Norway customs and etiquette
The Kingdom of Norway (Norway: Kongeriket Norge or Kongeriket Noreg), abbreviated as "Norway"(Norway: Norge or Noreg), which means "the road to the north", is one of the five Nordic countries located in the western part of Scandinavia. Norway has a long and narrow territory from north to south, a long and tortuous coastline, and many coastal islands. It is called the "Land of Thousands of Islands." Its territory borders Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Its territory also includes the Svalbard Islands and Jan Mayen Island. The capital is Oslo.
Norway is a highly developed industrialized country. The petroleum industry is an important pillar of the national economy. Norway is also the largest oil producer in Western Europe and the world's third largest oil exporter. Norway has been rated by the United Nations as the most suitable country to live in for six consecutive years since 2001, and ranked first in the Global Human Development Index continuously from 2009 to 2013.
Norway is also a highly developed capitalist country and a member of NATO. Its economy is an example of the successful combination of market liberalization and government macro-control. Norway was also one of the pioneers in creating a modern welfare state. In addition, papermaking, shipbuilding, machinery, hydropower, chemicals, and wood processing are also traditional developed industries in Norway. Norway is not currently a member of the European Union and does not use the euro.
The official language of Norway is Norway, and English is the common language. Norway There are two similar official languages spoken in Norway and both languages are taught in schools. Bokmal (Bokmal) is the main language, and because it evolved from Danish, it is also called Dano-Nolwegian). Applicable to 80% of the population. The other language is the New Norway (New-Nolwegian or Nynolsk), which evolved from the Old Norway language during the Danish rule, contains many characteristics of daily dialects and is grassroots. After World War II, due to the influence of urbanization, the New Norway language was significantly less used, so Pokmer still prevailed. Norway people in tourist areas also generally speak English, but people in rural areas hardly speak English.
Norway people mainly believe in Protestant Lutheran (Lutheran), and a small number of Catholics. Foreign immigrants brought Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. to Norway. There are many traditional festivals in Norway related to Christianity or its unique natural environment, mainly Christmas (December 25), New Year's Day (January 1), and Easter (The first Sunday after the full moon of the vernal equinox), Branch Sunday (the Sunday before Easter), Maundy Day (the Thursday before Easter), Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), Ascension Day (the 40th day after Easter), Pentecost (the 50th day after Easter) and Tronmseh Sun Day (January 21), Oslo Ski Festival (the first Saturday in March), etc.
Norway people have received good environmental education since childhood, and environmental protection concepts such as not littering, not spitting, garbage classification, energy conservation and water conservation are as deep as the hearts of the people. The term "sustainable development" was first proposed by Brundtland, the first female Prime Minister in the history of Norway, when she served as Chairman of the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development in 1987.
Since 1\3 of the vast territory is located in the Arctic Circle, Norway's diet is inseparable from fish and aquatic products. In ordinary days, it also likes to eat seafood, meat sausages, smoked fish, pickled cabbage and various dairy products. Top to the list are smoked salmon, fresh cod, herring and shrimp. Meat includes lamb, veal, and beef. Moose meat and reindeer meat are also common. Home-cooked dishes in Oslo include meatballs and stewed mutton in autumn, and snow-capped quail in winter. Cheese is also delicious, especially slices of bread or honeycomb cakes with sweet feta cheese. There are many restaurants in Oslo with diverse flavors and high quality. Unfortunately, the prices are relatively expensive and do not distinguish between grades. Near Carl John Street, there are restaurants of all kinds. The area around Ake Wharf Mall is very lively in summer, and many small and mini open-air cafes are full.
Norway people love nature very much and like outdoor sports. Throughout the year, runners can be seen everywhere, regardless of rain, snow, wind and frost. In summer, Norway people like to go for walks and picnics in the forests on the outskirts of the city. Maybe spend most of the time on a long hike through the forest with a tent, sleeping bag, fishing pole and puppy. In winter, Norway people like to ski in the mountains. Skiing is even more popular and popular in Norway than China people like to play table tennis. Norway people have a deep attachment to nature. Their ordinary lifestyle has been integrated with nature. People's various behaviors are inspired by nature, and nature also gives people inspiration and courage.
Norway's customs are also very strange. The most popular one in Norway is red. The hem of girls 'coats, children's ski jackets or men's felt hats is all red. Norway also has a strange etiquette, that is, people must maintain a fixed distance when talking to each other. Think that the distance between the two parties in the conversation is about meters away from each other. Otherwise, it will be regarded as impolite to exceed or fall short of the customary distance of the person concerned, which will dilute the atmosphere of the conversation or appear unpleasant formality. Punctuality is a special custom among Norway people. Not being punctual is not only rude, but also regarded as a breach of promises. If for some reason you cannot be punctual, you should call first to explain the reasons and gain understanding.
If you visit for the first time or are invited to a family dinner, it will be very welcome for a guest to bring a bouquet of flowers or candies as a gift to the hostess. During the meal, guests should propose a toast to the host, but this is only limited to when there are fewer than 6 guests. If there are more than 6 guests, you cannot propose a toast to the hostess, because if all guests propose a toast to the hostess, it will undoubtedly make her drunk. When you break up, be sure to formally apologize to the hostess.
Norway people also love to drink beer, wine and whisky. If you toast while drinking, there is a complex ceremony of attention. Raise the glass, look into each other's eyes, and then say, touch the glass, look into each other's eyes again, and then drink it down or sip it slowly, because the price of the wine is not low.
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Norway is known as a "feminist country", although not all aspects are "worthy of the name". Women who are presidents, chairmen and business directors in large companies and large enterprises are "fashionable"; women who hold real power in key departments such as "finance, personnel, industry and commerce" are rare in local governments such as counties, cities and other places. In addition, in some industries, women are often discriminated against to varying degrees on issues such as equal pay for equal work, promotions and salary increases, and vocational training; even in some families,"male chauvinism" is still prevalent, and abuse of women and children occurs from time to time. However, generally speaking, or by making some horizontal comparisons between countries, the liberation of women in Norway has indeed made progress that cannot be ignored. The improvement of women's status is not only reflected in the legal provisions that emphasize "equality for all" and "racial and gender equality," but also in all aspects of social life. Anyone who has had life experience in Norway, even new visitors, will leave the impression to varying degrees: Norway women prefer "public appearances" than men, and even some formal social occasions.
Norway people like to shake hands very much. Whenever strangers meet, they always shake hands and exchange names. Similarly, when you meet someone you don't know very well in the future, you have to shake hands when greeting and saying goodbye.
The only impolite attitude of Norway is on the busy streets of Oslo. People seem to push each other and don't apologize very often, so if someone bumps you and doesn't apologize, as long as it's not too hard, don't be angry. One thing to note (especially when you are driving) is that pedestrians sprint and run and jump when crossing the road, regardless of traffic signals or the fact that Scandinavian people are recognized as the most orderly pedestrians in the world.
Tipping is easy. Hotels will add a service charge and generally no longer tip. Restaurants usually also include a service charge, and it is up to the customer to decide whether to tip. However, it is customary to tip 5 to 10% of the amount spent. Taxi drivers do the same. It is customary not to tip barbers.
Norway is taboo about "13" and Friday, so don't talk about "13" and Friday words and events. It is also a Norway custom not to wear hats indoors. Don't scare river birds, because river birds are the national bird of Norway. The people of Norway love this bird very much, and the government prohibits catching or damaging river birds.