Norway culture

2. Hira Elahi
Prof.
Mahwish

10. Archaeological finds and ruins spread across Norway
indicate that it was continually settled through the
Neolithic Stone Age and BronzeAge.

13. Olaf II Haralson

15. Current
king
• Monarchs
• Current king is HM King Hararld V

17. City symbol

21. Don't ever honk the horn in
a car if there is no
emergency

22. Be advised that Norway is
quite left-wing politically
Do not be afraid of bringing up the subject, but
be prepared for a discussion if you strongly
advocate a left-wing political opinion.

25. Be prepared for egalitarian principles
Norwegians emphasize egalitarian principles heavily. Never treat
people differently based on wealth or other factors. Be equally
polite towards women as you would towards men, as well as
children.

26. Remember first names are
okay in casual settings
Except for when doing business, it is perfectly OK to address
people by first name only, even if you don't know them very
well, especially if the circumstance is informal. It's
unnecessary using titles such as Herr or Fru (Mr. and Mrs.).

27. Body
Language
• There is little personal touching except between
relatives and close friends.
• Do not stand close to a Norwegian, back slap or put
your arm around anyone.

28. Be on time
Punctuality is extremely important. If doing
business, you should be minimum 5 minutes
early.

29. Do not invade people's personal space. The
personal space in Norway is generally larger
than most other places. Do not stand too close
to others, even when queuing.

30. Understand Norwegian social mores or customs
Keep in mind that Norwegians tend to be reserved and relatively introverted. This is not a sign of hostility, it's just the common practice. (When on a bus, most
people would elect to sit down at an empty seat, rather than beside someone else.

31. Keep your voice low and
don't talk too much
It could be considered rude to talk excessively
loud, especially in public. There are no need to
whisper, just keep an eye on your volume if
you tend to speak very loudly.

32. Speaking English will
work in most situations
Most Norwegians speak English exceptionally well,
especially people in their 40's or younger. Some even
speak a few words German. You might encounter
difficulties if you want to talk to older people, though.

33. Remember tips are
not mandatory
While some travel guides advocates tipping, this is never
an obligation in Norway.While some might do it if they
have encountered extraordinary service, some never do.

34. Avoid
discussing
religion
In Norway, religion is a personal matter.
Therefore, it is a touchy subject. It is perfectly
OK to discuss it on a general basis, but unless
talking with a close friend, it is probably best to
avoid discussing it on a personal level.

36. Dining and Entertainment
Norwegians insist on
punctuality for social
occasions. 7:00 p.m.
means 7:00 p.m.
Business lunches are to
discuss business, but
business dinners are
mostly social. Business
can also be discussed,
but allow the host to
open the discussion.
For a formal toast, look
into the eyes of the person
being toasted and give a
slight nod, then say Skel.
Before putting your glass
down, meet the other
person's eyes and nod.

37. Dinners are generally long
with three courses and
much conversation. It is
impolite to leave
immediately after dinner.
It is polite to finish everything
on your plate. Norwegians do
not like to waste food, but you
are not expected to overstuff
yourself.

38. In a formal setting, the meal ends
with the male guest of honor
tapping his glass with a knife and
thanking the hostess on behalf of
all the guests. A little story or joke
may accompany the toast.

41. Keep gifts small.An
expensive gift may be
viewed as a bribe.
Give: brandy or
whiskey that are good
quality but not too
expensive.
Gifts are normally
not exchanged at
business meetings,
but small gifts may
be appropriate at the
successful conclusion
of negotiations.
If invited to a dinner
party, it would be a
good idea to send
flowers to the host
the day of the dinner
party.

42. Confidence Signs

44. Do not drink and drive.
Norway has very strict
laws for intoxicated
drivers, and the limit for
blood/alcohol content is
only .05. One beer can
put you over the limit.
Sincerity is very important.
Norwegians often consider
Americans too glib and too
casual. Never invite
someone to dinner or
suggest "getting together"
without following with a
sincere invitation.
Norwegians are
very proud of their
landscape.Take the
time to notice it,
appreciate it and
comment on it.
Never lump
Norwegians
together
with Swedes
or Danes.

45. Especially for Women
Foreignwomenwill have
no problemdoingbusiness
in Norway.
It is acceptablefor a foreign
womanto invitea
Norwegianmanto dinner.
She shouldhave no
problempayingthebill.

