Eerie, isnt it? Spooky, in fact.
It happens almost overnight, a silence that descends after a flurry of Volvos hit the E4. Out of office emails ping into action and Skellefteå suddenly slows to a grinding halt. Well, almost.
You see, here in Sweden, it is law that everyone must have 25 days of holiday per year AND that everyone is entitled to take 4 weeks of continuous leave in the summer. This period is June to August, but the majority of folks take July off.
As a Brit I found this really weird. Back in the UK we also are entitled to around 25 days of paid holiday, but there are no expectations as to when you take them and few would be allowed to take a whole month off, especially at the same time as everyone else. How does society continue to function if everyone is on their jollies?
Well, you are finding out.
Offices, banks and government agencies slow right down. Some will run on skeleton staff and some will close all together so don’t expect anything to be handled quickly or with much urgency during this time.
I know someone who's trying to buy a house but is finding it impossible to get hold of real estate agents.
My daughter visits the orthodontist regularly as she has braces on her teeth. We have been told that for two weeks in the summer the practice will be closed and for a further week there will be only a couple of staff available. Problems with the brace in this time ? Well, just cut the wires yourself if you can!
You'll also find that rocking up unannounced to your favourite shop or restaurant might lead to sad faces all round as you smush your face up to the glass: where is everyone?
Close to where I work a shop has a jaunty little note in the window: “Summer vacation! July 1 to August 5. Have a great Summer!” I can tell from the note that it was written by someone with a smile on their face.
I love this unapologetic abandonment of work routines and regulations. I love that the Swedes so highly regard their work-life balance and mental well-being that they will happily pop a note in the window and head to the beach and their summer cottage for endless days of sun, fun, family and friends.
You may find that the slower pace has a knock-on effect for you too. Less crowded beaches around Skellefteå, fewer people in stores, and the silence to hear your own thoughts. Pretty blissful, I’d say.
This is a column and the views are the author's own. This column was first published at norran English, the English part of norran.se.