The Norwegian way

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:21 pm

Being a Norwegian is being different. We're 4,7 million people on 385,000 square km, which gives each Norwegian 12 square km to play on. In other words Norway is very full of absolutely nothing except Christmas trees and granite.

Norway is so long that if we flip it around, Finnmark will end up in southern Italy. And it's so narrow in places that one can easily walk from the fjord bottom to Sweden. The roads are indescribably bad and wind up and down mountains and in and out of fjords.

Norway's contribution to the World is Henrik Ibsen, Liv Ullmann, the word Quisling and the Nobel Peace Price. Oh, and Thor Heyerdahl of course, and Arne NÃƒÂ¦ss, the late husband of Diana Ross.

Our closest neighbours the Swedes and Danes get severe cultural shock when they move here. The Dutch on the other hand, flock here to get away from the crowds in their flat, overpopulated country. The English find us so alien that every now and then they write a bestseller about us. I do believe most buyers are Norwegians, though, since we take so much pride in being different.

Despite the fact that we are so few, Norwegians are found all over the globe, also in very remote corners. In Seattle one can manage well without knowing any English I'm told. All Norwegians have a bit English, even though some deny it. Most also speak a bit German, Spanish or French. Some even Russian and Chinese. We have to, being so totally outnumbered.

We got rid of our nobility in the 17th and 18th century, but still elected a King in 1905. Our monarchy is still going strong, being very modern. Our Crown Prince married a single mother some years back.

We've got oil, furniture manufacturing, ship wharfs, fish, forest and a lot of high technology and visionary research. We've got very few snobs. We're allowed to tell our boss he's being an ass if that is a fact. We care nothing for titles. We don't care who you are, we judge you from what you do. If you do your stuff well, then we'll respect you. Norwegian women are so self-sufficient that Norwegian men are lucky if they catch one. Most Norwegians marry, but stand by their partner only as long as their partner stands by them. Divorce rates are sky high, since both men and women have career jobs. But the children always come first, so new parents get 12 months' leave with pay and share this time among themselves. Usually the parent with the best paid job takes the shortest leave.

Norwegians are very good at moving abroad, but also good at moving back home, because we firmly believe that despite weather conditions and government turmoil, this is the best place to be.

Last edited: Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:21 pm

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Frank wrote on Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:31 pm:

You know I've lived in Sweden for a total of 2 years now and apart from a few tidbits of information here and there I still don't know a whole lot about Norway. You have helped fill in a few blanks Droopy thank you muchly! I have met a few Norwegians and like most Scandinavian folk I have met they are genuinely friendly people.

>>> Norway's contribution to the World is Henrik Ibsen, Liv Ullmann, the word Quisling and the Nobel Peace Price. Oh, and Thor Heyerdahl of course, and Arne NÃƒÂ¦ss, the late husband of Diana Ross. <<<

Tut tut, you forgot Aha :D

Droopy wrote on Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:35 pm:

Sorry, I forgot A-ha! An American couple visiting also commented on the freindliness they met. "We don't understand a thing they're saying, but they're smiling all the time." :)

eileen wrote on Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:35 pm:

Loved your description of your country and its people Droopy. I must admit about the only things I've heard about Norway is that it has THE most beautiful scenery, the people are all very friendly and that it's a country that really MUST be visitd. No much eh??

toni wrote on Tue Oct 23, 2007 11:44 pm:

Droopy, thank you so much for the great description of Norway and the people.
So many places I would love to visit and none of them are a possibility so thanks for your words and the pictures you have shared before.

dooley wrote on Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:59 am:

Our son,Dan visited your country when he was in the Navy. He rented a bike and rode a lot of places. He said it was the cleanest country he ever visited. There was no trash on the streets anywhere. He loved it. dooley

Calomaar wrote on Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:40 pm:

I'm sorry to admit, that I am not very worldly, having never been out of the US. I seem to remember from history classes, way back when, that the Vikings came from your part of the world, and there is some evidence that Leif Eriksson, a Viking, may be the first European to wander about in the Americas. As a matter of fact, it's speculated that he was here in Wisconsin. Having come in the great lakes. Also there is an American Foot Ball team named the Vikings from Minneapolis, where there is a large Scandinavian population. So you guys do get around, and you can add another name to your list.

Tom

bethie wrote on Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:56 pm:

I'm pleased to read this. Living in rural US I've never come across a Norwegian. Now I'm Pleased to say I have.

Droopy wrote on Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:03 pm:

Dooley, thank your son from me. So nice to hear.

Calomaar, don't insult the Icelanders. Leif Eriksson lived there when he visited America. <<<In 1960, Norwegian archaeologists Helge Ingstad and his wife Anne Stine discovered a short-lived Viking settlement at Epaves Bay in Newfoundland. This site, called L'Anse aux Meadows (Meadow Cove), is thus far the only Viking settlement to be discovered in North America.>>>(Copied from Athena review.)

Bethie, I'm surprised to hear that. Good thing we're not like locusts then. :)

Palm Tree wrote on Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:25 pm:

OOh Droopy
The sun always shines on TV - or so A-Ha sings.

THe Norwegians also have quite a few famous soccer players, and even a World Rally champion.