The English thread

Inspired by Bimal who finds it challenging to read and post in Norwegian, and the fact that I am at an international airport right now, I decided to open up a thread in English. Topic: Anything you would like it to be! Are you frustrated about how difficult it is to get acquainted with Norwegians or that you need to be 'outdoorsy' in order to fit in, let us know! Are you happy about the forum, spill it!

And for the regulars - don't hesitate to post, as long as it is in English - spelling errors are welcomed :-)

Solecita, first of all thank you for making me feel welcome here. I am blown away by your kindness.

I don't think it's difficult to get acquainted with norwegians, I have made some amazing friends here over last 1.5 years and I keep on telling them as well that "Norwegians are like coconuts, might come across as really tough on the outside but once you breakthrough the outer layer and get to know them they are some of the most kind hearted people I know". It was more challenging to get acquainted with British / Japanese people for me when I lived there.

I would appreciate the point of view from the forum members on what you perceive is important when it comes to accepting a foreigner in norway.

Bimal, being a decent human being goes a long way! My best friend is Polish, never even considered that as something to think twice of:)
So; don't come for the sole purpose of stealing or living her for free, be nice, and you are good with most people haha

Ronja too bad I can't look at your profile since you are writing under a pseudonym but I hope you answered 1 to the relationship profile question about political correctness ;)

Bimal haha why be stiff when you can be relaxed? I'm as political correct as any towards highly offendable people, so hope you're not one of them and I have to be boring 😂

Hovmester did you just call my joke bad? Is it now I'm supposed to be offended, Bimal? I don't really do offended very much so not quite sure 😜

Its cool.. political correctness can be boring... I am really bad when it comes to political correctness as well... I am still getting used to the norwegian sense of humor though.

@ Hovmester I am working as a Test manager in IT industry.

@Kiara Tusen takk fra suggestion.

@Kiara what? I haven't called people bad things? I didn't get the feeling Bimal was offended at all(opposite of you and Hov), I think he just sent a joke in return, so so did I again:)
So, didn't laugh at him. I think he gets my humour more than you do^^ Everyone has their kind of humour regardless of nationality, and you don't seem to understand me at all, which is fine, but you don't need to attack me for that reason.

To Birmal1982 - You wrote; I would appreciate the point of view from the forum members on what you perceive is important when it comes to accepting a foreigner in norway

I have lots of foreign friends, most of them well educated, hard working and honest - which I appreciate!

lets try to keep this thread serious andt to the point

Thank you Mr, Housekeeper thats a brilliant poem

Not to the poem, I said to the point! There is a difference, keep trying.

Hovmester not as much lost in translation as in way of thinking.. Which is often fine, nothing as fun as offending certain (deserving) people without them ever realizing it:) Only works with talking to one person though, as someone else might just get it, so not doing it here;)

Haha Bimal, by now you should have a pretty accurate view on how all the Norwegian threads go, it's the exact same story as this one😂

Dear Bimal, I think the most relevant comment so far was 'welcome to the nuthouse', and we offend and get offended all the time, so that is totally normal. :-)

Unsurprisingly most of my friends are foreigners (one of my two best friends is from Singapore, with a family which comes from Tamil Nadu). I think the most important part about being accepted is being accepting yourself. We Norwegians are a quaint lot. We shove people in the street without apologizing, we desperately try to avoid eye contact in an elevator and we consistently forget to introduce people to each other. I would however say that your coconut analogy is spot on. Norwegians may be tough to get to know, but once you do, you are friends for life. But I suspect that having lived in Norway for so long, you can probably tell us more about the topic than we can tell you :-)

@Kiara - That was my first reaction to Ronja's comment, but then I realised that maybe I took it out of context.

To be honest I have faced racial abuse in England, France and Japan. My impression of norwegians is that they are not racist and I know a few norwegian families that treat me almost like a part of family :) . As the nerd in me would say this is not enough sample data to make the statement but that's my honest gut feeling.

So i deleted my thread and gave her the benefit of doubt and my lack of understanding of dry sarcastic norwegian humor.

coconut analogy - I like that

@Solecita - I was given a book as a christmas present by my landlord, "The social guidebook to norway" by Julien S. Bourrelle. When I read your comment it feels like you are the author of the book.. browse the book if you haven't.. its really funny how the author brings the norwegian stereotype to surface... Sometimes I am tempted to do social experiment just to validate and experience them :D

That sounds wrong on so many levels Butler 😂😂😂😂

@Bimal: I am practically multi-cultural, so it is easy to see Norway from the outside. I have lived in local families in Spain, France and Ukraine, my two friends from Peru and Singapore I consider sisters, and I have had house guests from Russia, Ukraine, the US, UK and Spain just this last year.

I'll try to find the book :-)

@Solecita
You will find a page on FB called "I fucking love Norway" by Bourrelle as well 😊

And then there is 'The Frog in the Fjord' written by a French woman (the frog) who lives in Norway (the fjord). That I where I heard about 'Sukker' the first time, and she has some lovely looks at Norwegian society. And men.

@Virgo71 will look that page up
@Solecita - Thats some really nice multi cultural experience, I have been couch hosting over last 5-6 month and have had house guests from almost all countries of Europe.. It has given me a wonderful insight into the cultural differences in various european countries.

This is twice in last week that I start talking to someone and in a day or two they start asking for monetary help and when refused they are abusive. too many fake profile on sukker?

@Bimal: I really hope you reported them!

I have too many good matches in Bergen and really nice looking ladies as well... Could have thought of moving there if only they didn't make the worst beer in Norway (hansa) 😬😂😂😂

I feel you'r pain, Bimal.
I see lots of nice ladies in that area too.
(I prefer red wine over beer though).

PS! do not talk down their beer, the Bergians are very prowd of annything from Bergen! You are going to ruin anny chance you might have.

Huuh and I thought you were the king of sarcasm on the forums Balder.

@Bimal: Funny, you are the second man in 48 hours who has said something like that about @Balder. :-) I find him interesting and with a lot of refreshing and sound views. What am I missing? Has there been a thread where he has misbehaved that I have not noticed? If so, please direct me to it. I like having as complete an impression of people as possible. 😎

I like the way Sloecita describes me bether!

King of sarcasm! well, its good to be the king of something, I gues, but I am afraid there are others on this forum that would dethrone me with ease :-)

I try to point my opinions, wraped in a bit of humor, and if it's a completly silly tread (lets be honest, there are a few of those in here) I can go all inn with silly comments.
Take my comment above, first part 100% true, second part 100% humor (but stil true in this case) :-D

I know sarcasm is tricky, espesialy on the web. You are deprived of most senses, and only have your words to help you.
I know a lot of people who dont get sarcasm in real life, so I would expect that even fiewer get it online.
I may be quilty of resorting to irony a great deal though :-).
Like i have said a million times before, I like to exaggerate! (or aggravate ex?).

@Solecita Im wondering the same thing.

(If Im the king, then Butler must be the Emperor.)

ps. I have no hurt feelings (related to sukker annyways) but can't let a good argument slip away.)

@Balder: I'll describe you any way you like (intensely trying to qualify for your sofa this summer 😎)

@Balder - its good to be the king of something, unless you are king Joffrey.. then you are just....

@Balder - I know some people in RL who wouldn't get sarcasm even if it was written in bold neon flashing lights on a billboard... to be honest hope no one (specially people from Bergen) takes my above comment about their beer seriously.. I have heard its a beautiful city and plan to visit it in summer :)