Another way to avoid conflicts is to not act in a brash way, but instead trying to display oneself as being humble. The population of the nation is 337,780, which would make it the smallest of all the Scandinavian countries. They take longer to warm up to new people and new experiences. Exploring Swedish Culture. Studies show that most Scandinavian men are generally able to grow a full beard if they choose to do so, which of course not everyone does. Genetic links in Icelandic people. Shopping Commitment to health: Scandinavian people believe in eating well, looking after themselves, and exercising. Shoes There are other subtle Swedish design influences throughout the world. Scandinavians have been generally more blond and blue-eyed than the rest of the world for a long time; from the Vikingswho were blond in their majority according to researchers at the University of Copenhagento present-day Scandinavians who mostly have light hair and eyes (Lock-Andersen 1999). The first inhabitants of the Scandinavian peninsula came from the south with darker skin and blue eyes (known as Western Hunter-Gatherers), later joined by migrants from the east (known as Eastern Hunter-Gatherers) who had lighter skin but darker eyes. The Scandinavian landscape is unlike anything else in the world, offering views that you simply cant find anywhere else. Nordic dishes tend to have fewer ingredients than their southern counterparts. Most of these traits of Swedish people are highly desirable and highly appreciated. They believe that taking care of their own problems means that they wont have to bother anyone else with them. They know that youll do your best when youre on the job, and then leave work behind you when you return home. When speaking with a Swede, you may notice that they avert their eyes or refuse to look directly at you. Read Article Now. Again: love the site and the work behind with lots of information and I dont mean to complain. A survey by Hotels.com and Match.com asked 5000 Nordic singles in 2014 which Nordic country has the most attractive people, and here are the results: Singles in Norway, Denmark, and Finland all voted for Swedes as the most attractive (you could not vote for your own country), while the Swedes overwhelmingly seem to prefer Norwegian women and men. One thing thats particularly interesting when you look at Scandinavian culture facts is the way that these people approach work. Most people in Sweden might be characterized as introverts, and they like it that way. It may also be a reason why . It is estimated that only 3% of Norwegians go to church on a weekly basis. Get in to the Scandinavian spirit at home with our premium museum-quality prints and original apparel sent right to your doorstep with free shipping worldwide. If youre looking for more of a winter wonderland, the colder weather in Scandinavia runs between December and March. Peter Frost also supports this in his study titled European hair and eye color; finding that at least 60% of Scandinavian people have a light head of hair, and at least 50% have light eyes. So What Do Scandinavian People Actually Look Like? of the Nordics (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, and Greenland). Rather, humans around the world generally consider reproductive factors such as waist-to-hip ratio and other indicators of fertility and health as attractive, rather than a specific eye/hair/skin color or similar. Second, early Scandinavian ancestors are thought to have been dark-skinned, but after mixing with other populations and adapting to the geographical area this trait eventually disappeared. In many ways, Swedes prefer to listen to others as opposed to ensuring that their own voice is heard. In the rest of the Nordics (namely Iceland, Finland, and the Faroe Islands) the people tend to look very similar to the Scandinavians, with especially Finland having a very large majority of their population being light-haired (blonde, light-brown, red) and light-eyed (blue, green, grey) according to Peter Frost. Finland is a Nordic Country with Baltic Finnic Heritage. But sometimes, stereotypes do have some basis of fact at their core. Other famous Scandinavians with high cheekbones include Fredrik Ljungberg (pictured below to the right), Mads Mikkelsen, Tim Avicii Berg, and Viggo Mortensen. published in The American Journal Of Human Genetics. This makes the workplace environment feel more opened and relaxed. They are a global leader in organic agriculture, recycling, and renewable energy. That word is: Fika. Life 2. The point of doing so is to see some of the most amazing sights in the sky that you may have ever witnessed in your life, especially given how dark it gets in Sweden in this area. Stockholm Read Article Now. Throughout America and England, many employees feel as though they need to be connected to their phone and email 24/7, just in case. The supposed physical traits of the Nordics included light eyes, light skin, tall stature, and