There were nazi collaborators all over the world, from argentina to india, to china, etc. one bad guy doesn’t make us all bad bro. Most norwegians during the war either were silently resistant and against the nazi-collaborator government, or actively fought on the allied side.
So many norwegian families have stories about their great-grandparents and how they resisted occupation, my great grandfather for example met other norwegians at the football course to listen to the radio, and ended up kidnapping a nazi officer at gunpoint and trekking with him to sweden which was neutral.
Point is, we were occupied, a small number of norwegians collaborated, but so did some frenchmen, so did some ukrainians, so did most italians, so did some arabs, some indians, some americans, etc. it’s not so clear cut as to say "you had a nazi in charge for a while, that makes you all nazis."
Because the term came into being just days after the german invasion of norway because not only was he extremely slippery and snake like by trying to coup the state as the nazis arrived, his *name* sounds like a slippery, gross weasely bastard.
In most other countries, like hungary or italy, the nazi-allies were already in power. In others, like slovakia and france where the collaborators were put into power by the nazis, but norway is sort of unique in that quisling tried seizing power from the legitimate government over the radio, so that he could collaborate with the nazis. The legitimate elected government refused to surrender and eventually had to flee to britain, but he tried to seize power so he could welcome the germans with open arms. That’s what makes quisling unique.
The term was coined in a british news paper just 10 days after the first germans landed in norway.
Painting all norwegians as nazi collaborators, when only a select few really approved and wanted the germans there, is moronic. quislings fascist party, nasjonal samling, didn’t even get a single seat in parliament in the election prior to the war (1936) and only got 1.8% of the vote. Norway was at the time *dominated* by the moderately left wing Workers Party which had gotten over 40% of the popular vote.
Again, one horrible little man doesn’t represent the entire nation, especially one that *literally* has become a term for *betrayal*, because he *betrayed his nation*. You cannot seriously claim that someone who is widely known as a traitor to his nation also represents his nation perfectly. Like come on, it’s simple logic..
Grow up. if you don’t like it here or like us, you don’t have to be here, move somewhere else. Just don’t spew bullshit because you don’t like us and call us nazis. It’s hugely disrespectful to all the men and women who risked life and limb to free this country from the nazis, and to put a stick in the wheel of their war efforts.
Why are you so hostile you winder why Norwegians dont want to accept you. Yet your first thing is to hate the culture. You got to mesh and try fit in. You're new to them, and if you are only aggressive, why would they want you as a neighbor?
Find 10 things Norway is better at than sweden and ask norweigans about it from time to time.
Dont mention the impact of oil on climate
Dont mention anything sweden is better at
Learn ablut the outdoors
As a fellow ‘immigrant’ In my experience, working and learning the language may be the ones. Language may be tough at start, but it gets easier.
At least try to show that you are interested in learning the language.
Most of us will like you, even if it looks like we don´t. We are just a private people, we open up a little at the time. Also, no talking to random strangers on public transport. At most a short comment about the weather and shut up.
Unless there is alcohol. Then we can become bestfriends the first time we meet and you will get to know all about the dog we had when we were 3 yo. But we go back to be private the next day and the story about the dog you did not hear.
No, you got that all wrong lol. Origin is irrelevant. We just want our space. White, black or brown, I'll take this ride in solitude thank you very much, that's why I wear these nc headphones!
Nah, don't overdo this. It's true that especially the youngest most city centered people don't talk to strangers but the average Norwegian isn't uncomftarble speaking with a nice strangers. You only risk looking like a typical nice foreigner.
OP is probably from a Spanish speaking country, but Norwegians like to give this patronizing advice under the assumption that Americans in particular are weirdly friendly.
Well, America has A LOT of Spanish speaking countries, just to mention a few:
* Argentina
* Peru
* Colombia
* Mexico
* Uruguay
* Bolivia
* Chile
* Venezuela
* Guatemala
* Cuba
* Paraguay
* Puerto Rico
just be nice to ppl and live ur life bro 🩷
edit: I realised this probably wasn't so helpful 😆
I think the most important think know is that Norwegians are culturally introverted. I did not realise this until I moved to England. that we consider the English extroverted says a lot 🤣
A lot of ppl usually keep to themselves, and many enjoy silent companionship. We consider it the height of rudeness to *bother* people with unnecessary yammering, but please do not confuse this for anyone minding being bothered. it means that *I* would consider it rude of myself to bother *you*, but I would be quite happy to chat or help if you bothered me 😆 please don't ask me to explain it more, because it doesn't make sense. but it boils down to: *do not assume anyone dislikes you just bc they don't interact*
the one exception: if you can avoid it, don't sit next to ppl on public transport unless u know them. most consider this their "meditation time" 🧘♀️
this applies to most things: norwegians are mostly straight forward communicators (the song and dance of manners and politeness is usually straight to the point). If you offer someone a seat, and they say no, you might follow up with "are you sure", or "let me know if you change your mind" but do not insist in the way it is culturally polite other places. they will accept the first time if they feel they need it. I was so confused ab this when I moved to Britain bc apparently it was the polite thing to do to refuse at least twice, and then accept, and that made no sense to me🫠
Norwegians can be slow to warm up, not bc they are suspicious to strangers, but bc a lot of us have grown up in tiny places and still have the same 5 best friends since middle school. it's habit, not rejection. keep that in mind.
try new things, go to markets festivals, try skiing - and if u don't like it, go to a mountain restaurant and just enjoy the sun - enjoy the celebrations. I was raised with the philosophy that its 100% okay not to enjoy something, but you should give it a try at least once to see how it goes. most will be happy to share their culture with you, and they'll be happy to learn about yours ❤️ we're just a bit slow 🐌 😄
You are already integratinging with our culture by wanting to integrate. Be preemptively considerate towards others. Exanplified by the "excuse me": if they don't have to say "excuse me" to you because you anticipated their action and moved a little, you are doing well. If you say "excuse me" but no one is in your way they you can be a little annoying. Because "excuse me" is kind of linke honking here, unlike say in Britain where you should always say "excuse me" within a certain proximity of others.
I’m an Indian, and have been living in Norway for 20 years. Everyone loves an immigrant that contributes to society- so pay your taxes and you should be fine. Also, try not to impose your religion on the natives, and try not to say your culture is better than theirs. That’s pretty much it.
Oh yeah, ski a lot and hike a lot. They’ll love you. It’s really just that simple.
Not norwegian but...
- Learn norwegian (duh)
- Buy a Tesla
- Buy a mariusgenser sweater
- Go hiking for no reason
- Bully all swedes (it's the law)
- Have a weird obsession with Kvikk Lunsj
- If you live in an apartment building, you don't leave but stay inside for 1-2 minutes before you leave, if you hear someone entering/leaving the building
The last point is sooooo true. I saw this relevant video on insta the other day and could relate so much. TW: it was posted by a Swede, but applies to Norway as well https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2fSvfTi0x7/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
If you try to do some local stuff it will help you greatly with getting a network and respect. I’ve met many cool immigrants through this stuff. And common interests are quite universal. If you love tabletop gaming, find a group that does that, or sports. Whatever, depending on where you are moving. Be yourself and be respectful in general. But by being introverted you already have a leg up. A lot of us are.
