NationStates Jolt Archive

Here you can ask a Norwegian ( me ) about anything you want to know about Norway, Norwegians, the Norwegian way of life, and just about anything that has even the remotest to do with Norway, and I will attempt to answer as best I can. Andre nordmenn kan få lov til å svare også...

Please refrain from doing any of the things listed here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=288255). Thank you.

Here you can ask a Norwegian ( me ) about anything you want to know about Norway, Norwegians, the Norwegian way of life, and just about anything that has even the remotest to do with Norway, and I will attempt to answer as best I can. Andre nordmenn kan få lov til å svare også...

Please refrain from doing any of the things listed here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=288255). Thank you.


My first girlfriend (when I was 5) was norwegian. Her name was Linda, her father was named Ud. Do you know how I can get in touch with her? I would love to say hello.

Is your governemnt going to do something about its overfishing?

Norwegians, steriotypically, seem to enjoy killing both whales and themselves, yet they have the highest standard of living in the world. Can you elaborate?

My first girlfriend (when I was 5) was norwegian. Her name was Linda, her father was named Ud. Do you know how I can get in touch with her? I would love to say hello.
If you have a last name, I might be able to get it for you.

Is your governemnt going to do something about its overfishing?
It is. They have created and are enforcing very strick rules about overfishing. One thing they have introduced are kvotas on how much fish of each type the trawler can fish. If they fish too much, they get arrested and get a hefty fine and/or prison time.

Norwegians, steriotypically, seem to enjoy killing both whales and themselves, yet they have the highest standard of living in the world. Can you elaborate?
I don't know where you have this information from, but most Norwegians don't commit suicide. Only a very small part of the population kills itself ( not over 0,1% ). The whale hunting... While it is legal ( and whale tastes good... ), there are very strick kvotas on how many whales that can be taken each year. There are only a few people who live of hunting whales. As for being the best country to live in, I wonder why. Really, I do. The schools and health-care here leaves much to be desired. But we have loads of good stuff. Free education, free health-care, good wages at work. A bit high food, alcohol and tobacco prices and WAY too high gas prices. We have a democracy that works perfectly, no capitol punishment ( last person to be executed in Norway in peace time was way back in the 1880s, in wartime in 1946 ) and a usable economy. I don't know if I have elaborated enough for you, so feel free to ask if there are anything else you're curious of.

hhhmmm.....how is norway doing?

If you have a last name, I might be able to get it for you.


It is. They have created and are enforcing very strick rules about overfishing. One thing they have introduced are kvotas on how much fish of each type the trawler can fish. If they fish too much, they get arrested and get a hefty fine and/or prison time.


I don't know where you have this information from, but most Norwegians don't commit suicide. Only a very small part of the population kills itself ( not over 0,1% ). The whale hunting... While it is legal ( and whale tastes good... ), there are very strick kvotas on how many whales that can be taken each year. There are only a few people who live of hunting whales. As for being the best country to live in, I wonder why. Really, I do. The schools and health-care here leaves much to be desired. But we have loads of good stuff. Free education, free health-care, good wages at work. A bit high food, alcohol and tobacco prices and WAY too high gas prices. We have a democracy that works perfectly, no capitol punishment ( last person to be executed in Norway in peace time was way back in the 1880s, in wartime in 1946 ) and a usable economy. I don't know if I have elaborated enough for you, so feel free to ask if there are anything else you're curious of.

You know I was joking about the girlfriend thing-sorry-I couldnt resist.

I dont agree on the whaling-its a crime to kill anything as smart as we are.But thats my opinion.

Aside from that-Good for you-Norway sounds like a nice place and I'm glad to hear you're obviously proud of your country. Thats a refreshing change from the usual ranting in here.
Best wishes to you and your life there.

How would you say your way of life compares to that of an American?

hhhmmm.....how is norway doing?
Good enough. We'll probably do better in october though. Elections in September and I'm finally old enough to vote! :D

Seriously though. We're doing good. No terrorist threaths the past six months, the economy is doing fine, we've found more oil in the Norwegian Sea and I'm still with my girlfriend. :)

You know I was joking about the girlfriend thing-sorry-I couldnt resist.