dolichocephalic skull; their psychological traits were deemed . Theyd pick someone up on the side of the road if they were lost, and they frequently donate a lot to charitable organisations. At least, some Swedish stereotypes do. The average height in Sweden is nearly 5 feet 11 inches tall, making it ranked eighth in the world for height. Medical research into why some people have a more natural risk of developing lung disease has discovered that the only inherited risk factor appears to be a deviant form of one of these inhibitors - alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT). So other than the color of the eyes, lets look at which other eye characteristics are unique or interesting in the Scandinavian region. Gods & Goddesses During the depths of winter, Swedes experience just seven hours of sunlight each day. Blue eyes are not as resistant to sunlight as other colors (such as brown). Swedish people features and stereotypes include that they tend to be tall, have blue eyes, fair skin, and blond hair. So there is at least something to the myth from a North American perspective (beauty standards differ around the world, after all). Scandinavians as a whole are part of a group of ethnicities (along with Finns, English, Irish, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Polish, Hungarians, and Russians) where the Epicanthic fold is occurring more than in other European populations, but still at a much lower frequency than for example Asian ethnicities. Even so, Swedish DNA lives on in those of us who are descended from people who lived in those places once ruled by Sweden, including . Scientists are now able to create eerily realistic facial reconstructions, getting us closer than ever to finding out who they were and what the Vikings looked like. You shouldnt come on too strong when you first meet someone from Sweden. Swedes have learned over the years to deal with their own problems on their own terms, and they continue to use this personality trait to help get things done. Hooded eyes are prevalent in the Scandinavian population, and studies have shown that about 18 percent of northern Europeans have so-called sagging eyelids (which is related to hooded eyes but more specifically excess skin over your eye that may or may not disrupt your vision). Among the Sami people (hailing from Northern Scandinavia), high cheekbones are very common. Because we don't like dirt being dragged all over the house. However, it offers a very different kind of appeal that makes it a must-see for anyone with a passion for beauty. Finland covers about 130,558 square miles of land, and its got plenty of beautiful lakes to visit. The Scandinavian Hunter-Gatherers lived in the region between 8000 BCE and 2800 BCE, and have been found to have had mixed eye colors (ranging from blue to light-brown), mostly dark hair (with the odd blondes present), and intermediate skin color (somewhere in between dark and light) with the odd light-skinned individual also present. Swedish personality characteristics include humbleness, open-mindedness, honesty, creativity, quietness, competitiveness, and fairness. I love this site, and I dont want to make sound as Im complaining now but I must say that I am very skeptical of the dark-skinned and blue-eyed people who are said to be the first Scandinavians. Emotions are not expressed as . Vikings vs. Last Kingdom vs. Game of Thrones, Curious how The Last Kingdom compares to Vikings, and how they both compare to Game of Thrones? For instance, Scandinavian people could leave a baby stroller on the street outside of a store, and they wouldnt be worried that something would happen to it. We wanted to share some of the most interesting and impactful things that Swedish people are known for. As weve established, most Nordic people today have brightly colored eyes, with some areas reaching up to 80% of the population (P. Frost 2006). Theres a lot more to Scandinavian people traits than a Viking or model physique and a great sense of fashion. Norwegians breathe in when saying yes. The region is famous not just for its incredible per-capita income, but also its low cost of living, fantastic government support, and amazing healthcare. About 125 inscriptions dated from ad 200 to . As well as offering plenty of unique cultures and stores to explore, the region is also packed full of great food too. Karl, Clothes You can view the incredible sparkling of the sky from countless locations across Finland, Iceland, and other locations in Scandinavia. Do Scandinavians have a lot of facial hair? They involve a certain degree of prejudice and generalization. Oslo High cheekbones werent always seen as a positive trait in the Nordic region though, as it was fairly common for the Germanic Scandinavians to look down upon the Finno-Ugric Samis as less civilized, at least up until the late 20th century. The Scandinavian peninsula is geographically the largest in Europe, extending from the Baltic Sea to the Arctic Circle. Enjoy your visit! Research done into the DNA of the Irish has shown that our old understanding of where the population of Ireland originated may have been misguided. 