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Culture Smart / Cultuur Bewust
Norway - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
Culture Smart! Norway steers you through the social and professional encounters of your visit to this new culture. By deepening your understanding it will enable you to establish real friendships and business partnerships. Tips on meeting and communicating make socializing a pleasant experience, and chapters on the customs and traditions that form the bedrock of family life give a glimpse inside a Norwegian home. The guide also explains how the Norwegian commercial world operates – vital information for anyone doing business inside one of the world’s wealthiest nations. Norwegians enjoy arguably the best quality of life in the world, but this was not always so. The need to survive in a difficult, isolated terrain and an often harsh climate forged a people who are hardworking and self-sufficient. The long coastline inspired a love of the sea and exploration, while a deep respect for nature is ingrained in their character. Since Viking times their parliaments have practiced basic democratic principles and a spirit of egalitarianism. Union with neighboring nations fostered a spirit of consensus, and a long struggle for independence produced an idealistic nationalism. Today’s Norwegians have a strong commitment to equality and fairness and are proud of the society they have created. This was not always so. The need to survive in a difficult, isolated terrain and an often harsh climate forged a people who are hardworking and self-sufficient. The long coastline inspired a love of the sea and exploration, while a deep respect for nature is ingrained in their character. Since Viking times their parliaments have displayed basic democratic principles and a spirit of egalitarianism. Union with neighboring nations fostered a spirit of consensus, and a long struggle for independence brought about an idealistic nationalism. Today s Norwegians have a strong commitment to equality and fairness and are proud of the society they have created. On first meeting, the Norwegians are most often serious, polite, and quietly reserved, which can make newcomers feel as if they have come up against a stone wall. Getting to know Norwegians can take time, but once the façade is overcome, you will meet the friendly, fun-loving, hardy, and family-oriented people on the other side. This updated edition of Culture Smart! Norway steers you through the situations that you are likely to encounter and gives you the tools to make the most of your time in this affluent yet down-to-earth country. By deepening your understanding of the culture, it will enable you to establish true friendships, while tips on communicating help make socializing.
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
21 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 27, 2019
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
I’ve never been to Norway and for the purpose of this review, I haven’t checked on the internet or with someone that I know that lives in Norway as to whether the information is all correct as I think that would hinder my review. I am solely basing my review about Norway on the information inside this Culture Smart! book.
Having read the book from cover to cover I’ve learned a few things about what the authors, Linda March – A Scottish ex-headteacher who lived in Stavanger area of Norway for six years and Margo Meyer – An American researcher who lives and works in Asker, Oslo Region of Norway think about the country, it’s traditions and culture.
The book is split into nine chapters covering different areas, including:-
– Land and People
– Values and Attitudes
– Customs and Traditions
– Making Friends
– The Norwegians at Home
– Time Out
– Travel, Health, and Safety
– Business Briefing
– Communicating
At the beginning of the book we are taken through a history of Norway and also about it’s size, 150,000 sq miles, that it is Europe’s sixth largest country and that there are approximately 5.29 million people living there, though most are in the big cities so there are vast areas where hardly anyone lives.
We are informed about its climate, the seasons and even about the Northern Lights and the best time to see them and where in the country is the best spotting place.
Once we have moved on from the key information we then get to dig a little deeper and find out about the people and their cultures. From reading you get the sense that the Norwegians are a nation that doesn’t take to newcomers very easily and that what us Brits might take as chitchat to our neighbours would be seen as being rude or nosy to Norwegians. That is until they get to know you and then they become loving and friendly, they just take a bit of time to warm to people.
There were a few things that surprised me about the country including the fact that the Norwegian government actually pay parents to stay home with their toddlers. If you don’t send your child to Kindergarten they will pay you to stay home with your child. Not surprising that they are classed one of the fairest countries who like to help one another out.
Another fact I learned was that rarely people dress up for work. You can be served in a bank by a cashier wearing jeans and a t-shirt or even seen at the local hospital by a doctor wearing casual clothing and a pair of clogs. People dress according to the weather, not their job. There is also rarely over-time available and if you finish at 4pm, you finish at 4pm, no finishing what you are doing, you down tools at 4pm and go home whether you are in a meeting, or on a call, the finish time is just that – Certainly not like that in the UK!
Overall I have learned a lot about the culture and the people of Norway. It is a place that I would love to visit one day, though I’m not sure how well I would do living there as I don’t like the cold weather in the UK and I hate the snow!
