Are Norwegians cold

Are Norwegians cold?

(I found this text in “Propaganda”, a Norwegian magazine for youths, and I found it interesting, so I added it to my site. Meaning I haven’t written this, but I agree with what the Norwegians say at the end… BTW I can tell I’m a purebred Norwegian myself, or maybe you’ve already figured that out.

Hint: all the nature pics and the cross-country stuff…)

It’s apparently true that Norway can be a physically cold place to dwell. But how true is the notion that Norwegians are cold people? As I noted in a letter to a friend back in Sydney Australia (where I’m from), and where at the time it was 50°C, Norway is, to me, because of the temperature, a sometimes strange place? It’s subtle differences.

I list the following:

- Having a shower in the morning, and by the time you get to work, not far away, your hair is frozen stiff.

- Breathing in through your nose, and experiencing the invigorating chill of your nostrils freezing.

- Getting to work and your eyelids being heavy, not because of tiredness, but from ice.

- Someone asking you if you’ve been ice-skating yet this season and answering honestly: “Yes, in fact I went for a skate when I got off the trick at Aker Brygge* this morning”.

- Saying to someone in Australia… “Yeh, sure they have sun in Norway in winter.” And not telling them you have to go into a “Sun Salon” and buy it by the minute.

*Aker Brygge is a well-known quay in Oslo, Norway

My friend Sam came over from Australia to stay with me a few weeks ago, and being a surfer, was blown away by seeing snow on a beach.

Could you imagine how strange this is for an Australian?

I explained to him that the pleasure of sun baking is a brief affair this time of the year of a few reasons.

The straining, not too hot sun, is only up for a few hours a day.
After fixing the snow underneath your back towel so it’s just right, and getting finally comfortable, there’s nothing more annoying than getting snow kicked in your face by a passing tourist.
It’s just damn cold at the beaches here!

But, are Norwegian people cold?

Sam noticed the same thing that I love about Norwegians, that is, the honesty. To me Norwegians try and kid others less (and maybe themselves), are less sarcastic, and are hence, it seems, not as easily carried away with the superficiality commonly found in major cities. This, I see, is a unique quality with Norwegian people, compared to other places. Where else could one go in a westernized world and find huts in the mountains containing food for passing trekkers, that relies on the honesty of the public? With the keenness for Norwegians being in the mountains, and the avid cross-country skiing, Sam and I also observed a strong appreciation for nature.

Naturally there are contradictions to this. For instance, the “mad-hunt” to kill a few wolves in this country. Also, with growing number of people with mink coats in Oslo. It seems that being physically cold is not the only thing being stated here.

Far be it for me to come to another country and criticize their ways, but can I ask, How many animals go into making the average mink coat? Thirty?

What is this, a competition to see how many animals can be killed and worn on your back?

Lynne, a purebred Norwegian says, that to her, “Yes, Norwegians are cold, and self righteous”.

Camilla, also Norwegian says, “Yes, Norwegian people are cold. But the one’s who travel, improve a lot”.

However, Saski from the Netherlands says that contrary to what seems to be belief among many Norwegians, “they are warm people. It’s just that they are hard to get “in” with. But once you’re friends, you’re good friends.”

I don’t know about the self righteous observation, but I can say I’m personally meeting warm, open and friendly Norwegian people all the time, and loving them.

As for the fur coat thing, I’m open for debate.

~Christian Cordeaux~