That said, blue eyes are also rare throughout the world, and that makes them more desirable to many others. Most of these traits of Swedish people are highly desirable and highly appreciated. Below the neck, this body hair is generally concentrated on the arms and legs in the Nordics. In fact, when it comes to Scandinavian nature, there are a handful of things that you simply have to add to your bucket list. If youre ready to learn some interesting facts about Scandinavia, lets begin. Without getting into obvious stereotypes like assuming that all Scandinavian people have blond hair and blue eyes, there are some common traits to consider too. Contents show. Many of the Scandinavian countries are becoming increasingly diverse but they remain to be some of the safest places on the planet. Obviously, not all Scandinavian women look the same, as they have different hair and eye colors, body types, and defining features. . When speaking with a Swede, you may notice that they avert their eyes or refuse to look directly at you. At work, they compete with men for positions. The skeletons that the archaeologists have found, reveals, that a man was around 172 cm tall (5.6 ft), and a woman had an average height of 158 cm (5,1 ft). There are also 9,000 Swedish citizens living in Finland. How are Scandinavians (Swedes, Danes, Norwegians) so tall? People in the north of Europe traditionally consume a lot of fatty fish, rye bread, and root vegetables which have been shown to offer excellent health benefits. For example, between 24-27% of people who are native to Finland, parts of Western Europe, or Great Britain, show Scandinavian DNA. Denmark is brimming with low and flat planes, and the temperature is cool, with humid summers and mild winters. How Did Vikings Actually Look? The reasons for this are similar to the reasons why they often have pale skin as well. Scandification is a participant in Amazon Service LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites. Hej, I'm Astrid and I'm here to show you everything that Scandinavia has to offer - based on my own experience living up here in the Nordics! Theres a lot more to Scandinavian people traits than a Viking or model physique and a great sense of fashion. So the clich blue-eyed and blonde Nordic stereotype seems to hold true then, but where do these physical traits come from and why do they still seem to have a strong presence in the Nordics? Rather, humans around the world generally consider reproductive factors such as waist-to-hip ratio and other indicators of fertility and health as attractive, rather than a specific eye/hair/skin color or similar. He was a Swedish engineer, chemist, and the inventor of dynamite. It turns out that Scandinavians are more closely related to the Kostenki man than any other now-living population. The new Battle Axe culture that slowly spread and took over the Scandinavian region is thought to have been a bit more individualistic and was known for how their men were buried with their big battle axes. This may sound like quite a generalization (then again, isnt everything on this list!) Related: Why Are They Called Swedish Fish? . These individuals believe in "everything in moderation.". Most of the population lives in small rural towns . Probably one of the most impressive examples of Scandinavian nature, the archipelago is a diverse and beautiful landscape that youll spend days exploring. IKEA stores are so popular with people that many simply walk through them just to say that they have been through one and getting an IKEA Swedish meatball is just a bonus! The Culture of Sweden. Scandinavian people also have traditionally had a diet rich in protein, fat, and carbs (crucial for significant muscle growth). Some people may see this as a rude Swedish trait, but it is not meant that way at all. The Swedes prefer to keep to themselves most of the time. Swedes are also well known for their pessimistic outlook. Of course, not every Swedish person can be lumped into the same categories, but most agree that those traits are typical of the Swedes. Now scroll down and see what your feet reveal about your personality. Food The average Scandinavian isnt necessarily stronger than any other given person in the world, but there has been a very high amount of Worlds Strongest Man contestants and winners from the Nordic and Scandinavian countries, with Nordic men landing in the top 3 a whopping 30 out of the 44 years the competition has taken place (thats a 68% chance of at least one Nordic in the top 3). As youll soon find, the Swedes are great to speak with. How Nordics and Scandinavians see each other, an article where I go into detail about Viking traits and looks, which languages each Nordic nationality actually uses when communicating with fellow Nordics, how Vikings actually looked (how big they were, how