47. Norwegian
The most widely spoken language in Norway is
Norwegian is used by some 95% of the population as
a first language. The language has two separate
written standards: Nynorsk ("New Norwegian",
"New" in the sense of contemporary or modern) and
Bokmål ("Book Language/Tongue/Speech"), both of
which are official.
Norwegian English Rumani 4th Qtr

48. Religion in Norway is mostly Evangelical
Lutheran Christianity, with 72.9% of the
population officially belonging to the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway .Islam
is followed by 2.4% of the population, making
it the largest non-Christian religion.

50. Death and the Afterlife
According to the doctrine of the state
church, souls reside in heaven with
Jesus after death. After the funeral,
the body of the deceased is cremated or
interred in a graveyard, usually
adjacent to a church.

51. climate
Norway's climate is milder than expected (considering its
location), as it's warmed some by the Gulf Stream and North
Atlantic Drift.

52. Though relatively cool from summer to early fall, conditions are
very pleasant then with average high temps in the 60's. Summer
highs in the mid 70's are a regular occurrence in the south.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Category 1
Climate
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3

53. Although coastal areas remain mild in winter and fjord water's
never freeze, the upper elevations in central Norway, and areas
north of the Arctic Circle experience much colder conditions.
Note that wild fluctuations in winter highs and lows are
common.

55. Typically Norwegian
bound Vikings

56. Typically Norwegians items
Brown cheese
Cheese slicer
ski
Fairy tales

59. f
l
a
g
Officially adopted on July 17, 1821, the red,
white and blue colors are said to be influenced
by the French Tricolor (as a symbol of liberty).

62. The flag, folk costumes, the land (or landscape), and the home
are the major symbols of national unity. The flag (a red
background with blue stripes outlined in white) is owned and
flown not only by public agencies but by many private
individuals. On Constitution Day (17 May), citizens appear at
public celebrations carrying small flags and wearing red, white,
and blue streamers pinned to their clothing. In the year 2000,
there were thirteen official flag days. Folk or national costumes
(bund) are owned by large numbers of both men and women.
Based on local traditional peasant apparel, women's costumes
include elaborate skirts, blouses, jackets, stockings, and shoes
adorned with silver pins and decorations. Because of increased
affluence in recent decades, more individuals own costumes,
which are considered correct attire for any festive or formal
occasion. The design and colors of the costumes vary according
to locality so that each large fjord or valley has a distinctive
costume. Fostered by national romanticism, folk costumes are
partially constructed traditions, with some historically authentic
elements and some new elements. The costume for the city of
Bergen, for example, was designed in 1956.

66. Largest cities
(by population) Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger,
Trondheim, Fredrik tad. Note that the Oslo
metro area now exceeds 1.1 million.

68. Animal

69. bird dipper

70. f
l
o
w
e
r
Purple heather

71. f
i
s
h
c
o
d

72. Motto
None official, but the King's Motto, "Alt
for Norge" (All for Norway) is a popular
option.

74. Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions
For Constitution Day, many families traditionally eat a meal of flat
bread, thinly sliced dried meats, and milk porridge, with beer or
aquavit as a beverage. Christmas meal traditions vary by region
and may include roast pork, other meat, or lutefisk.

75. Basic Economy
The country is highly dependent on international trade
for manufactured consumer goods but has a trade
surplus. Most employment is in highly specialized
services and manufacturing, with only a small
workforce in the traditional occupations of forestry,
farming, and fishing. In a labor force of more than two
million workers, approximately 72 percent are in
services, 23 percent work in industry, and 5 percent
engage in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. The
currency is the Krone (Crown).

77. Firms produce, package, distribute, and sell food
products, beverages, textiles, clothing, footwear,
wood products, furniture, and chemicals for domestic
consumption. Printing, publishing, and media
production are important enterprises for a highly
literate nation that is a world leader in the
consumption of newspapers, magazines, and books
per capita.

78. Major
Industries
• As a consequence of the discovery and exploitation of
North Sea oil in the 1970s, Norway has become the
world's second largest exporter of oil and natural gas.

79. Much of this production is managed by Statoil, a
government enterprise. Since 1993 the country has
exported hydroelectricity, which it produces in excess of
domestic needs.

80. Airports in
Norway
There are 43 primary airports in
Norway distributed among 43
cities. Norway has the 51st largest
tourism market in the world by
air, with 4,963,000 tourists
arriving each year.

