SWEDEN IS A COLD AND CASHLESS SOCIETY
SWEDEN IS A COLD AND CASHLESS SOCIETY
The Kingdom of Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and a Baltic country in Northern Europe and is one of the seven Nordic countries on the Scandinavian archipelago. It shares its borders with Denmark, Norway, and Finland, and Stockholm, its capital since 1523, is the biggest capital of all three Scandinavian countries. Sweden is a highly developed country and exports timber, hydropower, etc., and it is one of the top 16th wealthiest countries in the world according to its GDP per capita. Sweden’s population of over 10 million has a life expectancy and standard of living that ranks among the highest worldwide, so it is for this reason that so many immigrants flock to Sweden for work and a better standard of living. It is also one of the most expensive, cleanest, highly digital, and cashless countries I have visited. Please continue reading to learn about why Sweden is a cold and cashless society.
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WHY IS SWEDEN A COLD AND CASHLESS SOCIETY?
Sweden is the most cashless society in the world, and technology is not stopping there until the entire country is 100% cashless. It is also in the top 10 list of most digital countries worldwide. Many businesses have already gone cashless, including the petrol stations that were void of workers, self-service operated, and cashless. What affected me the most was the inability to pay with cash at restaurants, even though other digital cities like Tallinn, Copenhagen, and Oslo accepted it and are also advancing toward being 100% cashless. These countries still offer the option to use and pay with cash in restaurants, even though it is frowned upon or discouraged.
However, in Stockholm, there was no compromise with the restaurants. Can you imagine not being able to buy food if you do not own a credit or debit card? I think refusing business because of the payment method presented does not make any economic sense. All the restaurants I visited, except for McDonald’s, had a no-cash policy, and even Pizza Hut turned me away, “sorry, we do not accept cash,” was the cashier’s response when I asked if they accept cash. I am not in the habit of using a credit card at unfamiliar restaurants for two reasons; One, A few years ago, my card got hacked at a restaurant while on vacation, and two, I prefer to pay with cash at restaurants to manage my money better and monitor my budget.
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Sweden is a Cold and Cashless Society Cont...
Sweden is one of the top 10 coldest countries worldwide. It is relatively cold all year round (but not extreme), and summer is mild and not more than an average 23 degrees Celsius. I experienced a literally and figuratively frigid atmosphere in Stockholm, I did not feel the warmth of the people or the city, and the cashless policy made matters worst. In no way did I feel relaxed or welcomed as a vacationer should. Moreover, the non-acceptance of cash at restaurants was very unsettling and stressful. Therefore my view of Stockholm is that of a cold, stiff, and tightly controlled city, and it is partially for these reasons, I say Sweden is a cold and cashless society. Because the stress factor was a bit too high for me.
Another perfect example of Swedish coldness was on my first official day of exploring the city, I was super-hyped to get out and begin sightseeing. I entered the bus and said, “good morning”, the silence was deafening. You guessed it right, no one responded, and all with faces as though they were having a bad day. That was the first and last time I did that, haha.
ARRIVAL AT ARLANDA AIRPORT - STOCKHOLM/SWEDEN
On arrival at the airport, there were no interactions with immigration officers, so I received no arrival stamp. It was a long walk to baggage claim because of its size. Anyhow, I picked up my luggage and headed to the arrival hall. Usually, I am always excited and bubbly when I arrive in a new country, no matter how tiring the journey.
So, I happily lugged my bags towards the exit door, where three officers stood observing passengers as they passed by. I passed, and with a subtle smile, I said, “good afternoon,” and continued walking. It was a big mistake. One of the officers said, “excuse, can you step aside” I said, “sure”, and he asked, “where are you coming from?” I said, “Norway”, he then asked, “did you buy any expensive items?”, I said, “no, no Norway is a bit too expensive” He then asked once again, “are you travelling with cash?” I said, “Yes I am, you wanna see?” He said, “Yes”. So, I took out my travel pouch and slid the money halfway out, and he responded, “ok ok, have a good day”.
Sometimes I forget that being too friendly, pleasant, and chatty in many countries, and especially Europe, can make you look suspicious, as though you are up to mischief. It is not the first nor the last time this will happen.