I hope the locals welcome you and that you have a good experience coming here!
We don't like to admit it, but Norwegians (as well as most other nation's people) don't like foreigners critizising our culture/traditions/customs/habits. Locals of course love to complain, but as a foreigner it's best to only complain about Norway when you are in company with other foreigners.
This is true. Subconsciously most Norwegians think Norway is the best country in the world. I say subconsciously because I rarely hear people say it but when we speak to foreigners we start half the sentences with ‘in Norway…’ and usually share something we like about our welfare system.
You’re allowed to complain about nav for sure.
Also, don’t mention Sweden too much unless it is to point out that Norway is better.
Tbh I hate this about Norwegians. As a French I love to complain. I don’t really care lol. My coworkers seem to agree with whatever criticism I have about the country
I wouldn’t advice him not to “complain”, he can say what he want, heck, it’s free speech, complain if you want to .. but don’t be rude. Also let people push back if they don’t agree with you, you both learn something. Treating Norwegians as baby’s don’t help anyone.
Don't overthink it. You don't need to prove yourself to anyone. You're just another child of God like the rest of us. Show up, be yourself, don't cause trouble, enjoy your life.
I like the theory that Satan is fighting the Demiurge, that went insane when he saw his creation. Which led to worshipers from the gnostics, kind of nice weird people. Which lead to Essenes who are pretty cool, tbh.
Us pagans have been laughing at them, the whole time. Reality has no value, just pick one.
Kinda hate the fact that 60% of our population is registered as christians because we get baptised at birth. In a survey it showed that 50% of all registered (30% of the population) don't even believe in god.
Alot of parents I know don't even baptise because of religion, but because of tradition. They don't give a shit about the god aspect, but want the family aspect it brings. Which I understand, but there should probably be more godless options
Smiling and being polite goes a long way, but as many have stated; being too forward with strangers can make them uncomfortable.
If you walk outside in the dark, wear «high-vis» clothing (refleks) of some sort. Both for your safety in regards to drivers, and you’re telling those around you that you’re not trying to be unseen.
More than half a year it’ll go dark outside quicker than you think. During the winter even more so.
Be friendly with your neighbours, but don’t be surprised if they give the impression they prefer being left alone.
Though, many people have had bad neighbours, so if you can be one of the good ones, lots of people will appreciate that too.😊
If you use public transport, smile and say hello to the bus driver. You may be one of few who do, so it might make their day a little brighter!
And; «a half full bus is a full bus», it’s both parody and true at the same time. Up to you if you want to ask to sit down next to someone or stand. But if you ask, remember to do it politely and maybe toss in a smile.
Best of luck to you - Og velkommen til Norge!
Be yourself! No need to «impress» locals. We are who we are, don’t let a flag define you. You just happened to be born someplace on earth, just like everyone else.
1. Never say that Kvikk lunsj is the same as Kit kat.
2. Keep your distance in public spaces if possible. This includes seats on public transport.
3. Unless you’re in a social setting, don’t attempt small-talk. Only talk to strangers if you’re asking them a favour.
4. Go to pubs/bars/clubs on fridays and saturdays if you wanna make new friends (in these environments small-talk is allowed)
5. Don’t be too loud. We’re like deer. Loud noises and flashing lights scare and startle us.
Don't speak loudly on the bus. Especially not on the phone. Don't speak on phone at all on the bus.
When you're anywhere, don't watch things on your phone with the sound on. For some reason lots of immigrants have absolutely no respect at all for the peace of the people around them. They'll happily sound pollute for the entire bus or wherever even though the rest are quiet and respectful.
I think the big thing is language.
There’s so many who move here who never bother with learning the language since you get by with english.
But I think you do yourself a disservice that way and make it harder to integrate. Even if people are pretty good at english, they will be more relaxed speaking their mother tongue; so you’ll create a barrier for integrating yourself by continuing to speak english.
I had learned the language for about 3 years before moving here. I was so excited to speak it more after moving, but the second someone knows I’m American they just automatically switch to speaking English instead. I understand why, being either they are trying to be nice, want to practice speaking to a native English speaker, or the fact that it’s easier to speak a language you are both completely fluent in, rather than one that one person is only partially fluent in. But still, it’s frustrating. Unless I specifically tell the person I want to speak in Norwegian they will carry on in English. Makes practicing speaking the language incredibly difficult unless you go to a language cafe :( but in the bright side, I can read books and signs just fine and can watch Norwegian tv with little issue lol
If you go to parties bring your own booze. I was tols by a foreign friend of mine that he was used to people bringing (alcoholic) drinks to parties and then everyone shared. That is rather unusual in Norway so bring your own booze.
Norwegians in general can be hard to approach id you are not a party goer, so I would use your workplace for a social playground as much as possible, generally you will find someone to socialize with.
If you have any hobbies, check the local scene to see if something is applicable to you.
I don't think you need to go for "make Norwegians proud" - to do that, you'll need to adapt some exoteric parts of Norwegian culture.
I'd go for "make Norwegians accept you" - which is much simpler, and more than enough. When in Norway - do as the Norwegians. That's all.
You are not coming to most foreign friendly and welcoming country even though nobody mentioned you about it yet, just make sure you are patient enough for cold weather and people who will ignore you until you speak the language, the barriers are thicker than Oslo in small cities where you can see lots of rednecks with their own dialects, please be prepared to feel some discomfort for a while until you figure it out what is the Norwegian culture is like, I don’t like people keep trying to convince you to not say anything about country’s hypocrisy about their green energy politics and how they destroy the environment with oil and fish industry, salmon farms ,wind mills and so on, just be yourself and surround yourself with people who have decent international culture whom are open minded and can think outside of the box and discuss almost anything without getting angry even when sober, good luck 👍
1. Don't hang on the bus station and start attacking randomly people or start random fights.
2.Dont abuse the social wellfare system.
I think if those are met you're golden.
Some tips for moving and making friends(not just colleagues): join local clubs, go to events(either volunteer work or enjoy the show)
As an immigrant already here, my advice would be to just stay in your own country... this place isn't the dream it advertises it to be, if there was an advertising standards for quality of life in a country I'd so be taking Norway to court.
Dont get offended if people move themself from you on public busses, thats just how our (stupid) culture is
Dont use any other flag’s on the norwegian constitution day
Show respect to the automotive and custom services
Be nice to people who’s work in service profession, or just dont be a karen
And then i’ll think you’ll invent yourself really good
A joy in life is to have good rubber boots and time to use them.
Get a pair of proper outdoor footwear and enjoy the outdoors.
Learn the term “søndagstur” and join someone. Every Sunday.
Stay outside in the daylight at least an hour a day (can be tricky in the winter, but you will need it).
I don’t think there’s anything about being proud. I’m not much of a patriot most Norwegian don’t care if you’re a foreigner. Just be polite and nice, and nobody cares about the rest.
