Dining and Entertainment

To beckon a waiter wave your hand and make eye contact.

Business entertaining is most often done in a restaurant during lunch or dinner. Business breakfasts are acceptable, but not as common as in the U.S. Business can be discussed at any time during a meal.

Spouses may be included in business dinners.

Female guest of honor is seated to the right of the host. Male guest of honor is seated to left of the hostess.

Dinner is often served immediately at dinner parties. There may be no cocktail hour.

Toasting is something of a formal ritual in Sweden. Don't take a drink until your host has given a toast.

Look into the eyes of the person being toasted and say Skål (Skohl).

Allow hosts and seniors in rank and age to toast first.

When toasting, make eye contact and nod to the others present, before putting your glass down.

After making a toast, the men wait for the women to put their glasses down first. Do this immediately. It can be annoying for men to wait too long for the women to put their glasses down.

The meal ends with the male guest of honor tapping his glass with a knife or spoon and thanking the hostess on behalf of all the guests. The female guest of honor should thank the host.

A butter knife is usually provided. Do not use a dinner knife for butter.

Always ask permission before smoking.

Keep your hands on the table at all times during a meal -- not in your lap -- and keep your elbows off the table.

It is polite to try everything served.

When finished eating, place knife and fork side by side on the plate at the 5:25 position.

Call or write the next day to thank your host and hostess.

Do not ask for a tour of your host's home unless you have a well established relationship.