Norwegians 1:

Norwegians are a strange race. They believe strongly in the freedom of the individual and at the same time in the duty to the common good. They believe in a symbiosis between state and individual wherein Norwegians should be able to live off the state, but be too proud to do so. As such they would make terrible communists and even worse liberalists.

- and strangers: Norwegians are notoriously shy to strangers. This should not be confused with xenophobia, Norwegians are as a rule shy themselves inbetween as well. Norwegians feel the need to be well acquainted with people before even the most harmless intimacy is accepted. Hugs and kisses on the cheek (or in the air by the cheek) on a first encounter will baffle the Norwegian at least, annoy them at the most. This may vary on first dates, but not much. Also, don't boast. Norwegians suffer from an inferiority complex mixed with a bizarre moralist upbringing. Boasting is considered vulgar as a rule, in Norway it is even worse (the word "skamros", flattery until it becomes shameful, is a typical Norwegian sin). The rules about boasting does not count if you boast about Norway.


- and alcohol: Norwegians have an unhealthy relationship towards alcohol. A shindig or a night on the town costs so much that most foreigners wonder if staying social for a month means not sending your kids to college. As most of the Norwegian universities and colleges are free (not economics, though), and as Norwegians earn much even when subtracting the cost of living, this is not completely accurate. The price on alcohol is high, though, and many Norwegians visit neighbouring countries (Sweden, Denmark by boat or Finland in the North) simply to buy beer. Norwegians might consume their alcohol in small sips or spread out the week, but it is more popular to binge drink for two days and stay sober until the next weekend.



- and crime: Most Norwegians believe that crime is something that happens somewhere else. Some believe that it came with foreigners, even though the crime rate has gone down significantly after the first wave of Pakistani immigrants. In reality, there are few crimes in Norway, and even fewer violent ones. Which is strange, considered that what Norwegians consider a prison cell, Italians consider a one star hotel room. Norwegians as a rule are anti-capital punishment, even though everyone has one person they would like to make an exception for.



- and civil rights: in Norway wou will not appear in court for your statements, but that does not mean that you will not be judged. Said simple, Norwegians would argue that you have the right to sound like an idiot in public. That is, unless you make racist comments, whcih are technically prohibited. If the picture painted of Norway comes of as somewhat grim, it will not surprise many readers that Norway is almost 100% pro-choice; if nothing else, Norwegians believe that no one should be forced to have to live in Norway (which by and large sums up their immigration policy as well). In short, your civil rights are safe in Norway, provided you don't smoke.