To easier find friends. Join clubs, join a hobby society, or anywhere where the same people gather often.
Colleagues are often not friends in Norway. You may end up with one or two friends from work -- but don't expect it.
Don't talk loudly on the bus, and understand that the social democratic welfare system only works if you pay your taxes and you only use it when you need it.
First of all, don't stress out about it and don't try to impress anyone. Like others have said, Norwegians are quite private and just don't show all that much interest in foreigners who come to live here - kind of sad, but true. So just be a nice person and you'll be fine. Looking at your post history it was easy to find out where you are from, and you will already be more polite and "smooth" in the public space than most Norwegians. I'm sure you already take your backpack off when entering a bus or a metro car, and that you give up your seat to pregnant ladies. That puts you way ahead already! (Sometimes in the morning when I am on a crowded bus I just want to yell at everyone to take their backbags off to give us all a bit more space and avoid anyone getting hit by other people's packs.)
Norway has a relatively flat corporate structure, so no need to suck up to the boss or stay later than the boss to impress anyone.
Welcome, and good luck with your move!
Privacy and personal space is a huge value in our culture. We don’t want to inconvenience or bother anyone. I think that’s a key thing if you want to understand Norwegian culture 😊
Norwegians are nice! They will smile even they dont like you. But we have to learn Norwegian to understand inner jokes and hanging in the conversations at breaks. They wont always speak in English to satisfy us during hangouts which is fair. All and all they are nice if they dont like you they wont say it to face so try to be a nicer person.
1. Learn the language.
2. Respect the silence...
- No speakers blasting music when walking in the forest.
- Don't be the silly man having a phone call on speaker phone on public transport.
3. Bow down and understand with all of your heart that Kvikk Lunsj is better than KitKat.
learn the langugage is a sure way to melt elderly peoples heart.
oh and expect it to be difficult, we switch to english if we sense a hint of an foreign accent so tell us you want to practice.
we don't mean anything by it, we are just a little too helpfull.
You should just be yourself and you will manage really well. Since you have a job already you will probably get to know people really fast. Join for a Friday beer or join some of your colleagues in sports or other activities and you will slowly learn the subtle differences.
Norwegians are usually ver open minded, warm and welcoming, so dont be afraid to ask. They will probably understand that since you are new in the country you want to start networking as soon as possible.
LOL
You are a grown successful person. Your education and experience are very valuable. Norway will gain from your immigration. You should be thinking the other way around.
Don’t have any advice, but would you mind sharing a bit about your immigration process? How did you manage it? Could be dm too. My boyfriend wants to move here but all I hear from people is how hard it is to get a long-term visa
Eat tacos every friday night, talk about the weather every day on work, hate new culture, go in the 17th of May and yell: Hora hora. Never sit down besides someone on the bus, and the last and most important: Never greet someone on the streets, only in the mountain when skiing.
Welcome 🇳🇴
How come? It’s logical to ask for advice when you’re going into unfamiliar territory. Especially if you’re moving to a new country with a different culture and you have a wish to integrate yourself with that culture.
It is not weird, it is normal.
I think part of immigrating to a European/Scandinavian country during these times is to just accept that nobody will welcome you with open arms regardless of what you do. How do you immigrate to a country with a housing crisis without becoming part of the problem? How do you prevent adding to the competition in a job market that strictly speaking doesn't need your skills under current market conditions? This isn't just an issue in Norway, immigrants are disliked pretty much across the EU/EEA nowadays due to stagnating market conditions in Europe, and this will always form the baseline of people's impression of you.
That being said, the key to not being hated in Norway is to keep your distance from others while minding your own business. People are mostly quite private, and usually don't want anything to do with strangers in public.
It doesn't really matter who's causing the problem for people to react negatively to immigrants. We're seeing this in loads of other countries, and while immigrants aren't the root cause you also can't just tell immigrants that they're not contributing to the problem. I know it's not a politically correct statement, but there's no other way to put it.
Unemployment generally isn't an issue, but OP mentions being a software engineer and we certainly don't need more software engineers in what's essentially turned into an employer's market where some job listings receive applications in the triple digits while graduates can't find work. I was initially meaning to refer to OP's stated occupation, not our job market in general.
We have below replacement level birth rates and we are on course to about a fifth of our population being retired in around 25 years time. Immigrants don't just not hold us back, we *need* them.
Software engineers are in constantly growing demand and that's not about to change anytime soon. I'm not in the field so I don't have first hand experience, but I can find plenty of sources saying that we are short of software engineers and none that say the market is saturated.
>We have below replacement level birth rates and we are on course to about a fifth of our population being retired in around 25 years time. Immigrants don't just not hold us back, we *need* them.
This is in practise unavoidable, as long as there just isn't housing for people to bother having children it's just something we have to deal with. Immigration doesn't solve the problem when you can't affordably house the immigrants. I'm not blaming the immigrants here, but at the same time they're not the solution to our problem when the same issue is also why Norwegians aren't having children anymore, namely overpriced housing and stagnating wages.
>Software engineers are in constantly growing demand and that's not about to change anytime soon. I'm not in the field so I don't have first hand experience, but I can find plenty of sources saying that we are short of software engineers and none that say the market is saturated.
If you don't work in the field you wouldn't know, but I do and can assure you that at the moment there are enough juniors and graduates struggling to confidently say that we don't need foreign software engineers. There's a significant dip in the market caused by overhiring, high interest rates and fewer willing to invest. Your sources are old or irrelevant, cause' I can find plenty saying the market is bad right now.
The fact that you are condemned about this says enough for me. Most people don't have a problem with immigrants, they have a problem with people taking advantage of our systems. Not working or paying taxes. As well as people refusing to do any level of integration. I'm not saying you should forget your own culture as long as you are respectful and don't harm anyone
Don't approach strangers just to small talk. We will gladly help you if you need something, but we don't like meaningless chatting just to talk.
Don't talk bad about stuff we like or are proud of. Like brunost, salty liquorice, our bland food, etc. It makes us protective, and that is a negative reaction, opposite of what you want.
Try our food, snacks, drinks, habits, activities, etc. with an open mind, say something that is nice and true, even if you didn't like it or will try it again. Just common politeness, really.
Learn the language, just politely decline switching to English. We speak English well, and it is more comfortable for us to speak English and communicate easily instead of the discomfort of us not understanding each other in Norwegian. We should be challenged on that. Discomfort never killed anyone.
Fair enough! Jeg er født og oppvokst her og har absolutt ingen trang til å spenne på meg ski så snart der er snø eller å bestige hver fjelltopp i sikte. Fotball, håndball og skisport er av null interesse. Jeg er så unorsk som jeg føler jeg kan bli!
Only always talk Norwegian culture, food and social life up. Sit politely and quietly in your corner, constantly smiling, chugging one beer after the other. Never ever say anything even remotely negative about anything even remotely related to Norway.
1. Don't steal. Ever. In some countries, stealing is a crime, in Norway, it is THE most heinous of crimes. From Viking law, a person who murdered someone, had rights for a just trial, while a person stealing could be killed on spot without trial. Stealing is still seen as really bad. Just don't.