This is a note to newbie travellers who live in countries where it is the norm to greet total strangers with a good day etc. or smile just to be mannerly, polite, or pleasant to others. It does not work in most of Europe, (I can share so many stories of such unpleasant interactions). There is a big cultural difference between Europeans and others worldwide, so it is better to put on a poker face and leave the pleasantries at home. You will draw less suspicious attention to yourself. Sometimes, I forget to heed my own advice because it is in my nature to be civilized and pleasant; it is difficult to switch to bitchy.
ABOUT ARLANDA AIRPORT
Arlanda International Airport is a large airport and is the largest and busiest of the 41 active airports in Sweden. The airport is the third busiest compared to the three Scandinavian countries’ airports. Arlanda airport boasts of its many services, such as shopping, restaurants, bars, bookshops, and hotels called Sky City (between terminals 4 and 5). Additionally, the airport has other facilities such as a chapel, health care center, hairdresser’s and massage parlor, pharmacy, and an aviation exhibition. It has baggage storage (not free) for those with a long layover who wish to leave the airport. Unlike other airports that close after the last flight, Arlanda remains open 24/7.
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TRANSPORT OPTIONS TO THE CITY CENTER - STOCKHOLM
The distance from the Arlanda International Airport to downtown Stockholm is approximately 40 km. Undoubtedly the airport train (Arlanda Express) is the most practical choice. It costs around 28 Euros (one way), and the trip lasts 20 minutes. Several buses operate from the airport to the city, including the airport bus (Flygbussarna), for around 13 Euros, and the night bus costs between 20 – 26 Euros, and the trip takes 45 minutes. However, taxis are the most convenient but are ridiculously expensive and cost between 60 – 75 Euros for less than a 40-minute ride. Transport options like Lyft and Uber ride-share services are available in Stockholm, Sweden.
ABOUT THE CITY OF STOCKHOLM
Stockholm is the capital and largest city in Sweden. It is also the largest urban area in Scandinavia. They built the city altogether on the mainland and 14 islands. Stockholm connects these islands by 57 bridges over Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea. Aesthetically, the city is beautiful and home to three UNESCO sites; Drottningholm Palace, Skogskyrkogarden, and Birka and Hovgarden. It is a city full of museums (almost 100, including the ABBA Museum), palaces, and beautiful lakes. It is the primary center of governmental and educational organisations in Sweden, including Stockholm University, and medical, technical, and cultural institutes.
It is a vibrant city, but with a low-keyed nightlife (it could be because of the time of year I visited). More than likely, it is more upbeat during summer. The city has many restaurants, pubs, and brand-name shops. There was nothing free in Stockholm, unlike Luxembourg, where there was free public transport for all, including visitors. Stockholm had no free public Wi-Fi in thecity center except at the airport, as compared to many cities like Helsinki, Zagreb, Paris, and Tirana, among others, where free Wi-Fi hotspots in some public areas or at least at the main square.
It is a city where it was difficult to establish meaningful interactions with locals. The lack of eye contact and body language, especially of the older female generation, said do not approach or approach cautiously. As previously mentioned, the city felt cold and stiff. From my observation, I could have easily differentiated between the Swedes from the immigrants.
Because I have been to practically every European city/country and had just arrived in Stockholm from Denmark and Norway, what I saw did not overly impress me. Based solely on aesthetics, I will not place Stockholm on my list of top 10 favourite European cities, because, after visiting so many European cities, many look somewhat similar, except for a few.
It appears the city has a high number of immigrant workers and refugees. After all, Sweden was among the few countries to accept and assist many of these people. There were also a few beggars and homeless persons who appeared to be non-nationals. Nonetheless, it is a clean city, and the tap water (no need for bottled water) and city lakes were super clean.
As previously mentioned, if you are dining out, remember, the majority of restaurants in Stockholm are cashless. Therefore, I had to use the funds on my card instead of budgeted cash to pay for meals. For this reason, I had a stressful time in this city. Thankfully, after using my credit card a few times to pay for meals, I accidentally found a “hole in the wall” type of Arabian restaurant that accepted cash.
