The Charming Character of Swedes

　　All social occasions in Sweden are regulated by rules and traditions. And these traditions are expressed in a specific ritual made up of formal bows, handshakes, and greetings. When a visitor enters a Swedish home, he is invariably received with a "Welcome"; when he leaves, his host will tell him "You will be welcome again." These charming phrases are an indestructible part of Swedish social life and they give it an old-world flavor of good manners.

　　 Equally attractive is the Swedish acceptance of modern technological equipment. A traveler never needs to search for a telephone is Sweden: telephone booths are placed at regular intervals along the main streets and highways. And in church, for example, long benches are fitted with hearing aids for worshippers who may be hard of hearing. Swedish homes are among the best equipped in the world and travelers in Sweden find their journeys made easy by the use of the most efficient modern devices.

　　 The Swedes are an efficient and most capable people. This is their respect for their friends and acquaintances and especially for the visitor to their country. At whatever cost to themselves, they take care not to give another person the slightest degree of discomfort.

性情可爱的瑞典人

　　在瑞典，一切社交场合都要遵循一定的规范和传统，而这些传统又具体表现为如鞠躬、握手和问好等正式礼仪上。每当有客人来访，瑞典人一成不变的问候是"欢迎您！"；而等客人离开时，主人也会告诉他"欢迎您再来。"这些可爱的字眼成为瑞士人社会生活中牢不可破的一部分，它们给这种生活抹上了一层昔日礼节的优雅风度。

　　 同样引人注意的是瑞典人对现代技术设备的接受。在瑞典，游客们根本不用劳神到处去寻找电话，主要街道和公路上每隔一定距离便会有一个电话亭。又如在教堂，那里的长凳上配有助听器，为的是方便那些听力有困难的礼拜者。瑞士人的家可以说是世界上设备最完美的家之一，而来瑞典的观光者也因那里高效的现代设施深感轻松和愉快。

　　瑞典人是一个非常讲求效率和极为能干的民族，对他们来说，准时不只是一种美德--而是一种生活的原则，它来自于这个北欧民族最迷人的性格特点：即对朋友、熟人，尤其是对来访他们国家的客人的尊重。不管自己付出多少代价，瑞典人总要尽力避免给别人带来任何不便。