Swedes Do Lunch Breaks Better

While the good people of the world are washing their cars on their lunch breaks or standing in line at Subway, the workers of Sweden are enjoying giant, crazy disco parties. No wonder they're less stressed out than we are.

The idea for Lunch Beat, an hourlong mobile afternoon dance club, started in June 2012 in Stockholm. Only 14 people showed up to the first one, but now the parties attract enormous crowds of besuited execs, office clerks, and baristas.

As good ideas are wont to do, the events have spread to 10 other cities within Sweden. Finland and Serbia have also picked up the idea, and Portugal's joining the fun next month. There are only a few rules involved.

"The first rule of Lunch Beat is that you have to dance," said organizer Daniel Odelstad. "If you don't want to dance during your lunch hour, then you should eat your lunch somewhere else."

At a recent Lunch Beat, more than 500 people lined up and paid the $14 cover, according to USA Today. Lunch Beat is a nonprofit, and the money goes to cover the venue rental and sandwiches, because everyone still has to eat. There's no alcohol, though.

"People are sober, it's in the middle of the day, and it is very short, effective, and intensive," Odelstad said. "You just have to get in there and dance, because the hour ends pretty quickly."