Norway, officially known as the Kingdom of Norway, has been shaped by history and its geographical location. It has a unique farm culture developed from the combination of harsh climate, scarce resources, and ancient property laws.
Norway appreciates culture, which has led to the development of numerous cultural institutions in the country. It is home to libraries, galleries, museums, and archives dedicated to understanding and preserving culture. The country is also dedicated to nature conservation.
People and Society
According to the CIA World Factbook, the ethnic groups of the country consist of 94.4% Norwegians and 3.6% of other European ancestries.
Norwegian faith is comprised of 82.1% Evangelical Lutherans, 3.9% other Christians, 2.3% Muslims, 1.8% Roman Catholics, 2.4% other, and 7.5% is unspecified.
Modest Conversation
Humility is a valued trait throughout the country. Bragging about one’s own accomplishments and achievements is usually frowned upon.
Norwegians generally speak in politically correct terms as they do not want to offend anyone when expressing their opinion. It is also considered ill-mannered to interrupt someone during a conversation.
Respecting Individuality
Respect for individual, personal opinions is expected and being loud or flamboyant is unpopular.
Norwegians tend to be private, egalitarian, and non-competitive. They use informal communication with each other. While they may seem quiet and reserved during initial meeting, Norwegians are warm and friendly once relationship is established.
Natural Connection
Physical activity is an important aspect of Norwegian life. The country is home to great forests, mountainous plateaus as well as coastal and river areas.
The Norwegian ethos, Friluftsliv (pronounced free-loofts-liv), is a term often used to describe a life that is spent exploring and appreciating nature. As such, outdoor recreational interest covers the majority of Norwegian life such as skiing, hiking, and other nature activities.
Liberal Values
Norwegian women are seen as equal in the workforce and are expected to work. Norwegians are also open-minded on views of sexuality and orientation.
This equal opportunity lifestyle also encourages women to have a good career while still being good mothers and wives.
This article is part of a series highlighting the unique cultures featured in the recently concluded Limkokwing International Cultural Festival 2017.