I dont agree on the whaling-its a crime to kill anything as smart as we are.But thats my opinion.

Aside from that-Good for you-Norway sounds like a nice place and I'm glad to hear you're obviously proud of your country. Thats a refreshing change from the usual ranting in here.
Best wishes to you and your life there.

Ah. Ok. Well, we're a free country with freedom of speech and I respect your opinion. Anyway, thanks. :)

How would you say your way of life compares to that of an American?

How do you mean compares? Please elaborate.

Actually the suicide thing is related to a mental problem known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. People with this problem tend to have moods relating to the weather they are in
EXAMPLE: Winter=sadness, Spring= Happy
It, for some reason is more prevelant among scandinavian people, and due to the fact that up north, there are such long nights due t the whole, earth tilt thing, and long periods of darkness and stuf, more people commit suicide.

Actually the suicide thing is related to a mental problem known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. People with this problem tend to have moods relating to the weather they are in
EXAMPLE: Winter=sadness, Spring= Happy
It, for some reason is more prevelant among scandinavian people, and due to the fact that up north, there are such long nights due t the whole, earth tilt thing, and long periods of darkness and stuf, more people commit suicide.
But weird part is that more people commit suicides during spring, AFTER the long dark winter.

I mean how life is the same and how it is differant.

But weird part is that more people commit suicides during spring, AFTER the long dark winter.
Maybe they got surprised by the sudden light in the days......

http://www.who.int/entity/mental_health/media/en/suicide.jpg

Maybe it's not as bad as I thought. Norways the one on the left, right? (in scandinavia)

Maybe they got surprised by the sudden light in the days......
it certainly surprises me every spring.

I mean how life is the same and how it is differant.
Aha. Well, eh... I'm not so sure about how the American way of life is, so this might include a lot of stereotypes. In advance, sorry 'bout those.

We both live in democracys, with elections every four years. You have a President who gets elected with loads of arguing and attempts to "drag the other side into the mud", while we only elect a Prime Minister who don't have absolute power like the US President appears to have.

Our ways of measuring stuff are different. We use, like the rest of Europe, the metric system ( liters, meters, etc ). You still use feet, pounds, gallons, etc and it confuses the heck out of me every time I see it.

We also have different ways of viewing things that happen in life. Examples are abortion and homosexuality. While both are totally legal here in Norway, it is illegal in the US ( generally speaking, no offense ) with abortions and gay marriages ( sp? ).

Here in Norway, education is free, and every Norwegian have a right ( I believe that it is constitutional ) to education beyond Secondary School. In Norway, we also have mandatory military service for a year, while you have a professional army made up of volunteers in the US.

We listen to the same wide selection of music and look at the same movies that you do, we talk about mainly the same things, etc etc etc.

I don't know if this have answered your question, so feel free to ask if you're unsure about my answering.

http://www.who.int/entity/mental_health/media/en/suicide.jpg

Maybe it's not as bad as I thought. Norways the one on the left, right? (in scandinavia)
Yep.

it certainly surprises me every spring.
Yes, but further north in Norway, they have complete darkness 24/7 in the winter and sun 24/7 in the summer. Winter darkness and midnight sun.

Well the president doesnt have absolute power. THe checks and balance system makes it so that No branch becomes to powerful. For instince Congress can impeach the president and can overide any vetoes he has against bills. There was a time era before the civil war i think where Congress nearly took over the government by overiding the president and trying to impeach him.

And compulsory military service, dam that must suck!

While both are totally legal here in Norway, it is illegal in the US ( generally speaking, no offense ) with abortions and gay marriages ( sp? ).



:confused:

Well the president doesnt have absolute power. THe checks and balance system makes it so that No branch becomes to powerful. For instince Congress can impeach the president and can overide any vetoes he has against bills. There was a time era before the civil war i think where Congress nearly took over the government by overiding the president and trying to impeach him.

And compulsory military service, dam that must suck!
Ok.

Military service isn't all that bad. We have a few perks here. Decent pay, get to shoot loads of weapons AND a good deal of pension points. My brother said that it was one of the best times in his life.

