Thanks, thank you, tack

They are a very polite bunch, the Swedes. Not to mention grateful. Within the framework of a social life in Sweden, we must always remember to tender our thanks, and not just the once.

For example, let's take the dinner party at home. A casual dinner party can be a relaxed affair, but for the formal kind where a particular event is being celebrated, there are copious amounts of thank you's.

Starting with a chosen male guest who is assigned the honorary seat on the left of the hostess, he is expected to make the first speech of thanks. He must choose his time carefully, before the meal comes to a complete end, but not to disturb the flow of conversation. But before the guests completely empty their glasses of wine. His thanks tend to be along the lines of praising the hostess for her invitation, her menu, her table setting. He than usually toasts the hosts.

This, for the most part, is considered a mandatory speech if there are more than 8 people sat around the table. It doesn't have to be as pompous as it sounds. Most are jovial, good natured but sincere.

Afterwards, when guests are leaving the table, they usually find the host and thank them individually for the meal. Within one week of the party, guests really should write a note of thanks to the hosts, or at least call with a thank you.

And last but by no means least, next time you see or bump into the hosts while out and about, you must be sure to thank them one last time for the latest dinner party. "Tack for senast": thanks for the last time.

This is the one I'm still practising, and usually forget. And the one thing that will make me stand apart from the crowd in Sweden.