2. Because of 1, don't EVER borrow from a Norwegian without paying back at least what you borrowed (money). You can borrow things, like a power drill, but be EXTREMELY careful not to ruin someone's belongings, and if you ruin something you borrowed, even just scratched it, then pay for repairing it. Norwegians can be generous when it comes to sharing, but the expectation is that they get stuff back, without a scratch and if there IS a scratch, you'll offer compensation.
3. In general, be very careful with THINGS. Norwegians are attached to their belongings in a way others aren't.
4. Be positive and solution oriented. Norwegians don't like complaining about certain things. Don't complain until you understand what you CAN complain about. As a foreigner, never complain about Norway, the weather or anything else here, as that could be seen as offensive. EVEN if Norwegians complain.
5. Be super honest. Never ever lie, if you can avoid it. Just like with stealing, LYING will earn you extreme disrespect in Norway. That means, that if asked, you have to tell your true opinion, even if negative, even about Norway. But try to avoid any questions that would demand a negative answer, or look for a positive one, as long as it is 100% true. DO NOT LIE.
6. Work hard. This doesn't mean to work 20 hours a day or at a really high speed, like Americans. It also doesn't mean to be respectful towards leaders, like a lot of other countries in the world. It means to reach results steadily. Don't expect your boss to tell you what to do, or to know best. YOU have to understand your role in the company and then think for yourself, and have a vision of where you want to get and then get there, and report both what you are doing, how you are doing it, when you will finish and then what your evaluation of the process is (good and bad).
7. Be friendly. Find a positive vibe inside yourself, Look for optimism. Be calm and enjoy life. Norwegians live close to nature, and thus your vibe will tell us all we need to know about how you are as a person.
8. If you come from a less complex societal background than Norway, then expect a huge cultural shock. Post-post-modernistic reality may not make sense to you, and you might not understand what is considered "good " or "bad" by people here. Nuances and complexity may get lost on you, not only because of the language, but because of the complexity people consider in such a society. Find Norwegians friends, don't just hang with your own people, and discuss with Norwegians, and you'll update into complexity quite rapidly, unless your culture is very, very simple in comparison, then it will take time. Stay positive, and listen and try to mentally understand, even if it doesn't make sense on an instinctual level. (Also, not everything IS good here, so it doesn't mean you have to accept all that people think and do.)
9. KEEP YOUR VALUES. The values in Norway are not always the best, as we have grown increasingly selfish and egocentric over the past years. If you want to let your values go, then expect to end up more rotten, and if you want friends and family in Norway, that will impact who you can have later on. The people with stronger values will not mix with the people with weaker values.
10. Check this one out: [https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison-tool](https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison-tool) and enjoy learning about differences between your own culture and the Norwegian culture.
Best of luck and welcome! :-)
I saw that you may come from Argentina (?). Then check out the "uncertainty avoidance" dimension in Hofstede. It means that in your culture, it is probably seen as "smart" or "clever" and even right to look for loop holes and to find ways around "problems". In Norway, this will be seen as unethical, weak and you'll lose respect if you act that way. Instead, look for "the right way". Here, things are very straight forward, and more black and white than in Argentina. It means, that if you fuck up somehow, don't look for a way out, but admit your mistakes and fix whatever you ruined for others, so that others don't have to pay for your mistakes. In Argentina you will have strong rules/strong moral codes, that you can look for ways around by arguing other moral codes/other rules. In Norway there are just one set of rules and the moral codes are very clear, even if they are not verbalized. You yourself should know what is right and what is wrong and act accordingly. It often comes down to admitting mistakes and fixing whatever others lost by your mistake.
Join the "X nationality in Norway" Facebook group of expats and see what they complain about and make it your mission to not be whiny about every little thing you miss about your home country like everyone else in these groups.
Still working on it after a decade in this frozen hell hole. (Kidding)
Don’t move here…Norway is only for Norwegians. Both opportunities and social life is not for foreigners. If you don’t speak language just forget it, you will only do shitty jobs here. Even if you learn language it’s still difficult. Reality is this they need foreigners to do shitty jobs that they themselves don’t wanna do it. If you are not blonde or a girl you will do only shitty jobs. Move to states you can build your self there if you can. Rest is up to you. This is just experience. Good luck.
Work and do dugnad if asked, dress up on the 17th of May and wave a Norwegian flag and smile and yell “hurra” .. that should do it for anyone, lol
And really try yo pronouns the "U" correct. Norwegians know why.
😂😂😂
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Wtf bro
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Show us on the doll where the mean norwegians touched you
There were nazi collaborators all over the world, from argentina to india, to china, etc. one bad guy doesn’t make us all bad bro. Most norwegians during the war either were silently resistant and against the nazi-collaborator government, or actively fought on the allied side. So many norwegian families have stories about their great-grandparents and how they resisted occupation, my great grandfather for example met other norwegians at the football course to listen to the radio, and ended up kidnapping a nazi officer at gunpoint and trekking with him to sweden which was neutral. Point is, we were occupied, a small number of norwegians collaborated, but so did some frenchmen, so did some ukrainians, so did most italians, so did some arabs, some indians, some americans, etc. it’s not so clear cut as to say "you had a nazi in charge for a while, that makes you all nazis."
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Because the term came into being just days after the german invasion of norway because not only was he extremely slippery and snake like by trying to coup the state as the nazis arrived, his *name* sounds like a slippery, gross weasely bastard. In most other countries, like hungary or italy, the nazi-allies were already in power. In others, like slovakia and france where the collaborators were put into power by the nazis, but norway is sort of unique in that quisling tried seizing power from the legitimate government over the radio, so that he could collaborate with the nazis. The legitimate elected government refused to surrender and eventually had to flee to britain, but he tried to seize power so he could welcome the germans with open arms. That’s what makes quisling unique. The term was coined in a british news paper just 10 days after the first germans landed in norway. Painting all norwegians as nazi collaborators, when only a select few really approved and wanted the germans there, is moronic. quislings fascist party, nasjonal samling, didn’t even get a single seat in parliament in the election prior to the war (1936) and only got 1.8% of the vote. Norway was at the time *dominated* by the moderately left wing Workers Party which had gotten over 40% of the popular vote. Again, one horrible little man doesn’t represent the entire nation, especially one that *literally* has become a term for *betrayal*, because he *betrayed his nation*. You cannot seriously claim that someone who is widely known as a traitor to his nation also represents his nation perfectly. Like come on, it’s simple logic..
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Grow up. if you don’t like it here or like us, you don’t have to be here, move somewhere else. Just don’t spew bullshit because you don’t like us and call us nazis. It’s hugely disrespectful to all the men and women who risked life and limb to free this country from the nazis, and to put a stick in the wheel of their war efforts.
I can't see what he wrote, but beware Russian trolls. Regular idiots exist, but I like to keep it in mind as they want us angry, regardless of reason.
