5xd Akademibokhandeln

[@drakemalice]

Completely disagree. Seems "the vast majority" are a certain kind of drinkers in your social circle. What you describe sounds like my Swedish high school period. Now in my twenties, non of my friends have this "all or nothing" mentality. However, your presumption is understandable. Edit: correcting typos

[@anderseriksson7698]

Meanwhile my friend circle gets drunk on hand sanitizer on sundays since they don't have the foresight to plan their drinking

[@laeronym5884]

Im in my twenties and everyone around me (not just friends) fit into what Stefan says.

[@ExiledSwede]

Honestly, as an adult child of an alcoholic, one of my theories is that if you live in a country where 6+ months of the year is almost only covered in darkness and cold winter, it's not so strange that people turn to drinking as a way of keeping oneself from depression or dealing with seasonal depression which is very common here.

[@Jackthetraveller]

Word i never drink at summers only during november/december/januari the next 9 months im sober or drink like 3 beers a month at Max During the Winters it is like 1 beer a day

[@Sr19769p]

English drinking culture is a bit like this - all or nothing, alcohol helping to break through the reservedness. Good vid, Stefan. It's made me fancy a beer, now - skål!

[@matilda4833]

Having lived in Sweden and the UK, I would say the drinking culture is COMPLETELY different actually. All or nothing certainly felt true in the UK - where even people in their 50s with kids at home could be found either on top of tables or puking in the streets.Granted I lived in Scotland... However, in Sweden, all or nothing is probably true between ages 18-25 roughly. Past that, people don't "all or nothing" here. At least no one that I know of..

[@Sr19769p]

@@matilda4833 Hi Tilly. I've never been to Sweden so I really don't know, it just sounded similar from Stefan's vid. Thanks 4 the insight 👍

[@gnarbeljo8980]

Also Japan!

[@matilda120]

I love watching your videos as a swede! Its almost like you found this unique species of an animal and now you have to teach the rest of America about our - to me - completely ordinary lives 💛

[@ramdalion]

hahaha han får döpa om sin kanal till: antropologisk studie av svensken - En amerikan i Swealand ^^

[@cecilialeitet2794]

This is maybe the one video you’ve made that shows the limits of your social circle more than any other. Yes, many young people drink like that through uni, but after that I feel like it changes fast. I don’t know any bingers and most people will happily have a drink or two at dinner on a weekday. But only if they are sure they don’t need the car anymore that day. Drinking and driving is no tolerance in Sweden while I think in most US states you can still drive after quite a few drinks. Kinda makes it hard to have a beer for lunch if it means leaving your car at work in the afternoon.

[@johnnylocktang]

Like your videos alot! But you should definitely look into the whole "Folköl" business which you refer to "really like crappy beer". If you look close at the stores you'll find handcrafted and micro brewery beers (3.5%.) in tons of varieties. Also, let's not forget the "pant" on everything. That adds another krona to everything. Keep it up!

[@Apeshaft]

Sweden is part of the vodka belt where binge drinking during the weekends is the norm.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

for me, my "weekends" is when I do not drink....work days is when I drink....I am an American

[@linneaandersson8321]

Interesting topic! I see it as two part reason. I think our history of controlling alcohol consumption related to the non-drinking movement (nykterhetsrörelsen) during the early 1900th century has influenced how we handle drinking in general. That is the monopoly of systembolaget, higher drinking and buying age compared to the rest of Europe etc. But I also think that it is sustained through the low limit for drunk driving and company policies of no alcohol or drugs during work hours. I have to drive to get to work and can be selected for a random drug test during work hours, that means no beer during lunch hours. :)

[@starvictory7079]

Early 20th century, annars blir det i framtiden.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

I wouldn't drink and drive but would quit a job that tested me....out of principle.

[@linneaandersson8321]

@@fortheloveofnoise I guess that when there is a lot of heavy machinery involved as cranes and dumper truck carrying heavy loads I am grateful that the driver is sober.

[@Zabuzas86swe]

@@starvictory7079 Jag tror hon menade early 1900's. Men jag skulle säga att late 19th century är mer exakt i o m att det var i slutet av 1800-talet

[@Tjorpas]

Sweden has historically had a serious issue with alcoholism, just like our russians friends in the east. During the late 1800's and early 1900's the drinking was getting way out of control. Inspired by the US prohibition and similar sobriety movements in Sweden (mostly organized and run by women) eventually led to the state controlled alcohol-monopoly. Yes it sucks to not be able to buy a cold beer over 3,5% in alcohol on a saturday after 3 pm, or on a sunday you just cant because its closed) In my personal opinion I still think our alcohol monopoly is a good thing. My dad passed away from drinking daily for several years, and I think he would have died alot quicker if he could get his booze from wherever/whenever like in certain countries. Tack för en grym kanal Stefan! Fortsätt göra din grej! Respekt!

[@cinderellaandstepsisters]

Just take a look at the video "Country alcohol consumption comparison." Comparing to other countries the alcohol consumption is not very high in any Nordic countries. In Europe The highest alcohol consumption countries are: The 1st Moldova, The 2nd Lithuania, The 3rd Chechia and the 4th Germany. Forinstance Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, France, Estonia, Latvia, UK, Ireland, Russia, Poland, Luxemburg, Belarus,Cypros,Serbia etc are ahead of every Nordic countries.

[@skogstjuven]

Edward Blom citat När man festar, festar man och då festar man rejält. Great Swedish quote. When you party, you party, and then you party hard.

[@archiet2205]

Swedish drinking culture seems very similar to the British drinking culture. I’ve seen somewhere that this may actually be linked to genetics with with the uk having a large proportion of scandic genetics particularly in Scotland due the Viking age and being so geographically succinct from one another. Apparently there are certain traits in scandic genes that evoke a much higher level of reaction to alcohol, inducing feelings of great euphoria and relief, unlike that of other ethnicities. Taking this, it becomes appropriate to suggest that there is a link between genetics and alcohol intake which is something that should definitely be considered when looking at the alcohol problems that we so often see particularly in Northern Europe.

[@victorlarsson202]

I think you had some good points! I also think it might be the other way around: it's just a culture thing to drink a lot of hard liquor (sweden, norway, finland and russia make up a thing called the "liqour belt") but we also have a strict no alcohol policy at work and so you can't really drink like normal unless it's a weekend and that's why people just rather wait for friday to come around. It's very common to drink beer with your food (mostly dinner) if you're at a restaurant but if you drink more than one on a weekday you're kinda stepping over the line and people will judge you bc it's not time to do that yet, you should wait till friday like the rest of us xD

[@ankiutanpytte]

I think you need to check this out outside of your circle of friends 😂 Almost none of my friends drink much at all, only a beer/glas of wine to food here and there. The "party people" is a specific group of people. Usually younger than 25. Sure you party hard once in a while when your older, but usually it's more like home parties, chilling and hanging with a beer/glas of wine (the type of "partying" you won't se if you're not invited, the club goers are mostly always hard partiers! So don't judge everyone based on them..!)

[@AmbiCahira]

I don't know if this is a north vs south thing but when I grew up in the north my parents definitely enjoyed either beer or wine to dinner during weekdays and only drank more heavily during like midsommar where family gathered and shared songs and stories so it was also more relaxed about it. The workplace thing I think it's partially that the workplace wants everyone clear minded for productivity and less accidents (because not everyone handles alcohol well so there could always be that 1 fool that does something stupid if its allowed) plus that people have to drive home later and not everyone is responsible so it's easier with the 0 alcohol strictness for everyone's benefit and safety. Idiot proofing :p

[@johnatspray]

Systembolaget was created because of the old Nordic drinking culture (similar to Finland and Russia). It slowly starting to change though, and I think we slowly getting more international. So systembolaget is not the reason for the drinking culture, it was created as a antidote to the problematic drinking culture.

[@Nils0scar]

Systembolaget is Great! Some competition would make them better.

[@katidafinn7887]

I'm not a drinker, ten years ago people would try to talk me into drinking while trying to defend themselves that they "don't usually drink either" so often that I even avoided going out with certain people. Being a soberist today I feel more respected, it's a bit of a trend I think. Depends what people you socialise with of course and what the special occation is. I grew up with 2 finnish parents in Sweden who barely ever touched alcohol and had to grow up with people's prejudice that all finns drink a lot.

[@laviejolie7185]

Det är väldigt tragiskt dock att en hel del människor känner att de inte kan ha kul utan alkohol....i alla fall inte lika kul i fest sammanhang

[@beorlingo]

Ganska självklart om alla har druckit (vilket oftast är fallet när det är fest) att det inte är så kul att vara nykter. 🤔

[@beorlingo]

@BERGKVIST visst kan man ha roligt nykter. Men att man har roligare efter ett glas eller två (man behöver ju inte bli full!?) tycker jag inte är tragiskt. Det är helt naturligt. Folk som säger att de har lika roligt helnyktra har aldrigt haft riktigt roligt, och vet inte vad det är.

[@jangelbrich7056]

Håller med. Varför "måste" jag dricka sprit föratt bli "social", jag tycker att det är trams. Å andra sidan så undrar jag varför det blev så här att så många folk tycker så. Och det gäller inte bara Svenskarna, jag känner tre länder och det var oftast samma "anledning" att festa. Inte lagom för min del.

[@attesmatte]

@@beorlingo Jag har fått kommentarer om att folk inte tror på att jag inte druckit alkohol när jag varit på fester. Tro mig, jag har precis lika kul utan alkohol som när jag dricker några glas. Enda skillnaden när jag dricker är att jag förlorar kontrollen över när jag kan åka hem eller dra nån annanstans eftersom jag inte kan köra bil, så jag väljer i princip alltid att vara nykter. Nuförtiden har jag dock en väldigt "nykter" umgängeskrets överlag, så det är inte ofta det dricks alls när vi träffas. Och jag lovar, vi har skitkul ändå! 😁😁

[@beorlingo]

@@attesmatte ok! 👍

[@hanna-sofiastark]

Very interesting observations! It’s interesting to hear an ”outsider’s” perspective, and I think you are right in most of the things you talk about, that I haven’t thought about before.

[@papaknuthson]

The last part about swedes using alcohol as a crutch in social situations is very accurate

[@MakeRise]

Yep, right on point!

[@dangavelli434]

Haha lite för mycket generaliseringar för min smak denna gången, but I guess you know best 😂❤️

[@HippoOnABicycle]

I think part of the reason northern Europe developed more of a binge drinking culture than southern Europe was because in the north we didn't have beer or wine. Basically, the only kind of alcohol we had in northern Europe historically was "disgusting" hard spirits that are only good for getting drunk. In southern Europe they had beer and wine culture, drinks that actually taste good. So they developed a culture of drinking for the taste whereas we developed a culture of forcing spirits down our throats to get drunk. It's also cold and dark and people drink cause they're depressed.

[@autodeskgeek]

It's really interesting to get your perspective on all this! Great videos! In my experience, the culture around alcohol varies greatly between different age groups too. The weekend binge thing kinda phase out with age. Me, my friends and ppl in our circles did the "all or nothing" thing between like ages 14-20, but after that we kinda got it out of our system. It seems like people in their late 20's/early 30's often times moves on to a more "relaxed" way of enjoying alcohol where it's more a complement to food or social events (even on weekdays). This is just my experience from my social circles tho, and I definitly agree with you that "all or nothing" is a classic swedish mentality haha! Thank you for yet another interesting video!

[@Verkielos]

I work for a municipality, and as such there is no way you could ever have alcohol at lunch. Also, it's not like you can have a glass of wine or a beer here, and then drive. That said, I do like wine lunches... which says a lot, that we actually have a word for it :P

[@gruu]

Very interesting to hear it so straight forward, it's something that's just "how it is" here and you don't really think about it so I think you really hit the nail on the head, everything you said it accurate for most swedish people.

[@reallivebluescat]

should get the more micro brewery "session strength" (2.8-3,5%) beers at the grocery stores in sweden. Like Dugges and Stigberget, and different IPA etc. You can get them at most good larger Ica-stores (kvantum and maxi). They are a pretty good quality i think. The supply at ICA can vary and are pretty dependent on the owner of that store. Ica is more or less a franchise, where they have some influence on what goods they sell. I think that is what is good about ICA. Alot of variety depending on the store. Some of them a bit higher end, other more basic

[@reallivebluescat]

There is also a store called "Bottle Shop" in stockholm which sell bevereages up to 3,5% which are mostly more nieche then the large bland commercial brands. Its on medborgarplatsen. Recommend. there is also something called "Folkölsbutiken beer-bike", which is a guy on a bike selling folk-öl around Sthlm.

[@TasnuArakun]

Lidl just added a new section to their stores this week with 3.5% beers from Swedish micro breweries.

[@chribjslaha]

They sell 2.25% Cider in stores in Sweden. I guess that's sort of what you're talking about?

[@amandalong220]

Yes, I've found that the low alcohol options at the grocery stores are actually really good!! Wide variety and tasty!

[@johantt2591]

I think it is the other way around with the liqour store ”Bolaget” - it kind of was put in place because the Swedes (and same for Norway and Finland) couldn’t handle alcohol. It is not so much a binge culture because of Bolaget, but rather we have Bolaget because of binge culture. In the US you had the prohibition experiment of the same reason, although that failed and backfired a bit... but in general, the Swedish all or nothing is quite similar to the US ”frat-drinking”, in that it is mostly young people, students etc that do it. For older people it is more common with the moderate drinking like you describe, having some wine or beer with food, and not binge all available alcohol until you blackout. :)

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

Many valid thoughts here! I had a friend when I was very young. He moved to England. Much later he came here to visit and we two were out to eat a pizza. I ordered Coca Cola with my pizza which I always have. It's odd for me to drink juice, water or beer to pizza. He ordered a beer. He thought I was also having a beer (which I never have to just lunch). You could really tell after our conversation how WEIRD he thought I was who didn't just buy a beer with him. Me and that friend don't have much contact at all today and I think that conversation is a part of it. I think he looked at me differently afterwards. He had become more of a party-dude who thought getting a beer was a highlight of the day. I just don't care that much. However I think MANY would have done exactly as me, so it's not me or him that are strange.. It's just cultural differences. To an extent I understand young people who want to know how it feels to be extremely drunk and that it's "cool" but once you done that and just realize it's stupid. Why continue? Nobody thinks you are cool because you can't walk, need help home or just make an ass for yourself. Nobody. So why is the "all in" culture so big? Why not stop after 5-6 beers when you are sort of drunk but to no extreme? You can have fun and lighten up a bit.. Isn't that the point? One thing more concering the clubscene in Sweden more than just the actual drinking I dislike is all those people going out ONLY to find a partner or one night stand. I mean.. If I go out with some friends, start talking to some girls, have a good time and get interested by one of the girls? Great. Why not. But to just hit on anyone and wait until like 04:00 and start to pick up the most sad and drunk girl I can find only to get her home and have sex. How good is that sex? Does she like me? Do I like her? Honestly that sort of culture is just pathetic to me. Then she or me do some fast lie to get out of there. What is that? Isn't it better to just "give up" and try next weekend with someone you might actual like? And must you find someone? Can't you just dance, enjoy the time with your friends, try new drinks and see what happens?

[@becca8066]

Here in sweden we are more strict about drinking alcohol. If you have a beer with your dinner after work during the weekdays you are considered an alcoholic. I had my first alchol beveridge then I was 24-25.

[@lmao2351]

I think most swedes have alcohol to dinner. Because than you most likely won't have to drive after. You can baraly have any alcohol in your body while driving.

[@chidoking09]

You have not been to sweden then

[@lmao2351]

@@chidoking09 i am swedish

[@ceciliapersson8424]

I think it’s an age thing and depending where you are in life. If you’re 40-something and you have a family you do not party as hard enymore. However you can enjoy a glass of wine every now and then. So.. I belive that the all or nothing mindset will pass as you age.

[@allaboutperspective650]

Not really in my opinion at least, I'm not born in Sweden but have lived here more than 35 years so I've seen that change from younger people to adults and older people , and even middle aged and older people have a clear different drinking culture than in the beer or wine belt.

[@prettyboycurl1357]

jag träffade denna legend ute på krogen igår

[@zzedisfed5696]

Its common for older people like my parents (around age 45+) to drink wine or beer to dinner on weekdays, live in Danderyd so pretty close to Stockholm. But I can see where you're comming from.

[@smileyhenke1]

Nice video once again. I've lived in Stockholm basically my whole life but I keep learning new stuff when I watch your vids. Keep up the damn good job. Btw, when you're pronouncing "bolaget" try to pronounce the "o" and the "a" longer, aka "booolaaaaaaaget" :)

[@emmalund7859]

It would be so much fun to see you make a video about High Chaparral in Sweden. :) Being an american visiting the Swedish stereotype of America. Or at least the old, Wild West, America. :)

[@robins4209]

1:58 This "all or nothing" mindset is really a common thing in Sweden. As my dad always used to say: - "Son, if you're gonna do something, you gotta do it properly"

[@ToastedCigar]

It's very much the same in Finland and Norway. I used to do the typical thing all the time: no drinking during the work-week but when it was Friday I called my buddies and we went out to their apartment to get drunk and then hit the night clubs. Nowadays I have a much healthier relationship to alcohol, I have ditched the "all-or-nothing" mentality completely and very rarely I get too drunk. The one thing I still don't do is daytime drinking, because alcohol makes me tired and out of focus, and usually I want to have full focus during the working hours.

[@JohnCederdahl]

It is common to have wine or beer at dinner regardless of weekday, at least in Stockholm. But breakfast and lunch is a big no no if you work. Most companies have restrictions that doesn't allow any alcohol during office hours. But after work is different!

[@drew4021]

drinking might be more age related than we give it credit. I remember back in college I would binge drink with everyone else all the time but as I got older I drank less and less and liquor became more upscale and time and place specific

[@JonasHolmqvistSweden]

You are so on point my brother! Great video😎

[@MatsJPB]

One of the big reasons for the introduction of systembolaget was that swedes used to bingedrink this way more or less every day. Vodka used to be cheap, and drunk workers might fight with each other, but they wont complain much about workrelated issues (except maybe about the headache).

[@E-jit]

Heavy drinking has been ingrained in Swedish culture for a long time, that’s why we have Systembolaget. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century the alcohol consumption was estimated to be one litre of hard alcohol (like vodka) per person per week on average. I find that more casual drinking comes with age, most people in my life in my age (39) don’t binge drink very often.

[@Oosran]

I suppose I'm in the minority in Sweden where I don't really drink to get drunk but instead drink things I think taste good because, well, tasty things are tasty. I'll stay away from alcohol for lunch during the week but I'll certainly have a glass of wine for dinner, or a beer if it's the type of food that goes better with beer than wine.

[@malins.6362]

Hey, about strangers not having conversations, also remember you live in Stockholm, it's not known for being the friendliest city. I think you should visit and make a video about northern Sweden too cus it's soo diffrent!

[@Metmovie]

Speaking for myself right now as a native Swede: Drinking alcohol on the job is and has always been a big NO. Mainly because my current job as bus driver makes that impossible. Since we have alcohol locks on the vehicles themself, having some sort of drink or beer or whatever during lunch and then going back to work is practically impossible. But even if I had a normal deskjob or some other industrial job, I would never have alcohol during lunch as well. I just think it's unprofessional. I think having that hard line between work time and free time is a good thing. Makes you have something to look forward to. And knowing me and my part of my family history, I sort of need this disciplined hard line in my life, because if I have to much of the good stuff, I may become addcited to it.

[@ErickLöfdahl]

Good point Stefan. I think most people miss the German comparison and focus too much on history, such as the vodka belt and temperance movement. Although how people drank historically may resonate in coming generations, today I would rather say it is a result of a social culture, where drinking is something you are supposed do with other people. Therefore it would also be strange drinking when no one else does, such as in the workplace. If I interpret the Radler culture, however, it has nothing to do with social culture but you can just have one by yourself because it tastes good and is refreshing. You may compare it to Japanese culture where the rule also goes - if one person has it - everybody has it. Sometimes Swedes have been named “the Japanese of the North” due to our group culture in several occasions, including charter travel abroad.

[@Tehkenny1]

I'd say you are correct on your points, another argument could be as many other reasons for Swedes behaviour are the dark winters. In december a beer at lunch or having a beer at a party or dinner, is not enough to really cheer you up from your tiredness and exhaustion, and you need more to get you out of that tiredness to let you have fun and enjoy the evening.

[@tastyjourney9957]

Nice Video. Thank you for giving me know more about Sweden Drinking Culture and other countries in the same time. I really love it. Thank you for your nice video.👍😍❤️

[@maxadrums]

Perhaps it's not super common with alcoholic beverages during lunch during workdays, but I'd definitely say it's not rare at all for people to have beer or wine with dinner, or on weekends/etc.. Partially because the stricter rules about how much you can drink and drive, partially because drinking during work is advised against.

[@Okand2]

I used to have a co-worker who always got "lättöl" with their lunch. That's very weak beer, around 2% abv.

[@kungsverige1886]

2.2%

[@grymkaft]

I'd say that's super common for people around 40 or above.

[@kungsverige1886]

@@grymkaft No +70

[@nagonpainternet5551]

Yea thats accepted, but I think we all would rise our eyebrows if someone had wine for lunch during a work day

[@grymkaft]

@@kungsverige1886 No, 2.25%

[@z3roo0]

basically we had a very big issue with alcohol, then we had a real anti-alcohol sentiment because we realized it was a massive problem so for like 70 years we have had a state-controlled retailer for it. It is really expensive due to this, as well. Highly taxed. If they notice that you buy too much regularly, they get suspicious and they CAN throw you out. There is a 20 year old minimum age to purchase alcohol (heck i'm over 30 and they still ask me for ID). Suffice to say, it is kind of frowned upon if there isn't a festive setting.

[@eraserhead29]

Mycket bra analys rakt igenom. Kanske din bästa någonsin... På YT i alla fall.

[@Gaude47]

This behavior we have here in Sweden is to alcohol is old and can be traced back to the Viking Age.

[@KimberlySorce]

Interesting! I’m from the US living in Sweden and I thought quite the opposite of your views. When I came here, I noticed people sitting having lunch in the square with a glass of wine or beer and I thought how very European of them :)

[@uchiha013itachi]

As I Swede; I like to order 2 beers or 2 drinks whenever I am at the bar, just to skip the 2 trip hassle (as sometimes it can get really crowded). Every time I come back with my drinks to the table my friends/colleagues/dates or whatever are always baffled, they look at me like I'm some "drunk" and that word has even been brought up. Even by people who get waaaaaay more drunk then me during the night. Yes yes I know they say it as a joke, but sometimes you can see on peoples reaction and eyes that they mean it hahah.

[@amandalong220]

I recently saw a Radler truck parked in squares around Gothenburg. Kinda like those Redbull trucks. I think someone saw an opportunity for exactly what you pointed out and is now trying to capitalize. (Knowing Sweden they were probably completely alcohol-free though). Fingers crossed that it picks up in popularity!

[@echica1213]

I’ve definitely experienced this in Sweden. When asked what they were doing for their July holiday, some said “getting drunk most of the time”, but the same people are very proud of not drinking throughout the week. Interesting dichotomy. That being said, in the US, I didn’t know anyone who‘s take a beer or wine at lunch. I have more friends at my workplace here who will do that. (Very international group). Also Systembolaget feels very similar to the Minnesota system. No liquor in grocery. It’s gotta have a separate entrance and POS.

[@rebeccanilsson8827]

I agre with a few other people here. You should read about swedish drinking culture. It is so much more to it than meets the eye. Also, the alkohol you buy at stores are good. I always have a bottle of alkohol free wine at home. I would love a video where you try some different alkohol free options!

[@95BWG]

If you just want to grab a nice beer when shopping for lunch or whatever there's no real need to go for a proper "starköl" anymore, most grocery stores have great selections of low ABV or alcohol-free beers and ciders these days that taste good too!

[@megaman133]

Yea but the problem is that the selection outside Systembolaget is very limited because the vast majority of beers in the world are above 4% ABV.

[@95BWG]

@@megaman133 Many of the good Swedish local breweries have great low-alcohol or alcohol-free beers.

[@megaman133]

Sure but still as I said, the variety is greatly reduced. Belgian beers for example are out of the question outside System because of their high ABV. Basically the majority of beers from any country is by design over 4%. So it is very likely that my favorite beer would be over the 3,5% limit and I cant buy that because of the strict alcohol policy.

[@ssm19740]

Hi. I'm thinking about visiting Stockholm. Do u have any info about bottle service in clubs. E.g. prices, better alternatives etc.

[@Peter_1986]

I like to casually visit the night club at my university in Luleå every now and then during the weekends, and just have a few shots until I get to that most pleasant intoxicated state, and then I go home. I don't even bother talking to anyone at that night club - I just go there and have a few shots, relax, and then leave.

[@filiperiksson9208]

I think You nailed it! Excellent video! Träffsäker analys! Bra videoklipp -finns en hel del förbättringspotential när det gäller hur (många) svenskar hanterar alkohol....

[@jesperandersson5666]

0.2 ‰ is enought for the Police to arrest you for drunk driving. Compared to 0.8‰ in the US. Thats the main reason i think.

[@SebastianLundh1988]

Well, we always think our own culture is the best one. The thing you said about having parents who let your drink a little bit makes me, as a Swede, imagine a family that has an alcohol problem.

[@jokervienna6433]

As a Swede I think there are many reasons for our drinking culture. How a culture shapes is a complex thing. I think it kind of started with the Vikings and the protestant work ethics. During more modern history we can add the extreme alcoholism we had up until at least the 19 century, the non-drinking movement, worker class, laws around drunk driving and some more. But also, watch Swedes when they have vacation and go abroad. Many will start with a drink on the airplane, even in early morning. When abroad most Swedes also open up a lot more than when they are in Sweden. And for Swedes drinking, just ask the Danes in Copenhagen and Helsingör what they feel about that. :) The only way to stop that Danish anger is to mention Greenlanders. Last but not least, the Swedish drinking culture is changing - but it will take a while to become European. The Danes are a little more civilized around drinking than the Swedes: many Danes recognize when they have had too much, then they go home. A Swede will pass out, stay where he/she is, wake up later and continue to drink. Almost like the English. :D

[@tomaslindqvist7137]

I really like your nonjudgemetal approach. Good objective observation.

[@alexlubega5061]

You are very smart and understood perfect the Swedish culture. Now complete to that, people they are drinking in week time and a lot. They just hide themselves by closing the courtains.

[@malinandtom]

Super interesting hearing an American’s experience with alcohol in Sweden. I’m from England, we definitely have a different drinking culture there!

[@T1hitsTheHighestNote]

A white week is a voluntary break during a week of a use or abuse of some kind. The term usually refers to a break in alcohol consumption and then means that a person does not drink any alcohol for a week. The term was coined in a campaign by Systembolaget in the mid-1970s. "White" here refers to the symbolic connection of color to purity or innocence. Less common expressions are "white weekend" or "month". "White Christmas" (as in Irving Berlin's song title White Christmas) also jokingly appears in this sense. Trying to limit their drinking through white weeks is considered one of the signs of alcoholism according to the CAGE test. Interruptions in alcohol consumption are generally considered to be positive for health. However, the real positive effect of regular white periods has been questioned by doctors and researchers, as those who take this type of break often mistakenly think they can consume more alcohol at low risk if a period of high consumption is followed by a white month.

[@MrKryckan90]

Well... Sweden has a long and quite troubled history with alcohol. It's nice that you try to do an analysis, but as with most things that are cultural, they take time to evolve, which basically mean that the thing you should have asked is not what effects "Systembolaget" might have, but WHY there is a "Systembolag" at all. As one of your commenters below noticed, alcoholism in the Swedish working class 100 years ago was horrendous. And one of the big reasons for that was that back then, it was not unkommon that workers actually got some of their pay in alcohol. I'm sure you can imagine how a thing like that can cause quite a few issues..... :) There are a lot of things that would be interesting to discuss with you but I don't want to write a novel. If you're interested, hit me up, otherewise just keep up the good work :)

[@livb6945]

I really don't care for alcohol myself. When I worked at a restaurant, most men had lättöl for lunch.

[@therealdeal1338]

Pretty spot on! My excperience is that if you go abroad where there is other swedes it's always some one emberassing themselves. Not as bad as englishman though. Maybe it's also a bit different between country side and bigger cities. In bigger cities it's easier to go to a place to just have one or two beers while in rural areas there might be no pubs etc. So you drink it all on home parties instead. I think it's a bit dubble standards regarding alcohol. You are teached from early on alcohol is not a good think, still people drink to get pissed. I think it would be better to at least let the grocery stores sell wine and beer then maybe you spred out the drinking during the week.

[@enkidu77]

Regarding alcohol consumption in Sweden, there is a kind of invisible rule, if you work, you don't drink alcohol, also you can hurt your image at work if they discover that you came to work with any sign of drunkenness in term of smell or look. Also, your manager may offer you help if they see that you have showed the sign of getting alcoholist to get rid of it, actually that would be a very bad sign and as i mentioned this could hurt your image at work in front of your colleagues and your manager.

[@MrJockelito]

I wouldn't say it's unwritten. My employer have a no tolerance policy. They also do random drug tests. If you're positive, you will probably get a written reprimand and forced to accept a rehabilitation plan (Not to confuse with rehab).

[@enkidu77]

@@MrJockelito actually, it's unwritten for the majority of workplaces, i work as an engineer, at the company i work for there is no policy about this but it would be a misbehave to come to work drunk or with any sign of alcohol on any employee, otherwise that will hurt the reputation of that person, also may have an unofficial warning from the manager.

[@MrJockelito]

@@enkidu77 Not sure if you're Swedish or not. But I disagree with you, in the working environment law it's written: "klargöra vilka interna regler och rutiner som gäller om arbetstagare uppträder påverkad av alkohol eller andra berusningsmedel i arbetet". I'm quote sure there is no written policy against robbing banks at your workplace either? 😀

[@enkidu77]

@@MrJockelito i am Swedish, also I never seen this rule written in any contract I have signed so far. The only obvious rule is about sex harrasment and also about company's secrets, maybe you mean (kommunalt jobb) or governmental job but not private one.

[@argeutlandssvensken8901]

In large parts of Sweden, a lot of people buy their alcohol on the black market, i.e. alcohol smuggled in from Germany and other less expensive countries.

[@sdfghgtrew]

Letting someone buy 3,5% beers at the grocery store and drinking them really fast when you was a kid AhHhh the memories.

