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WORLD CULTURES & FOLK CUSTOMS

SIMO JELAČA, PhD

FOREWORD

This book summarizes information about culture and customs of different nations. Noticeable differences in customs are among Christian, Islamic and Buddhist’s nations, although in all prevails intention for nice and greatest.

It will be too much to include every country, as there are similarities among many nations of the same or close nationalities. Characteristic are Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, or as well as Germany and Austria. The similar conclusion values for Latin nations, among themselves too.

Readers will find basic information about each country, such as its location and size, population and Ethnic Make-up, Religion, Climate, Language, Etiquettes and others.

This book can equally be used for travelers, either as tourists or business people, therefore everyone will find necessary information about Etiquette of people at their homes as well as at the business.

My intention was to find as much good information as possible. How much I have succeeded readers will judge it.

Author

NORWAY

CULTURE AND FOLK CUSTOMS

Facts and Statistics

Location: Northern Europe, bordering Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km

Norway is situated on the western side of the Scandinavian peninsula with its eastern neighbor, Sweden. The North Sea borders the country on the west, and the Barent Sea lies to the north. Spitsbergen, a group of islands 640 kilometers to the north in the Arctic Ocean, is a Norwegian dependency. With a total area of 324,200 square kilometers, much of the country is dominated by rugged mountainous or coastal landscapes that have made tourism an important industry.

Size: 324.220 square km.

Capital: Oslo 650.000

Population: About 4-5 million

Government: Constitutional monarchy

Ethnic Make-up: Norwegian, Sami 20,000

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 86% (state church), other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, other 1%, none and unknown 10%

The Norwegian Language

Over 99% of the 4.5m population of Norway speak the official language, Norwegian. Norwegian has 2 written forms, "Bokmal" (Book Norwegian) and "Nynorsk" (New Norwegian) and they enjoy the same legal recognition, although "Bokmal" is increasingly more common. Minority languages include Finnish, spoken by 0.2% of the population, mainly in the northern region of Finnmark, as well as "Sami", a language closely related to Finnish, spoken by 0.9% of the Norwegian population.

Norwegian Society & Culture

The Family

• Many families consist mainly of the nuclear family.

• Marriage is not a prerequisite to starting a family.

• Many couples live together without legalizing the arrangement with marriage. Therefore, it is best not to make presumptions about people's marital status.

Women

• Women are highly respected in business and generally receive equal pay and have access to senior positions.

• Norwegian women expect to be treated with respect in the office.

• Businesswomen are direct and can be skilled negotiators.

• Women may take up to one year's maternity leave at 80% pay or 10 months at 100% pay.

• If a woman decides to stay home with pre-school children she receives a monthly stipend from the government.

Jante Law

The poet Aksel Sandemose put Jante Law into words and they convey an important element of Norwegian culture: humility. Jante's Law teaches people to be modest and not 'think big'. It is demonstrated in most people's refusal to criticize others. Norwegians try to see all people as being on equal footing. They do not flaunt their wealth or financial achievements and look askance at those who do.

The tenets of Jante Law are:

You shall not think you are special.

You shall not believe you are smarter than others.

You shall not believe you are wiser than others.

You shall not behave as if you are better than others.

You shall not believe that you know more than others.

You shall not believe that you can fix things better than others.

You shall not laugh at others.

You shall not believe that others care about you.

You shall not believe that you can teach others anything.

Egalitarianism

• Norwegians view themselves as egalitarian people whose culture is based on democratic principles of respect and interdependence.

• They like people for themselves and not for what they do for a living their professional accomplishments or how much money they earn.

• They have simple tastes and are not prone to ostentation or excessive showiness.

• They pride themselves on being honest and sincere in their personal relationships.

Etiquette & Customs in Norway

Meeting and Greeting

• Greetings are casual, with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a smile.

• Norwegians are egalitarian and casual; they often introduce themselves with their first name only.

• In some circumstances people may use the honorific title "Herr" (Mr.) or "Frau" (Mrs.) and their surname.

• You can wait to be invited before moving to first names although most people will start with this.

• Shake hands and say good-bye individually when arriving or departing.

• Shake hands with people on a first come first served basis.

Gift Giving Etiquette

If invited to a Norwegian's home, bring flowers, chocolates, pastries, wine, or imported spirits to the hostess.

• Flowers may be sent the morning of a dinner party so they may be displayed that evening.

• Do not give carnations, lilies or white flowers as they are used at funerals.