they wore their hair, where they came from, their hair and eye color, etc. Much of that protein comes from an animal protein diet, and this is believed to contribute to the height of people who live there. You need to take advantage of all that the country offers and allow yourself to see just how beautiful it is all year long. Most people in Sweden might be characterized as introverts, and they like it that way. If you include Finland and Iceland in the Scandinavian Peninsula, they add even more diversity to the landscape. The terms Scandinavian and Nordic are closely related and often erroneously used interchangeably. The population of the nation is 337,780, which would make it the smallest of all the Scandinavian countries. Third, Scandinavians do tend to tan and get olive-skinned in the summer, which is due to a mix of genetic makeup, unusually high UV exposure levels, and a diet generally high in Vitamin D. Scandinavians do not have particularly large noses, as Northern Europeans tend to have more narrow noses than people in warmer climates, as an adaptation to the cooler climate. The people are rude. Curious how Vikings actually looked like? This crossword clue was last seen on February 21 2023 LA Times Crossword puzzle. When the Battle Axe culture group fused with the groups already present in Scandinavia this eventually spawned the Nordic Bronze Age people, who are seen as the ancestors of all Germanic people. A survey by Hotels.com and Match.com asked 5000 Nordic singles in 2014 which Nordic country has the most attractive people, and here are the results: Singles in Norway, Denmark, and Finland all voted for Swedes as the most attractive (you could not vote for your own country), while the Swedes overwhelmingly seem to prefer Norwegian women and men. So, whens the best time to visit to get the most out of the Scandinavian weather? Waterfalls cascade across mountainsides while the glaciers stand firm, offering an amazing insight into the sheer power of nature. DNA analysis from specimens from this period has shown people with dark hair, a mix of light and dark skin, and most likely blue eyeswhich sounds like a lot of modern-day Scandinavians I know. I mean, that's just practical. Gods & Goddesses Scandinavian languages, also called North Germanic languages, group of Germanic languages consisting of modern standard Danish, Swedish, Norwegian (Dano-Norwegian and New Norwegian), Icelandic, and Faroese. Finally, dont forget to take in the Swedish art that dots the landscape throughout the country. For another deep-dive into Scandinavian looks, Ive plowed through massive amounts of archaeological objects and DNA analysis to find out how Vikings actually looked (how big they were, how they wore their hair, where they came from, their hair and eye color, etc. Exploring Swedish Culture. What are typical Swedish characteristics when socializing? As such, it was common that people wanted to hide their Sami heritage, with some even being ashamed of typically Sami features such as high cheekbones and wider eyes (SvD 2012). Whats more, the Scandinavian countries are consistently rated among the happiest locations in the world. This idea symbolises social. They know that youll do your best when youre on the job, and then leave work behind you when you return home. At the same time, DNA testing of remains of ancient Irish people . On top of that, theres a common practice among Scandinavian people to say what you mean and mean what you say. Located in the Scandinavian region between the Northern Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, Norway covers around 125,020 square miles of landscape. Throw in some of their dry, slightly dark humor and youve got a great, hilarious night out. Another way to avoid conflicts is to not act in a brash way, but instead trying to display oneself as being humble. The modern Irish population share many genetic similarities with Scottish and Welsh populations, and to a lesser extent the English. This continues to cycle through the population as new generations come along, and pale skin remains a defining feature of Swedish people. Western Norway has almost as many redheads as the British isles (who win the red hair race by a mile), whereas southern and northern Sweden barely has any. If you include Finland and Iceland in your map of the Scandinavian countries, then you should always make time to check out the Aurora Borealis. Physical characteristics of Welsh people include black or ginger hair, blue or green eyes, and a slightly below average height. According to Hofstede Insights, Sweden is a 'feminine society' in which balance, inclusivity and consideration for others are core components of the social structure. They reside in Norway (pop 50-65,000), Sweden (pop. The pale skin of most Swedish people has a lot to do with their lack