Current Events > How fun are the Scandinavian countries for tourism if you can't speak the

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Language?

Literally everyone under the age of like 90 in Scandinavia speaks perfect English lol. Pretty much the only people who don't are immigrants.
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RebelElite791 posted...

Literally everyone under the age of like 90 in Scandinavia speaks perfect English lol.

Lol no

I guess it is a positive stereotype but that still doesn't make it true. However, most people who work in service jobs will be able to help you in English.
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@FF_Redux
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RebelElite791 posted...

Literally everyone under the age of like 90 in Scandinavia speaks perfect English lol. Pretty much the only people who don't are immigrants.

No way, really? That would be so cool if true. Because in eastern Europe and the Mediterranean Europe, they either don't know english or if they're like the French, don't want to speak it.

BalanceLost posted...

I guess it is a positive stereotype but that still doesn't make it true.

dunno how it is "over there" across the bridge but here english is mandatory from grade 4 i think it was and has been for decades so yea...
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Yeah, you are forced to study English in School in Sweden and it has been so since pre-80s.
Of course it exist the small group of people that fail, but if they are interesed in social media or videogames then they must at least learn how to understand it.
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There's not much worth of tourism in Scandinavia outside of nature anyway and I'm sure that there are maps in English.

AsucaHayashi posted...

BalanceLost posted...

I guess it is a positive stereotype but that still doesn't make it true.

dunno how it is "over there" across the bridge but here english is mandatory from grade 4 i think it was and has been for decades so yea...

Foppe posted...

Yeah, you are forced to study English in School in Sweden and it has been so since pre-80s.
Of course it exist the small group of people that fail, but if they are interesed in social media or videogames then they must at least learn how to understand it.

Having studied English in school isn't the same thing as speaking perfect English though. Because let's be honest - most Swedes, even young adults, don't actually practice speaking English all that often after graduating except for when they travel. Many Swedes under the age of 50 can understand English decently but communicating in the language themselves is another matter. Even young highly educated individuals sometimes falter once the conversation move to topics which require a specific vocabulary.
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Amenadeel posted...

RebelElite791 posted...

Literally everyone under the age of like 90 in Scandinavia speaks perfect English lol. Pretty much the only people who don't are immigrants.

No way, really? That would be so cool if true. Because in eastern Europe and the Mediterranean Europe, they either don't know english or if they're like the French, don't want to speak it.

You will be fine as a tourist - people are willing to speak English. Just don't expect people on the street or in stores in smaller cities to speak it fluently :) But if you go to Stockholm then it will be fine in the service areas.
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Some misunderstanding here and there are acceptable, thats half the fun.
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Foppe posted...

Some misunderstanding here and there are acceptable, thats half the fun.

But misunderstandings aren't exactly perfect English :P
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BalanceLost posted...

RebelElite791 posted...

Literally everyone under the age of like 90 in Scandinavia speaks perfect English lol.

Lol no

I guess it is a positive stereotype but that still doesn't make it true. However, most people who work in service jobs will be able to help you in English.

I cant speak for much of Sweden but that's certainly been my experience in Denmark.
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That's cool. I think I might check out Norway and then work my way clockwise to Denmark.

Anyone recommend places I should visit or see? I like nature, castles, and the occasional historical buildings/architecture.

Amenadeel posted...

Anyone recommend places I should visit or see? I like nature, castles, and the occasional historical buildings/architecture.

This place looks cool:

https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/pulpit-rock-in-norway-side-view.jpg
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Well, even though Finland isn't technically scandinavian country its easy to count as one. Culture is pretty much same as in Sweden, just some things are different.

In Finland, i'd say 95% of people age between 15 to 30 understands English and can at least speak it, but not to the point you can have deep conversations with people. Asking directions, needing help to know some things etc. You don't have to understand even a one word of Finnish to be able to visit Finland.