81. The busiest airport is Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
with a total of 24,269,235 passengers.

82. Trade
Sweden
Germany
France Netherlands

83. Division of Labor
Government, labor, and management are integrated
into a centralized industrial planning system. Since
the 1970s, the principle of codetermination has
meant that labor and management increasingly
share the determination of daily operations and
longer-term planning. Workers typically have a
great deal of autonomy.

85. Classes and
Castes
The ethos of egalitarianism is reflected in the
highly progressive marginal tax rate on personal
incomes.While income differences are relatively
flat, there is a small proportion of extremely rich
owners and managers of merchant fleets.

86. Family life

87. Social
Etiquette
Norwegians like
people for who they
are and not for what
they do on their
success or wealth
They pride
themselves on being
honest and sincere in
their personal
relationships

88. Greetings
Shake hands
individually when
arriving or
departing.
Greetings are
casual, with a firm
handshake, direct
eye contact and
smile

89. Business Etiquette
Norwegians are
not interrupt you
and will save
their questions
until you are
done speaking
Do not
exaggerate
and leave
time.
Do not
interrupt any
one when they
are speaking

90. Bargaining
• Expect a minimum of bargaining with price being the major factor
• Norwegians do not give discounts

91. Resources
fish
oil
fores
t
gas

92. Economic
resources
High GPD per capita, the Government
pension fund global.
Significant human resources (high level
of education, high labor market
participation, advance technology).

93. A lesson in Norwegian
Excuse me, I
don't quite
catch what you
were saying.
Will you please
repeat
Sorry for
bumping into
you like that.
Sorry terribly
clumsy of me
Its you! Hoe
lovely to see
you
And how are
things with
you and your
family?
Excuse me,
may I
disturbed you
for a second
Hae
Oi
Nei,
Men
Ellers
Du?

94. Dining and
entertainin

95. Facial expression

96. Introduction
From junior position to more senior position
Example:
“Elena, I’d like you to meet our Manager,
Mr. Marilo.”
[ Mr. Merilo, this is Elena Tavares , our new
receptionist.}

97. Use persons
full name• Have you met our new
researcher, Dr. Marie Pierrefonds
?
• Allow her to say “please call me
Marie” if she prefers

98. Norwegians greeting
• Do not expect small talk,
Norwegians like to get straight to
business.
• Please do not be overly friendly ,
as this can be seen as weakness.

100. Norwegians avoid
anything that could draw
attention to themselves as
standing in the spotlight is
seen as a rude action
Expect direct
communication, as
Norwegians always
communicate directly
and honestly
Being humble is
Important

101. Do not raise your voice in
emotional display when
speaking with your
Norwegians colleagues, as
they lack of control and
balance will be uncomfortable
As an egalitarian country.
Norway considered that
are all equal and no one
person is any better than
anyone else

102. Norwegian tips
• If you are invited to a Norwegian colleague’s
home. It is not appropriate to bring a wealth
as a gift. Even at Christmas.
• People in Norway will greet each other with
the phrase “mom” morning “good morning.

103. Business
culture
• Flat structure and little hierarch
• Quick and informal communicat
• Focus on cooperation
• Trust among people
• Empowered employees
• Balance of work and private life
• Gender equality
• Risk willingness

105. Government Norway is a constitutional monarchy that
divides responsibility between the parliament
(Storting) and the King's Council of State,
other ministers of state. The Storting, which
consists of 165 representatives, is the
supreme authority and controls finances.
Representatives are elected by direct vote for
a four-year term. One-quarter of the
representatives serve in the upper chamber
(Lagting), and the rest form the lower
represented by 450 municipalities in eighteen
counties.

106. Military
Activity
The nation has an army, navy, and air force; is a member of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and participates in
peacekeeping operations.

107. Social Welfare and Change Programs
voluntary organizations were first developed in the
middle of the nineteenth century as agents of
change to support the social movements that were
sweeping the country. Voluntary organizational life
has been based on unpaid participation, personal
membership, and commitment to egalitarian
democratic principles.

109. Division of
Labor by
Gender
In the contemporary period, Norway has followed
an ideology, if not always the practice, of gender
neutrality in access to economic, political, social,
and religious roles. Women entered the workforce
in larger numbers during the 1970s but continued
to be involved in unpaid work to a greater degree
than were men. There are few women in the upper
levels of management of businesses and industries.
According to the United Nations Development
Programmed, which created a "Gender-Related
Development Index" to measure achievements in
increased life expectancy, educational attainment,
and income equality for men and women in 146
countries, Norway ranked second behind Canada
and ahead of Sweden.