of exposure to a lot of sunlight. They may have had a reputation for trade, braids and fearsome raids, but the Vikings were far from a single group of flaxen-haired, sea-faring Scandinavians. Scandinavian people take a moderate approach to all things in lifefrom food to work. Ive written an analysis of The Last Kingdom if you want to find out if its worth watching or not. By the way, if you'd like to connect to your inner Scandinavian with some stylish prints and clothing, I've created a collection of high-quality and authentic Nordic posters and apparel. It is estimated that only 3% of Norwegians go to church on a weekly basis. That means that employees arent always trying to figure out the hidden meaning behind co-worker jibes. The relationship between Norway and the Euro. Keep in mind that its quite chilly, but you can expect slightly warmer temperatures if you move closer towards the inland. Denmark Check it out if youre curious! This article may contain affiliate links. Many people are surprised when they receive the results of their genealogical DNA test. The IceHotel is literally made of ice and snow and kept at a cool -4 degrees Celsius. Except when there's a party (although, please ask first and never wear heels on our nice wooden floors). Because people living in Norway are onto something - 18 things, in fact. Does Norway use the Euro? Get some Scandi spirit in your home with our premium museum-quality prints sent right to your doorstep with free shipping worldwide. Do Scandinavians have a lot of facial hair? Even the Vikings were known for bleaching their hair, although the main reason to do so may have been primarily to kill hair lice. People who had access to more or better food in the Viking age were often taller than the average person due to having . There are major works of art that are placed in places as routine as the metro stations that people use every day. However, Iceland has one of the most varied landscapes, with waterfalls, canyons, sulphur beds, lava fields, and hot springs. The age of the Swedish dominance of Northern Europe ended officially with the loss of Finland to the Russians in 1809, and definitively with the dissolution of the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway in 1905. Do Scandinavians have a lot of body hair? Still, genealogists from Stockholm university believe modern Swedes are most closely related to the hunter-gatherers from the so-called Pitted Ware culture when it comes to physical appearance. Its the only place in the country where youll see an amazing range of flora and fauna, as well as stunning high chalk cliffs and clear blue water. Join thousands of others and stay up to date with the our latest articles. There are two things happening here. Their most well-known company is IKEA, and it is a place where design meets functionality in every item that they sell. According to a 2020 study published in The Lancet, Danes are the 4th tallest people in the world, followed by the Icelandic in 6th, the Swedes in 12th, Norwegians in 13th, and finally the Finns as 17th tallest people in the world. As weve established, most Nordic people today have brightly colored eyes, with some areas reaching up to 80% of the population (P. Frost 2006). In general, the weather is a combination of mild and pleasant with far less rain than you would get in the UK and other parts of Europe. ), How the Dutch & Scandinavians Are Connected (Complete Guide), Norse vs. Norwegian vs. Nordic: Differences Explained, Average Height in the Nordics (Data & Graphs), https://kaw.wallenberg.org/forskning/atlas-med-forhistoriskt-dna-ger-ny-bild-av-manniskans-ursprung. People settle down later than ever and tend to always focus on career first. Over 70% of male Scandinavians have some form of body hair (androgenic hair), which is among the highest rates in the world (along with Mediterranean men). Scandinavian women have very clean stances in their professional and personal lives. Even the most adamant pessimist can find something to love about what they see throughout the country. If youre curious about how exactly Nordic people communicate with each other, Ive written an article where I go into detail aboutwhich languages each Nordic nationality actually uses when communicating with fellow Nordics. Scandinavia is the home of mid-century modernism and contemporary minimalism - white walls, clean lines and a distinct . Thanks Jonna for your comment, and Im happy to hear you enjoyed the article! They are self-confident, have enormous hearts with a gentle soul, and strongly believe in looking out for other people. High cheekbones werent always seen as a positive trait in the Nordic region though, as it was fairly common for the Germanic Scandinavians to look down upon the Finno-Ugric Samis as less civilized, at least up until the late 20th century.