Shops, cashless Sweden & Systembolaget

Q Kan jag hjälpa dig med något? — Can I help you with anything?

• A Jag bara tittar, tack. — I'm just looking, thanks.
• A Ja, jag letar efter [SAK]. — Yes, I'm looking for [ITEM].

They'll say Säg till om du undrar. — Just say if you're wondering about anything.

Q Har ni den i större storlek? — Do you have this in a bigger size?

• A Jag kollar i lagret. — I'll check the stockroom.

Q Kan jag prova den? — Can I try it on?

• A Provrummen är där borta. — The fitting rooms are over there.

Q Vad kostar den? — How much is it?

• A Tvåhundranittionio. — Two hundred and ninety-nine.

Q Kan jag byta den här? — Can I exchange this?

• A Med kvitto, ja. — With a receipt, yes.

Q Vill du ha en påse? — Would you like a bag?

• A Ja, en påse tack. — Yes, a bag please.
• A Nej, det behövs inte. — No, there's no need.

They'll say Den kostar fem kronor. — It's five kronor.

Q Tar ni kontanter? — Do you take cash?

• A Nej, bara kort. — No — card only.

Sweden is as close to cashless as anywhere. Plenty of shops, cafés and every city bus have not handled a note in years.

Q Hur länge har ni öppet? — How late are you open?

• A Till sex, söndagar stängt. — Until six — closed Sundays.

Q Var ligger närmaste Systembolaget? — Where's the nearest Systembolaget?

• A Två kvarter bort. — Two blocks away.

The only place in the country selling anything above 3.5%. Nowhere else, at any price, at any hour.

Q Har du legitimation? — Do you have ID?

• A Ja, här är mitt pass. — Yes — here's my passport.

They'll say Tack så mycket. — Thanks very much.

The limit here is 20, not the 18 that gets you served in a bar, and they ask anyone who looks under 25.

Q Stänger ni tidigt på lördagar? — Do you close early on Saturdays?

• A Tre på lördagar, söndagar stängt. — Three on Saturdays — closed Sundays.

This catches out every visitor exactly once. Shut all day Sunday, and the shutters come down at 15:00 on Saturday.

Q Kan du rekommendera något? — Can you recommend something?

• A Den här är populär. — This one's popular.

Systembolaget staff are not on commission and will give you a straight answer. Ask them.

Q Vad är skillnaden på folköl och starköl? — What's the difference between folköl and starköl?

• A Folköl är 3,5 — resten finns bara här. — Folköl is 3.5 — everything else is only sold here.

Q Har ni något svenskt? — Have you got anything Swedish?

• A Hela hyllan där. — That whole shelf there.

Q Måste jag beställa i förväg? — Do I have to order in advance?

• A Bara för det ovanliga. — Only for the unusual things.

Q Får man dricka öl i parken? — Are you allowed to drink beer in the park?

• A Officiellt nej, men ingen bryr sig. — Officially no — but nobody minds.

Banned in most municipalities and quietly tolerated in parks all summer. Keep it calm and tidy and nothing happens.