Author: froginthefjord

I am The Frog in the Fjord: a French lady who lived in Denmark for a bit before moving to Norway for good (or for now, who knows!). This blog is about all these new realities foreigners like me face when trying to adapt to a new culture, language, country and most of all to new people. In this case, trying to understand the Norwegian culture and blending in (or trying hard). I am hoping to give non-Norwegians a glimpse of what makes Norway and Norwegians so awkward and so loveable; and to give Norwegians something to laugh or to think about. Bonne lecture!
Blog of Norway, Environment

The Whale in the Room. Why does Norway continue Killing Whales?

“A whale burger with that?” asked the lady at the restaurant. Wait, what? The picture in the menu was of a burger, with red meat that looked like beef or any other red meat. But reading the description I realised it was whale meat in that burger. I was divided between my environmental conscience and the curiosity of tasting whale meat. Whether it is with … Continue reading The Whale in the Room. Why does Norway continue Killing Whales?

froginthefjord8 Comments
Blog of Norway, Food

Bread, candy and shrimp cheese in a tube. Why do kids in Norway get such bad food?

My child was a bit over 1 year old, and we had our first parental meeting with the barnehage pedagogical leader, a person with high authority in a Norwegian barnehage. “You child will have great difficulties to learn to speak” she said. I was horrified. I am neither a health personnel nor an expert in child behavior, I am just a mum. She is an … Continue reading Bread, candy and shrimp cheese in a tube. Why do kids in Norway get such bad food?

froginthefjord22 Comments
Norwegian Food Items on a table with Norwegian flag
Blog of Norway

20 Signs You’ve Become a Real Norwegian

It isn’t enough to get the citizenship. Here are signs you have become a real Norwegian! You always drink water from the tap but cannot stand drinking lukewarm water. Although in your home country you would never waste water by letting it run for long minutes, here in Norway you can wait as long as it takes to get a cold glass of water. It … Continue reading 20 Signs You’ve Become a Real Norwegian

froginthefjord18 Comments
Blog of Norway

9 Reasons Not to Live in Norway

The internet is filled with breathtaking pictures of Norwegians fjords and lakes with pristine water, red wooden cabins and beautiful people hiking. “This is Norway” it usually says on those pictures and videos. Sure, those places exist and it is Norway, but Norway is also many other things. A new study by OsloMet (Oslo Metropolitan University) shows that 30,000 foreigners leave Norway every year (project … Continue reading 9 Reasons Not to Live in Norway

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Blog of Norway, Culture & People

Are Norwegians rude? What to expect from a people with no word for “please”.

On my first trip from Paris to Oslo, I was struggling to put my luggage in the overhead compartment. I looked around, and all Norwegians around me, especially men, were around 30 cm taller than me. But they were just looking at me struggle without offering any help. Smiling. Who does that, really? Smile and look at someone struggling? I thought then that Norwegian men … Continue reading Are Norwegians rude? What to expect from a people with no word for “please”.

froginthefjord15 Comments
Blog of Norway, Language

What is the difference between “Uff da” and “Uffa meg” in Norwegian?

This is a tricky one, because although these two expressions sound roughly the same to a foreign ear, Norwegians have very distinct contexts in which they use these expressions. In Norwegian classes nobody teaches you how to use these expressions. Instead foreigners learn expressions like Ugler i mosen and Svin på skogen, see this article for more Norwegian expressions. But reality is that Norwegians do … Continue reading What is the difference between “Uff da” and “Uffa meg” in Norwegian?

froginthefjord6 Comments
Blog of Norway

My Favorite Norwegian Music: What to Listen to in 2022

Norway has a relatively small population, but surprisingly many singer-songwriters. Many of them write and sing in both Norwegian and English, while some even write in their native Sami language. I am making a list of my favorite musicians who sing in Norwegian. I have chosen them for the quality of their texts (just dig it and try to understand what they are saying 🙂 … Continue reading My Favorite Norwegian Music: What to Listen to in 2022

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Blog of Norway

8 reasons to live in Norway

Illustration by Ole Johnny Hansen Norway is a Scandinavian country which attracts travelers for its landscapes, its high standard of living and peace and quiet. Rumor even has it that Norwegians are the happiest people on earth. But is it really that amazing? I have been living in Norway for 12 years and will now explain 8 reasons which in my opinion, make Norway a … Continue reading 8 reasons to live in Norway

froginthefjord4 Comments
Blog of Norway, En Français

6 raisons de vivre en Norvège

La Norvège est un pays scandinave qui attire de plus en plus pour ses paysages, sa douceur de vivre et son niveau de vie. Mais est-ce vraiment l’eldorado promis? Je passe ici au crible 6 raisons d’y vivre, et  mon prochain article des raisons d’éviter la Norvège vous permettra de vous faire une idée plus complète. Voir aussi mon autre article sur le sujet “S’installer … Continue reading 6 raisons de vivre en Norvège

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Blog of Norway

Weird things Norwegians do for Christmas

Norwegians do love their traditions, and Christmas is probably the most tradition-filled time of the year in Norway. The 17th of May, or Constitution Day, seems also as a strong traditional time of the Norwegian year, but it cannot compete with Christmas which has been celebrated under many forms for way way longer. Interestingly enough, in Norway the word “Jul” which Norwegians use for “Christmas” … Continue reading Weird things Norwegians do for Christmas

froginthefjord7 Comments