I remember after the cruel never ending month after month of cold winter and short hours of sunlight, I like the rest of the Swedish population used to be determined to experience every minute of the warm weather. As you may not know the sun hardly sets during the summers in Sweden and it is one of the best and wicked experience especially when leaving the club 3 in the morning and see the crystal blue sunny sky. You almost get this guilty feeling for going to sleep when it’s that sunny outside.
But my much loved times growing up in Sweden and still is involves around “Fika“, it is a word used to describe having coffee. The coffee shops are one of the best known symbols of Swedish lifestyle. It is more than a place to drink; it is a meeting place with friends, acquaintances that maybe one day will become friend.
The casual “låt oss Fika” is a very Swedish tradition, it is an entire cultural institution and like everybody I am happy to have my “fika” at any given time of the day. Did I mention that Sweden is considered one of the top coffee consumers in the world per capita and it’s so popular that many workplaces actually have institutionalized these Fika breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Even McDonalds has “Mc Café”
I’m always in search for a great coffee shop that isn’t Starbucks!”
Some day’s I would go around from one spot to another coffee shop relaxing, having a good and interesting conversation with real friends, new friends, old friends, or strangers. I like the coffee shops that have their own special charm, their own themes, serving something special just for that place.
The place is lively, people are coming and going, and people are drumming on their laptops, you fell anonymous but yet your presence is acknowledged. But I also like the simply warm and cozy shops, where couples are exploring the romantic possibilities; it’s a place where I can take a break from my daily stress and relax, or read my book in peace. There used to be times when we used to have fika before we start work, fika after lunch, and fika after work…you just have to love it.
With all that Fika talk…let me tell you a few things that bring the non habesha Swedish in me!
- I just get pleasure from “Fika“, and it’s a celebration that is destined to last for a few hours and it is not the same as driving through a Starbucks.
- If I’m nowhere to be seen around 3 p.m. at work…I’m most likely having a “Fika” – my boss already knows where to find me.
- After work…if you can’t get hold of me that means I’m in one of the many coffee shops in DC – good luck finding me:-)
- I get excited like a kid when entering an IKEA store outside Sweden – by the way I will go all the way to IKEA just so I can have me some Swedish meatballs with potatoes, lingoberries, and cream sauce.
- I take my shoes off when entering a house – What can I say, it’s considered to be disrespectful if you don’t
- I talk big talk about the free health care and free school system with anyone I have political conversation with
- I get chocked and surprised when I see a teenage mom, because I don’t know anyone who had a child before 25, and I still think that is young.
- I feel bad if I’m not outside on a beautiful day – long winters would do that to you
- Every time my friends complains that’s it’s cold outside, I answer…”there is no bad weather, just bad clothes“
Since it’s always a good time for fika…care to join me?
Published by September 7th, 2007 in Personal and Social.
Dawit,
Can we have “Fika” one of these days ?
Cece – You don’t have to ask me for Fika…I’m always ready for it
great read Dawit! Thanks for sharing a lil somthn swedish
Good then…..but but but…..when u come please bring me “awaze” t-shirt and I will give u the money then, as we have the “Fika”
i totally understand what you are talking about. i went to boarding school in sweden for a couple of years before i moved to north america. there are so many little things that you miss that were so insignificant when i was there. i miss eating fruktsoppa and kalles caviar the most. and i too go to IKEA for a feel of what i miss and remove my shoes when entering someones home even if it means i will leave with dirty socks.
Emebet – I actually make my mom/sister/friends send me package filled with Swedish goodies on a regular basis.
I almost forgot about fruktsoppa…I think I need to call and have them add that to the list.
sharing is caring. if you were to share, kunde jag få något bilar?
Emebet…that was funny and just for that, email me your home address and I will make sure to mail you some bilar!
info@bernos.org
Nice story Dawitk! This gives me one more reason to appreciate Sweden beyond its wonderful social welfare system. It also reminded me of a funny incident at a Starbucks with my half-Swedish cousins. I personally don’t do Starbucks but that day my recently arrived cousins from Gothenburg wanted coffee and were curious about the famed Starbuks so I had to put my principles aside *ahmm* and took them there. When it was our turn to order, there was confusion from the onset. First I had to help the cashier translate tricky Starbucks cups size lingo into small, medium, large. With that they both decided to get medium. As soon as our coffees were ready, I still remember the utter look of puzzlement on their faces. Then they politely muttered something about ordering medium. I told them, yes the cup that they are holding is indeed medium. And they told me that was the biggest cup of coffee that they have ever seen. I was like, what would u have said if you have ordered Venti.
