Is being late common in Sweden? Is there some cultural reason for this that foreigners might not be aware of?
Hi,
I’ve had several appointments with a Swedish guy, and he’s always been late—anywhere from around 30 minutes to more than two hours. He doesn’t seem to feel particularly bad about it, and there hasn’t been any improvement. These were business meetings, so I was wondering if there’s some cultural difference I’m not aware of.
Of course, I know we should communicate with him directly, but I’m curious if this is something that’s considered normal in Sweden. My colleagues and I are also wondering about it. Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions!
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Thanks everyone for your input! Now I know this isn’t normal in Sweden and is more a matter of personal character.
Some of you are right: being late isn’t acceptable in any culture, and one case doesn’t represent an entire country’s culture. That said, the nature of his work should also be considered. I respect his experience and knowledge, and we don’t have many other options for now.
I think communicating with him is the only way to solve the problem. Thanks for giving me so much insight!