Sweden is a Cold and Cashless Society Cont...
Other important Tips and Information you Should know about Sweden
- The languages spoken – Swedish (official language) Sami, Finnish, Yiddish, and Romani.
- Official currency – Swedish Krona/Crowns
1 USD = 10.60 SEK
1 Euro = 11.38 SEK
1 Pound = 12.92 SEK
- Sweden is in the top 10 list of the happiest countries worldwide at no.7. This is surprising indeed. As I previously mentioned, I think this happiness has to do with the robustness and health of the economies. So, I guess the belief is as long as the economy is doing well, the people are happy too.
- The Head of State is a Monarch (King Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus), he is mainly for ceremonial and representative purposes. Whereas, the Prime Minister is the head of the Government and holds the executive power. Therefore, the parliament has vested legislative powers in the country.
- In Sweden digital payment rules., Whether it is a chip, mobile payment app, or debit or credit card, it is the preferred choice. Because Sweden is a cashless society, it hates the sight or use of paper money.
- Sweden shares a Viking history with Norway and Denmark, the other two Scandinavian countries.
- The Swedes have no time or capacity for religion. They are the 2nd-most non-religious country worldwide at 87%. North Korea is no.1 for having the highest percentage of atheists.
- Swedish teens can drive on the roadways without a “proper” license. Because the EPA Traktor Law from the 1940s (now aka A-Traktor) allowed the use of tractors on farmland by younger drivers. However, there are specifications and rules to follow before they permit them to drive. Some such guidelines are; they must alter the vehicle to have a top speed of a maximum of 30 km/h. They must register it as a tractor and display a reflective triangle sticker on the back of the car. The removal of back seats so that no one is behind the driver and only one passenger is in the front. They require a simple moped license at the age of 15 or a tractor license at the age of 16. Note, the minimum age for an official driver’s license in Sweden is 18.
- Forest covers two-thirds of Sweden’s total land mass.
- Swedish passport ranks as 6th the best passports worldwide.
- Sweden was the first country to outlaw the physical punishment of children. Therefore, they passed a law in 1979 banning corporal punishment.
- Ice Hockey and football are Sweden’s major sports besides cross-country skiing, golf, handball, gymnastics, and athletics.
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- Guadeloupe (1813-1814) (yes, the Caribbean islands) and St. Barthelemy (1638-1655) were once owned by Sweden. Whereas in 1733 Sweden attempted to settle in Tobago (the sister isle of Trinidad and Tobago), but the Amerindian natives thwarted their efforts.
- Sweden has one of the most generous paternity leave worldwide. Fathers get to spend more time with a child born or adopted (and bonus days if they have twins). They offer them 480 days of paternity leave at 80% of their wages.
- There are almost 100,000 lakes in Sweden and 3000 kilometers of coastline. The three largest lakes are Vanern, Vattern, and Malaren.
- Some notable brands originating from Sweden are IKEA, Ericsson, and Volvo, among others.
- Sweden is one of the biggest coffee consumption countries, per capita, worldwide.
- Swedish-born Daniel Ek, founded Spotify – the popular music-streaming platform.
- Sweden in the top 10 cleanest counties in Europe
- The Swedes love Crawfish/Crayfish and have Crawfish parties called Kraftsikiva. These started in the 1930s and are popular, especially during the summer.
- Sweden was the first country in the world to legislate freedom of the press resulting in the Freedom of speech laws in 1766. As a result, the Swedes had the right to write whatever they desire without restrictions or censorship.
- The Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel invented dynamite in 1867
- Swedish-born Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA at age 17 in 1943.
- Sweden consumes the most candy per Capita worldwide.
- The country features an ice hotel (founded in 1989), made entirely of ice and rebuilt yearly during the winter. It is in the town of Jukkasjarvi.
- Sweden is the only country in the world where private donations to other countries exceed 1% of their GDP. It ranks third more charitable country worldwide (Denmark is second).
- Swedish-born Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis of Denmark created Skype in 2003.
- Sweden can boast of its popular artistes such as the iconic ABBA, Swedish House Mafia, Alesso, and Robyn. Additionally, popular bands such as Roxette, Europe, and Ace of Base, are all Swedish.
