Category: Culture & People

Culture & People

The Endless Norwegian Search for Perfection and Conformity

A few weeks ago, as the darkest of the winter was creeping in, I decided to start indoor group training in my gym (one of the ways to survive winter depression). I would rather run outside in the forest, where no silly music invades my personal space, alongside people looking at themselves in the mirror while tensing their muscles. Pytt, pytt. I signed up for a basic … Continue reading The Endless Norwegian Search for Perfection and Conformity

froginthefjord32 Comments
Culture & People

42 Signs you’ve Been Living in Norway for too Long

A few weeks ago, I was watching the football game France-Iceland on television in Oslo. For the first time, my heart was torn apart between two choices: supporting France, my home country, or Iceland, the almost Scandinavian and underdog of the competition? I could never tell my French friends that I wish Iceland won. But I felt so close to the Icelanders who are like Norwegians in … Continue reading 42 Signs you’ve Been Living in Norway for too Long

froginthefjord9 Comments
Culture & People

Everything you didn’t know you needed for a successful 17th of May

After many celebrations of Norway’s National day here, I have shortlisted things you will need on this day, or to prepare this day. If you don’t know what is happening on the 17th of May, you can check online, many articles talk about it. For a short reminder, the 17th of May in Norway isa celebration of the day when the Norwegian Constitution was signed on … Continue reading Everything you didn’t know you needed for a successful 17th of May

froginthefjord4 Comments
Culture & People

New Year’s Resolutions: Norwegians vs. Immigrants

So, which promises did you make to yourself for 2016? Be a better spouse, a better parent, a better son/daughter? Stop eating peanut butter at night while you’re on a diet during day time? Eat more greens, hit the gym every second day. Become tall and beautiful. Try to keep a girlfriend. Wait. Try to find a girlfriend. Spend less time on Facebook. Spend more … Continue reading New Year’s Resolutions: Norwegians vs. Immigrants

froginthefjord11 Comments
Culture & People

Norway is the best country to live in. Really?

In the last weeks of 2015, I saw my Norwegian friends and colleagues happier than usual. Did a Norwegian skier just win a competition? Is the price of the Christmas ribbe cheaper this year? Almost better: the United Nations had just published its yearly report, showing that, once again, Norway is the best country to live in. For the 7th year in a row. Can you … Continue reading Norway is the best country to live in. Really?

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Culture & People, Language

Quiz: How Well Do You Know The Norwegians?

You have been living in Norway for a while, or have been reading this blog. In any case, now is time to get your knowledge of this society tested on these 30 questions. Do not use the internet to find the answers, but you can use your Norwegian partner or friends. I thought at first this would be easy for Norwegians but it turns out it … Continue reading Quiz: How Well Do You Know The Norwegians?

froginthefjord14 Comments
Culture & People

Want to integrate in Norway? Participate in the world’s biggest dugnad

What is a dugnad? It is another Norwegian word like koselig, tidsklemma, snus, utepils and ka farsken which are difficult to translate in other languages. At first the word dugnad confused me. “Come to the dugnad in my new home in Nesodden, we will be painting”. Why would we paint in a bunad? Isn’t it a very nice dress to paint in? You must admit those two … Continue reading Want to integrate in Norway? Participate in the world’s biggest dugnad

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On the cross: (Norwegian) People's Church. Illustration Ole Johnny Hansen for afroginthefjord.com
Culture & People

Strange things Norwegians do with (and in) their Church

At first religion does not seem to have a central role in Norwegian peoples’ lives. One hears church bells ring in the background once in a while, but it is seldom anyone talks about God, faith, or even Christianity. In big cities, gyms have a higher attendance rate then churches, and Sunday mornings are used to recover from hungovers or enjoy family time in a … Continue reading Strange things Norwegians do with (and in) their Church

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Illustration: Ole Johnny Hansen for afroginthefjord.com All rights reserved
Culture & People, Motherhood

How to be a Bad Mother in Norway

Now that I understand Norwegian I notice the unbelievable amount of articles coming out almost everyday on topics such as “How to design a happy child” or “Signs that you are a good mother“. Norwegian society seems completely obsessed with children, their well being, and what we, adults, do wrong. Was it like that in France when my mother was pregnant with me? Was it even like that in Norway 30 … Continue reading How to be a Bad Mother in Norway

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Illustration: Ole Johnny Hansen exclusive for www.afroginthefjord.com
Culture & People

Why are Norwegians always in tidsklemma?

“What do you mean you can’t meet me as planned today? You don’t have time? But it’s Sunday and tomorrow is a bank holiday”. “Yeah I have bad time (dårlig tid), said my friend Guro. My other friend who heard the conversation said “Classic, she is in tidsklemma“. What does tidsklemma mean? She is in WHAT? Was my first reaction. For those of you new … Continue reading Why are Norwegians always in tidsklemma?

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