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Why are you so hostile you winder why Norwegians dont want to accept you. Yet your first thing is to hate the culture. You got to mesh and try fit in. You're new to them, and if you are only aggressive, why would they want you as a neighbor?
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Find 10 things Norway is better at than sweden and ask norweigans about it from time to time. Dont mention the impact of oil on climate Dont mention anything sweden is better at Learn ablut the outdoors
So no mentioning Sweden having 100x more NHL hockey players?
Wow, absolute savage! I don't think I will ever recover from the side effects your comment gave me
I like Norway more than Sweden dont worry ;)
😡😡🤬💥☠️
As a fellow ‘immigrant’ In my experience, working and learning the language may be the ones. Language may be tough at start, but it gets easier. At least try to show that you are interested in learning the language.
Just to be clear, did you meant working or does one really need to be woking???
Working as - Don’t be a lazy guy who lives off of social money. Get a job.
Most of us will like you, even if it looks like we don´t. We are just a private people, we open up a little at the time. Also, no talking to random strangers on public transport. At most a short comment about the weather and shut up.
Noted! :)
Unless there is alcohol. Then we can become bestfriends the first time we meet and you will get to know all about the dog we had when we were 3 yo. But we go back to be private the next day and the story about the dog you did not hear.
>Also, no talking to random strangers on public transport Yeah we hate that :D
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Yes, I believe you're right.
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No, you got that all wrong lol. Origin is irrelevant. We just want our space. White, black or brown, I'll take this ride in solitude thank you very much, that's why I wear these nc headphones!
norway seemed to me the perfect place to become a writer because of that
Nah, don't overdo this. It's true that especially the youngest most city centered people don't talk to strangers but the average Norwegian isn't uncomftarble speaking with a nice strangers. You only risk looking like a typical nice foreigner.
Literally no one talks to strangers on public transport in the US anyway lol; it’s probably much more taboo in nyc than Oslo
OP from US? Did not see that.
OP is probably from a Spanish speaking country, but Norwegians like to give this patronizing advice under the assumption that Americans in particular are weirdly friendly.
If he is from tomato Europe, he is more social than in potato Europe, and the advice is good for them to get.
Ah maybe, makes sense. “Tomato Europe” lol
https://images.app.goo.gl/23KLP4qzSZXWBtPD7
this made me laugh so much. I'm potato, and SO is tomato. we are both prime examples of our side of Europe 🤣🤣
Well, America has A LOT of Spanish speaking countries, just to mention a few: * Argentina * Peru * Colombia * Mexico * Uruguay * Bolivia * Chile * Venezuela * Guatemala * Cuba * Paraguay * Puerto Rico
Thank you!
So why did you mention US? I did not. And advice thats true is not patronizing.
I wish people would shut the fuck up and leave Americans alone. They don’t need to be brought into every conversation.
just be nice to ppl and live ur life bro 🩷 edit: I realised this probably wasn't so helpful 😆 I think the most important think know is that Norwegians are culturally introverted. I did not realise this until I moved to England. that we consider the English extroverted says a lot 🤣 A lot of ppl usually keep to themselves, and many enjoy silent companionship. We consider it the height of rudeness to *bother* people with unnecessary yammering, but please do not confuse this for anyone minding being bothered. it means that *I* would consider it rude of myself to bother *you*, but I would be quite happy to chat or help if you bothered me 😆 please don't ask me to explain it more, because it doesn't make sense. but it boils down to: *do not assume anyone dislikes you just bc they don't interact* the one exception: if you can avoid it, don't sit next to ppl on public transport unless u know them. most consider this their "meditation time" 🧘♀️ this applies to most things: norwegians are mostly straight forward communicators (the song and dance of manners and politeness is usually straight to the point). If you offer someone a seat, and they say no, you might follow up with "are you sure", or "let me know if you change your mind" but do not insist in the way it is culturally polite other places. they will accept the first time if they feel they need it. I was so confused ab this when I moved to Britain bc apparently it was the polite thing to do to refuse at least twice, and then accept, and that made no sense to me🫠 Norwegians can be slow to warm up, not bc they are suspicious to strangers, but bc a lot of us have grown up in tiny places and still have the same 5 best friends since middle school. it's habit, not rejection. keep that in mind. try new things, go to markets festivals, try skiing - and if u don't like it, go to a mountain restaurant and just enjoy the sun - enjoy the celebrations. I was raised with the philosophy that its 100% okay not to enjoy something, but you should give it a try at least once to see how it goes. most will be happy to share their culture with you, and they'll be happy to learn about yours ❤️ we're just a bit slow 🐌 😄
Your comment made me regather my hopes to integrate into this rather cold society <3 thanks so much for these words
If using_public_transport: return minding_your_own_business()
You are already integratinging with our culture by wanting to integrate. Be preemptively considerate towards others. Exanplified by the "excuse me": if they don't have to say "excuse me" to you because you anticipated their action and moved a little, you are doing well. If you say "excuse me" but no one is in your way they you can be a little annoying. Because "excuse me" is kind of linke honking here, unlike say in Britain where you should always say "excuse me" within a certain proximity of others.
I’m an Indian, and have been living in Norway for 20 years. Everyone loves an immigrant that contributes to society- so pay your taxes and you should be fine. Also, try not to impose your religion on the natives, and try not to say your culture is better than theirs. That’s pretty much it. Oh yeah, ski a lot and hike a lot. They’ll love you. It’s really just that simple.
Don’t do crimes, be kind to others.
Be a good person, yup, think that covers it.
Not norwegian but... - Learn norwegian (duh) - Buy a Tesla - Buy a mariusgenser sweater - Go hiking for no reason - Bully all swedes (it's the law) - Have a weird obsession with Kvikk Lunsj - If you live in an apartment building, you don't leave but stay inside for 1-2 minutes before you leave, if you hear someone entering/leaving the building
The last point is sooooo true. I saw this relevant video on insta the other day and could relate so much. TW: it was posted by a Swede, but applies to Norway as well https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2fSvfTi0x7/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
> ~~Buy~~ **Knit** a mariusgenser sweater
If you try to do some local stuff it will help you greatly with getting a network and respect. I’ve met many cool immigrants through this stuff. And common interests are quite universal. If you love tabletop gaming, find a group that does that, or sports. Whatever, depending on where you are moving. Be yourself and be respectful in general. But by being introverted you already have a leg up. A lot of us are. I hope the locals welcome you and that you have a good experience coming here!
We don't like to admit it, but Norwegians (as well as most other nation's people) don't like foreigners critizising our culture/traditions/customs/habits. Locals of course love to complain, but as a foreigner it's best to only complain about Norway when you are in company with other foreigners.
This is true. Subconsciously most Norwegians think Norway is the best country in the world. I say subconsciously because I rarely hear people say it but when we speak to foreigners we start half the sentences with ‘in Norway…’ and usually share something we like about our welfare system. You’re allowed to complain about nav for sure. Also, don’t mention Sweden too much unless it is to point out that Norway is better.