- Cashless is truly widespread in Sweden. The Swish app is Sweden’s most popular payment app. It is used for transferring money to friends and family, splitting bills at restaurants, buying snacks, etc. This payment method is an alternative to a physical card using this app on a smartphone. Biohax is another method of payment implemented in 2014. It is a microchip used for payment of goods and services, just like a regular card. Some Swedes already have this under their skin in their hand.
- Recycling is a big deal and a money-making idea in Sweden. They import waste garbage from other countries, recycle it, and make big profits. Their recycling culture holds one of the highest standards worldwide. They also recycle 99% of their waste.
- Sweden is among the countries worldwide with the highest VAT at 25%.
- The Swedish people are among the healthiest and most educated in Europe.
- Sweden’s primary exports are machinery (including computers), vehicles, sawn wood, electrical machinery equipment, mineral fuels (including refined petroleum), iron ore/steel, and pharmaceutical products, among others.
- According to DESL Digital Economy and Digital Society), Sweden ranks 2nd overall in the European Union.
- Sweden has the sixth highest personal income taxes worldwide at 52.90%. Moreover, it is one of the few countries that has become rich despite its high taxes.
- Similar to Norway and Iceland, the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and the midnight sun are visible in the northern parts of Sweden, closest to the Arctic circle in the Swedish Lapland.
- Sweden is a member of the European Union but has not yet adopted the Euro currency. They are not yet part of NATO but are at the application or the invitee stage.
ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF STOCKHOLM/SWEDEN
The Swedes are on the list of the 6th happiest people in the world. Oh really? I do not know the criteria for this title, but I did not see cheerful or happy people. My view, from my previous travels and interactions, is that the happiest people are in the Americas. The Swedes seem to be introverts and very individualistic people. If you are a traveller from a culture of warm, talkative, open, and friendly people, the Swedes will come across as cold and unfriendly.
They are not very outgoing or sociable with unfamiliar people. Let me clarify something before continuing. The Swedish men and younger females (teenagers) are significantly more open and outgoing than the older females. I can give a few examples.
I was on the tram on a twenty-minute ride out of the city. I was sitting opposite (face forward) a lady and most like her daughter, average age maybe 4 or 5 years old. Like most children, they are restless and want to play and get attention. She was looking at me, smiling and shaking a rattle. I then started interacting with her and shaking my keys. She was happy and enjoying the interactions with me.
However, her mother, or guardian, was stone-faced the entire time. I know in the civilized world when a child is interacting with a stranger, especially another female, at a distance the mom will at least smile or give a pleasant look. She seemed displeased. I wished the seats did not face each other and looked out the window to avoid eye contact. We all know that children will be children, and she continued shaking her rattle and playing peekaboo with me. When it was her stop, and she got up to leave the tram, I avoided all eye contact, but in the corner of my eye, I saw the body language and the way she tugged on the child when she got up, as though she was saying to her, ”you are in trouble when you get home,” ha-ha.
Sweden is a Cold and Cashless Society Cont...
The second day in Stockholm (after paying for my meal on the first day with my credit card), I was still unconvinced that all restaurants disallow cash payments, so I entered a restaurant (without my credit card) and tried to order my meal at the counter. The cashier gave the price, and as I withdrew the cash to pay, she said, “sorry, we do not accept cash”. I was pissed off (hungry also, lol), and in frustration, I asked her, “are you serious, what kind of place is this?” and turned to leave. However, one gentleman sitting nearby observed what had transpired and asked if he could assist. He took my cash and paid with his card, and I said, “thank you”. While awaiting my meal, I asked if he was Swedish, and he answered in the affirmative. He also explained this is the new Sweden and that most restaurants do not accept cash.
On another occasion, I was in the park taking photos, and one gentleman sitting on a bench not too far away struck up a conversation, asking if I was visiting, where I am from, etc. I replied in the affirmative, and then, as per usual, my first question was to decipher if the person interacting with me was an immigrant or native. To be sure, I asked, “are you from Sweden, born Swedish?” He said, “yes, yes”, with a sense of pride. Our main topic was the Swedes, the country going 100% cashless, especially at restaurants. Moreso, why do most people look so serious-faced, and why do some women have scowls on their faces?
