what are the best and worst things about norway?

[Anonym bruker]

Best: Relatively cheap houses compared to England.

Good pay, lots of jobs.

Hunky norwegian husband.

Worst: Miss my family and friends.

People aren't that friendly/chatty.

Can't find a decent doctor.

Will never get used to the school times, Why not just go 9 til 3 everyday?? Uniform?

[Gjest]

Best: Relatively cheap houses compared to England. - Well, depends on where you live...

 

 

 

Will never get used to the school times, Why not just go 9 til 3 everyday?? Uniform?

 

- I HATED uniforms....

 

 

[Yrha]

Best: the outdoor-lifestyle

Good jobs

Maternity leave

 

Worst: unfriendly, introspective people

The hopeless selection of clothes and food and small selection of charter-holiday destinations (unless you live in Oslo).

No discipline in schools

 

[Anonym bruker]

Hi, I am from Norway but I have lived in Darlington, England for the last seven years. I work as a teacher and have seen a few things...

 

I do agree with most of your views, but when it comes to your opinion that there is no dicipline in Norwegian schools, I would beg to differ on that one. I find that the schools in England are too big and overcrowded, the pupils are rude and disobedieant and the schools are a reflection of the enormous social problems that the country is struggling with. I am a tutor in a college and I think that British kids are less accustomed to taking care of their own learning. I find Norwegian kids to be far more independent learners and with a lot healthier background both socially and mentally than British children.

What exactely do you mean by "no discipline"? Because if discipline is working so well in England why all your educational problems?

[Anonym bruker]

BEST: The food, and fresh air, and public transportation (at least in Olso), and pretty honest people. "Free" healthcare (ok, we pay for it thru taxes...so it is not entirely free).

 

WORST: The weather (too cold), and everything is expensive (at least compared to the US), and all the people that fool the welfare system so that taxes go up even more, including some immigrants (I say SOME, not all!).

[Anonym bruker]

Hm, yes. Because that would be funny coming from you as you yourself are an immigrant.

[DelabeB]

-Are houses really cheaper here than in the UK!!! Hard to believe as I have lived in many places and Norway is by far the most expensive play for property ever---although on a very plus note, banks and social services really work with you to help you own something!

 

-Oh, and I am not sure what the other poster meant--but I have worked in both Norwegian schools and British schools--and Norwegian Schools are certainly less crowded than British schools, and Norwegian students ARE less structured and more independent learners--no doubt, but honestly, it is true that Norwegian children are far less disciplined than British--and often are given what I feel is too much independence--they tend to be what many other cultures would consider "rude"--they have a distinct lack of respect for authority--you can see this in a good way, that they speak their minds and are brave, and considering Norwegian culture, its part of the social make up to be very equal about everyone--even kids and teachers. But considering that they rarely say please, or thank you, do not address teachers or adults with a bit of respect, and what I REALLY hate...they do not ask nicely, for ANYTHING...its always "Jeg vil ha den!" or even just "MERRRR" never "Kan jeg få den, vær så snill"--it rubs anyone that is not Norwegian the wrong way...I know my mother would have sent me to my room if I had dared ask for things so rudely...

 

No, they do not have discipline problems that leads to crime or other dangerous things most of the time---but they do tend to be spoiled, demanding, and lacking in social respect...although this also makes them independent, brave, and confident...I have rarely seen such confidence in kids...but sometimes, it is very annoying to hear the whining for this and that!

 

Otherwise:

BEST thing about Norway:

-Awesome social networks from health services to higher education..really, coming from the US originally, the health system is amazing--I adored having my kids with midwifes, and that they assumed I would want a naturel birth instead of a c-section--honestly, I have been nothing but impressed with the state services---

 

-The maternity leave--what else can you say!

 

-The near worship of nature--I love walking on sundays, regardless of the weather---instead of hitting the malls like the whole of the US

 

-The safety of the neighborhoods..my kids can run freely with joy and I do not worry...

 

-The open mindedness of people--for the most part, true, Norwegians are not a chatty bunch, but they are open to trying to talk to you, and are willing to give people a chance...I have always felt a little awkward yes, but always welcomed....

