11 Reasons Why You Should Date a Scandinavian

Scandinavians are punctual people, and this punctuality takes over all their daily habits as well. Just as they will arrive on time for a business meeting or a dinner party, you can rest assured that they will also never keep you waiting for a date. So do the decent thing, and don’t be late either!

The notion of gender equality is so ingrained in Scandinavian society that men usually refrain from extending gentleman-y gestures towards women – like opening doors, getting a chair, etc. It will be clear from the beginning of your courtship that you’re both expected to pull your weight, from splitting the bill on a coffee date to being the designated driver after a night out. And if you end up moving in together and having kids, the house chores and responsibilities will also be evenly distributed. Fair, isn’t it?

Danes, Swedes and Norwegians understand the importance of fuelling up to face the day. However, what they cannot understand is how anyone can eat a sugary cereal for breakfast and feel good afterwards. A typical Scandinavian breakfast comprises a sandwich with various combinations of bread, cheese, fruits (and sometimes jam). So, after a few mornings with your Scandinavian main squeeze, you’re bound to realise that their type of breakfast keeps you more energetic throughout the day.

From archipelagos and lakes to fjords, mountains and cute log cabins, Scandinavian countries are among Europe’s most beautiful, and Scandis definitely know how to fully take advantage of this – especially during those rare occasions when the sun comes out. Don’t be surprised if your first date involves hiking, skiing, watching the Aurora Borealis, doing a zipline jump or just relaxing in a hot sauna. They are an active bunch – and if you’re a couch potato, it’s time to become a mountain ranch potato!

Contrary to popular belief, not all Scandinavian furniture comes out of that familiar blue bag with yellow letters. Scandinavians generally have a knack for creating minimal furniture and design objects that are instantly recognisable for their aesthetics. Not only do they understand how furniture assembly works, but they also have a good sense of how to use furniture pieces to create the perfect atmosphere at home.

You know how it goes – Norwegians and Swedes don’t have easy access to alcohol (and it’s generally frowned upon to drink during weekdays), so when they do, mostly during weekends or travel abroad, they tend to get wasted. The Danes, on the other hand, are not facing any alcohol regulations, so they’re basically drunk all the time. That’s the stereotype, at least. And although every stereotype contains an ounce of truth, the facts tell a different story: in 2015, Denmark was 20th in the world in alcohol consumption, while Sweden was ranked 25th and Norway 28th. So if you decide to date a Scandi, you won’t necessarily need a liver transplant.

It may be challenging to be true to your fashion sense when the temperature drops to minus 40 degrees Celsius, but Scandinavians know exactly how to go about it. In fact, the past few years have marked an impressive uptick in the Nordic fashion scene, with fashion bloggers and social media influencers leading the way. So now you know that your sweetheart won’t be sartorially challenged – if anything, they might give you a lesson or two.

Scandinavians are so adamant about their ‘no shoes inside’ policy that they even enforce it at primary schools in some areas. Taking off your shoes is, first and foremost, a practicality: the weather conditions mean that you’re probably coming from a rainy or snowy environment and your soles are messy. However, taking off your shoes when visiting your beau’s home also signifies that it’s time to relax and feel cozy.

Which brings us to the most important aspect of dating a Scandinavian: whether you call it hygge (in Danish), mys (in Swedish) or kos (in Norwegian), they all agree that taking time off your busy day to focus on the people and the activities that really matter at home, is good for your soul. Light those candles, bake something delicious (even if it’s your favourite brand of frozen pizza), and just curl up on the couch with your SSO (Scandinavian Significant Other).

If your date is Norwegian, then you’ve hit the jackpot! According to a global sex survey, Norway holds the world record for the amount of orgasms one can have. Perhaps it’s time to investigate this on a personal level?

For a Scandinavian (or a Nordic country citizen, for that matter), borders are more fluid than they are for the rest of the world. So if you’re crossing from Sweden to Norway by road, nobody will stop you or demand to see your papers. Did someone just say loads of cross-country trips? Yup, you heard that right.