There are many interesting and different facts that you can find about Sweden if you know where to look. For instance did you know there are ways to pay your taxes in Sweden by sending a simply SMS message? Yes there are many things about Sweden that you can find fascinating as well as innocuous. You will find that there are facts about Sweden, their culture, and the government of Sweden that will offer you an interesting tale.
First the government can send out a completely filled out tax form to you online, and through this form you can double check its accuracy and then send it back to pay your taxes. This can sure beat other tax systems in which you need a tax preparer to make sure you are getting all of the deductions. You will also find that the taxes are generally very high in Sweden. The taxes are usually 50 to 70% of your income.
You will find that the company policies are extremely different from other countries as well. In fact you will find a Swedish company must lay off employees in a first in last out order when they are downsizing. In other words an employee that was first hired will remain no matter what when a company downsizes. It is not about performance. You will also find that company vacation policies are different as well. Sweden allows you to take sick leave during a vacation instead of vacation days if you become ill.
Another interesting fact about Sweden is that parents receive 13 months of paid maternity leave, and the father must take at least one month of that leave. There have been talks regarding the changes to extend the maternity leave, but this is a rather nice way of mothers being able to stay at home. Parents taking time off can even make sure the leave incorporates parenting classes for before the child is actually born.
For an interesting yet irrelevant fact you will find that ice cream comes in blueberry and rhubarb flavors, but doesn't offer the florescent colors such as sherbert that has been seen in America. You will also find they have a black licorice ice cream.
Christmas is celebrated on the 24th rather than Christmas day. This means that many open presents and that the presents are delivered by Santa Clause that night while the children are still awake.
You will find that in Sweden the environment is very important. Enough so that everyone must recycle and there have been talks about making sure that everyone knows how to properly recycle.
Sweden has been referred to as the “land of the midnight sun,” for many years because of the northern part of the country. You will find that in midsummer the sky is so light because they are near the North Pole. Since the sky becomes extremely light during the summer that it looks like the sun is still up it has been referred to as the “land of the midnight sun.”
Sweden History Tip #1
Always remember to carry a map of Sweden when you visit, mark on it the whereabouts of your hotel and the full address and keep it with you when you travel. Mark down landmarks near the hotel if you plan to walk so that you can easily spot the direction of your residency for the time of your stay. |
Sweden History Tip #2
If you plan to travel to Northern Sweden to experience the Northern Lights and the Ice Hotel, pack accordingly and remember warm clothing, especially in winter months. Thermal underwear is highly recommended on top of hats, scarves and a couple of pairs of gloves – there's nothing worse than packing just one pair and losing one glove! |
Sweden History Tip #3
Gothenburg Sweden is just one of many things to see in Sweden. A good idea is to plan your trip in advance so that you can get to see the best of the best. The place is full of history, glorious scenery, architecture and quaint little buildings. |
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