 

-Hunky Norwegian husband on my part too--and for the most part, the guys are eye candy

 

WORST:

-That I cannot find decently priced produce...fruits and veggies are AWFUL here...what they have is not the best quality, and they simply do not have a lot of things!!! I ate fresh fruit and veg all the time at home and could afford it with no problem--here, it hurts to pay as much as I do for fruit and veg, and its always not as good--the tomatoes alone, boring! --sigh--I think there is simply too much protection of local farms and produce...so too much taxes makes the prices go way up...

 

-That most stores, from clothes stores to food stores, all carry the same thing...no variety! Most malls also only have the same stores all the time..no cute little imaginative boutiques...bookstores are the worst too, in everything, a very limited selection. And if you do find a store with a great deal of variety--it is impossible to afford!

 

-Overall, Norway is very expensive.

 

- I do agree that the schools need to get their act together with the hours..how strange to change them depending on the day, etc. This is the only place I have lived that does that--and they end so early!

 

-The weather--bleh! Summers are marvelous, but wow do the winters last long...

 

-Miss my family, wish it were closer to the rest of the world...

 

-Difficult to make close friends....since I am used to being a chatty American, I have noticed people here make friends when they are young and keep those friends their whole lives! Its hard to break in to that circle sometimes...

 

 

For the most part though, I love living here...

[Anonym bruker]

Actually; I am a norwegian, but have not lived "at home" in over 10 years..... Some of my friends have children by immigrants and they now know ALL the loop-holes in the system because of their other-immigrant-half. They admit themselves that if they had married a Norwegian they would have never known, and lost out on lots of money because of it (that the taxpayers, mind you; are paying for).

This is NOT to say that all immigrants "use" the system to their advantage, but many do....and Norway lets them.....

To me that is a negative. Just my 2 cents.

[Ladypau]

Norwegians know about all those loop-holes themselves...believe me, it's not just an immigrant thing...Locals are the PROS

[Elsamor]

Haha!

Best- nature, snow and skiing, it's a safe place, less pollution, healthier food, less commoners...

Worst- the cost of things, like not being able to buy a half price wine bottle from Tesco, the cost of cars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, driving on the wrong side of the road, no gentlemen opening doors for you...

[Elsamor]

think of it this way- we pay more tax in Norway but save an absolute FORTUNE on childcare ;-)

[Gjest]

As many of you have written, Norway is expensive, but when you have so much money going in to your bank account, things just got to be pricy. Of course we could get lousy paid and not pay taxes, but how shitty wouldn’t things be then? There’s a lot of things to complain about, but its like that in every country. Compared to others, we do live a great life here

 

But don’t get me started about the weather.. Hate it! I live in Stavanger (is 100% Norwegian, as you might have guessed due to my writing) and the raining just wont stop! Bergen got some serious competition!

 

[Anonym bruker]

Summer is awesome here, really amazing...but I get really sick of the lack of choices when it comes to shopping and paying through the nose for the privilege. I'm from Australia and we're number 3 behind Iceland and Norway in the best standards of living but it's substantially cheaper to live there than in Norway. I'd say my grocery bill is at least 3 times my Australian one and I have no better quality and less choices in what I buy...especially meat...what I'd give for a decent lamb roast!!!

[Gjest]

Where do you buy your grocery? Some stores are horrible, but others are perfectly fine, unless you're reaaaaaaally picky!

[Bea <3]

Meny is quite good I find. The selection is allright and the quality of products have so far been better than average. Also they display free tasties and I just love that!

[Gjest]

Being a Norwegian myself I find that

 

The Best is:

Clean air, lots of space, open minded people (for the most part) that actually can/ dare speak English to foreigners living here, low crime rate and the welfare giving at least some safety when you're out of luck somehow...

 

 

The worst:

The prices on food, relatively cool summers, a naiive attitude to how some people take adavantage of the welfare system and the lack of ability to sanction such actions in a sensible way, far too low punishment for crimes against people (especially child abuse and murder).

 

 

I've lived 1 year in the US and 3 years in Germany and don't have the impression that Norwegians are more unfriendly towards other people than in those countries. Germans I found down right hostile. Never before have I experienced so many grown ups yelling at each other (strangers) for the smallest things, as I did in Germany! And the way they treated children..... don't get me started...

 

And for those of you that have never heard for school times changing from day to day and/ or ending early:

In Germany my daughter went to school every day from 8am, but came home any time between 11.30 - 13.30!

