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, 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”.

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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?

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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

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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
Blog of Norway, Culture & People

Busting Norwegian Myth #2: Norwegians are all Tall and Blond

The first myth about Norwegian people that we broke in this series “Busting Norwegian Myths” is that Norwegian people are cold. Myth #2 we will try to break now is that Norwegians are all tall and blond. This is a misconception about Scandinavians in general and Norwegians in particular. When you think of Norwegians pictures showing tall blond women with braids, and tall blond men … Continue reading Busting Norwegian Myth #2: Norwegians are all Tall and Blond

froginthefjord8 Comments
Blog of Norway

One Year in Norway- A Podcast Interview on My Book

Dear readers, It has now been almost 12 years since I moved to Norway, and 4 years since I published my first book “En frosk i fjorden-Kunsten å bli norsk”. My life has changed tremendously in these past years, going from being friendless, single, and clueless about Norwegian life, language, culture and more, to being established in the country with a family. I started this … Continue reading One Year in Norway- A Podcast Interview on My Book

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Blog of Norway

10 endroits à ne pas rater en Norvège en été

To all my readers: my blog is still mainly in English language but sometimes I write an article or two in French. Je vis en Norvège depuis 12 ans. J’ai eu le temps de voyager dans ce pays pendant mes vacances, et surtout l’été. Voici un top 10 de mes destinations préférées en Norvège, et pourquoi ces endroits en valent la peine. Mon blog est … Continue reading 10 endroits à ne pas rater en Norvège en été

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Blog of Norway, Culture & People

Busting Norwegian Myth #1: Norwegians are cold

There are many myths about Norwegian culture, society and country, and many of them are constructed, rumours or even plainly wrong. I am starting a series on breaking Norwegian myths. The first up is a classic: I haven’t made any Norwegian friends because NORWEGIAN PEOPLE ARE COLD. Are they, though? Sure, compared to your village in Brasil where everyone kisses you on both cheeks when … Continue reading Busting Norwegian Myth #1: Norwegians are cold

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