:confused:
What? Did I say something wrong? :headbang:

Cotland, inget illa menat, men en sak i din engelska bör pekas ut. Tredje person singularis av verb är inte samma som resten av verbformerna. "He has", "she does", "it wants" och så vidare. Grundregeln för regelbundna verb är att de får ett -s i tredje person singularis.

Is the monarch more like a figure head in your country and doesnt hold alot of power. Like the Queen of England?

Do Norwegians still eat lutefisk?

(i hope I spelled it correctly! hehe)

and

To Norwegians, your country is called "Norge" ... right?

Thanks!

Cotland, inget illa menat, men en sak i din engelska bör pekas ut. Tredje person singularis av verb är inte samma som resten av verbformerna. "He has", "she does", "it wants" och så vidare. Grundregeln för regelbundna verb är att de får ett -s i tredje person singularis.
Ja, jeg vet det når jeg tenker meg om. Gramatikk har aldri vært min sterke side. Takk for at du minnte meg på det. :)

Is the monarch more like a figure head in your country and doesnt hold alot of power. Like the Queen of England?
Yes. Although in times of national emergency, he may assume power if granted to do so by the Storting ( Parliament ). It has only happened on one occasion though, in April 1940 when we were invaded by the Germans.
EDIT: He is the supreme commander-in-chief of the military regardless if its peace or war. Holds the rank of General.

Do Norwegians still eat lutefisk?

(i hope I spelled it correctly! hehe)

and

To Norwegians, your country is called "Norge" ... right?

Thanks!
Yes, it happens. ( You did spell it correctly :) )

And you are correct yet again, it is called Norge in Norwegian.

Trivia: Norge, or Norway, means "the road to the north".

What? Did I say something wrong? :headbang:

Neither abortion of homosexuality are illegal in the US. In fact both are constitutional rights.

While I am at it How do people feel about Vidkun Quisling is hs as hated there as in the Enlish speaking world? (His name is part of our language now, and means a traitor who serves as the puppet of the enemy occupying his or her country).

Neither abortion of homosexuality are illegal in the US. In fact both are constitutional rights.
Oh. Ok. My bad then. Sorry.

While I am at it How do people feel about Vidkun Quisling is hs as hated there as in the Enlish speaking world? (His name is part of our language now, and means a traitor who serves as the puppet of the enemy occupying his or her country).
He's considered a traitor. And we don't think so highly about traitors. After all, we shot him, didn't we? Simple as that.

bump

I met a guy from Norway once who told me that the illness chicken pox is called watercups in Norway. Can you confirm this?

I met a guy from Norway once who told me that the illness chicken pox is called watercups in Norway. Can you confirm this?
Yes I can.

bump

This has been a very informative thread.

My Great Grandparents camefrom Norway to america during the first big wave of Immigrants, then they went west and settled in Iowa. From there my grandpa moved south, to Louisiana, then my dad moved east, to Florida, and here I am.

Is black metal actually popular in Norway?

Is black metal actually popular in Norway?
For certain people, yes.

This has been a very informative thread.

My Great Grandparents camefrom Norway to america during the first big wave of Immigrants, then they went west and settled in Iowa. From there my grandpa moved south, to Louisiana, then my dad moved east, to Florida, and here I am.
coo. So do you speak any Norwegian?

Here you can ask a Norwegian ( me ) about anything you want to know about Norway, Norwegians, the Norwegian way of life, and just about anything that has even the remotest to do with Norway, and I will attempt to answer as best I can. Andre nordmenn kan få lov til å svare også...

Please refrain from doing any of the things listed here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=288255). Thank you.

what is the deal with cheerleaders at hockey games?? :mad:

what is the deal with cheerleaders at hockey games?? :mad:
What? What cheerleaders? Which hockeygames? :confused:

What? What cheerleaders? Which hockeygames? :confused:


why do you norse peoples, the swedes and fins as well as you nords have cheerleaders present at local hockeygames?

why do you norse peoples, the swedes and fins as well as you nords have cheerleaders present at local hockeygames?I'm not from the Scandinavia area but I think I can answer this question(I'm fairly sure it's the same reason everywhere). Because they're good eye candy.