What he shared left me somewhat surprised. He said that 35% of the Swedes, especially the older generation, practice the big “R” (I chose not to spell it out). Additionally, he also mentioned that his girlfriend is from Turkey, and many Swedish women dislike her because of the distasteful comments some make when he is with her. He also told me about an incident that transpired while he and his girlfriend were on the train. They were both sitting on the train, and a lady got up to leave, turned to her, looked at her, and stomped so hard on her feet in anger and left. This left them both so shocked and upset. Regarding crime, he blames the rising crime rate on the immigrants and refugee population in the country. He noted that before they accepted so many, it was lower. Hello A. Oberg, if you are reading this article.
Maybe it is the culture of the Swedes or their cold climate because nine months of the year, it is temperate, and many Swedes prefer to stay inside with their families. From my previous conversation, I understood that most made friends from school or toddler age and find it pointless to enlarge their circle of friends. Besides, English is not their first language, so they find it difficult to interact with foreigners, who knows!? Even though they pay higher income taxes, they are happy doing so because it supports their welfare system and provides them with excellent healthcare, education (which is free), and a better standard of living
ABOUT SECURITY IN STOCKHOLM/SWEDEN
I felt 100% safe in Stockholm and had no issue with anything safety-wise, nor did I see or hear anything untoward. Except for one instance when I was in the subway station. There I was, swiping my metro card in the turnstile to gain access to the subway. Then right next to me, a man jumped over the turnstile machine instead of doing likewise as everyone else. I guessed he did not have a card or refused to pay to use the subway. From his appearance, it was clear he was not a Swedish national. I shook my head in disbelief and pretended I did not notice it.
Sweden’s crime rate reflects an increase in murders, but more so in the areas with a concentrated refugee/immigrant population. Last year Sweden recorded 61 murders for that year (which they refer to as a record-high), which is ten times lower than where I live. Therefore, it is still a very safe country. Unless you are a visitor from a country with zero crime, then there is no need to be paranoid about crime or safety issues in Sweden. Simply use common sense and be vigilant when necessary.
HOW EXPENSIVE ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS, MEALS, AND TRANSPORTATION?
Sweden is an expensive country. It is cheaper than Norway but more expensive than Denmark, its other two Scandinavian neighbors. The cost of everything in Stockholm is high, which includes food (including street and fast foods), public transportation, taxis, and accommodation. Check booking.com for the best deals on accommodation in Stockholm.
In Stockholm, the public transport system comprises buses, streetcars, trains, subway (tunnel), ferries, taxis, and E-scooter. Nevertheless, when you purchase a Stockholm Travelcard it saves you money. The Travelcard entitles you to 24 – 72 hours of unlimited travel on public transport and free entry to some museums. It is a necessary, convenient, and money-saving tool in an expensive city, especially if one plans to explore the city with a minimal budget.
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ABOUT SWEDEN FOOD
Sweden centers its cuisines around locally grown produce, healthy food, and animals they rear. They love pickled, cured, fermented food, whether meats or vegetables. Other foods such as porridge, bread, and traditional pancakes are also their favorites. The world knows that the Swedes have a love affair with meatballs, potatoes, and gravy cuisines. These originated from what was available and traditionally hunted during the Vikings’ era. Here are some traditional dishes you must try in Sweden.
SWEDISH FOODS YOU MUST TRY
1. Kottbulllar – Swedish Meatballs (traditionally, they serve this with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, or brown sauce).
2. Smulpaj – Crumble (made with fruits or berries in season and the dough of oatmeal, sugar, flour, and wheat).
3. Semla – Sweet Roll (it is a simple wheat bun with an almond paste filling and topped with whipped cream).
4. Sill – Pickled Herring (a popular Scandinavian dish, for variety, they add various flavours such as mustard, herbs, garlic, etc.).
5. Artsoppa & Pannkakor – Pea soup and Pancakes (a traditional Thursday dish in Sweden).
6. Blodpudding – Blood Pudding (made from pork blood, rye flour, beer, milk, and apple pieces). l have no clue how this tastes and would never wish to taste it.