15 of the very best Danish TV shows on Netflix, A Guide to the Best Hotels in Copenhagen, Denmark. Fish such as herring, mackerel, and trout are rich in protein, omega-3s, and antioxidants, while rich selections of root vegetables and low GI rye bread . Waterfalls cascade across mountainsides while the glaciers stand firm, offering an amazing insight into the sheer power of nature. On the other hand, further north, theres a more subarctic climate similar to the weather youd find in Finland. The country has produced many great scientists and thinkers. It turns out that Scandinavians are more closely related to the Kostenki man than any other now-living population. When it comes to writing, there are two different versions of written Norwegian; Bokml and Nynorsk. The last of the three original countries in Scandinavia, Denmark, is bordered by Germany on the North and occupies the Jutland peninsula. Nordic is the fact that remaining quiet allows them to take in more information. Your email address will not be published. These events are simply more carefully planned and coordinated than they are in other countries. People with Scandinavian . How are Scandinavians (Swedes, Danes, Norwegians) so tall? The Swedish concept of individualism is often practiced to avoid bothering others. (Also see Why Do Norwegians Hate Swedes and Danes? Stay tuned and well bring the essence of Scandinavia to you. At work, they compete with men for positions. It may be hard to name some of the top Swedish bands right now, but you have likely heard their music or their influence on music in your life. A group of some of the most beautiful countries in the world, Scandinavia doesnt just offer amazing travel opportunities. Nordic spring/summer): First off, there are plenty of people with darker skin in todays Scandinavia, but they generally have more than just Scandinavian heritage in their family. So, whens the best time to visit to get the most out of the Scandinavian weather? How Nordics and Scandinavians see each other, an article where I go into detail about Viking traits and looks, which languages each Nordic nationality actually uses when communicating with fellow Nordics, how Vikings actually looked (how big they were, how they wore their hair, where they came from, their hair and eye color, etc. In fact, a lot of people have a much higher percentage than they expected. First, lets get to grips with the countries in Scandinavia. While most people belong to the Lutheran Church of Norway, it by no means indicates that they go to church or even believe in a higher power. The terms Scandinavian and Nordic are closely related and often erroneously used interchangeably. For example, in Italy, small talk might be considered polite, while in Scandinavia, it can be considered bothersome. Recommendations Finland is located between Russia and Sweden, to the south of Norway. Scandinavia, historically Scandia, part of northern Europe, generally held to consist of the two countries of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Norway and Sweden, with the addition of Denmark. Norwegian people think really boring things are interesting. Whats more, according to some insights into Scandinavian culture, the countries are also far more committed to health, fitness, and wellness than other regions. . Not only does Scandinavia have some of the happiest people on the planet, but it also has some of the most appealing landscapes too. In order to survive the UV-bombardment during summers as well as the lack of sunlight in the winters, the skin of Scandinavians have needed to be adaptable. The two groups that came to Scandinavia were originally genetically quite different, and displayed distinct physical appearances. Either way, we are dealing with theories in the end so all we can do is to look at the data we have available and make the best and most logical assumptions we can. The Scandinavian climate varies depending on exactly where you are of course. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest Nordic resources, insights, tips, hidden gems, and much more. There is a quietness about them that can be off putting to some people from other cultures that are much more vocal, but the Swedes prefer to keep things quiet and allow the time it takes to get used to new people. Additionally, rather than having to earn the trust and respect of their employers, employees already have those things when they join the team. It seems the research project is well-funded too (https://kaw.wallenberg.org/forskning/atlas-med-forhistoriskt-dna-ger-ny-bild-av-manniskans-ursprung), so they seem to have the best tools available to analyze this type of scientific data. an average adjusted for the population of each country within the region), we can see that the Nordic and Baltic men are the tallest