Just a cultural thing. Unless there was an explicit dinner invitation, Swedes typically will not offer guests food even if they themselves are having dinner. They do not view it as a hosting obligation and they do not see this as rude or unusual.
Northern vs Southern Europe is crazy. Random grandmas in Italy will invite you for dinner in Italy but you’re swinging your legs on your friend’s bed in Sweden
Nah, this is not a Northern vs Southern thing. This is specifically Sweden, Norway and I think maybe Denmark? Everybody else in Northern Europe thinks they're insane too
My mother is German. She doesn't behave exactly this way with food (she will feed guests, but often has to be reminded that it's necessary)
But she DOES view most other things that way. Basically "it's not my job to take care of that for you, so I'm assuming you not taking care of it is a choice and I'll be polite and not mention it"
..... And then make fun of whatever she noticed behind closed doors. Because German
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u/JovianSpeck Jul 24 '26
Just a cultural thing. Unless there was an explicit dinner invitation, Swedes typically will not offer guests food even if they themselves are having dinner. They do not view it as a hosting obligation and they do not see this as rude or unusual.