Norway and Sweden have a fighting brother-and-sister relationship that goes back well into the 1800s. After a few unions and a world war or two, things are still tense but friendly between the two countries. As part of that friendly back and forth, you are allowed and even expected to make fun of Swedes while in Norway. In fact, as a foreigner you’ll be able to get away with even more jokes than, say, your typical Norwegian. It might also earn you some extra respect from your Norwegian friends and colleagues.
In terms of jokes to be made, it can be challenging. Basically, the Swedes are always better at pop music than the Norwegians, and the Norwegians are always better at skiing than the Swedes. The Swedes, however, are well known for coming to Norway to work the jobs Norwegians don’t want to work, for example, as a waiter and basically any job in hospitality. So an easy joke to play on any Swede is to treat them just like that, your waiter. Ask them to get you a glass of water or take your plate back to the kitchen. Works every time!
You can also scan Norwegian newspapers to find a story or two shaming the Swedes. If the Swedes do something wrong or dumb, the Norwegian press will certainly talk about it. That can also make for some good joke material at the office the next day.
Norwegian Jokes About Swedes
Norwegians and Swedes share a long history of friendly banter and good-natured humor. Jokes between the two nationalities often revolve around common stereotypes and cultural differences. It’s important to note that these jokes are typically told in a spirit of camaraderie and should not be taken too seriously. Here are a few light-hearted jokes Norwegians may playfully tell about their Swedish neighbors:
- Swedes and the Vowels: Norwegians may humorously remark that Swedes have a fondness for their vowels, often elongating them in their speech. A typical joke might go, “Why do Swedes love their vowels? Because they make every word last a little longer!”
- Swedish Word Pronunciation: Norwegians might jest about how Swedes pronounce certain words differently, often making them sound “so Swedish.” For example, they may quip, “In Sweden, a sandwich is just a ‘smörgås,’ and a party is ‘fika.'”
- Swedish Directions: Norwegians may poke fun at Swedes’ allegedly straightforward approach to giving directions. A classic joke could be, “Why did the Swedish tourists get lost in Norway? Because they were told to ‘drive straight ahead!'”
- Swedish Winter Preparations: Given the differences in winter climates, Norwegians might tease Swedes about their winter readiness. For instance, “How do Swedes prepare for winter? They buy a new sun hat!”
- Swedes and IKEA: Jokes about Swedes and the global furniture giant IKEA are common. A light-hearted comment might be, “Why do Swedes love shopping at IKEA? Because they think assembling furniture is a national sport!”
- Swedish Wildlife: Norwegians may playfully suggest that Swedes have a unique way of encountering wildlife. For instance, “How do you know you’ve met a Swede in the forest? They’ll ask if it’s the way to the nearest elk farm!”
- Swedes and Coffee: Coffee culture is essential in both Norway and Sweden, but Norwegians may jest about the Swedish preference for their “fika” breaks. A joke could be, “Why do Swedes drink coffee all day? Because ‘fika’ means never having to say you’re sober!”
Remember that these jokes are all in good fun and should be taken with a sense of humor. Norwegians and Swedes share a unique and close cultural bond, and the jokes reflect the warmth and camaraderie between the two neighboring nations.