7. Falukorv – Falu Sausage (they make this sausage in Dalama, Sweden. Its key ingredients are pork, veal, and potato flour, and served with macaroni or tomato sauce with rice.
8. Knackebrod – Swedish Crispbread (a thin crunchy bread made from rye flour in various flavours, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds).
9. Vafflor (Swedish waffles, traditionally shaped as hearts and served with fruit jam, whipped cream, or ice cream).
10. Kanelbulle – Cinnamon Roll (typical Cinnamon roll Swedish style).
11. Kladdkaka – Chocolate cake (a traditional Swedish dessert. They bake this cake with a moist center and a thin, crunchy layer, then served it with a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream).
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MUST DO/VISIT SITES OF INTEREST IN STOCKHOLM/SWEDEN
1. The Vasa Museum (an outstanding experience. It is a masterpiece, with beautiful exhibits and very engaging. The knowledge gained regarding the building, preservation, and restoration of ships is priceless. It is a definite must-see attraction. Entry fee USD 17.00, under age 18, free entry).
2. City Hall (it is one of Sweden’s most-visited attractions. It hosts the yearly Nobel banquet for the Nobel Peace prize winners in the fabulous Golden Ballroom. For those wanting a better view of the city, the tower in the City Hall is perfect for viewing).
3. The Royal Palace (the part-time home of the Royals. It costs 15.00 Euros to enter. However, if one cannot afford it, at least visit to see the impressive building and the changing of the guards, which it is a tradition since 1523).
4. Skansen (this is the world’s first open-air museum (since 1891). The exhibitions change according to the season. It is an exhibition of the past way of life of the Swedish people).
5. Kungliga Djurgarden (perfect for a half day of walking and visiting points of interest, such as museums, etc. Djurgarden is beautiful and has excellent walking trails due to the layout of the island. You can take the ferry to the island, for the views, and return to the city center by tram).
6. Gamla Stan – Stockholm, Old Town, and Stortorget (Gamla Stan is a vibrant and compact island that comprises Stadsholmen island, and islets Riddarholmen, Helgeandsholmen, and Stromborg, in the city, aka Old Town. Stortorget is a quaint, medieval public square in Gamla Stan. This is the oldest square in Stockholm, near the oldest port of Stockholm. It is a tourist hub, with beautiful architectures, restaurants, museums, shopping, and the Stockholm canals, with a lively vibe). I suggest wearing comfortable, cushioned shoes because of the narrow, steep, cobblestone roads in Old Town – Gamla Stan).
7. Grona Lund – Green Grove (beautiful but small amusement park on the sea-facing side of Djurgarden Island in Stockholm. It was founded in 1883 and is the 8th oldest amusement park worldwide. Traditionally, it opens in April/March to September and during special holidays like Halloween and Swedish Autumn and also caters to concerts during the summer. However, it opened for the first time during winter in 2022 with its magical Winter Wonderland Park Adventure).
8. Royal Swedish Opera (for live shows and gorgeous architecture. It is a favourite of ballet and opera enthusiasts, and there is a fee to enter).
9. Nordiska Museet (it is on Djurgarden island, and is a great museum to learn more about Swedish culture and tradition).
10. Parliament – Riksdagshuset (in Gamla Stan, Old Town near the lake Malaren).
11. Mariefred Town – Gripsholm Castle and Lake Malaren (in Strangnas Municipality. The major attraction is Gripsholm Castle aka Gustav Vasa’s castle. It was built in 1537, and surrounded by Lake Malaren, which reminds me of LakeTrakai Island Castle in Lithuania. Mariefred is an idyllic, beautiful, small town with nature parks, restaurants, churches, boat tours, and the castle. Mariefred is a few hours’ drive from Stockholm, by train/bus or car. I will highly recommend taking a day trip away from Stockholm to Mariefred).
DEPARTURE FROM ARLANDA AIRPORT - I left Sweden Pissed!!