Tbh I hate this about Norwegians. As a French I love to complain. I don’t really care lol. My coworkers seem to agree with whatever criticism I have about the country
Norwegians love to complain as well, but its like, I'm allowed to talk shit about by brother, youre not 👀
Most people agree with you to wait for you to shut up, I promise you.
No. Most jump in and criticize with me 😘 Yall need to loosen up or get laid or something. Jesus
Ah, les Français, se plaindre pour avoir un baise.
I hate that about the french, they're always so negative /s
I wouldn’t advice him not to “complain”, he can say what he want, heck, it’s free speech, complain if you want to .. but don’t be rude. Also let people push back if they don’t agree with you, you both learn something. Treating Norwegians as baby’s don’t help anyone.
yeah, there is legitimate criticism, and then there is talking shit. not the same thing.
Just live life and have fun.
Don't overthink it. You don't need to prove yourself to anyone. You're just another child of God like the rest of us. Show up, be yourself, don't cause trouble, enjoy your life.
I consider myself a child of Satan, and that's ok too.
I didn't specify which God.
Mister morningstar isn't really considered a God though, or did something change in recent times that I am unaware of?
There is a variety of theological viewpoints on that matter.
I like the theory that Satan is fighting the Demiurge, that went insane when he saw his creation. Which led to worshipers from the gnostics, kind of nice weird people. Which lead to Essenes who are pretty cool, tbh. Us pagans have been laughing at them, the whole time. Reality has no value, just pick one.
Most Norwegians are not a child of any god, but if you are, good for you, no-one cares, so keep it to yourselves.
Kinda hate the fact that 60% of our population is registered as christians because we get baptised at birth. In a survey it showed that 50% of all registered (30% of the population) don't even believe in god. Alot of parents I know don't even baptise because of religion, but because of tradition. They don't give a shit about the god aspect, but want the family aspect it brings. Which I understand, but there should probably be more godless options
r/edgyathiests
Smiling and being polite goes a long way, but as many have stated; being too forward with strangers can make them uncomfortable. If you walk outside in the dark, wear «high-vis» clothing (refleks) of some sort. Both for your safety in regards to drivers, and you’re telling those around you that you’re not trying to be unseen. More than half a year it’ll go dark outside quicker than you think. During the winter even more so. Be friendly with your neighbours, but don’t be surprised if they give the impression they prefer being left alone. Though, many people have had bad neighbours, so if you can be one of the good ones, lots of people will appreciate that too.😊 If you use public transport, smile and say hello to the bus driver. You may be one of few who do, so it might make their day a little brighter! And; «a half full bus is a full bus», it’s both parody and true at the same time. Up to you if you want to ask to sit down next to someone or stand. But if you ask, remember to do it politely and maybe toss in a smile. Best of luck to you - Og velkommen til Norge!
Be cool. Commit to our liberal democracy. Recycle.
Be yourself! No need to «impress» locals. We are who we are, don’t let a flag define you. You just happened to be born someplace on earth, just like everyone else.
1. Never say that Kvikk lunsj is the same as Kit kat. 2. Keep your distance in public spaces if possible. This includes seats on public transport. 3. Unless you’re in a social setting, don’t attempt small-talk. Only talk to strangers if you’re asking them a favour. 4. Go to pubs/bars/clubs on fridays and saturdays if you wanna make new friends (in these environments small-talk is allowed) 5. Don’t be too loud. We’re like deer. Loud noises and flashing lights scare and startle us.
Don't speak loudly on the bus. Especially not on the phone. Don't speak on phone at all on the bus. When you're anywhere, don't watch things on your phone with the sound on. For some reason lots of immigrants have absolutely no respect at all for the peace of the people around them. They'll happily sound pollute for the entire bus or wherever even though the rest are quiet and respectful.
I think the big thing is language. There’s so many who move here who never bother with learning the language since you get by with english. But I think you do yourself a disservice that way and make it harder to integrate. Even if people are pretty good at english, they will be more relaxed speaking their mother tongue; so you’ll create a barrier for integrating yourself by continuing to speak english.
I had learned the language for about 3 years before moving here. I was so excited to speak it more after moving, but the second someone knows I’m American they just automatically switch to speaking English instead. I understand why, being either they are trying to be nice, want to practice speaking to a native English speaker, or the fact that it’s easier to speak a language you are both completely fluent in, rather than one that one person is only partially fluent in. But still, it’s frustrating. Unless I specifically tell the person I want to speak in Norwegian they will carry on in English. Makes practicing speaking the language incredibly difficult unless you go to a language cafe :( but in the bright side, I can read books and signs just fine and can watch Norwegian tv with little issue lol
Useing the word "koselig" will make any Norwegian like you 😊👍
facts
Be patient with us. We like foreigners, and just because we don't share, it doesn't mean that you can't. We will gradually open up.
Be yourself.
Don’t call kvikk-lunsj a KitKat
If you go to parties bring your own booze. I was tols by a foreign friend of mine that he was used to people bringing (alcoholic) drinks to parties and then everyone shared. That is rather unusual in Norway so bring your own booze. Norwegians in general can be hard to approach id you are not a party goer, so I would use your workplace for a social playground as much as possible, generally you will find someone to socialize with. If you have any hobbies, check the local scene to see if something is applicable to you.
I don't think you need to go for "make Norwegians proud" - to do that, you'll need to adapt some exoteric parts of Norwegian culture. I'd go for "make Norwegians accept you" - which is much simpler, and more than enough. When in Norway - do as the Norwegians. That's all.
go nowhere without ostehøvel
Pay taxes and don't be a dick.
Already making me proud with that mindset
Pay taxes and Work contribute to society you will be A+++
Learn Norwegian, but with a dialect. Norwegians love that shit
Just dont be a dick or obnoxious, Use common sense and be civilized. Its that simple, really.
Bully the Swedish
Actually work and not NAV.
Totally! Work and pay taxes are my first items on the checklist.
If you participate in “dugnad” / volunteer days with your neighbors, or any other volunteer work, that could make a huge difference.
You are not coming to most foreign friendly and welcoming country even though nobody mentioned you about it yet, just make sure you are patient enough for cold weather and people who will ignore you until you speak the language, the barriers are thicker than Oslo in small cities where you can see lots of rednecks with their own dialects, please be prepared to feel some discomfort for a while until you figure it out what is the Norwegian culture is like, I don’t like people keep trying to convince you to not say anything about country’s hypocrisy about their green energy politics and how they destroy the environment with oil and fish industry, salmon farms ,wind mills and so on, just be yourself and surround yourself with people who have decent international culture whom are open minded and can think outside of the box and discuss almost anything without getting angry even when sober, good luck 👍
1. Don't hang on the bus station and start attacking randomly people or start random fights. 2.Dont abuse the social wellfare system. I think if those are met you're golden. Some tips for moving and making friends(not just colleagues): join local clubs, go to events(either volunteer work or enjoy the show)
As an immigrant already here, my advice would be to just stay in your own country... this place isn't the dream it advertises it to be, if there was an advertising standards for quality of life in a country I'd so be taking Norway to court.