The book is pocket sized so great for taking with you on your travels and with it being split into easy to read sections you can stop and start at any time and look back over sections you may need. My one little niggle was why wasn’t the book written by a Norwegian?, but then I did wonder whether that would make the book biased or whether not having a Norwegian on the team may be an oversight? Whatever the reason the book was enjoyable, educational and I fully enjoyed my armchair trip to Norway.
I’ve never been to Norway and for the purpose of this review, I haven’t checked on the internet or with someone that I know that lives in Norway as to whether the information is all correct as I think that would hinder my review. I am solely basing my review about Norway on the information inside this Culture Smart! book.
Having read the book from cover to cover I’ve learned a few things about what the authors, Linda March – A Scottish ex-headteacher who lived in Stavanger area of Norway for six years and Margo Meyer – An American researcher who lives and works in Asker, Oslo Region of Norway think about the country, it’s traditions and culture.
The book is split into nine chapters covering different areas, including:-
– Land and People
– Values and Attitudes
– Customs and Traditions
– Making Friends
– The Norwegians at Home
– Time Out
– Travel, Health, and Safety
– Business Briefing
– Communicating
At the beginning of the book we are taken through a history of Norway and also about it’s size, 150,000 sq miles, that it is Europe’s sixth largest country and that there are approximately 5.29 million people living there, though most are in the big cities so there are vast areas where hardly anyone lives.
We are informed about its climate, the seasons and even about the Northern Lights and the best time to see them and where in the country is the best spotting place.
Once we have moved on from the key information we then get to dig a little deeper and find out about the people and their cultures. From reading you get the sense that the Norwegians are a nation that doesn’t take to newcomers very easily and that what us Brits might take as chitchat to our neighbours would be seen as being rude or nosy to Norwegians. That is until they get to know you and then they become loving and friendly, they just take a bit of time to warm to people.
There were a few things that surprised me about the country including the fact that the Norwegian government actually pay parents to stay home with their toddlers. If you don’t send your child to Kindergarten they will pay you to stay home with your child. Not surprising that they are classed one of the fairest countries who like to help one another out.
Another fact I learned was that rarely people dress up for work. You can be served in a bank by a cashier wearing jeans and a t-shirt or even seen at the local hospital by a doctor wearing casual clothing and a pair of clogs. People dress according to the weather, not their job. There is also rarely over-time available and if you finish at 4pm, you finish at 4pm, no finishing what you are doing, you down tools at 4pm and go home whether you are in a meeting, or on a call, the finish time is just that – Certainly not like that in the UK!
Overall I have learned a lot about the culture and the people of Norway. It is a place that I would love to visit one day, though I’m not sure how well I would do living there as I don’t like the cold weather in the UK and I hate the snow!
The book is pocket sized so great for taking with you on your travels and with it being split into easy to read sections you can stop and start at any time and look back over sections you may need. My one little niggle was why wasn’t the book written by a Norwegian?, but then I did wonder whether that would make the book biased or whether not having a Norwegian on the team may be an oversight? Whatever the reason the book was enjoyable, educational and I fully enjoyed my armchair trip to Norway.
May 13, 2024
Pretty good little book, all about the Norwegian culture, tied into its history and political situation. Easy to finish during a flight to Norway from Toronto.
June 27, 2014
I read the Dutch edition. Short introduction into Norway and especially the characteristics of the Norwegians. Lots of information on how to deal with certain situations. And a separate chapter for business people.
October 1, 2019
An interesting introduction to a very beautiful country!
February 27, 2018
Very informative, clear, and concise overview
It has been a while since I lived in Norway. I have visited a number of times since and have family and friends who live in Norway. I wish I had this book available prior to studying at UiO and UiB. The author did a great job of providing a clear, concise, and comprehensive overview which I believe is very accurate. I'm quite happy to have added this to my Kindle bookshelf.
It has been a while since I lived in Norway. I have visited a number of times since and have family and friends who live in Norway. I wish I had this book available prior to studying at UiO and UiB. The author did a great job of providing a clear, concise, and comprehensive overview which I believe is very accurate. I'm quite happy to have added this to my Kindle bookshelf.
July 24, 2022
I read this book on the plane and had originally given it three stars, but after going to Norway and discovering that a bunch of details in the book are just flat out wrong, I’ve downgraded it to two. As a very general overview, it’s helpful, but a lot of it is contradicted by what actual Norwegians say, so read with a very healthy dose of salt.
