SIDEBAR

It was a joy to somewhat overhear the discussions between our 6 young adults, and Michael and Helle during dinner at the restaurant.  Constant dialogue went on comparing US and Norway culture, with many references to education, work and lifestyle.  After listening to the exchanges for over an hour I asked if I could offer a question and an observation.  I am not an expert on Norwegian culture.  I maintain strongly that one has to be proficient in the native language, especially the vernacular, if one is to truly understand a people’s culture.  I do not speak Norwegian so my understanding and knowledge is limited. 

However, I grew up in a “brand” of Norwegian culture.  My home church, named Selbu for the home village in Norway, was, in my youth, a cloister of transplanted Norwegians.  The church’s services were in Norwegian until 1930 and Norwegian culture permeated especially Christmas and a few other traditions.  My father was fluent in Norwegian and my mother could understand some.  It was rare, but I remember a few private conversations going on between Mom and Dad in Norwegian.  It seemed that most of our family friends, if not all, had Norwegian roots.

My question was, “Is my perception correct?” and it was directed mainly to Michael and Helle.  I then set about trying to communicate my perception.   I use the term perception because I know how inaccurate stereotypes are.  I would rather use a term that indicates that there are exceptions to every perception but it may indicate tendencies. 

 My perception is that Norwegians have a remarkable sense of confidence and pride.  Over the centuries they have taken on the extreme weather and other challenges to flourish.  The need to flourish in such winter extremes has yielded an incredible work ethic.  In moderate or tropical climates, one does not need to work to prepare for the long winter months.  In the tropics, one can get out of bed every morning and go out and pick a banana off a tree for breakfast.  Simple huts offer shade and some shelter from the rain/wind, the only requirements needed in sunny and warm climates.  In Nordic countries they built strong and efficient homes to provide shelter from the cold.  In the summer months, grain, hay, fish, and wild game was harvested and processed (salted, dried or smoked) to be consumed during the long, cold, dark winter.  Clothes, mainly for protection, required a lot of work and detail.  Although hunting and fishing continued throughout the year.  The carts, sleds, and ships were designed to operate in the snow and ice. 

As the generations passed, and as the civilization advanced, the Norwegians readily applied their work ethic to more than just survival.  Ships were built to explore.  Tribes (Vikings) set off to visit and trade, and in some cases pillage and conquer.  In a few cases (Iceland, parts of Great Britain, and Normandy France) the Vikings stayed, settled and integrated into the new culture or created their own.  Coupled with their acquired survival and technical skills, the Catholic church, then after the Reformation the Lutheran Church, had a huge influence.  Not only did the church reinforce the work ethic, it also engrained the concept of service to others, near and far.  

From all of this comes the unique Scandinavian and specifically, Norwegian stereotype.  Norwegians are a proud lot.  They do not need to brag or show.  And when they do, so confident are they, that they do so with a self-depreciating manner.  In their humor, they make fun of their foibles and nuances.  Norwegian music often makes fun of themselves.  This is readily heard in the Ole and Leanna jokes which are quite common here in parts of the US, and the songs made popular by Ivar Haglund (Ivar’s founder) and Stan Boreson , another popular Seattle entertainer, 1950 to present.  This is even more evident in the current Norwegian Olympic curling team.  They wore loud pants, not to show off, but to say “We are good.  We are serious about winning.  But we are not going to take it too seriously.” 

So, as a highly skilled, confident and hardworking culture, they can have their “flamboyant” or “break the stereotype” side.  Along with this comes a history of success and accomplishment.  Norway stood up to the Nazi’s in WWII, made huge sacrifices, and although their county experienced severe devastation, they again succeeded.  They, after the Native American migration in to North America around 10,000 BC, discovered America in the 9^th century.  The Italian, under the Spanish flag, landed in America 500 years later.  Yet we celebrate Columbus Day in October.  Why do we not celebrate Leif Ericson Day?  We don’t have to.  We know.  They are proud of their country and they readily display and wave their flag.  Nationalism is not the theme, however patriotism is and there is a huge difference.

Secondly, although not in every way perfect, the people have made decisions based on pragmatism and good science, rather than relying only on ideology.  Norway did not send soldiers to Viet Nam or to Iraq and thus avoided the costly sacrifices of both of these arguably futile wars.  They have soldiers and aid workers in Afghanistan with their emphasis on training and humanitarian aid.

In summation, Norwegians tend to be a happy, humble but confident lot, reflecting on the success and hard work of their ancestors.  This, in turn, has brought them much success and pride, but they feel they must offer to share that success with others while continuing to downplay their own image by using self-depreciating humor.