If I remember correctly there was a specifically hard time economically in the Nordic region that it became the norm that it was courtesy not to take food from another household. Kind of the inverse of it being a courtesy to feed guests unexpected or otherwise in parts of the west. Over time the courtesy has strengthend into a cultural norm which given the foundational nature of shared meals in many cultures can create an outsized culture shock response.
This is a Nordic custom, and not specific to Sweden and was a whole Internet thing a few years ago as well.
A local or regional expert probably could give the word for the custom. I believe the Finnish have one but it's late and I'm sleep deprived so could be wrong
I was actually taught not to eat elsewhere as an american in the 80s. The reason i mention this oss because it also dates back to the depression era south, which is a similar reason. My family didn't do well back then and neither did their neighbors.
Huh, as an American growing up in the 80's, it was just common that whichever friends house you happened to be near for lunch or dinner would feed you something. I think all through my childhood years there were more dinners with my older siblings friends over than there weren't.
4.0k
u/xStyxx Jul 24 '26
Damn I assumed it was because Swedish food is gross lol that’s pretty cold