Myths and facts of your country's population

[Hanske]

I'd like you to post some funny myths and facts of your country's population in this thread. I found this in a Norwegian blog, and most of them are true

..you start believing that if it wasn’t for Norway’s efforts the world would collapse.

…you only buy your own drink at the bar even when you are with a group of people.

…you can’t remember when to say “please” and “excuse me”.

…you always prepare to catch the closing door if following closely behind somebody.

…a stranger on the street smiles at you, you assume that:
a) he is drunk
b) insane
c) American
d) all of the above

…you don’t think silence is awkward.

…you use “Mhmmm” as conversation filler.

…you actually believe that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

…you know Norway’s results in the last three years in the “Melodi Grand Prix” song contest (Eurovision Song Contest).

…you believe that having no choice of products in a supermarket makes it easier to shop.

…it seems nice to spend a week in a small wooden cottage up in the mountains, with no running water and no electricity.

…you know at least five different words for describing different kinds of snow.

…an outside temperature of 9 degrees Celsius ( 45F ) is mild in mid June.

…you know the difference between Blue and Red ski wax.

…you have only two facial expressions; smiling or blank.

…you don’t fall over when walking on ice.

…you associate Friday afternoon with a trip to Vinmonopolet.

…you think nothing of paying $50 for a bottle of ‘cheap’ spirits at Vinmonopolet.

…it’s acceptable to eat lunch at 11.00 and dinner at 15.00.

…it no longer seems excessive to spend $100 on drinks one night.

…you know that “religious holiday” means “let’s get pissed”.

…you find yourself more interested in the alcohol content than in the name of the wine.

…you enjoy the taste of lutefisk and cod prepared in any way, including fried cod tongues.

…you like to wrap your hotdog in a cold pancake.

…you associate warm rice porridge with Saturday and Xmas-eve.

…you can prepare fish in five different ways without cooking it.

…you wear sandals with socks.

…your wardrobe no longer has suits, but blue shirts and mustard coloured sportjackets.

…it feels natural to wear sport clothes and backpack everywhere, including the cinema, bowling alley, and to church.

…you find yourself speaking halfway Swedish with Swedes.

…you can’t understand why foreigners haven’t heard about Bjorn Daehlie.

…you don’t question the habit of always making “matpakke”

…you know the meaning of life has something to do with the word “koselig” (cosy)

…you get scared when a stranger randomly starts up a conversation with you

…you can’t stand leaving the country because people everywhere else are so nice, it’s annoying.

…you look away when you walk by people on the street.

…you vigorously defend whaling and enjoy consuming whale meat.

…you have two cars, a cabin and a boat, if not more.

…you think it’s weird if a house isn’t wooden.

…you earn more than you spend.

…you associate Easter with cross-country skiing with friends and family in the familys mountain cabin.

…you are shocked if it’s not 2 months of snow every year, at least!

…you can see mountains and the ocean, no matter where you are.

…you expect all dinner parties and meetings to start precisely on time, if not before.

…you fall 3 meters, and don’t get hurt. If you do, you’re not worried at all.

…you get your hands on Norwegian chocolate and guard it with your life

…you are more afraid of the Customs than terrorists.

…you would rather miss your flight than not have enough time to buy the duty free alcohol quota.

…you order drinks at Gardemonen (Oslo Intl Airport) at 6 am

……you say ”oh well, down it goes” when served bad wine.

…you actually think that fishballs have taste.

…you barbecue when it’s raining.

…you have bad conscience if you’re not outside when it’s sunny

…you get dozy after only two days of sun

…you go for a swim when it’s only 12 degrees Celsius (53F) in the water and claims that it’s “fresh”

…in winter, you go to work or school in the dark and come home in the dark – while only working eight-hour days.

…if there’s a terrorist attack on the other side of the world, your first reaction is “oh my god, did any Norwegians get hurt?”

[precious007]

…you wear sandals with socks.

LoL, yeah Norwegians wear sandals with socks

…you go for a swim when it’s only 12 degrees Celsius (53F) in the water and claims that it’s “fresh”

I always did that

Most of the above are true ....

Another thing I've seen in Norway and even Norwegians that come in Romania on holiday is that they stop a cigarette and put in the pack back for later use..... if someone does that here you're pretty laughed at, lol

I'll come up with a list... not sure where to find one yet ....

[snusgetter]

…a stranger on the street smiles at you, you assume that:
a) he is drunk
b) insane
c) American
d) all of the above

d) TRUE worldwide ... especially here in the states!!

[precious007]

…a stranger on the street smiles at you, you assume that:
a) he is drunk
b) insane
c) American
d) all of the above

He/She definitely is American...

But Norwegian people smile on the street at you with apparently no reason...

In Bermuda as well, I was saluted each morning by 50 people that were smiling nicely on the entrance of a hotel where I worked lol.. Everyone did that there it was like even time consuming =))

[precious007]

I don't know what to say about Romania and the people here...