Honestly, I am still super-pissed when I think of what transpired in the airport. I even have a new phrase when I am angry or depressed, it is called the “Stockholm Syndrome” Here is why: On departing the country, the norm is all travelers must have their luggage (handbag and carry-on bag) checked and screened by the TSA screeners. There is a standard-size toiletries bag called the 3-1-1 bag, mandated by all airports INCLUDING SWEDEN (I checked their website). The specification is one clear plastic, quart-size bag for all toiletries (liquids, gel, aerosols) in travel-size containers not exceeding 3.4 ounces. Okay, I have been using the same bag for over eight years and have been to over forty countries with no problems.
So now I am at the TSA screeners in Stockholm airport, and I am observing they have a container filled with clear ziplock bags. I listened to them announcing the usual line “all liquids and gels must be in a clear plastic bag and no more than 3.4 oz”. So, it was my turn and I put my coat, laptop, and toiletries quart-size bag in the tray. The screening officer noticed it and said, “ma’am, the bag is too big, you need to take a ziplock bag from the bin, and what does not fit in it you must discard” Well, I was in shock, filled with anger and disbelief. Because when I looked at the plastic Ziploc bag, it was half the size of the recommended size quart size bag. Meanwhile, I am observing a few other ladies emptying their bags and cursing under their breath.
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Those who travel on long-stay vacations, especially women, know this quart-size bag is still too small. Further, this bag is an indispensable item in our luggage, and we will never put it in the checked bag in case of lost luggage. Nevertheless, before deciding which items I needed most, I asked him, “what is the reason for this smaller bag? I used this same bag in Switzerland, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, and other countries on this trip, and I just left Norway, and they had no problem with the size.” He responded with attitude, “this is Sweden” what the hell he meant by that, I do not know.
Anyhow, it took me a while to decide which toiletries were most essential for this tiny bag and which to discard because I NEEDED ALL. Eventually, I had to dump my eye drops, ear drops, some of my face moisturizers, my liquid foundation, and a vital elixir n case of exposure to the flu or Covid-19 virus.
Now I am finished stuffing maybe four 3 oz bottles (including hand sanitizer) in this tiny bag. The TSA officer then took the bag with the other items, held it over the bin, and emptied it. He then dared to ask me if I wanted it back as he was about to discard it too. Grrrrr!!!!! Of course, I wanted my bag. Notwithstanding, it was the same bag (with more items added) I used in five other airports after I left Sweden, with absolutely no issue with its size.
When I got to duty-free, I did not want anything except to purchase water and to get rid of the remaining Swedish currency, (thank goodness they accepted cash). I was upset and told the cashier about the incident she in turn said a few other angry ladies also complained.
What I do not understand is, if Sweden has its stipulation on the size of the toiletries bag and prefers not to follow the (3-1-1 Liquids Rule) international guidelines, then this information should be on their website, or they should inform the airlines so they can disseminate the information to passengers. Because the items in this bag are, expensive or essentials, and the traveller needs them during their trip. Therefore, it is inconvenient for the traveller who must function without these essentials on their trip. What’s more, it is inconsiderate of them to discard these items as though they cost the traveller traveller nothing.
SUMMARY
Aesthetically, Sweden is beautiful, but will I recommend or return to Stockholm, Sweden? It is a question I can quickly answer Nooo to because my stress level was high during my visit. Notwithstanding this, I visited 14 European countries during that trip, and Sweden was the only one that left me disappointed and upset. Besides, I have been to other European countries that look similar or offer similar foods, sceneries, and cultures. I would skip future travels to Stockholm, Sweden unless the trip is 100% free or in a different city.
For those wishing to visit, do so with an open mind and prepare well with the previous information and tips I shared. Maybe you had a more favorable experience in Sweden or are familiar with others who did likewise. Nonetheless, this is MY experience and opinion that Sweden is a cold and cashless society.
Moreover, if, for whatever reason, you do not have a credit or debit card, whether it is a bad credit rating or prefer to be off-the-grid, then reconsider visiting Sweden. I must also point out that supermarkets accept cash but are in the process of cashless compliance. Furthermore, because it is expensive, it is not a budget-friendly destination.
I am curious to hear from those who had a similar or opposite experience in Sweden. Please share in the comments.
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