in the world, but as the Baltic ladies are slightly taller (0.5 cm / 0.2 in) than their Nordic sisters, the Baltics narrowly takes the prize as the tallest region in the World in front of the Nordics. The Nordic people as a whole really like the Swedes and Norwegians. Whether these traits stem from a diverse pre-bronze age population, geographical conditions, or the modern diet of the region as a whole is hard to say, but they all likely played some part at least. Scandification is a participant in Amazon Service LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites. Facts All Scandinavians are wealthy. It should be noted that human length, in general, is determined by a mixture of nature (genes) and nurture (diet), and there are also regions of the world that are believed to have a taller or shorter average height due to primarily genetic reasonssuch as the short Pygmee people of central Africa, and the tall Dinka people of South Sudan. . This atmosphere comes from a concept in the Scandinavian culture called Jantelov which basically means that everyone thinks of themselves as being no better or worse than the rest of the community. BiljaST / Pixabay. That said, beards are currently fairly popular in the Nordics, as they were during the Viking Age (when insulting another mans beard could lead to death). The lighter hair color isnt genetically unique to this part of the world, but it is one of the Swedish physical characteristics that most people are likely to notice right off the bat. The people from the south had blue eyes and relatively dark skin. Germanic Add this one to your bucket list. Below the neck, this body hair is generally concentrated on the arms and legs in the Nordics. This can be compared to the Mediterranean region, where its concentrated on the chest and back instead. Of course, not every Swedish person can be lumped into the same categories, but most agree that those traits are typical of the Swedes. Furthermore, according to a 2016 study published in Wiley, people of European origin generally have a facial hair growth pattern concentrated around the upper lip, cheek, neck, and chin, so it can be assumed that most Scandinavians also are able to generally grow whats considered a full and thick beard. For Norway and Sweden visit between June and September, when the days are longer, and the weather is slightly warmer. Scandinavian means belonging or relating to a group of northern European countries that includes Denmark, Norway, and . Between 1-10% of the population of Scandinavia have red hair according to studies that have mapped out the so-called red hair genes. Currency in Norway: What currency is used in Norway? Sweden is blessed to have some of the most beautiful landscapes and weather conditions of anywhere in the world. Does Norway use the Euro? The IceHotel is an area in the north of the country where temperatures are very low throughout most of the year and permafrost exists. ): How Did Vikings Actually Look? Not every piece is hung up in a museum somewhere. Will heads up Scandifications tech-team, occasionally reviewing the best of Scandinavian tech and design. Scandinavian jokes. The official Scandi countries rank second, third and fourth on the list of the world's tallest people, pipped only by the Dutch. When you start to see that everyone seemingly has the same hair color, you are bound to take note of this and mark it down as something interesting and unique about the Swedish people. It turns out that Swedes dont even like to discuss politics all that much. Required fields are marked *. The men sport scraggly beards and brutish, battle-worn facial features. All of our knowledge about pre-Viking Scandinavians comes from DNA analysis and theories, but for an idea of how modern-day Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians look like we can turn to some cold hard data and settle some standard questions right off the bat. The Scandinavian peninsula wont give you the sunny beaches and warm weather that you can expect from locations like Morocco or Spain. There are plenty of famous Scandinavians with notably high cheekbones, a trait which is commonly passed down in the Nordic region through families with Sami heritage. Because of this, descriptions of the Scandinavian region have started to include places like Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and even Iceland. Contents show. Are Epicanthic folds common in Scandinavia? Ive writtenan article where I go into detail about Viking traits and looks, so if you want to find out more about Vikings looks go take a look. When speaking, Swedes speak softly and calmly. Gods There are plenty of fun get-togethers in Sweden. The average height in Sweden is 175.5cm, which is the same height as your average model. All Rights Reserved. Or perhaps it is the fact that they have survived being prepared for the worse, and thus continue to think that way. People trust that youre doing your job well, and things just work.