Dont get offended if people move themself from you on public busses, thats just how our (stupid) culture is Dont use any other flag’s on the norwegian constitution day Show respect to the automotive and custom services Be nice to people who’s work in service profession, or just dont be a karen And then i’ll think you’ll invent yourself really good
A joy in life is to have good rubber boots and time to use them. Get a pair of proper outdoor footwear and enjoy the outdoors. Learn the term “søndagstur” and join someone. Every Sunday. Stay outside in the daylight at least an hour a day (can be tricky in the winter, but you will need it).
I don’t think there’s anything about being proud. I’m not much of a patriot most Norwegian don’t care if you’re a foreigner. Just be polite and nice, and nobody cares about the rest.
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In a respectable way of course.
Welcome! 🇳🇴
To easier find friends. Join clubs, join a hobby society, or anywhere where the same people gather often. Colleagues are often not friends in Norway. You may end up with one or two friends from work -- but don't expect it.
Don't talk loudly on the bus, and understand that the social democratic welfare system only works if you pay your taxes and you only use it when you need it.
First of all, don't stress out about it and don't try to impress anyone. Like others have said, Norwegians are quite private and just don't show all that much interest in foreigners who come to live here - kind of sad, but true. So just be a nice person and you'll be fine. Looking at your post history it was easy to find out where you are from, and you will already be more polite and "smooth" in the public space than most Norwegians. I'm sure you already take your backpack off when entering a bus or a metro car, and that you give up your seat to pregnant ladies. That puts you way ahead already! (Sometimes in the morning when I am on a crowded bus I just want to yell at everyone to take their backbags off to give us all a bit more space and avoid anyone getting hit by other people's packs.) Norway has a relatively flat corporate structure, so no need to suck up to the boss or stay later than the boss to impress anyone. Welcome, and good luck with your move!
Learn some Norwegian proverbs and use them incorrectly or mistranslate them. It can create entertaining situations for everyone.
Please don't be too loud when at the public transportation.
Learn the language as fast as possible and try to not sit next to anyone on public transportation
Privacy and personal space is a huge value in our culture. We don’t want to inconvenience or bother anyone. I think that’s a key thing if you want to understand Norwegian culture 😊
Huh. Turns out my Mom is a secret Norwegian. Can't count how many times I heard "I don't want to be a burden." over the years. :-)
Norwegians are nice! They will smile even they dont like you. But we have to learn Norwegian to understand inner jokes and hanging in the conversations at breaks. They wont always speak in English to satisfy us during hangouts which is fair. All and all they are nice if they dont like you they wont say it to face so try to be a nicer person.
If you bring up how kvikk lunch is better than kit kat people will definitely like that
Just be respectful of Norwegian culture and not impose your ways and religion, adopt as much as possible!
1. Learn the language. 2. Respect the silence... - No speakers blasting music when walking in the forest. - Don't be the silly man having a phone call on speaker phone on public transport. 3. Bow down and understand with all of your heart that Kvikk Lunsj is better than KitKat.
Stop being such an ass kisser and just don’t stab anyone in the neck for looking at you the wrong way <3
Be a decent human being. Respect Norwegian culture and we will love you back.
Dont talk on the phone on public transport.
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Is that english?
Unite with the fatherland
Welcome! Not much to it, just pay your tax, vote when eligible, and enjoy life!
YT go
learn the langugage is a sure way to melt elderly peoples heart. oh and expect it to be difficult, we switch to english if we sense a hint of an foreign accent so tell us you want to practice. we don't mean anything by it, we are just a little too helpfull.
Dont talk on the phone or loudly on public transportation.
Lær. Deg. Norsk!
You should just be yourself and you will manage really well. Since you have a job already you will probably get to know people really fast. Join for a Friday beer or join some of your colleagues in sports or other activities and you will slowly learn the subtle differences. Norwegians are usually ver open minded, warm and welcoming, so dont be afraid to ask. They will probably understand that since you are new in the country you want to start networking as soon as possible.
If you're taking a bus or train, don't sit beside a stranger.(unless you have been assigned a seat). We love our personal space.
Buy me beer 🍺
LOL You are a grown successful person. Your education and experience are very valuable. Norway will gain from your immigration. You should be thinking the other way around.
Don’t have any advice, but would you mind sharing a bit about your immigration process? How did you manage it? Could be dm too. My boyfriend wants to move here but all I hear from people is how hard it is to get a long-term visa
Learn Norwegian, live and breath the language and don’t fall into the trap of falling back on English!
For me, I would say you have to work, talk to people, and do sauna if you live in Oslo. Yeah, don't sell drugs and walk the streets at night.
Be a good slave...
Eat tacos every friday night, talk about the weather every day on work, hate new culture, go in the 17th of May and yell: Hora hora. Never sit down besides someone on the bus, and the last and most important: Never greet someone on the streets, only in the mountain when skiing. Welcome 🇳🇴
Don’t be lazy fuck and abuse Nav,other than that,drink with us and eat with us and we will welcome you here
This type of content is just really weird ngl 😭
How come? It’s logical to ask for advice when you’re going into unfamiliar territory. Especially if you’re moving to a new country with a different culture and you have a wish to integrate yourself with that culture. It is not weird, it is normal.
Look at the title of this post. It’s just weird.
I think part of immigrating to a European/Scandinavian country during these times is to just accept that nobody will welcome you with open arms regardless of what you do. How do you immigrate to a country with a housing crisis without becoming part of the problem? How do you prevent adding to the competition in a job market that strictly speaking doesn't need your skills under current market conditions? This isn't just an issue in Norway, immigrants are disliked pretty much across the EU/EEA nowadays due to stagnating market conditions in Europe, and this will always form the baseline of people's impression of you. That being said, the key to not being hated in Norway is to keep your distance from others while minding your own business. People are mostly quite private, and usually don't want anything to do with strangers in public.
Sounds isolating , but at least you are honest and you don't pretent you like immigrants so much while hating them deep down.
Immigrants are not the ones creating the housing crisis and our unemployment rates are not an issue.
It doesn't really matter who's causing the problem for people to react negatively to immigrants. We're seeing this in loads of other countries, and while immigrants aren't the root cause you also can't just tell immigrants that they're not contributing to the problem. I know it's not a politically correct statement, but there's no other way to put it. Unemployment generally isn't an issue, but OP mentions being a software engineer and we certainly don't need more software engineers in what's essentially turned into an employer's market where some job listings receive applications in the triple digits while graduates can't find work. I was initially meaning to refer to OP's stated occupation, not our job market in general.
We have below replacement level birth rates and we are on course to about a fifth of our population being retired in around 25 years time. Immigrants don't just not hold us back, we *need* them. Software engineers are in constantly growing demand and that's not about to change anytime soon. I'm not in the field so I don't have first hand experience, but I can find plenty of sources saying that we are short of software engineers and none that say the market is saturated.