June 22, 2019
Needlessly complicated book. I have no idea for what reason the theme was so contorted. Maybe it was done with money from the Norwegian government. Or maybe the editors could not accept a sincere story. Or maybe the author is simply a crowd-pleaser.
It is the story of a country in which the king and aristocracy where in symbiosis with the masses, the opposite of the kingdoms of the Arabian Peninsula. Hence, the king and government have made the population a partial owner to the natural resources, while down South the king always had to gather the fruits of the harvest to pay the sycophants and the mercenaries that will in turn keep the people "in line".
The problems start with the history, the official history. A bloody medieval clan war becomes "H has unified the tribes". Okay. Don't need to dig up the long dead. But it gets worse. Norway is a moderate country by the standards of 1943 Germany. And March will start contorting and say "they are not inferior to any race". They are lazy. But March will repeat the governmental propaganda with the "hard working people". March will admit that the foreigners could get upset at seeing the three clerks chatting in a corner while only a forth will be working. And later will compensate with how the locals "work to live and not live to work". That there is equality between sexes. And political agitators from Russia to Germany to the United States will keep reminding the plebeian about the Equality Heaven in Scandinavia. Yet I had no idea that is mandated by the government, hence a proof of despotism and not equality. Or how the people are so charitable towards other countries, only to find out that is another plot because when it comes to asylum seekers there is a quota. And that's asylum seekers, the people with an immediate risk of dying, not the migrants. The migrants were banned half a century ago to keep the the Northern White Race pure.
It reminded me of the Soviet writings. When the writer will encode the information and the reader will have to "read between the lines". I also found tiresome this act. And I am missing the threat. After all, Russians have a long tradition of assassins hunting down the people targeted by the system. The Americans too. I'm an ignorant, but to me, sending a team of five trackers slash assassins will compromise the National Potato Harvest for at least two years.
It is the story of a country in which the king and aristocracy where in symbiosis with the masses, the opposite of the kingdoms of the Arabian Peninsula. Hence, the king and government have made the population a partial owner to the natural resources, while down South the king always had to gather the fruits of the harvest to pay the sycophants and the mercenaries that will in turn keep the people "in line".
The problems start with the history, the official history. A bloody medieval clan war becomes "H has unified the tribes". Okay. Don't need to dig up the long dead. But it gets worse. Norway is a moderate country by the standards of 1943 Germany. And March will start contorting and say "they are not inferior to any race". They are lazy. But March will repeat the governmental propaganda with the "hard working people". March will admit that the foreigners could get upset at seeing the three clerks chatting in a corner while only a forth will be working. And later will compensate with how the locals "work to live and not live to work". That there is equality between sexes. And political agitators from Russia to Germany to the United States will keep reminding the plebeian about the Equality Heaven in Scandinavia. Yet I had no idea that is mandated by the government, hence a proof of despotism and not equality. Or how the people are so charitable towards other countries, only to find out that is another plot because when it comes to asylum seekers there is a quota. And that's asylum seekers, the people with an immediate risk of dying, not the migrants. The migrants were banned half a century ago to keep the the Northern White Race pure.
It reminded me of the Soviet writings. When the writer will encode the information and the reader will have to "read between the lines". I also found tiresome this act. And I am missing the threat. After all, Russians have a long tradition of assassins hunting down the people targeted by the system. The Americans too. I'm an ignorant, but to me, sending a team of five trackers slash assassins will compromise the National Potato Harvest for at least two years.
May 15, 2017
Het boekje is niet te dik en niet te groot. Wat dat betreft handig om mee te nemen en je zit er ook geen hele tijd aan te lezen. Het is aangenaam geschreven en overzichtelijk. Kortom, een goed boekje over Noorwegen denk je dan?
Tot je in Noorwegen bent en de realiteit aftoetst tegenover de beschrijving. En dan blijkt het toch hier en daar nét iets anders te zijn. Dan blijken de Noren niet zo afstandelijk en eten ze wél vis, bijvoorbeeld. Uiteraard zie je als toerist maar een klein stukje van de Noren en Noorwegen, dus dat maakt mij zeker geen kenner! En is het zoals met alles: er is niet één archetypische Noor, maar er zijn miljoenen Noren met allemaal hun eigen karakter. En dat maakt boekjes als dit, die zeker hun waarde hebben en je in weinig tijd een zekere achtergrond over een land kunnen geven, toch ook ietwat problematisch: er wordt misschien soms te veel veralgemeend waardoor je je afvraagt: in hoeverre klopt dit? Is dit nog actueel?