LOL! enjoyed especially 1-9…..I have a relative from Sweden who relates to #5 too.
hmmm, so whoever nicknamed you Ikea in BP did a good job (j/k
thanks for the laugh
ohh Mr. DawitK, you have opened up Pandora’s box. good luck getting this one shut. i also wear size 8 shoes. just in case you wanted to know. hahahah. that is truly nice of you. thanks a lot.
[quote comment="75172"]ohh Mr. DawitK, you have opened up Pandora’s box. good luck getting this one shut. i also wear size 8 shoes. just in case you wanted to know. hahahah. that is truly nice of you. thanks a lot.[/quote]
lol you knwo what they say about woamn with big feet right
ahahhahah, nyalamokes why are you always trying to show how smart you are…
Good one!
if the theory used for men applies to women too, i vehemently disagree. lol.
I didn’t know stating the obvious was considered smart but thank you baby.Also makes me wonder how one can accomplish the opposite?
Nyalasmoke -
Very few places serve coffee/Tea in paper cup in Sweden it’s almost a no no. Since drinking coffee or just having a fika is considered to be a special moment people are particular about the small details. This is why many café in Sweden have their own special charm just so they can bring that home feeling closer to you.
As to the size of the cup…a popular word we always use is “Lagom är bäst” just enough is good, not to much and not to little – just Lagom. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagom
Wudnesh -
Taking my shoes off is such a habit for me that I’ve had a few friend getting mad at me when going places. Once I take my shoes off they feel oblige to do the same which I think is funny.
thanx Dawitk,for explaining the subtleties of Swedish culture, that was educational.
DK…maybe(#15) their socks ain’t ready to be on display…or could it be the air freshner?
I thought Italians are the hightest coffee consumers in the world. Soon after I moved to Rome, I picked up the habit of drinking coffee five to six times a day. You may all know that Espresso is the way to go for Italian.
My first north american coffee experience was a shock when I ordered one on the plane. So I called the flight attendant and told her that I ordered coffee not tea. She gave me a smile and said this is coffee! I guess she knew that I was hoping to get a real coffee, possibly Espresso.
“We don’t serve Espresso”. That was her final answer.
well well well. What about the Etbiopian coffee . Abole huletegn, sosegna…..
It is the best experience ……
Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
In Ethiopia, keeping the tradition of thousands of years, coffee is prepared and served in a special ceremony. It is a moment of gathering where family and neighbors relax from their daily activities. Since drinking coffee is a family and social gathering, the process from start to finish may take more than an hour. It starts with the announcement of coffee time for family members and close neighbours.
Ceremonial Preparation
The ceremony begins in front of every one with the laying of fresh long stands of green grass, and flowers on to a colorful woven mat. Next, a finely crafted low to the ground coffee cup stand, is lowered with its small cups and centered on the mat. The next step is to roast the coffee beans in a roasting pan above an open charcoal burner. As the roasted beans turn a light brown in color, their aroma engulfs the room and stimulates the senses. At this time the coffee roaster, while gently shaking the pan, circulates throughout the room, inviting guests to experience the aromatic and enticing smoke of the freshly roasted beans. Traditionally, the roasted coffee is ground by hand using a small household tool of pistil and mortar. Blessings and good wishes are exchanged just before the beans are ground and mixed with boiling water in a black clay coffee pot. At the proper boiling point, the pot is lowered and placed in a slanted position for the grounds to settle.
Ceremonial Presentation
After the grounds settle, a burning coal of incense is placed on a small clay saucer, filling the room with a “holy” aroma. Serving begins with the youngest participant of the ceremony serving the eldest participants homemade popcorn or bread, and later in the ceremony, the coffee. The pouring of the coffee is a beautiful sight. Thin golden streams of coffee are skillfully poured into each cup without interruption. The coffee is served three times during the ceremony. The first serving “Abol”, is followed by the second serving or, “Tona”, and lastly the third serving or “Bereka.” During this traditional gathering, an atmosphere of human bonding is created. Family affairs, neighborhood gossip, and community events are regularly discussed during each of the three servings. The gathered family members and invited neighbours talk about all sorts of business, work and family issues: The discussion continues until the last cup of coffee is served and consumed.
Fika seems like a very relaxing and soothing tradition. I have never heard of an American tradition comparable to Fika in the States. Ofcourse, people have a coffee break BUT our COFFEE break consists OF average quality coffee, a donut or bagel, a newspaper, personal solitude, and a very limitted amount of time to enjoy oneself. The closets thing THAT I have seen TO what you are describing IS amongst the Somalis.
The type of person THAT I am I would love the opportunity TO experience the tradition of Fika. YOUR description of Fika was SO vividly written THAT it was almost as IF I was actually there experiencing the Fika for myself.
I appreciate YOU sharing YOUR experience.
Georgia Library Man
Wonderful article DK!
Quitting coffee is not working for me with y’all constantly talking about coffee, coffee and now you’re calling it Fika just to make the addiction more enjoyable. LOL In all honesty I have a serious addiction to coffee and I’ve tried kicking this addiction and can’t. Ababiru warned me and I didn’t listen and now I smell coffee everywhere I go even if there’s no coffee within miles.
Nyala, I’m loving your humor.
Do you even drink coffee? Btw I’m convinced Starbucks only serves decaf because the few times I’ve had their coffee I didn’t even get as much as a tzz let alone a buzzzzz. They should specialize in liquid desserts because that’s what they actually serve with all the fufu stuff they add to good ole coffee and call it coffee – shame. Oh lord what would the coffee gods think!
Dk
This post made me miss Sweden and I have never even been there. I will just have to add it to the many places I need to visit…#28 Sweden for Fika Rast
Tersit – thanks for sharing
Thanks for the positive feedback and I will continue to share my memorable Swedish moment.
Sweden reminds me of my crush hottie Marcus Samuelsson. He is so hot. I will marry
marcus if not I will rather stay single for life. Deam he is hot. Well well changing subjects Oh ya Coffee houses are so nice. If I am not in school or work I am in a coffee house. Seriously I only go out road trips and coffee houses. I don’t do anything else in life.
nolawi size eight is hardly big feet!!!
dawit…alhough ive never been to sweden i think i know exactly what you mean. it reminded me so much of new york…oh
i miss NY (tis where my heart is…)
celebiye—dont give up the fight girl…you can live viacariously through dawit…
Glad to find out i’m not the only Coffee Shop addict….it seems like I have every non-starbucks, “moms & pops” style coffee shops pinned down in my head. I go there to study, read, talk, chil with friends …..ummm to do just about anything…..
LOL about taking off shoes part because i do that too and it is indeed funny to watch others do it at your lead
I love coffee, but I don’t have to have it. I can’t claim to be an addict. I have been to Sweden once and and I did enjoy some fika (is that coffee backwards? hehe)
I wouldn’t mind drinking Starbucks if it isn’t for their ridiculous price. Like Alpha said the mom and pop places have the same or better coffee, but their prices
are reasonable.
DK, the long days thing is freaky, I saw some light through the window sheds around 3:00 am and I thought the shade was lit until I was told it was daylight outside. Yikes!
aba…..coffee backwards? hehehee it does sound like it….and i’m not a coffee drinker just love the coffee shop
DK, in my journey of exploring the nation (US) I came across a small city called lindsborg, KS. This is a small city north of Wichita filled with Swedish flags, stores, lifestyle, environment and I was amazed. Talking to some of the residents, it was established by Swedish immigrants a while back and named the city with a Swedish city name. The coffee shops, the banks, library are all painted and glossed with Swedish flavor. You might want to make a visit there, I was quite surprised and yes u will get a ‘fika’ spot to enjoy.
Observation
Thank you for sharing your days in Sweden DK. I have been to Sweden but my experience was not as memorable as yours may be I need to go back and have fika and may be I will change my mind
)
Dawit, nice read….seriously enjoyed it…..want to havesome fika now maleet neew!! nice!!
im having fika right now
its whats keeping me sane while writing this report
LoveJones – Thanks for the info…I was just reading about the city “Little Sweden USA” Interesting indeed.
The most Swedish/American populated by states are Minnesota with (486,507) Swedes, California (459,897), Illinois (303,044), Washington (213,134)…the rest of the list you can find at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_American
You can read the history about the Swedish emigration to the US at http://www.americanwest.com/swedemigr/pages/emigra.htm
Anyway, I’m glad most of you enjoy Fika
does anybody knows if the new year is today or tomorrow ,happy new year anyways .dawit i love your article I always like your input ,i think you are very cute too..
Martha its actually tomorrow since PaGmae, the thirteenth month, is six days this year…happy early new years to you too…
Leapyear….thus Sept 12th.
thank you meronye you always sweet ,happy new year to you and your family ,offcourse to all bernos family and bloggers .
Demn talking about Fika whatever you call in Swedish. Well I will definitly have
Fika when I see Marcus Samuelsson in person when he comes to do signing for his book for starbucks festival. I will arrive so early to be first in line. People please support my Swedish/Ethio hottie Marcus Samuelsson by buying his book at starbucks. He is helping poor children with UNICEF. HE also made a cake for starbucks. Tasted it and it is so nice just like him. He helped to create coffee blend. So people please go to Starbucks and support Marcus Samuelsson by buying his cook book. He teaches people Africa cooking. He will come to Reston, VA for Starbucks festival. People I am anxious to take a photo with my crush. My heart is pounding from so much crazy love.
Dawit man–thanks for the lovely post. Man, I’m not a coffee drinker. Sometimes, in a great while, I do drink macchiato at Dama. It seems like you miss Sweden, especially the family and friends you left behind. Maybe it time for a visit and an authentic fika.