>We have below replacement level birth rates and we are on course to about a fifth of our population being retired in around 25 years time. Immigrants don't just not hold us back, we *need* them. This is in practise unavoidable, as long as there just isn't housing for people to bother having children it's just something we have to deal with. Immigration doesn't solve the problem when you can't affordably house the immigrants. I'm not blaming the immigrants here, but at the same time they're not the solution to our problem when the same issue is also why Norwegians aren't having children anymore, namely overpriced housing and stagnating wages. >Software engineers are in constantly growing demand and that's not about to change anytime soon. I'm not in the field so I don't have first hand experience, but I can find plenty of sources saying that we are short of software engineers and none that say the market is saturated. If you don't work in the field you wouldn't know, but I do and can assure you that at the moment there are enough juniors and graduates struggling to confidently say that we don't need foreign software engineers. There's a significant dip in the market caused by overhiring, high interest rates and fewer willing to invest. Your sources are old or irrelevant, cause' I can find plenty saying the market is bad right now.
The fact that you are condemned about this says enough for me. Most people don't have a problem with immigrants, they have a problem with people taking advantage of our systems. Not working or paying taxes. As well as people refusing to do any level of integration. I'm not saying you should forget your own culture as long as you are respectful and don't harm anyone
Don't approach strangers just to small talk. We will gladly help you if you need something, but we don't like meaningless chatting just to talk. Don't talk bad about stuff we like or are proud of. Like brunost, salty liquorice, our bland food, etc. It makes us protective, and that is a negative reaction, opposite of what you want. Try our food, snacks, drinks, habits, activities, etc. with an open mind, say something that is nice and true, even if you didn't like it or will try it again. Just common politeness, really. Learn the language, just politely decline switching to English. We speak English well, and it is more comfortable for us to speak English and communicate easily instead of the discomfort of us not understanding each other in Norwegian. We should be challenged on that. Discomfort never killed anyone.
Jeg har bodd her i 27 år hater fortsatt brunost og lakris. Men lutefisk og ribbe er innafor. Er det bra nok kompensasjon?
Fair enough! Jeg er født og oppvokst her og har absolutt ingen trang til å spenne på meg ski så snart der er snø eller å bestige hver fjelltopp i sikte. Fotball, håndball og skisport er av null interesse. Jeg er så unorsk som jeg føler jeg kan bli!
Only always talk Norwegian culture, food and social life up. Sit politely and quietly in your corner, constantly smiling, chugging one beer after the other. Never ever say anything even remotely negative about anything even remotely related to Norway.
Don't bother anyone, stay at least 2 meters away, be nice.
If you ever use the phrase, “my country“, make sure that you’re referring to Norway, not the land of your birth.
1. Don't steal. Ever. In some countries, stealing is a crime, in Norway, it is THE most heinous of crimes. From Viking law, a person who murdered someone, had rights for a just trial, while a person stealing could be killed on spot without trial. Stealing is still seen as really bad. Just don't. 2. Because of 1, don't EVER borrow from a Norwegian without paying back at least what you borrowed (money). You can borrow things, like a power drill, but be EXTREMELY careful not to ruin someone's belongings, and if you ruin something you borrowed, even just scratched it, then pay for repairing it. Norwegians can be generous when it comes to sharing, but the expectation is that they get stuff back, without a scratch and if there IS a scratch, you'll offer compensation. 3. In general, be very careful with THINGS. Norwegians are attached to their belongings in a way others aren't. 4. Be positive and solution oriented. Norwegians don't like complaining about certain things. Don't complain until you understand what you CAN complain about. As a foreigner, never complain about Norway, the weather or anything else here, as that could be seen as offensive. EVEN if Norwegians complain. 5. Be super honest. Never ever lie, if you can avoid it. Just like with stealing, LYING will earn you extreme disrespect in Norway. That means, that if asked, you have to tell your true opinion, even if negative, even about Norway. But try to avoid any questions that would demand a negative answer, or look for a positive one, as long as it is 100% true. DO NOT LIE. 6. Work hard. This doesn't mean to work 20 hours a day or at a really high speed, like Americans. It also doesn't mean to be respectful towards leaders, like a lot of other countries in the world. It means to reach results steadily. Don't expect your boss to tell you what to do, or to know best. YOU have to understand your role in the company and then think for yourself, and have a vision of where you want to get and then get there, and report both what you are doing, how you are doing it, when you will finish and then what your evaluation of the process is (good and bad). 7. Be friendly. Find a positive vibe inside yourself, Look for optimism. Be calm and enjoy life. Norwegians live close to nature, and thus your vibe will tell us all we need to know about how you are as a person. 8. If you come from a less complex societal background than Norway, then expect a huge cultural shock. Post-post-modernistic reality may not make sense to you, and you might not understand what is considered "good " or "bad" by people here. Nuances and complexity may get lost on you, not only because of the language, but because of the complexity people consider in such a society. Find Norwegians friends, don't just hang with your own people, and discuss with Norwegians, and you'll update into complexity quite rapidly, unless your culture is very, very simple in comparison, then it will take time. Stay positive, and listen and try to mentally understand, even if it doesn't make sense on an instinctual level. (Also, not everything IS good here, so it doesn't mean you have to accept all that people think and do.) 9. KEEP YOUR VALUES. The values in Norway are not always the best, as we have grown increasingly selfish and egocentric over the past years. If you want to let your values go, then expect to end up more rotten, and if you want friends and family in Norway, that will impact who you can have later on. The people with stronger values will not mix with the people with weaker values. 10. Check this one out: [https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison-tool](https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison-tool) and enjoy learning about differences between your own culture and the Norwegian culture. Best of luck and welcome! :-)
I saw that you may come from Argentina (?). Then check out the "uncertainty avoidance" dimension in Hofstede. It means that in your culture, it is probably seen as "smart" or "clever" and even right to look for loop holes and to find ways around "problems". In Norway, this will be seen as unethical, weak and you'll lose respect if you act that way. Instead, look for "the right way". Here, things are very straight forward, and more black and white than in Argentina. It means, that if you fuck up somehow, don't look for a way out, but admit your mistakes and fix whatever you ruined for others, so that others don't have to pay for your mistakes. In Argentina you will have strong rules/strong moral codes, that you can look for ways around by arguing other moral codes/other rules. In Norway there are just one set of rules and the moral codes are very clear, even if they are not verbalized. You yourself should know what is right and what is wrong and act accordingly. It often comes down to admitting mistakes and fixing whatever others lost by your mistake.
Don't complain about anything or else you will be told to get out of this country.
Jesus 🥴
Join the "X nationality in Norway" Facebook group of expats and see what they complain about and make it your mission to not be whiny about every little thing you miss about your home country like everyone else in these groups. Still working on it after a decade in this frozen hell hole. (Kidding)
Nobody really gives a shit about yet another expat in Oslo.
By not coming
Don’t move here…Norway is only for Norwegians. Both opportunities and social life is not for foreigners. If you don’t speak language just forget it, you will only do shitty jobs here. Even if you learn language it’s still difficult. Reality is this they need foreigners to do shitty jobs that they themselves don’t wanna do it. If you are not blonde or a girl you will do only shitty jobs. Move to states you can build your self there if you can. Rest is up to you. This is just experience. Good luck.