• Do not give wreaths, even at Christmas.

• Do not give even numbers of flowers.

• A houseplant is well received in the winter months.

• A bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers is always appreciated.

• Gifts are opened when received.

Food, meals and alcohol

• Norwegians usually eat a quick lunch (bread, coffee) around 12:00, and leave work/school around 15:30.

• Bread and potatoes are basic food stuff in most homes.

• Open sandwiches (slices of dark bread with meat, jam or whatever spread) is a the most common way of eating.

• Most people eat dinner at home around 17:00 or 18:00. Late dinners (like in Spain) are unusual.

• In the countryside, some people eat dinner at noon and go back to work after a good nap.

• Danes can drink in the morning, Norwegians don't. There is a tradition of not drinking on weekdays. Don't expect to be offered wine or other alcohol in private homes; coffee (or tea) is standard. A lot of Norwegians get rather drunk on Fridays and Saturdays, but alcohol consumption is on average modest.

• Beer is the only alcohol available in shops at restricted times. Wine, strong beers and spirits can be purchased by the bottle only at the state liquor.

Dining Etiquette

• Invitations are generally given verbally.

• Norwegians are punctual in both business and social situations.

• Confirm the dress code with your hosts.

• Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.

• Do not discuss business. Norwegians separate their business and personal lives.

• Reciprocate any invitation.

• Table manners are more formal than one might expect of a culture that is informal and egalitarian.

• Hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

• Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.

• Most food, including sandwiches, is eaten with utensils.

• When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right.

• The male guest of honor, generally seated to the left of the hostess, thanks the hostess on behalf of the other guests with the phrase "takk for maten" (thanks for the meal).

• The host makes a small speech and offers the first toast.

• Toast the host/hostess during the meal.

• Women may offer toasts.

• Toasts are made with alcoholic beverages, but not beer.

• When someone is being toasted, raise your glass, look at the person, take a sip, look at the person again, and then return the glass to the table.

• Women must put down their glasses first after a toast.

Manners

• Keeping calm and not displaying strong emotions in public are common virtues in Norway.

• Despite the emphasis on modesty, Norway mostly has a low-context style of communication.

• Although the feeling of being one nation is strong, there are strong individualistic and egalitarian attitudes, being self-reliant and equal is highly regarded.

• Being punctual is a matter of showing respect. Very important for business meetings (better arrive 5 min too early), generally important even for private appointments, for formal dinners it is acceptable and even customary to arrive some 10 min after the given time.

• While informal, Norwegians generally have a reserved body language and may appear as cold or aloof.

• It is not customary to bring children to social gatherings in the evening. Bringing children to cafe late at evening can be perceived as child abuse or neglect.

• Work and leisure is kept strictly apart. Business partners are rarely invited to private homes.

• Norwegians are generally modest and easy-going, and don't adhere to strict codes of politeness. Note however that table manners are important, like thanking the host/hostess.

• Words like "sorry" and "please" are not used frequently. Once used, polite remarks are sincere.

• Norwegians greet each other with a firm handshake. Sincere thanks are also by the hand. Cheek-kissing is uncommon except among very close friends. Formal business meetings are often introduced and concluded with short handshakes.

• Men always stand up giving handshakes, elderly are not obliged to stand.

• Although Norwegians may be reserved, Norwegians are also informal and can be surprisingly direct, not too much "beating around the bush". Silence don't need to be embarrassing.

• Norwegians can say "yes" as an intake of breath.

• Silence is not embarrassing.

• Formal dinners (such as weddings) are long and often include numerous speeches and plenty of toasts ("skål").

• Before leaving a formal party, it is customary to shake hands with the host.

• Condolences (in funerals) are also with a firm handshake, slightly prolonged to express empathy).

• Norwegians usually take off shoes when entering a private home. Particularly important in winter as dirt, slush and salt may ruin the floors. For formal parties in the winter season it is possible to bring an extra pair of shoes.

• Many Norwegians prefer cool bedrooms and typically sleep under warm duvets. Blankets are uncommon

• In Norway, a "Sunday walk" is not a 15 minutes walk to the pub, it is rather a 5 hour walk in forest and hills (particularly in the country-side, less so in the city). Norwegians take great pride in being sporty and fit.

Business Etiquette & Protocol in Norway

If you were to think about the most important cultural attributes that you will see operating in business in Norway, they would be:

• Informal style

• Individual interests

• Transactional relationships

• Direct communication

Building Relationships & Communication

• Norwegians are transactional and do not need long-standing personal relationships in order to conduct business.