Tot je in Noorwegen bent en de realiteit aftoetst tegenover de beschrijving. En dan blijkt het toch hier en daar nét iets anders te zijn. Dan blijken de Noren niet zo afstandelijk en eten ze wél vis, bijvoorbeeld. Uiteraard zie je als toerist maar een klein stukje van de Noren en Noorwegen, dus dat maakt mij zeker geen kenner! En is het zoals met alles: er is niet één archetypische Noor, maar er zijn miljoenen Noren met allemaal hun eigen karakter. En dat maakt boekjes als dit, die zeker hun waarde hebben en je in weinig tijd een zekere achtergrond over een land kunnen geven, toch ook ietwat problematisch: er wordt misschien soms te veel veralgemeend waardoor je je afvraagt: in hoeverre klopt dit? Is dit nog actueel?
August 6, 2019
I thought this book was pretty helpful in learning about the basic etiquette and culture of Norwegians. While it was an easy read and good, I would not rely on just this book, especially if you are planning a trip--I suggest using this in conjunction with other travel books on Norway.
One drawback of the book was the repetition of certain issues. Several times when I was reading, I felt as though I had already read some of the sections--and I had, several pages back.
For the most part I think this is a good book for anyone who will be traveling to Norway, or is interested in a basics about the Norwegian people. And doesn't mind a bit of repetition.
This review is also posted on the LibraryThing website.
One drawback of the book was the repetition of certain issues. Several times when I was reading, I felt as though I had already read some of the sections--and I had, several pages back.
For the most part I think this is a good book for anyone who will be traveling to Norway, or is interested in a basics about the Norwegian people. And doesn't mind a bit of repetition.
This review is also posted on the LibraryThing website.
March 27, 2021
I have been an ex-pat for two years now in Norway, and I truly wish I had read this book before coming. It is accurate, fun to read, and gives all the introductory information that one could need before going to Norway. After living here and having interacted with Norwegians, it is my opinion that this book is really a useful tool for anyone who would like to have a brief, but accurate snapshot of Norway and its culture.
July 31, 2018
Regular, standard travel book summarising Norwegian cultural and social norms/ mores. But as it is pretty standard, it just gives the taster and not the full expose to understand the land and its people. Average and as expected.
September 14, 2022
Well done overview of basic Norwegian culture/customs/habits that would be deemed important from an Anglo (American/Canadian/English) perspective. I found the tips to be useful in my 10 day trip to Norway.
November 5, 2022
Reading this in preparation for a trip to Norway next year. These books are the basics. I think my mother, whose ancestors were Norwegian had a lot of the culture ingrained. When I read the book I recognized many of the principles.
January 15, 2023
Fairly good introduction to Norway and the Norwegian people. Had to knock it down a star because my copy accidentally included half a chapter from the book in this series on Rwanda, which definitely feels like something someone should have caught.
July 24, 2023
Helpful for the visitor
The author gives us many insights into the Norwegian way ! It is difficult for me to envision a trip to Norway without knowing the way Norway's people think and act.
The author gives us many insights into the Norwegian way ! It is difficult for me to envision a trip to Norway without knowing the way Norway's people think and act.
June 4, 2019
This covered a lot of material that will be helpful in my upcoming trip.
June 4, 2019
A little outdated
July 27, 2019
Good well rounded introduction to the country
June 29, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this while camping in northern MN
February 9, 2023
This was an informative little book. Don't know if I will ever get to Norway, but am hoping to! Life is getting shorter and more expensive!
August 26, 2023
A very well designed tour of all things Norway. Glad I read it.
August 31, 2023
Excellent little overview of Norway, its people and its society! Highly recommended to anyone working or traveling to Norway.
January 15, 2024
Dry sense of humor and a love of the outdoors, here we come!
January 29, 2024
Interesting and full of bits about customs and manners handy for travelling.
August 1, 2013
pretty standard guidebook. there were some useful tidbits and it was an interesting enough read but for the most part it only scratched the surface (which is obviously expected with a short guide about an entire country).
March 30, 2015
Quick read about the people of Norway. Geared to people doing business or even moving there but helpful for visitors.
I will visit Norway soon and I feel I have a better sense of Norwegians after reading this book.
I will visit Norway soon and I feel I have a better sense of Norwegians after reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews