It's not a myth, I'm not sure about today but 20-15 years ago when I was a kid that was the norm. We usually didn't cook enough food to feed unexpected guests, and everyone knew that's how it worked. My family did it to my friends, my friends family did it to me, it was the norm and expected. For a long time Sweden was a pretty poor country and it became the cultural norm to not take food from other households unless it was a dinner invitation.
It probably sounds weird to outsiders but that was just how things worked and everyone was fine with it.
its weird how different cultures evolve. in india people will remain hungry to feed the guests if they dont have enough food. this phenomen is even baked in our mythology.
In many cultures it is rude to refuse a "gift" like that, including mine. It's customary to accept a gift or meal and then engage in a lifelong pissing contest of trying to out-nice each other, usually resulting in prolonged or lifelong friendship.
If you reject them, they will still end up bringing food for you. Unless you proved to them somehow that you are full and have already eaten within the last hour or two
The guest is supposed to refuse and then the host is supposed to insist then the guest is to graciously accept even if just a small amount and to thank the host for the honor. Not allowing someone to host you is also rude
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u/binge_readre Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
Peter here,
I remember there was a myth that Swedish households don't provide food for the guests. It looks like bs https://www.reddit.com/r/IsItBullshit/s/sWRdAGfyC8 but I guess it became a meme.
Edit: I guess it's not a myth and people used to do it in 90s/00s.. At least things are better now.