Norwegian Cuisine cannot be the Worst in the World, right?

TasteAtlas Awards 2022 ranked 95 countries from best to worst cuisine. Surprise surprise, Norway makes last spot, therefore becoming the worst cuisine in the world according to TasteAtlas. Is it really that bad? Who did Norway lose against? Let’s look at something else first. Which cuisines did Norway lose against? Where is for example ranked Danish cuisine in this survey, which is I think really … Continue reading Norwegian Cuisine cannot be the Worst in the World, right?

How to Become Fluent in Norwegian (Or Die Trying)

Unless you are some kind of language genius “What can I say, I have a good ear for languages” annoying kind of person, learning anything from Russian to Tahitian in 8 weeks, you’ll need to take Norwegian language classes. 1) Register in a language course, a.k.a norskkurs There are many schools and institutions in Norway giving such classes. Some are public such as Rosenhoff (this … Continue reading How to Become Fluent in Norwegian (Or Die Trying)

The Joys of Being a Woman in Norway

“This year my colleague did something really bitchy to us: she got pregnant” says the guy sitting across the dinner table in my French New Year’s Eve 2014. I almost choked on my slice of camembert. I’ve been living in Norway for 4 years and never have I ever heard such negative comments associated with pregnancy. “She left for 3 months on maternity leave. I … Continue reading The Joys of Being a Woman in Norway

Nos amis les Norvégiens

Oui, au cas où vous ne le saviez pas, les Norvégiens sont nos amis (tout comme les insectes, pour ceux qui connaissent la chanson). D’ailleurs je vous pose la question, comment ne pas aimer ce peuple plein d’entrain et de motivation qui passe tous les week end de l’hiver sans exception à faire du ski de fond avec les enfants qui pleurent derrière (allez Sigurd … Continue reading Nos amis les Norvégiens

How to Survive Your Winter Depression

To know if you are having a little winter depression creeping in on you, try to answer these simple questions: Do you feel like the sun has abandonned you? Because it’s always dark when you go to work or to school, and still dark when you go home. Are you sleeping more than usual, feeling like you could stay in bed until Spring comes? Do … Continue reading How to Survive Your Winter Depression

Does Gentrification = Colonisation? A story of hipster ghettos

I’ve been hearing the word “gentrification” over and over again in the past few months in different parts of the world without really understand what it means: Berlin, Toronto, Oslo, Copenhagen, Brisbane, Montreal for the least. My friend who decided to buy a flat in Berlin said he finally managed to find one in the only area that hasn’t been gentrified and is therefore still … Continue reading Does Gentrification = Colonisation? A story of hipster ghettos

Want to learn Norwegian? Forget everything you learned in Danish classes.

So I’ve been in Norway for a few weeks now, and all my colleagues keep asking me “so, how is your Norwegian?”. Well my Norwegian does not exist, I don’t understand anything at all so please don’t ask me to say anything. Oh yes maybe “Gouuyyuul” that everyone has been saying to each other over Christmas. I’ve already tried learning a Scandinavian language (and failed). … Continue reading Want to learn Norwegian? Forget everything you learned in Danish classes.

Seeing Norwegians through the eyes of a drunk Dane

I am so excited about moving to Norway and getting this job that I bring it up in parties, diners, among good friends and aquaintances. As Norway is geographically so close to Denmark, and because of the historical and cultural links they share, I figured Danes are the people who should be best informed about Norway and Norwegians. I am therefore very surprised by their … Continue reading Seeing Norwegians through the eyes of a drunk Dane