why do you norse peoples, the swedes and fins as well as you nords have cheerleaders present at local hockeygames?
It's really not that common. 70% of the spectators in hockey games are men, so I guess those teams figure men would like to watch dancers in skimpy skirts during the breaks in the game. To answer your question: it's yet another feeble attempt at objectifying women we Nordic people are renowned for...:)

It's really not that common. 70% of the spectators in hockey games are men, so I guess those teams figure men would like to watch dancers in skimpy skirts during the breaks in the game. To answer your question: it's yet another feeble attempt at objectifying women we Nordic people are renowned for...:)

Nothing wrong with cheerleaders but they somehow feel VERY out of place at a hockey game, sorta like finland feels when they play real hockey powerhouses like canada. BAHAHAHHA

umm ya :rolleyes:

Agreed.

ummm... "powerhouses like Canada"... and who else..? :)

Gosh, a whole thread on the world's most insignificant country!! :D Sorry, only joking...

How are the opinions of Norwegians currently towards EU-membership? Or are you happy outside. To me it seems Norway has been quite successful in negociating a very good position outside of EU, but with a great deal of the benefits associated with membership (via EEA, Schengen etc).

Are the Swedish and Norwegian languages so alike that you can understand someone speaking in Swedish... or are they different enough so that you cannot understand?

Sweden has a great tradition in ice hockey (hawkey to Canadians)

why didn't hockey become popular in Norway? Or is it popular in some places in Norway?

Are the Swedish and Norwegian languages so alike that you can understand someone speaking in Swedish... or are they different enough so that you cannot understand?

Yes, we can understand each other generally. From a Swedish perspective, I find Norwegian easier to understand than Danish - although, I can understand both.

I actually think that the Norwegians probably have the easiest time understanding Swedes and Danes because of the way they have two forms of language anyway in use in their country, one of which is pretty near to Danish and the other nearer to Swedish. So, for them, I guess Danish and Swedish are no worse than an extreme dialect of their own language.

Gosh, a whole thread on the world's most insignificant country!! :D Sorry, only joking...

How are the opinions of Norwegians currently towards EU-membership? Or are you happy outside. To me it seems Norway has been quite successful in negociating a very good position outside of EU, but with a great deal of the benefits associated with membership (via EEA, Schengen etc).
You better be..... :sniper: :p

Well, the population is split on that issue. The most recent poll showed that 46% was against EU membership, 43% for membership and the remaining didn't have an opinion or didn't know. I won't go in on my personal views, because I believe that there already are some threads on that subject here. Still, we do ok. I'm just wondering why we must obey all the EU directives when we're not members.... :confused:

Are the Swedish and Norwegian languages so alike that you can understand someone speaking in Swedish... or are they different enough so that you cannot understand?
We understand them very good, as Borgoa said. We have been under both, so we've taken a few bits and pieces from both the Swedish and Danish languages. Compared to some of our more extreme dialects ( innavl-trøndersk :p ), Swedish are easy to understand. There are some words that are a bit tricky to understand though.

Sweden has a great tradition in ice hockey (hawkey to Canadians)

why didn't hockey become popular in Norway? Or is it popular in some places in Norway?
Well, it's kind of popular, but there are other sports that are more popular ( soccer, basketball, skiing ). We have a few professional teams, but they aren't known outside of Scandinavia I believe.

hi, im not slateing your people, but what happens when their are no wales left to fish (and yes it is lovely 2 eat ;) )? dont get me wrong but in the UK we have a big problem with having virtually no fish left in our waters yet the spanish and french are still allowed by the EU to fish in our waters and exempt from the quotas that have killed our fishing industry!

on a lighter note - do you find the swiss as dull as everyone else seems to? when i was there i tried to get a drink an a pizza at 9.30 on a friday in a university town only to find everything shut!!! :mad:

Got a few questions for you...

What's the most popular holiday destination for the people of Norway?
I'd like an answer for home and overseas, please. Also why is the home one so popular, what is there?

Do you guys really have a disagreement with swedan? Why?

In the Second world war what happened when you were invaded by Germany?
Were you on the side of the Allied forces?