• Nonetheless, they prefer to do business with those they trust, so it is important that you provide information about yourself and the company you represent prior to meeting your business colleagues.

• Relationships develop slowly and depend upon the other person being professional and meeting all agreed upon deadlines.

• Giving a well-researched presentation indicates that you are serious about conducting business.

• The basic business style is relatively informal.

• Norwegians respect confident, self-assured businesspeople.

• They are excellent time managers who do not require face-to-face contact in order to conduct business.

• If you are like-minded, the relationship will develop over time.

• Appearing overly friendly at the start of a relationship may be viewed as weakness. Maintaining eye contact while speaking is interpreted as sincerity.

• Norwegians are direct communicators.

• They have no difficulty telling their colleagues that they disagree with something that has been said.

• Their communication is straightforward and relies on facts.

• They are conservative and deliberate speakers who do not appreciate being rushed.

• They are scrupulous about honesty in communication, often to the point of pointing out the negatives in their own proposals in greater detail than the positives.

• Norwegians are not emotive speakers and their body language is subtle.

Business Meeting Etiquette

• Appointments are necessary and should be made as far in advance as possible.

• Appointments may be made in writing or by telephone.

• If writing, address the letter to the head of the division, even if you do not know the person.

• Punctuality is imperative since it indicates trustworthiness.

• If you are delayed even 5 minutes, it is polite to telephone and explain the situation. Arriving late without prior notice can damage a potential relationship.

• It is often difficult to schedule meetings during July and August, which are popular vacation times; during the two weeks before and after Christmas; and during the week before and after Easter.

• Meetings are rather informal.

• Send an agenda before the meeting so that your Norwegian colleagues can be prepared.

• There is not much small talk. Norwegians prefer to get to the business discussion quickly.

• Presentations should be precise and concrete, and backed up with charts, figures and analysis.

• Avoid hype or exaggerated claims in your presentation.

• Leave time for Q&A at the end of a presentation. Norwegians do not interrupt and will save their questions until you have finished speaking.

Negotiating

• Decisions are consensus driven.

• Expect decisions to take time as your colleagues must weigh all the alternatives.

• Present a firm, realistic, and competitive initial price and expect a minimum of bargaining.

• Price is often the most important deciding factor.

• Norwegians do not generally give discounts, even to good customers or for large orders.

• Norwegians are detail oriented.

• Maintain eye contact while speaking.

• Negotiations are frank.

• Avoid high-pressure sales tactics.

• It is imperative to adhere to deadlines and commitments. If you do not, you will not be considered trustworthy, which will destroy the business relationship.

• New concepts should be shown to be high quality, practical, and already market tested.

• Do not interrupt others while they are speaking.

Dress codes

• Norwegians are notoriously informal, particularly in clothing. Norwegians don't usually dress smart for work and rather casually most of the time. Although some may dress up for a restaurant visit, casual dress is fully acceptable virtually everywhere.

• Norwegians find it perfectly natural to wear sports clothes and rucksacks anywhere.

• Norwegians generally don't dress very formally.

Holidays in Norway

01 January -Nyttårsdag - New Years Day

17 April -Skjærtorsdag - Maundy/Holy Thursday

18 April -Langfredag - Good Friday

20 April -Påskedag - Easter Day

21 April -Andre Påskedag - Easter Monday

01 Mai -Offentlig Høytidsdag - Labor Day/May Day

17 May -Grunnlovsdag - Constitution Day (Norway's National Day)

29 May -Ascension Day - Ascension Day

9 June - Andre Pinsedag - Pentecost/Whit Monday

23 June -Sankthans - Midsummer's Eve

13 December -Santa Lucia - Saint Lucy

24 December -Julaften - Christmas Eve

25 December -Juledag - Christmas Day

26 December -Andre Juledag - Boxing Day

What’s Weird About Norway

“Hey you” is a common and acceptable way to refer to anyone at any time.

There is no word for sorry. There’s “excuse me” and “I feel bad for you.” No sorry.

There are only two terms of endearment in Norwegian, and one of them is “dear.” The other is “my friend,” which is even worse, because you don’t even use it for friends. You use “my friend” with your kids. Call your own child “my friend” in Norway and you’ve just expressed over-the-top affection for them. Call an actual friend “my friend,” and they’ll think you’ve got a brain tumor.

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