[@bjornfagerstedt2341]

There is a lot to say on this subject. Sweden is part of what used to be called the "vodka belt". Not today, but that is because of a very thought-through policy: teach the Swedish to drink beer and wine instead. We never had prohibition, instead we had (and have, to a lesser degree) regulation. Systembolaget. This is not Italy or Spain, this is the Nordics. We are prone to what you probably call binge drinking. This makes us a bit different to our south European friends, who as you have noticed, have a lot more relaxed attitude towards alcohol, On the other hand, general productivity at the workplaces are much higher in the north (yeah, sober at work makes you work better)

[@mattylucki8313]

Yeah I agree . In Sweden we do not have this alcohol+food culture. This is a case in all Scandinavia. When we drink - we drink. When we don’t - we don’t .

[@berndtthomas]

Sweden actually held a referendum to ban all alcohol in the 1920s around the same time as prohibition was eforced in america. Fortunately the nayside won and they decided to heavily regulate sales of alcohol instead. Thats why we have the systembolaget today.

[@silkedavid8876]

Radler is a more southern/bavarian expression. In Hamburg we have "Alsterwasser", Alster is actually a river which flows through Hamburg, so it is river water. No!, it is half beer/half lemonade. Also normal in Britain, where it is called Shandy. My local cinema is showing a movie this week set in Stockholm of 3 teachers who put a theory to test that life with a certain amount of alcohol in your blood is better. I am going to see it tomorrow. Would be interesting to get your opinion on that. It is called "Another Round"

[@ThomasLiljeruhm]

Are you really sure that it takes place in Stockholm? I know it's a Danish movie...

[@annikajonsson9871]

It is very much the young ones who binge drink at weekends. When you get older and have kids you tend to take a sip of wine to food or a bear in the sun, unless you are going to drive. We rather skip alcohol when we know we are going to drive. I can have some wine in the middle of the week because I like the taste. So some of your observations are true though.

[@bengtmowitz5012]

Sweden is a part of the so called "brännvinsbältet", Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Greenland and Sweden. It's a cultural thing going back all the way to the vikings. However it tends to change over time. I think that the Swedish authorities approach to alcohol with the systembolaget actually adds to the situation as well, buying in a special store run by the Swedish authorities may add a little dramatic effect to alcohol consumption. A reason for not having alcohol for lunch is the Swedish driving alcohol limit (0.2). However a "lättöl" or a "folköl" is not that uncommon even in workplaces.

[@Pretagonist]

Drinking and driving is a big no-no in Sweden. The limits for drunk driving are quite low. Many of us drive to work. Having a glas of wine at lunch and then losing your license going to pick up your kids at daycare isn't ideal. And if you have any kind of job where you operate machinery then you're going to be in big trouble if you drink alcohol during workdays. These kinds of things have lead to most workplaces having a very low tolerance for drinking on the job. My company doesn't have a restrictive alcohol policy and sometimes people have a beer at lunch or on friday afternoons and such but if I'd want to partake I'd have to ride my bike or take the bus to work (which I've done on occasions)

[@haxxxxel]

Håller med i det mesta! Intressanta observationer.

[@vde1846]

Typical of the "liquor belt" stretching from Ireland, over Scandinavia, down into Poland and then into everything east of there. Differing from the "beer belt" in central Europe, and the "wine belt" in southern Europe (England is sort of a liquor/beer hybrid).

[@tovep9573]

Having worked with drug addicts for me it is about solidarity. You cannot know if one of your colleagues has a drinking problem. The daily drinking at lunch might make it more difficult for them to stop drinking or to even see the problem in time. Noone should have to choose between work and avoiding situations where alcohol is served.

[@JorGe-eu3wi]

I love schöfferhoffer grapefuit, it was such a bummer when I realized they don't sell it in Systembolaget. Do you know if there is any way to get it here in sthlm?

[@psevenson]

In Sweden you will definitely be frowned upon if you drink alcohol during working hours. Especially if you do it when your boss is there you will give a bad impression, like you don't take your job seriously. Most people in Sweden believe that alcohol has a negative influence on your job performance. Of course there are certain situations when you can drink alcohol at work, for example to celebrate something, but then that has to be sanctioned by your boss. But after work, no problem at all, drink as much as you want! :)

[@FreezerSpaces]

I had read that the temperance movement in the early 20th century was really successful in Sweden, but just never fully led to outright prohibition like it did in the States - it led to state control of most sales instead. Even with prohibition and its repeal, you see a patchwork of wacky liquor laws in different US states for similar historical reasons. Compare like, Pennsylvania and Nevada.