National Characteristics

Language text books are often full of simplifications and characterisations. The English textbook my thirteen year olds have includes a chapter called "Ireland and Scotland". It does not use the word Celtic and does not explain why Ireland and Scotland should have anything in common. The two big texts are "Glenn's (a Norwegian boy) visit to Dublin" and "Nessie of Loch Ness". In addition there are small texts explaining O'Brian as son-of-Brian and McDouglas as son-of-Douglas. And this text includes a lovely drawing of Brian and his son in brown trousers and waistcoats and with similar caps and Douglas and son in kilts and tartan berets. The  same book concludes that London is Tower Bridge and red buses.

I cannot remember how I my English text books portrayed Britons and Americans, but I suppose my real knowledge of Britons and Americans made me less influenced by the textbook version. But I found out today that some pupils take these characteristics to their heart.

As I walked down the corridor at school today a girl that is not in any of my classes came to me and asked me where I came from. I did not not understand what she wanted to know, but she asked again: "Are you English? You look English." I told her I was Norwegian and she was a bit disappointed when she said; "But your clothes look English."

A tweed suit and you are English by definition.

As many of the other teachers do not care what they look like; some even wearing track suit bottoms, I am not surprised that a suit gets attention, but I was not aware that this also changed my nationality.  There must either be too many stereotype characters in textbooks or too many BBC costume dramas on Norwegian television.

PS. I would love to know what a typical Norwegian character is? We, surely, cannot still be believed to be vikings.

Comments

[Stairs]

Hmm, Norwegians are blonde and blue eyed, listen to Sissel, and have a good healthcare system. They also have a possible Viking complex :)

[actualfactual]

Okay, trying to keep this to vague stereotypes as opposed to actual Norwegians I know...
Obligatory blonde hair and ultra-fashionable, rimless glasses, offset by some of the world's worst chunky knitwear. Very sensible, especially when it comes to knowing what to do with all that oil revenue. Newspapers that insist on having at least one elk-related story per day. Hordes of women in their early 40s who get off the ferry at Newcastle and proceed to buy absolutely all the underwear in stock at Marks and Spencers, whilst their menfolk marvel at the bargain price of alcohol in the city centre bars.
Some of the nicest people I know, in fact......

[Lace]

Blonde hair - "obviously", and lovers of outdoor sports. The other things are political stereotypes: willing to elect women to power, good daycare system, geographic pride, modesty (as in, keep quiet so the rest of the world doesn't figure out how great it is to live there)... or, alternatively, I'm a Canadian with a Great-grandmother from Norway but I've never actually been there so scratch it all! L:)

[ksbrorson]

I am fascinated by the fact that blond hair is defined as Norwegian (or Scandinavian). As Norwegian blonds tend to have a natural dark blond/brownish colour; more mousy than bimbo blond, my impression is that there are more (fake) blonds in Britain.

Ugly chuncky knitwear I would agree to, but only in combination with outdoor activities like cross country skiing.

I rather liked the comment on Norwegians being ultra-fashionable, but we are not all Röyksopp.

[Jonathan Edelstein]

When I was in Finland in '97, the stereotypes seemed to be that Swedes were effeminate, Norwegians were rustic and Danes were drunkards.

[B. Durbin]

As a West Coast American, I most think of Scandinavians as "those people who live in a really cold place." I suppose blond-haired and blue-eyed would figure into that, as my husband of Danish extraction certainly lives up to the physical description. I think most Americans will think of Ikea when thinking of Scandinavians.

Furthermore, as Americans we are more likely to know Scandinavians of second or third generation removed from country. Therefore, you get "Minnewegian" for the Norwegians who colonized Minnesota (not exclusively, of course, but pretty thoroughly) and "Scandahoovian" which is just a silly term for those who know and love their local Scandanavians.

(P.S. There is a fairly large Scandinavian Festival in Junction City, Oregon, which is a town north of Eugene with a population of about 5,000 people. Apparently, that section of the Willamette Valley was colonized by Minnewegians.)

[John Emerson]

My stereotype of Scandinavians is that they're shy and reserved. Scandinavians occasionally explain themselves that way. Second, honest, sensible and generally respectful of law. Third, socialist, which is a good thing in my opinion. Fourth, many Scandinavian men drink enough (what some would call "too much".)

Fifth, Swedish record producers are responsible for some of the world's worst music, such as Britney Spears.

In the 50's and 60's Scandinavians were thought of as sexually promiscuous, but the world has caught up with them now.

Stereotyping Scandinavians is one of my many hobbies.

Two Norwegians, two Finns, two Danes, and two Swedes were stranded on a desert island. When they were picked up a year later, the Norwegians were drunk, the Finns were fighting, the Danes were finalizing plans for an export co-op, and the Swedes were waiting to be introduced.

[Craig]

I am Norwegian 4 generations removed, but my bloodline is almost fully Norwegian. I'm blond, and I like to think of myself as hardy, because of my and my ancestors' history of residence in cold climates. Inventive, as well. The long winters give one time to think up new things.