Do you think (Soccer player) Lars Bohienan was right to demand all that Money from Nottingham Forest over his contract talks and do you believe he made the right career decision leaving to join Blackburn and then Derby, ending any chance of winning a trophy with a very exciting premiership team?


Thank you, hope for answers soon.
(Please endulge me on the last question!)

What's the longest word in Norwegian?

hi, im not slateing your people, but what happens when their are no wales left to fish (and yes it is lovely 2 eat ;) )? dont get me wrong but in the UK we have a big problem with having virtually no fish left in our waters yet the spanish and french are still allowed by the EU to fish in our waters and exempt from the quotas that have killed our fishing industry!

on a lighter note - do you find the swiss as dull as everyone else seems to? when i was there i tried to get a drink an a pizza at 9.30 on a friday in a university town only to find everything shut!!! :mad:
I don't know. Sorry.

Again, I wouldn't know 'cause I've never been to Switzerland. Sorry.

Got a few questions for you...

What's the most popular holiday destination for the people of Norway?
I'd like an answer for home and overseas, please. Also why is the home one so popular, what is there?

Do you guys really have a disagreement with swedan? Why?

In the Second world war what happened when you were invaded by Germany?
Were you on the side of the Allied forces?

Do you think (Soccer player) Lars Bohienan was right to demand all that Money from Nottingham Forest over his contract talks and do you believe he made the right career decision leaving to join Blackburn and then Derby, ending any chance of winning a trophy with a very exciting premiership team?


Thank you, hope for answers soon.
(Please endulge me on the last question!)
The most popular holiday destinations... Well, abroad it would be the Mediterranian and the Canary Islands. Thailand is also popular, but not so much so lately due to the tsunami ( God bless those who perished ). At home, it would be, well, in winter I would have to say the mountain and ski resorts. We love to go skiing ;). In summer... I'm not sure about the population in general, but my family usually go to visit family ( my brother in Oslo, my sister in Sunndalsøra and other family in Møre ) in the sommer time. Otherwise we are at home, enjoying the sun and swim in the Norwegian Sea ( yeah, its cold but hey! We're decendants from the Vikings... ).

There aren't really any disagreement with Sweden. It's just friendly ( some would say brotherly ) teasing.

We were invaded, fought them for as long as we could, then the royal family and government fled the country and continued the fight from Britain when the Germans had beaten our small military. Yes, we were on the allied side.

I'm not really interested in soccer. So, I don't have any meaning about Lars Bohienen or his club-changes. Sorry.

What's the longest word in Norwegian?
I don't know. Sorry. But I do know that is has more then twenty letters in it.

What's the longest word in Norwegian?

The problem with Scandinavian languages like Norwegian and Swedish is that several words can be combined into one single one, which means that the longest word depends only on the imagination. Like "Utrikesdepartementssekreterareassistent" (assistent to the secretary of the minister of foreign affairs).

The problem with Scandinavian languages like Norwegian and Swedish is that several words can be combined into one single one, which means that the longest word depends only on the imagination. Like "Utrikesdepartementssekreterareassistent" (assistent to the secretary of the minister of foreign affairs).

Indeed.... and the more fictionally used word, which comes on a few sites (including some in English) when i searched in google.se for the longest word.

Personally I'm assuming someone made this up when they were board for effect.

"Nordöstersjökustartilleriflygspaningssimulatoranläggningsmaterielunderhållsuppföljningssystemdiskuss ionsinläggsförberedelsearbeten"

=

Preparation work on the contribution to the discussion on the maintaining system of support of the material of the aviation survey simulator device within the north-east part of the coast artillery of the Baltic

Should point out that this is the longest compound word I could find - the longest single word in its own right is clearly going to be a LOT LOT shorter.

bump

i dated a wegian for a LLONNG time. i lived there for 22 months. first in kristiansand, then tromso. i could not hack it. i suck at the language, and froze my ass off. it is however the most beautiful place on earth, and i wouls like to go back.

i dated a wegian for a LLONNG time. i lived there for 22 months. first in kristiansand, then tromso. i could not hack it. i suck at the language, and froze my ass off. it is however the most beautiful place on earth, and i wouls like to go back.
Det var kjekt å høre. Velkommen tilbake. :)

Here you can ask a Norwegian ( me ) about anything you want to know about Norway, Norwegians, the Norwegian way of life, and just about anything that has even the remotest to do with Norway, and I will attempt to answer as best I can. Andre nordmenn kan få lov til å svare også...

