They say that being away is good, being at home is best. But that’s not always true. Sure, you love your homeland, but sometimes it’s obvious that other countries do things better, and you really should appreciate that.
Today we’re going to look at seven things other countries do better, but also three things we still do best.
Things other countries do better
Sweden is a small country with cozy traditions, but there are some things we could really leave to others. Here are a few of them.
Takeaway
Whether it’s kebabs, pizza, Chinese food, or sushi that you love, when you buy takeaway food, you’re borrowing from other countries. Almost no one wants meatballs and potato gratin to take away.
We have our own variations of course (curry banana pizza is probably the best example), but calling it Swedish pizza still feels a bit off. We just prefer other countries’ food with our own little twist.
Nightlife (and the social scene in general)
In Sweden, you meet your friends in the sandbox from a young age. If you don’t, it’s very difficult to make friends later on. Many of us actually want to be more sociable, but at the same time we don’t see the need to socialize with strangers or deepen old friendships.
Nightlife in Sweden can actually be quite stressful. The social scene is generally a bit dull and boring. If you want to meet people in the city, it’s usually better to try abroad.
Casinos
Sweden’s last land-based casino closed earlier this year, so it doesn’t take much to be better than Sweden at casinos. There are many good casinos to play in in many European countries, such as the Czech Republic, Austria and the UK.
Even when it comes to online casinos, it seems that many other countries have an advantage. While Swedish casinos are safe, the strict restrictions can also make you feel restricted. For this reason, many Swedish players prefer to play in casinos without a Swedish license. Read this post about how to manage your time and money in online casinos.
Education
Education in Sweden is by no means bad, but it is no longer at the top as it once was. According to the World Top 20 Project survey, Sweden was ranked 15th in the education ranking in 2024, behind the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, China and Hong Kong, among others.
Moreover, there is no guarantee that there will be a job for those who have completed their education and now have to repay the loan. Education is a given for most people, although it doesn't guarantee a job, but it does guarantee a debt that needs to be paid back.
Public transport
Public transport in Sweden works quite well, but it's not one of the best in the world. Buses are often late, routes don't cover the whole of Sweden efficiently, and it's also more expensive than in many other countries.
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Things we do best
Of course, there are also things we do really well. Here are three things that other countries don't stand a chance at.
Christmas traditions
Of course, one can be biased because of the many pleasant childhood memories, but Swedish Christmas and the traditions associated with it are actually very cozy.
Classic Christmas traditions like the Advent calendar, drinking mulled wine, baking gingerbread, setting the Christmas table and placing gifts under the decorated tree create a truly unique Christmas feeling that you won’t get if you try different traditions. There’s no Christmas like a Swedish Christmas.
Pop Music
Sweden is best known for bands like ABBA and Roxette, but the Swedish influence on pop music doesn’t end there.
Max Martin is a Swedish producer and songwriter who revolutionized pop music worldwide with songs like Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl,” Maroon 5’s “One More Night,” and Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time.” It’s hard to think of a more famous songwriter!
Coffee
Fika is a uniquely Swedish tradition that can’t be compared to a regular tea or coffee break, but there’s no country that does it better. A fika break during the day is both a delicious and very cozy moment when you have the opportunity to stop and spend time with loved ones.
With treats like punch rolls and cinnamon rolls, we easily outdo other countries. Whether you’re shopping at ICA or visiting a café, enjoying a good coffee break together is both delicious and enjoyable. And what better coffee than the one you’ll taste in Sweden, if you ask us.