[Erik]

I am Norwegian, and I smile when I read a lot of the stereotypes. Some mix the Scandinavian countries, include Finland as Scandinavian or just look at Scandinavia as one country, but there is also a lot of good commments here. Anyway, to comment on the less good comments: Scandinavia has never been sexually promiscuous. The US has a far higher teenage pregnancy rate than either Norway, Sweden or Denmark (or Iceland, Fareoe islands and Finland), and it's a misconception to believe that we have allowed prostitution to "blossom" freely in the 50s and 60s and so forth. People in this region are sensible people most of the time, but the demeaning way in which Scandinavians are viewed (at least girls, when it comes to sex), is one big lie produced in the minds of desperate, pathetic, hateful, disgusting people. Hypocrites across the pond point to something that doesn't exist, while their own country is the world's largest producer of porn. Now, I don't point any fingers, I'm just explaining the falsities that exist, created by people who looked down upon Scandinavian countries. In addition to this, I would like to mention that Scandinavians on average drink less than people in the US for example.

[Inger Lise]

I am Norwegian, and the most typical steroetypes in which I am exposed to include blonde hair blue eyes, honest, hardworking, low crime rates, and self-sufficient.

[corinne]

I have an idea that the Norwegians look up to the French and tbat they have had a great admiration for French culture for many years. Am I mistaken in thinking this? Would anyone care to comment? Many thanks

[ksbrorson]

In Scandinavia I belive Sweden traditionally have looked to France, while Norway looked to Germany. This is, however, how it was like hundred years ago. Now all of Scandinavia seem to be Americanized.

[Julie]

I am Norwegian, but I've lived in China for a few years. Now that I'm used to the short, black haired people here, when I think of Norwegians, I imagine tall, either blonde, dirtyblonde or brown haired, and pretty/handsome people. What also springs to mind is knitted wool sweaters and hiking (which also includes Kvikklunsj chocolate).

[Camilla]

I am a 20 years old Norwegian girl, and I think it's funny how many people think of us as blond. Surely, when we are small, most Norwegians tend to be blond (at least in summer), but as we grow older, very few stay light blond. A majority turns dirty blond/dark blond. We are however, together with the Swedes, among the top ten when it comes to purchasing hair bleach!

[Tom]

Quoting Inger Lise:
-------------------
I have an idea that the Norwegians look up to the French and tbat they have had a great admiration for French culture for many years. Am I mistaken in thinking this? Would anyone care to comment?
-------------------

All respect to the Frechmen, but no, I do not think we have looked up to the French. Or at least not that I know of. We don't look up to anybody in particular, except that we have respect for the Brits (including Scots, Ires, ++) and we had respect for the Americans at least untill the 1990's. Norway has always been very english biased. The Brits share some of the same stubborness and thrive in cold climates, but they have their weird customs as norwegians do. We share some history and together with our scandinavian brothers, the Danes, we invaded England, so we share some of the same history. The Danes held England for some time while we went further to Ireland, the northern parts of Scotland and ventured further into the atlantic to settle at Færøyene, Shetland, Iceland, Greenland and made at least one settlement in North-America. We also settled in France, but our main influence from or our influence of other countries lies in countries around the norhtern atlantic areas that is also very english biased.

Norwegians have a kind of 'hobbit' (Tolkien) view of the outside world. We thrive in our socialistdeocracy and are suspicious of anything not norwegian unless it is french wine or scottish whiskey.. Of course we love to tell the outside world how great we are and how wonderful it is here in Norway. But that is just an honest opinion since we prefer 'purity'. The typical norwegian assosiation with the name "Norway" or seeing a norwegian flag is 'purity'. Not in human racial view of purity, but in our natural landscape, drinking water and food products. I have travelled in the US, UK, France, Italy, Egypt, Singapore, Thailand, but Norway (and the rest of Scandinavia) has its own charm and purity you cannot find elsewhere and that is a humble opinion said with the hidden norwegian arrogancy not well known to the outside world. Also we imagine we have a healthy work ethic altough the swedes and germans are much more efficient and solid in their work ethic. We have a saying in norway: "The Norwegians work to live - the Swedes live to work!"

The french are charming, but we do not look up to them any more than other continental nations, except the german efficiency and their organization skills.

[Ali Bloom]

I'm an eighteen year old Norwegian American girl, and let me tell you...I've heard these stereotypes since I was five. My grandma's family came from Oslo in the twenties and they were all tall, blonde, blue/green eyed; and beautiful. I too have inherited that "Scandinavian look" and I have grown to love it. It's familiar to me...my mom and dad are blonde too and it's what is normal to me. My mom remarried however, to a Japanese man, and my siblings are half Japanese. Being immersed in this amazing culture so different from my own, it's made me realize the beauty of so many different cultures. My sisters look like beautiful, little China dolls; with their almond brown eyes and little frames. My oldest sister has many times come up to me and cried, asking why she doesn't look like "me and mommy?" I rejoice in her smile as I let her know she has a different beauty, an ethnic beauty that I always wished I had. It has made her proud of both of her cultures; and mine too.

