Well, after some more time here, and a first attempt at defining some Norwegian uniqueness, I have found some more elements of “Norwegianness” that help me to determine how much I have been influenced! So here they are, you know you are Norwegian when:
- You assume that a stranger on the street who smiles at or greets you is:
a) a foreigner
b) insane
c) All of the above. - You enjoy the taste of lutefisk (jelly-like, bad-smelling fish) and cod prepared in any way, including fried cod tongues.
- You can prepare fish in five different ways without cooking it.
- You don’t question the habit of always preparing a “matpakke” (packed lunch).
- You eat salt liquorish without wincing.
- You are not shocked to see babies left outside in their pram when it is -10°C.
- You have two cars, a cabin and a boat, if not more.
- You think there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
- It feels natural to wear sport clothes and backpack everywhere, including the cinema, bowling alley, and to church.
- You are think it’s weird if a house isn’t wooden.
- You know at least five different words for describing different textures of snow.
- You don’t fall when walking on ice.
- You earn more than you spend.
- You associate Easter with cross-country skiing with friends and family in the familys mountain cabin.
- You are shocked if there are not 2 months of snow every year, at least!
- You fall 3 metres, and don’t get hurt. If you do, you’re not worried at all.
- You can’t understand why foreigners haven’t heard about Bjørn Dæhlie.
- You have a barbeque party during rainy weather.
- You’re more afraid of customs officers than terrorists.
- You miss your flight to shop at the tax-free shop.
- You get a bad conscience because you are inside when it is sunshine.
- You vigorously defend whale hunting but do not eat whale meat.
- You’re proud to be Norwegian.
On this list, I score 10/23 :-) how much do you score? Do you have any other examples of Norwegianness?
?) if you use snus.
?) if you suck in air, a sort of gesture of “yes, i’m listening”.
?) if you don’t smile.
?) if you have a small, underdeveloped sense of love or romance.
?) abnormally tall.
?) If you walk everywhere.
?) If you were born with skis on your feet.