Another very Swedish concept is that of "fika." In Sweden it is common to take pauses throughout the day to drink a coffee or grab a sweet/salty snack in order to unwind from other activities in good company. This has become a common tradition both in the workplace where "fika" pauses might be taken in the morning and afternoon with entire staff designations in a certain room known appropriately as "fika rooms." Fika is not meant to last very long or to interrupt a school day but it is meant to be a leisure activity where socializing is prioritized and be a stress free period of time. There are many ways to fika, and many do so during the school day or at home, and out on town.
Fika is not just a delicious way of taking time from the day to unwind, it is also a cultural activity that reflects Swedish understandings of work ethic and leisure time. Swedes have designated certain times of the day and year to certain activities and their is very little overlap between said activities. The best example is Swedish work ethic which is efficient and effective and from which Swedes are allowed to take on average 6-8 weeks of vacation every year. Vacations are spent relaxing and enjoying the Swedish summer, family, or other holidays to the fullest. Swedes know how to enjoy their leisure time and multi-tasking diverse things like work, eating, and personal life at the same moment is frowned upon and regarded as necessary.
Below is a very funny video that addresses the concept of Fika to a non-Swedish audience.
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