110. The Relative Status of
Women and Men
The cause of gender equality was advanced by the
women's movement of the 1960s. At that time, nine
of ten women with small children did not work
outside the home. Women began to enter the labor
force in greater numbers with the increase in
industrialization. Now nearly eight of ten women
are employed outside the home.

112. Marriage
Marriages are supposed to be romantic love matches
between two individuals with similar values and
perspectives. Marrying for economic, social, or political
reasons would seem improper to most people.When King
Harald, then the crown prince, wished to marry a
commoner rather than seek a bride among the royal
families of Europe, the nation approved.

113. Domestic Unit
Currently, families usually consist of a
husband, a wife, and no more than two
children. Single-parent families are
increasingly common.

114. Inheritance
At marriage all material goods become joint property. A couple may enter into a
contract specifying that, in case of divorce, each will retain the goods they brought
to the marriage. This may be important in the case of farms and other significant
property. Surviving spouses have a right to continue living in the family house until
death. Children inherit equally from the parents.

115. Kin Groups Three-generation family households exist most
commonly in rural areas. Parents and children often
choose to live close to each other. Relatives on both sides
of a marriage are invited for life-crisis ceremonies such as
baptism, confirmation, marriage, and death.

117. Infant Care
With the institutionalization of parental leave from
employment, both parents can be available to provide
care for infants. Traditionally, infants were regarded
as defenseless and in need of constant care.

118. Child Rearing and Education
The national culture tends to be extremely child-centered. A national welfare system
for children was enacted as early as 1896, and in 1981, a national ombudsperson for
children was established. Ideally, children should be cooperative and independent.
However, socialization tends to be permissive since children are not taught
boundary-setting rules and manners early. Childhood lasts longer than it does in
many European countries, with adolescence not ending before graduation from high
school. Since numerous mothers are employed, many children are socialized in child
care facilities, either privately or through the local authority. Paid babysitters, usually
young girls, may provide child care in cities when grandmothers are not available.

119. Higher
Education
Vocational training or higher education for the
majority of citizens is emphasized. After ten years
of compulsory schooling, students may go on to an
upper secondary school and then to one of the four
universities or many colleges. Education accounts
for approximately 14 percent of government
expenditures.

120. Residents tend to be egalitarian, private, and
noncompetitive.Gender equality is observed in most
social settings. People rarely use the polite or formal form
of address.

121. People may be reserved among
strangers but are warm and friendly
once a relationship has been
established. One should not inquire
about personal issues unless one is
well acquainted with a person.
Respect for each individual's dignity
is expected.
Competition is downplayed in most
settings, Even the victors in sports
contests are supposed to be humble
and not obviously proud.

122. Medicine
and Health
Care
Norway is one of the healthiest countries in the world,
with an average life expectancy of nearly seventy-
eight years. Modern medicine replaced folk medical
beliefs in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

123. The major holidays are NewYear's Day (1 January), Labor Day (1 May), Constitution Day
(17 May), Christmas (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December). Labor Day is
celebrated by the labor unions, with parades in the larger towns.The most important
celebration of nationhood is on Constitution Day, which is an occasion for massive public
parades by voluntary organizations, bands, unions, schools, and other civic groups.
Christmas and Boxing Day are focused on family visits and gift giving.

125. Support for the Arts
Because of the small population base, the artistic
community is challenged to earn a living. Government
subsidies coordinated by thirty nationwide artists'
organizations have provided a particularly Norwegian
solution. Professional artists receive a minimum income
until retirement.Through a variety of cooperative
arrangements with counties and municipalities, the
government has sponsored the creation of touring
cultural organizations, bringing concerts, theater, and art
exhibitions to smaller towns.

126. Graphic Arts

127. Performance Arts
The nation's greatest musician, Edvard Grieg (1843–1907),
was inspired by the folk themes of his homeland, as was the
violinistOle Bull. Many cities have festivals for the
performing arts. Perhaps the most famous is Bergen's annual
festival featuring music, drama, and dance. Molde's jazz
festival is notable.The NationalTheater and National Opera
in Oslo are important institutions.

128. Music
Typically Norwegians like Folk music and dance.

129. Norwegians do not use the
phrases "Pleased to meet
you" or "How are you?"
They find these to be
surface formalities with no
real meaning.

130. However, the unbelievable
beauty of Norway will never
change, and if you're ever
fortunate enough to travel to
this "Land of the Vikings" and
the "Midnight Sun," you will
quickly discover for yourself
why Norwegians are so proud
and so determined not to
change a thing.