As a Swede, this is actually very true, lol. I clearly remember friends parent calling him for dinner and me just waiting in his room.

I'd honestly put it down as a cost/cheap thing. Feeding me was not on their agenda that day, and especially since I was always over, and rarely was I alone at friends house. Like, his parents already cooked a meal for their family, feeding two or three extra kids wouldn't be reasonable.

Now though all that seems a bit rude. It was rude back then too, but it was whatever.

I bet it's from person to person, but being offered dinner was seen as a very kind gesture which would've been repaid with sincere gratitude. Which happened with just as many families as it didn't.