Things to know about Sweden

Currency

- Sweden accepts and uses Swedish Krona only (you can exchange your US dollars at the airport or in Sweden at Forex).      A lot of places use only credit/debit cards. 

- Sweden does not use checks or American Venmo.

- In Sweden, we do not tip for things other than dinner at restaurants (around 10 %). 

Other

- In Sweden and most European cities, be cautious about bikers in the biking lane.

- Swedes drive on the same side of the road as in the US.

- All of your electronics will need converters for the Swedish (and other European) outlets. 

- Your passport cannot expire within 6 months when you travel to Europe. 

- There are very strict drinking and driving laws in Sweden AND the cops are allowed to (and will) do random checks         at any time (especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings). The alcohol threshold for driving is 0.02 blood alcohol             level versus 0.08 in the US. DO NOT drive the morning after the wedding if you are not sure about your alcohol levels. 

- Fika (having a cup of coffee and something sweet) is a must at 3 PM if you want to embrace Swedish culture.

- Swedes love to sing during dinner before toasting. Be prepared and please SING ALONG!

Some Phrases in Swedish

Hello = Hej [hey]

Bye = hejdå [heydau]

How are you? = Hur mår du? [hur maur du]

I'm good! = Jag  mår bra! [Jag maur bra]

Congratulations on your wedding day! = Grattis på bröllopsdagen! [Grattis pau brollopsdagen]

Helan Går

"Helan går" is a typical song that Swedes usually sing before drinking. Below is the song in Swedish, a phonetic version of the Swedish lyrics (which we will be singing) and the lyrics translated to English.

Swedish Version
Helan går
Sjung hopp faderallan lallan lej
Helan går
Sjung hopp fadderallan lej
För den som inte helan tar
Han heller inte halvan får
Helan gååååår
(Drink your snaps)
Sjung hopp faderallan lej

Phonetic version of the Swedish lyrics
Hell and gore
Chunk hop father Allan Allan lay
Hell and gore
Chunk hop father Allan lay
For handsome in the hell and tar
Hun hell er in the half and four
Hell and gooooore
(Drink your snaps)
Chunk hop father Allan lay

English translation
The whole one goes down
Sing hup fol-de-rol la la la la
The whole one goes down
Sing hup fol-de-rol la la
And he who doesn't take the whole
Doesn't get the half one either 
The whole one goes down
(Drink your snaps)
Sing hup fol-de-rol la la