Most days she was home by 12.30. And an equivalent to SFO was almost non-excisting.

Discipline in German schools are way beyond the Norwegian schools, but it being a fear-based-discipline, I'm sorry to say, didn't teach the kids (and later the grown ups in that country) the meaning of respecting other people....

 

In the US the initial contact with new people is usually very friendly; "Oh, we really have to meet some time..." but after a while you've experienced enough times that this is just a figure of speach, and not meant for real...

Give me a good honest person any time, that lets you know straight up whether or not you're the kind of person they want to spend time with!

And the freedom that most Americans so eagerly defend becomes somebody elses limitation, you ask me...

 

My experience: No country is perfect, but everywhere we find some tihings we like, and some things we don't.

The question is: What can we live with, and what can we live without?

Most of us can live without a lot of things by ourselves, or as couples without kids, but becoming parents makes these issues more important to address:

-What kind of society and what values do we really want our kids to grow up in?

 

 

 

 

[Anonym bruker]

 

This is an old thread, but would like to comment on the best/worst list:

 

The difference between "making friends" which you do in the States, and "getting friends" (få venner) which you do in Norway is something for the worst list. It actually requires work and attention to find people you are compatible with and that you enjoy conversations with. In Norway, there is an expectation that this comes easily without any work from either side. I believe my best friends came with a bit of "work", setting up events, getting through those first more awkward meetings.

 

What I miss most compared to the states (am Norwegian, but lived in the states for 9 years) is socializing! I miss meeting up after work for a quick coffee, even with children, or having afternoon get togethers and potlucks with the entire family at someones house on Saturday etc.

 

 

[Gjest]

I'll be the first one to agree that some of the kids are incredibly rude, but I do have one comment to your "please" vs "vær så snill".

 

If you say in Norwegian "kan jeg få den" , "kan" should be interperated as "may". If you say "may I have it", then the word please is not required. In Norwegian we don't usually use "vær så snill" unless we are pleasing, which is a step further than just being polite.

 

So, to know if a person is polite or not when he or she says "kan jeg få den" you actually need to listen to the tone of voice. A pleasent and non-agressive tone is polite, and a commanding tone is rude.

 

Kan = can or may, depending on the situation

 

But yes, those kids are so freaking rude sometimes!

 

[ehtaner84]

my wife joined this forum but i just had to have my say on this topic ,iam australian and proud of it and my country

first the pros of norway:-

#great wages and work treatment compared to oz

#great foods

#great tax (mid june getting your tax money back)

#cheap computer hardware

#welfare

the cons:-

#fu##ing boring as hell

#they call them beaches here but they r like swamps to me

#weather 6 months of hell

#miss my family

#expensive bills (electricity)

#and very rude people (act like their shi# dont stink)

#unfriendly atomsphere at clubs and pubs

#so far from australia

 

 

 

however i found love here and we do plan on returning to live in my country , but till then i have to stick it out and try to make the best of it here

[Chari]

What an intriguing thread

I must confess my main gripe about Norway after nearly 3 years here is still the supermarkets. Oh how I dream about my Sainsbury's/Tesco with nice large till area and helpful bag-packers!! Drives me nuts fielding a runaway toddler while trying to pack my bags with a large shop (as I only get the car once a week due to hubby working late) while the Norwegians with their single bag of shopping sigh at me and I have to prise another carrier bag out of the cashier who seems to think he/she has to pay for them him/herself. LOL

 

We came to be near family but the best thing imo, the thing that keeps me here is the safety. As a teacher for years in the UK I love watching the kids here climbing trees and making dens in the playground and never a cross word or a fight, and then walking home after school...

 

But these loopholes folks are talking about here is all news to me. We must be very naiive. We live basically on the breadline (only one of us at work) and truly can't afford prescriptions or trips to the doc sometimes. And certainly not nice toys/clothes for our little girl. We are lucky enough to get stuff passed down from family or it would be impossible to stay I think...

[Anonym bruker]

This is an interesting thread indeed!

 

I would just like to add to 13:24 20.06.2007, not all schools in England are too big and overcrowded, and I wouldn't conclude that English children generally have a worse social and mental background than Norwegian children.

I have been schooled in England, and have 'tantebarn' that also goes to school there. In England, there are big differences in schools, a lot depends on which area the particular school is placed in. I am very satisfied with the class sizes and level of education I recieved, I have good grades to show That was mainly due to the school I attended being recognized as one of the best in area.