The biggest issue is that we're very reserved. Most people feel very uncomfortable even sitting next to someone in busses. Waiting for a buss and wanting to have some small talk won't happen, people just assume you're weirdo. In biggest cities these people are less reserved though. Now, people won't ignore you if you ask for help or anything, but some just don't want to talk to strangers, especially if they have to speak English.

I just throw my 2 cents here, even though Finland is not really good place to visit and expect to have awesome time, lol. Its also very expensive.
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Finland isn't considered one? I thought all those 3 countries were considered part of Scandinavia

This is what you do just speak english really loudly that way they will understand you
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Scandinavia is one of the most English speaking countries outside of native speaking countries. While it's true that not everyone speaks English very well, it's such a radical difference from bigger countries.

EDIT: My experience is that Finland is at most slightly worse at English in general, but that could also be a bias because people didn't necessarily want to speak to me on account of being Swedish.
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Amenadeel posted...

Finland isn't considered one? I thought all those 3 countries were considered part of Scandinavia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsXMe8H6iyc

scar the 1 posted...

Scandinavia is one of the most English speaking countries

*eye twitch*

NibeIungsnarf posted...

*eye twitch*

What is it that you want to say?
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Amenadeel posted...

Anyone recommend places I should visit or see? I like nature, castles, and the occasional historical buildings/architecture.

Hit up Bornholm between Sweden and DK.
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scar the 1 posted...

NibeIungsnarf posted...

*eye twitch*

What is it that you want to say?

Sorry fam, saw my mistake now. Meant to say "region".

As for where to visit, there are tons of places all over that have nice nature, castles, architecture, etc. Keep in mind that as you move away from cities, people will be worse at English, on average.
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RebelElite791 posted...

Amenadeel posted...

Anyone recommend places I should visit or see? I like nature, castles, and the occasional historical buildings/architecture.

Hit up Bornholm between Sweden and DK.

I think I heard that name somewhere before, will check it out thanks!

Amenadeel posted...

RebelElite791 posted...

Amenadeel posted...

Anyone recommend places I should visit or see? I like nature, castles, and the occasional historical buildings/architecture.

Hit up Bornholm between Sweden and DK.

I think I heard that name somewhere before, will check it out thanks!

It's a little island of Denmark in the Baltic. Couple hours ferry from Ystad in Sweden or a quick plane jaunt from Copenhagen. Ystad itself is only a couple hours train from CPH
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I wonder how long I should make the trip. I'm usually a month+ kinda guy since I don't like to rush especially when I'm on vacation.

NibeIungsnarf posted...

Amenadeel posted...

Finland isn't considered one? I thought all those 3 countries were considered part of Scandinavia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsXMe8H6iyc

Thanks I enjoyed that video, reminded me of another helpful video that explained the whole Dutch/Holland/Netherlands thing.

scar the 1 posted...

Scandinavia is one of the most English speaking countries outside of native speaking countries. While it's true that not everyone speaks English very well, it's such a radical difference from bigger countries.

EDIT: My experience is that Finland is at most slightly worse at English in general, but that could also be a bias because people didn't necessarily want to speak to me on account of being Swedish.

I'm planning on going to rural areas with forests, mountains, fjords and lakes more so than densely packed city areas so I don't think english will be spoken as much there.

Amenadeel posted...

scar the 1 posted...

Scandinavia is one of the most English speaking countries outside of native speaking countries. While it's true that not everyone speaks English very well, it's such a radical difference from bigger countries.

EDIT: My experience is that Finland is at most slightly worse at English in general, but that could also be a bias because people didn't necessarily want to speak to me on account of being Swedish.

I'm planning on going to rural areas with forests, mountains, fjords and lakes more so than densely packed city areas so I don't think english will be spoken as much there.

You'll still be able to speak fairly well to people.
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I hope so. I hope so.

Finland has several places to check out, such as Lapland, the lake district in the southeast, and the archipelago and Åland in the southwest.

Here's a few videos to inform and attract.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeCdHxQUUC8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxxZOsfsIUM
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Thanks for the videos will check those out.