Appreciating Norway's Quirks
While spending a year abroad is very different from taking a trip, I asked my daughter if she would share some of the observations she has made from her time in Norway here on my blog. When visiting another country for an extended period of time, you can learn much more about a place, and I really enjoy hearing about all those things that are similar and different from our own little corner of the world. I hope you enjoy it as well:
Hi everyone!
Over the past few months, I’ve found life in Oslo to be a wonderful combination of beautiful nature, great museums, and helpful people, with a healthy work-life balance thrown in. Along the way, I’ve noticed several interesting quirks of the country:
Shortcuts – You know that thought process of choosing between taking a longer paved path and cutting across the grass to get to your destination faster? That doesn’t happen in Norway. Here, foot-worn paths through the grass have already been created for you by the feet of hundreds of others who also like shortcuts. These paths are everywhere, from my route to work to hills that lead down to bus stops. They’re even present near hiking trails, where along with several marked trails there is also a multitude of smaller paths leading off to who-knows-where. I’ve often seen people peeling off the main trail to take one of these paths, disappearing into the forest completely in a matter of seconds.
Shortcut leading to a bus stop.
Rain – There is a saying in Norwegian that translates to “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” To say that this idea is taken to heart is an understatement. Not only is there an abundance of rain jackets here, but there are also rain pants and adorable full-body rain suits for kids. Garbed in this gear, Norwegians venture out and enjoy the outdoors even during heavy rains. On multiple occasions I’ve seen people picnicking by a lake with their families during an actual downpour. Similarly, the rain doesn’t stop outdoor exercise – if you grab your water-proof fanny pack and go for a run in the rain you’ll fit right in. In addition to clothing, Norwegian strollers have been optimized for the weather, showcasing wider wheels to allow parents to use them in dry, rainy, and snowy conditions alike.
Transportation – The public transportation in Oslo is excellent. With a Ruter ticket, you can use the metro system (called the “T-bane”), trains, trams, buses, and ferry boats to get around the city. Plus, there is even a free bus that can take you from the center of Oslo to IKEA and back! Best of all, the public transportation in Oslo typically runs on time and Ruter has a helpful app with the system’s schedule, so you can plan out your trip and arrive at your destination precisely when you mean to.
Majorstuen T-bane metro station.
Nature – Norway is an incredibly beautiful country filled with cozy houses, breathtaking fjords, and gorgeous sunsets. I pass through a small apple orchard, colony gardens, and a forested area overlooking the city all on my way to work. Even though I live in Oslo, I am still only walking distance away from a large lake and a multitude of hiking trails. I’ve found hiking here to be an ethereal experience – with mossy rocks, wild blueberry bushes, and dappled light, climbing through the forests in Norway can make you feel like you’re completely removed from the rest of the world.
One line of the public transportation system in Oslo can take you to the base of these hiking trails, while another can take you to their end. Some hiking trails double as cross-country skiing runs or sledding routes during the winter, so you can take the metro to the top with your gear, make your way down the snowy slopes, and repeat!
Slap Bracelets – When I first came to Norway, I was given several shiny, rolled-up slap bracelets. For the first few months I assumed they were just fun swag items reminiscent of the 80s, but as the days grew shorter and snow began to appear I started to see them more and more frequently. In fact, these slap bracelets are so widely used that I see dozens of them every time I walk on the streets of Oslo. Sometimes I even see four bracelets per person, one decorating every limb and compressing the down garments underneath to create Michelin Man-like rolls. In truth, the slap bracelets are used as a safety precaution; they’re made out of reflective material to make pedestrians visible to cars. This is a highly pragmatic - and thus highly Norwegian - solution to the fact that there are very few hours of daylight in the winter time. Still, I can honestly say I never thought I would associate Norway with an item I occasionally found at the bottom of childhood post-birthday party goody bags.
A classic slap bracelet.
Lawn Mowers – Automatic lawn mowers are common in Oslo, trimming the grass everywhere from people’s front yards to university gardens. They have the shape, size, and traveling patterns of a Roomba and even come equipped with anti-theft technology, including a loud alarm if a person picks up the mower and doesn’t enter the correct pin code. I don’t know why I haven’t seen these devices or exactly how they work, but they seem pretty awesome.
Roving automatic mower in a front garden.
Dogs – Dogs in Norway are remarkably well-behaved. In the several months I’ve been here, I have seen countless dogs, but I have yet to hear even a single bark. Dogs are taken to training classes – and owners actually take this training seriously, gently correcting their dogs while out and about on the street or on the metro.
Shoe Etiquette – In Norway, it is customary to take off your shoes when you step inside. If you’re going to someone’s house, you typically leave your shoes by the door. At the gym or dance studio, you remove your outdoor shoes and put on gym sneakers (even if your outdoor shoes were sneakers). If you’re wearing rain or snow boots on your way to work, you change your footwear when you get to your office.
Oat Milk – Norway is big on oat milk. According to Oatly, the main brand carried here, the milk is "based on Swedish research from Lund University" and to me it tastes like sweet, bottom-of-the-bowl cereal milk. So while not all coffee shops in Norway have soy or almond milk options, the vast majority serve oat milk for all the lactose-free individuals (or those who just prefer the oat version!).
Oat milk latte and traditional kanelbolle pastry.
Food – Norway boasts some seriously impressive yogurt flavors, like orange & mango, papaya & passionfruit, prune, cinnamon & pear, and even cloudberry. Instead of dusting BBQ powder on snack items, paprika is used to flavor chips, pringles, and even Norvegia cheese. The pepper itself is common in grocery stores and is enjoyed in slices on top of “matpakke” (open-faced dry sandwiches). While much of Norwegian cuisine has its roots in traditional and seasonal dishes such as pinnekjøtt (lamb ribs) and fiskekake (fish cakes), modern additions include Grandiosa frozen pizza and the extremely popular tacofredag (taco Fridays).
Official Languages – Norway has two official written languages, so many things are listed twice in Norwegian: once in Bokmål (“Book Language), and once in Nynorsk (“New Norwegian”). Some of the emails I receive here contain a first section in Bokmål (the written language the majority of Norwegians use), a second section in Nynorsk, and a third section in English. Fun fact: the front of Norwegian passports reads "Norge Noreg," which is just "Norway" twice; Norge is Bokmål, Noreg is Nynorsk.
So far, I’ve really enjoyed these Norwegian quirks! As I’ve only been here for a few months, I’m still noticing new things all the time, and I can’t wait to see the traditions the winter months will reveal!
Which of these differences have you noticed on your travels to Norway? What are traditions from your country might be surprising to a visiting foreigner?