Marcus is hot! but… I wouldn’t go to Starbacks if they pay me to drink their burnt, over cooked, extra large? grande? big? coffee.
I think Starbacks wants to use Marcus as a PR to change their image. What they did to Ethio farmers etc. The movie Black Gold broke my heart.
The point is their coffee does not has a good taste… Do you know if you over roast coffee you burn the cafene? you have less cafene and so you will want to drink more to get the kick and then buy more. That’s what they do…
Please Tigist Support Hottie Marcus. They are not using Marcus. He is getting paid for his enormous talent. If you read his book you will be inspired as he is inspired by African cooking. I am more concerned about supporting Marcus. I bought his hardcover book and now it’s selling in starbucks. I know Marcus is going to grow in popularity. I see his future getting so big. I predict a t.v show on food network.
They have to do it for him. He is so talented. Tigist please if you can go and meet
Marcus in the book signing festival.
Don’t get me wrong I too have a crash on Marcuseye.
I bought his book and read it when it first came out. I am just saying I don’t like Starbacks coffee. I live in the west coast so I can’t see him then….My problem is just with starbacks. I rather spend my money at smaller coffe shops. I just don’t enjoy starbacks coffee, the place etc. It’s like what Dawit said “I’m always in search for a great coffee shop that isn’t Starbucks!”
Marcus or no Marcus…I just don’t like Starbucks and how their overpriced coffee and mixed drinks taste.
there is a blog about coffee, i have been reading for a while now. you might enjoy it. called Perk-O-late
hmmmm as soon as I saw the cup,I almost went through withdrawal. So which coffee shops do you enjoy the most in DC. Maybe I need to check them out. For right now, I’ll settle for cafeteria coffee:(
Shenam – A few good one that I would visit frequently and in no specific order;
Busboys and Poets
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
Azi’s Café
Kramerbooks café and Grill
Mayorga
Tryst
I live on the West side. Have been at one Ethiopian caffee. I think it was Keffa cafe?
hmmm I’ve been to busboys, azi’s mayorga and tryst but it’s funny I’ve never really had coffee there:) thanks though…I’ll check it out
Shentam – The idea with fika…is not that you need to have coffee but more about the socializing aspect while drinking anything you want.
On a slightly windy, rainy day like today it sure is one of the best time to make your pilgrimages to your favorite cozy coffee shop for “FIKA” with a great book for the mind.
Sitting by the window observing people soaked to their bone from the pouring shower, as some are running through the slush to avoid from getting even more drenched…while hearing the raindrops beating the window as I’m sipping on a HOT chocolate drink and a book to spend my rainy day with.
Oh I enjoy a rainy day FIKA!
What a beautiful automobile! I’m particularly impressed with the photo under the hoodthe firewall is so shiny it looks as though a mirror has been set behind the engine! I’m sure this one will go for a LOT of dough!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_2MX9CrkyA Green Coffee Bean Extract
Using shared hosting? get a 1gb VPS for $5 at vpscorner.co.uk with code S109BGC
Nettikasinot suosio on aikuinen h?kellytt?v?n t?ydelliset lopuksi duet vuosia, ja kasinot ladattava
vaihtelu on render?inti sek? pop World Wide Web selain,
koska se tarjoaa laajemmin pelej?. http://kasino247.org/ – suomi casino
????????????????????2023?????????????????????????????!??????????????????????????!???????????????????!????????????!? 2023????????,???????10% ? ????????! ? ?????????????? ? 100%?????? ? ???????(????)!? ????????????? ????: ????????????????!??????????????????????
?????? ?? ufj https://www.bagtojapan.com/category/49/19-key=1.htm
???????????.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?. ????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ??????(?????)??????????????????????? ?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?. ???????(BELT)???????2500? ???????????????4500? ????????????????7000? ?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.? ???????????????????!? SS?? ???????????????!? ???????????????????????. ? ????????????????????????????????.? ???????????????????????.???????????????????????????????.??????.
?????? ??????? ????? https://www.kyoku66.com/goods-2150.html
??????????????
????????????????????????????
2024???????????????????????
???????? N??????????????
?????????????????????
?? ???????????????????????????!
????!
????!
?????????????
????????:????1?????????
???????????????????????
?????!!
????(????)?
???????????
??????????????????
?????????(^_^)?
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? https://www.tentenok.com/products-small-m-21-p-2.html
????????????????????????????????????????????????
???? ??????? ????? ???? ??????????????????F47473??????????????????????????
?????!
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
????????????
????????????????????????????????????????
?? ???? ?? ?? vita https://www.ginza78.com/repurika-1734.html
The number 23 followed by the iconic flame detail of the forefoot Cheap Air Jordan 5 creates a rich retro OG atmosphere!