Please refrain from doing any of the things listed here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=288255). Thank you.

I lived in Fossum for five years, know it?

Det var kjekt å høre. Velkommen tilbake. :)
please dont . *begs* not only could i not speak it, i sure as hell could not read it. i barely get english.
sidenote- worlds best guys are in norway.

please dont . *begs* not only could i not speak it, i sure as hell could not read it. i barely get english.
sidenote- worlds best guys are in norway.
nearly agreed...

nearly agreed...
i swear. i have dated two. they are both tall and great looking, and have the best manners. tend to be a little serious, and a little too focused, but thats okay in my book. and not to mention the sexual prowess........*sigh*

i swear. i have dated two. they are both tall and great looking, and have the best manners. tend to be a little serious, and a little too focused, but thats okay in my book. and not to mention the sexual prowess........*sigh*
kkrrhhmm, that goes also with Swedes and Finns (unfortunately the density of great looking men is not as high in Finland.) Nevermind, I've found mine :D

Is it true you guys drive to sweden to do your shopping?

true. my last boyfriend was half norsk, half finn. good god. 6 foot 5. long dark hair, and the best high cheekbones. unbeleivable. why did we break up again???? scandinavian guys are beautiful though.

I lived in Fossum for five years, know it?
Fossum in Oppland or Fossum in Telemark?

Is it true you guys drive to sweden to do your shopping?
Yes it is for those who live near the Swedish border. Much cheaper food, alcohol, tobacco and candy! Go Svinesund!

scandinavian guys are beautiful though.
On behalf of Scandinavian guys everywhere I thank you.

Do the Norwegians do the "snus" thing like the swedes?

Fossum in Oppland or Fossum in Telemark?

It is near Oslo and the area is know as Eiksmarke (Not sure about the spelling).

scandinavian guys are beautiful though.
Thank You. :)

Thank You. :)
On behalf of Scandinavian guys everywhere I thank you.
your welcome. i mean it too. both of my exes live in america now, and get a lot of heat from girls. thinking- you should really export the guys in your country. i would make a great trade partner. :D

Do the Norwegians do the "snus" thing like the swedes?
Some do.

It is near Oslo and the area is know as Eiksmarke (Not sure about the spelling).

Oppland then..

Oppland then..
Okay, do you know it?

does any one in norway that you know NOt possess that "apears aloof, but is actually veryfocused and intense" type of personality?

does any one in norway that you know NOt possess that "apears aloof, but is actually veryfocused and intense" type of personality?
I know one or two people that fit that description....

I know one or two people that fit that description....
only one or two people? hopefully you are being sarcastic :) you are all like that . and its A GOOD THING

only one or two people? hopefully you are being sarcastic :) you are all like that . and its A GOOD THING
Hehe. Jeg elsker deg! :)

Don't you really don't have any tigers or lions? Not even Santa's and Snowflakes? That's sad.

Don't you really don't have any tigers or lions? Not even Santa's and Snowflakes? That's sad.
Eh... The last time I checked, there were no tigers or lions indigenous to Norway, so no. Except of course the zoos. I think they have one or two lions.... not sure though. Yes it is sad. Tigers pwn!

What's the deal with Lutefisk (sp?), anyway? How can anyone actually eat that stuff?

Okay, do you know it?
Not really. Sorry. ( I cheated and used Encarta World Atlas. Sue me )

What's the deal with Lutefisk (sp?), anyway? How can anyone actually eat that stuff?
With plenty of aquavit and/or beer on the inside before you start eating. Also, having bacon on the side helps.

Dunno if you were sarcastic or nor, Cotland, but this thread reminded me of two flash movies, which make me smile every time. Here are the links and forget about Norway.


http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/29/
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/testy/AdventCalendar/day19.html

With plenty of aquavit and/or beer on the inside before you start eating. Also, having bacon on the side helps.

Hm. I think breading it, deepfrying it, and covering it in ketchup would work better.