[Barbara]

My aunt’s husband Kermit is the son of a Norwegian immigrant, a fisherman who migrated from the country and settled with a family of Norse relations in South Dakota. Kermit’s uncle Torkal sponsored him until he became a citizen.

Of course, the gratitude of the family for Torkal’s generosity and helpfulness was immense and Kermit insisted on honoring the man by naming his first born Torkal. Lois quickly intervened with maternal rights for naming their first son, who is John. But when she became pregnant with the second child that name came back like an icy storm.

Lois went to the pet store and bought an animal that would outlive her years of fertility, a desert tortoise. She brought it home and named it Torkal. Of course now naming a son Torkal was out of the question because that was the name of the family pet. TSo they named the second son name Kurt, probably a compromise because both names share some of the same letters. Although the name Kurt is of German origin, this second son is very much of Norwegian descent in looks, with handsome face, blue eyes, and very blond hair, and in disposition, which some characterize as outgoingness, loving to be on the water, and hardiness. Last summer he has dropped off by plane into the Alaskan wilderness and hiked out—for fun.

[melanie]

Not being scandinavian myself but having visited scandinavia many times.
I would characterize scandinavians as being rather quiet in nature, not loud or obnoxious but kinda shy.

In comparison to americans, on average Yes they are taller and blonder and most have blue eyes.
You see a great deal of toe headed blonde children in scandinavia which is a rare sight in the U.S

I do think the scandinavians have a great love of drinking.
Im not saying they are all a bunch of drunks but they do love their alcohol.

I also think of the scandinavians as a very intelligent people.
most are well educated.

They seem to be a lot more liberal and relaxed about matters That would make the hair stand up on the necks of a lot of americans, such as gay marriage and the popularity of living with their boy or girfriends and decline in marriage's.

Scandinavians are a resilient bunch, Enjoying such activities as camping in the middle of winter, icefishing and skinny dipping in their local lakes and ponds. BRRRRRR
They are a very interesting people.

[pat]

When i think of Norwegians, i think of them trying with all their might not to beat down someone with a battle axe.(JK) I also see them with white blond hair. And Norwegians from the 90's who were part of the Black Metal scene burn down churches.

[Steven]

having been in Norway many times, i see norwegians and especially those of the northern latitudes as one of the last fortresses of true white man..tall blonde with nice fair eyes,moral,ethics,hard working,they actually remind me of barbarian(in a positive way)heathen warriors with their long blonde hair and cold blue eyes.the ones live in the big cities look and probably are a banch of amerikanized,"civilized" gays open to have "free sex" even with a coal negroe or muslim and thats a discrace in every way..i remember when i first saw that amazingly good looking girl in Oslo kissing with that bush negroe.it was the most disgusting sight i had ever seen..this big city norwegians are much more open minded and free thinking than they should be.
as for the church burnings i think we(all true white europeans) should follow their path and burn the black temples of judeo-christianity..anyhow christianity and enything jewish does not belong to the unholy pagan forests of the north and is so alien to our blood and culture.so hail to the 90s black metal guys!!and last but not least i have to say that norwegian women are the most good looking and the girls living in the north part are also nice and ethical.in conclusion i like norwegians who still live the old way because they remind me of me

[Charity]

I read a comment about Norwegian children having blonde hair but that it would darken to a dirty blonde or light brown. That's exactly what happened to my hair. I also have blue eyes, Mediterean blue to be exact. But I am not tall, mainly because of all the surgeries I had as a child. My dad seems to be tall, though.

[Kaye]

I only found out quite recently I am of Norwegian decent. However it seems to make a lot of sense now!! I have sandy/beach blonde hair, green eyes. Naturally very strong for a girl (I believe that is a common trait, strong women). Defiantly have a liking for extreme, and outdoor pursuits. Saunas too! Nice culture to be apart of it seems!?x

[Beate]

As a Norwegian teenager I tought this was very intresting to read. My bloodline is pure Norwegian, but I definitly lack the blond hair. When I travel to other European countries many of them believe that I'm of the same nationality as the. They're scocked when they realises that I'm not Spanish,Italian,French,Spanish or Russian. I have dark hair, but my eyes are blue.When it comes to the Norwegian language I have to say that it us not true that we understand eachother perfectly. Especially Oslo and Bergen teenagers have a tendency to act cocky to persons not spekaning their dialect. We often uses to be rude against eachother saying things like "Speak Norwegian" Oslo and bergen teenagers tends to laugh at the people living in small towns, wearing nearly no makeup and speaking funny. In Oslo the teenagers living in the east tends to speak very diffrent from the west side. Many have adopted words from immigrants. This is can be a problemm for parents that no longer understands their children. The schools in Norway are also really bad. The teachers have no control and no respect. Therefore most of the schooldays is used on doing nothing. It's not strict rules and teachers are nearly always late to their classes. When it come to alcohol and drugs in norway I think Norwegians start early. Escpescially on the countryside beacuse they don't have anything to do.

Norwegian teenagers from the city: A lot of foundations, bedhair, plenty of makeup, bitchy, party hard...

Teenagers from the countryside: home destilled alcohol, pregnant early, pimps their cars, drives fast and drunk. Chubby and ugly