Educational problems in England are mainly due to funding, or should I say lack of it in certain areas. It would be unfair to say all schools are so....just trying to add another perspective here

I have worked with both English and Norwegian children, there are advantages and disadvantages with both but generally I would be happy if my child attends either a school in England or Norway. I have great experiences with both

 

I do like the fact that English children begin reading and writing at an earlier age. I have also worked in a Barnehage in Norway, children at the age of 5-6 tend to become restless, they are hungry for challenges and I don't think it would harm them to read/write more than they do.

 

 

 

 

 

[Anita*født*]

Hi

 

READING UR WORDS MAKE ME ALL OVER PROUD TO BE NORWEGIAN=))

[A1973 har råtne egg :-/]

As a Norwegian living for a year in UK, terribly missing UK, I will also say what I miss most about UK is the supermarkeds, the diversity, quality and prices. As we both had salaries from Norway + an extra salaries for being abroad, financially, we had the best time in our lives...:-D

 

My son also miss the school-system, the fact that he LEARNED something over there. It's a pity to say, but when being away from the school in UK for one week, he lost so much he didn't want to go away again. When being away from the Norwegian school for year, he never lost anything... He didn't have lessons in Norwegian or other Norwegian courses, but he was still the best in his class when coming back to Norway after one year away. I think that say A LOT about the Norwegian school-system....

 

What I REALLY hated was the heating-system and the electric showers. OMG, we had so much problems and it took ages to get it fixed.

 

You all say we are not as friendly... I am not sure about this, I just think we have different ways to interact. What really amazed me in UK was that the culture for children was very different. In Norway the children "follow" each other home after school or they just knock on each others doors to play. In UK I found we had to invite the children for tea and we had to arrange it some days before if we would like to invite for tea. The result was that it was difficult to get friends for our son.

 

In our area I never saw children playing outside. Maybe because of the school-time, but I still found it strange.

 

 

[Chari]

I'm extremely interested in your perspectives on school and children's interaction. I spend a lot of time puzzling how / why the children are so different between the UK and Norway. When I take my daughter to the park and other children are there it's very rare that she can even get a smile out of them which makes me sad as she's a very friendly little girl who due to my being foreign and knowing no-one has much less child company than I'd like.

It is very true waht you say about the children walking home from school. Where I taught we never let children below 10yrs old leave the premises without an adult which the teacher recognised although oldre youngsters were encouraged to walk home in groups or pairs. Parents are much more anxious about playing outside nowadays over there becasue of the dreadful increase in abduction and crime against children. It wasn't always so; I grew up in an England where we played outside until dark every night, walked many miles home alone or with a sibling etc..much has changed.

[A1973 har råtne egg :-/]

When I lived in UK I also spent lots of time wondering about why the kids were so different in UK. And I can tell you, I had the same trouble with getting friends over there as you have here. I didn't walked my son to the school. We lived pretty close, only 200 meters away, but sometimes I picked him up after school and nobody smiled or talked to me. (Without the lollipop-man! :-)) Luckily I was commuting to/from Norway every week, so I didn't need the social network. I also knew I was going back to Norway after the year, so I didn't make much effort to get friends. I got some friends in my husbands collegues (how on earth do you spell that word in English?) and their wives who we still have much contact with.

 

In one way, I can understand why the English parents are so anxious to let their children play outside. On the other hand, the crime towards children has increased all over the world, also in Norway, but we still let the kids play outside because it's healthy for them. I can't help it, but I have asked myself if the anxiousness the English parents feel is kind of mass suggestion and taking out of proportion..?

 

What I also found strange when living in UK was the "food-habit". English parents do not let their children play outside, instead they let them die of overweight. (Sorry, kind of gross example..:-)) Children in Norway is getting thicker, in UK it was overwhelming with all the "fatty" children. Parents complained about the unhealthy food the school prepared, instead they "propped" their kids with crisps, cheese-sticks and chocolate for lunch everyday....

 

The school-uniform. I think it's strange that we don't have school-uniforms in Norway, as the government here wants everybody o be equal. My son didn't like the idea using a school-uniform, but after only a week he said he liked it. It was very easy for him to get dressed in the morning...