In the Netherlands vacation money is paid once per year, usually in May or June so you have some extra spending money on your vacation. The amount you get is dependent on your normal salary.

120 days is the most generous of anywhere I know of, but someone has to look after the kids when they're sick. Who's going to to it if not the parents?

This should be implemented in all countries if we want both parents equally involved in caring for the children.

That's normal in most countries - I thought only the US had the shitty working for tips system - didn't know Canada did it too.

And it’s probably actually good food compared to our crappy American excuse for “lunch”

Usually for the elderly.

Death is a part of life

That's nice, but it is surprising how quickly you learn where the barcodes are when you work on a checkout - I only did in my uni holidays but I soon caught on - it also only helps if the person doing the bagging is also as quick - I'd grab a bag and help if someone was stuggling.

I've heard this often about Scandinavian countries. And while I find it strange, I love the fact that they don't have to worry.

In Denmark you don't have to get a loan, you can live of the grant the government gives you to study. Most students supplement by working a little on the side, though. They can get a complete degree without acquiring any debt.

We've traditionally never needed AC in Scandinavia (we're very good at keeping houses warm, though) but global warming might change that.

Ah yes. My child, Brfxxcxxmnpccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlkb11116

Have a Swedish stepsister who took circus skills and acrobatics for her last few years in high school. She was 19 when she graduated and has been all over the world with Clowns Without Borders and currently she and her partner own a large, old sailboat where they do performances and workshops as part of Malmö City's summer activities program. There's a swing and highwire attached to the rigging masts. She is also one of the founders of Karavan Circus who have a training building and show space in an old warehouse.

Pre-plan

We're not formal in Scandinavia

It's not that hard when you hear it all the time. We get so many tv shows and movies from the UK and the US, and the whole internet is in English. We can't communicate with the rest of the world in our own languages, so we have to learn. English speakers don't.

All your yearly vacation in one go? That's unusual

"Swedish men are 179.73cm (5 feet 10.76 inches) tall on average, while Swedish women are 165.6cm (5 feet 5.23 inches) tall." So 5'9 for a woman is tall.

Sweden is no 6. Norway is 2nd. Finland beats us all. All the Nordic countries are in the top 6, with the Netherlands pushing Sweden out of the top 5. It's dark and cold up here - we need our coffee!

Casual dress to everything... funerals, church, parties, work, school... no uniforms necessary.

Swedes are big on personal space and not bothering others! Never get too close to someone at the bus stop in Sweden, they get panicky!

It's a breath in with sound. An A sound - short for Ja, but yeah a very Swedish thing.

get in the steam bath and the jump in the water and back to the steam bath...is just so nice

I don't think that's normal

I live in Belgium and am learning Dutch. According to my colleagues, apparently I'm an American speaking Dutch with a German accent. I've been told that there are a lot of local dialects and that scares me a bit as a new learner.

Most European countries have linguistic variations

I'm a Scot living in Belgium (the Dutch/Flemish speaking part) the local thick dialect is German derived as was my local dialect in Scotland. I can chat with folk born 70 years ago in my old dialect but we struggle to communicate in modern Flemish!

The Skånska dialect is a holdover from when southern Sweden was part of Denmark.

Skånska is a standout because it's very distinctive and in extreme cases, skånska can be hard for other swedes to understand. In certain parts of Sweden, you will actually have a easier time conversing with a person speaking clear Norwegian than with a person speaking Skånska.

How do you define sauce? Those are cream cheeses

Pfft, we eat candy whenever, Saturdays are for kids though.