Honestly outsiders only know a few things about Romania

- Beautiful and easy girls .... (beautiful yes, easy NOT! ..... NOT easy to please =))
- Hagi, Popescu and Adi Mutu
- Dracula's Castle
- Cheap Beer (not anymore)
- Cheap Holidays (not anymore) .. We prefer Greece and Bulgary .it's cheaper than staying here paying $10 for a beer in the clubs
- Business opportunities (seems the Era is ending)
- Cheap Real Estate (not anymore)
- And hmm yeah French and German women come here to get laid in the summer lool

[snusgetter]

He/She definitely is American...

But Norwegian people smile on the street at you with apparently no reason...

In Bermuda as well, I was saluted each morning by 50 people that were smiling nicely on the entrance of a hotel where I worked lol.. Everyone did that there it was like even time consuming =))

That's known as a "shit-eatin' grin" ... meaning, in this instance, "Welcome, Suckers!!"

[precious007]

That's known as a "shit-eatin' grin" ... meaning, in this instance, "Welcome, Suckers!!"

The only problem here getter is that they were not Bermudians the ones smiling ....

They were from UK, India and Germany mostly .... well the Bermudians were like that too ... but they always seemed nice and cooperative ....

Norwegians probably didn't like our guts :-)

They apparently don;t want any strangers in the country .... because it's already full of immigrants ... Indians and Pakistanese already... that truly .... are making a mess in some parts of Oslo ...

Here's a funny thing that happened to me in Bermuda....

I went down the hotel one day with a black girl (roughly 23) about my age at that time.... she was always nice... worked in the cafeteria... where we ate ...

And we were in the elevator one day ... And out of nowhere she asked me "are you gay?"

LooooLL .. I was shoked ... and said How Dare You ??? .... I have a kid at home I am not gay

She was like so relaxed and said ... "I was just asking" ... and gave me a stupid grin =))

LoL WTF .... then can I ask you if I can ***** you tonight? .. just thought


probably wanted something .... not sure lol

[Hanske]

The only problem here getter is that they were not Bermudians the ones smiling ....

They were from UK, India and Germany mostly .... well the Bermudians were like that too ... but they always seemed nice and cooperative ....

Norwegians probably didn't like our guts :-)

They apparently don;t want any strangers in the country .... because it's already full of immigrants ... Indians and Pakistanese already... that truly .... are making a mess in some parts of Oslo ...

Here's a funny thing that happened to me in Bermuda....

I went down the hotel one day with a black girl (roughly 23) about my age at that time.... she was always nice... worked in the cafeteria... where we ate ...

And we were in the elevator one day ... And out of nowhere she asked me "are you gay?"

LooooLL .. I was shoked ... and said How Dare You ??? .... I have a kid at home I am not gay

She was like so relaxed ... I was just asking ... and gave me a stupid grin =))
probably wanted something .... not sure lol

It's true about the imigrants, but there are very few Indians here. Most are Pakistani or Somali.

[precious007]

Hanske,

Oslo is full of Pakistani and Indian people

they even have their of mini neighbourhood .... down in the center of Oslo

and chinesee too ... it's full in that area......

There are roughly 6000 Romanians living in Oslo, I can imagine there ten times as much Indians ....

Soon enough Norway will realize they need "cheaper employees" and open it's gates as the rest of Europe did... I guess..... but I believe it's a pitty to do that.... Norway is such a quite country that doesn't have to be spoiled.

[Veganpunk]

Sweet Home Alabama!!!!

-You have a party or a barbeque whenever Alabama plays Auburn in football.

-You go to Gulf Shores every summer.

-You call the Atlanta Braves baseball team “us” like they’re actually from Alabama.

-You have family who would much rather visit Florida than California.

-You don’t “take”, you “carry” or “tote”… as in “You want me to carry you down to the 7-11?”

-A soft drink isn’t soda, cola, or pop, it’s Coke.

-You call it a “buggy” and not a shopping cart.

-You’ve said “fixin’ to,” “might could,” or “usetacould” during the last week.

-Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

-You can properly pronounce Arab, Eufaula, Opelika, Loachapoka, Bayou La Batre, and Oneonta.

-You know exactly what chitlins and mountain oysters are, and though you may not, you know someone who eats them anyway.

-You think that people who complain about the heat and humidity in other states are sissies.

-You aren’t surprised to find rental movies, groceries, ammunition and bait all in the same store.

-Asian food is always “CHINESE” regardless of the fact that it may actually be Korean or Japanese or Thai.

-People actually grow, eat, and like okra.

-Mamanem means the whole family. (“Are mamanem comin?”)

-You measure distance in minutes or hours.

-You’ve ever had to switch from “heat” to “A/C” in the same day.

-You know what “cow tipping” is.

-You know all four seasons: Almost summer, summer, still
summer, and Christmas.

-You know whether another Alabamian is from east, west, or middle Alabama as soon as they open their mouth.

-Visiting Wal-Mart is a favorite pastime.

-You know the difference between redneck, hillbilly, and southerner.

-You think everybody from the north has an accent.

-Y’all is a word.

-There is no such thing as tea.. it’s sweet tea.

-If a single snowflake falls, the town is paralyzed for three days, and it’s on all the channels as a news flash every 15 minutes for a week. All grocery stores will be sold out of milk, bread, bottled water, toilet paper, and beer. If there is a remote chance of snow, and if it does snow, people will be on the corner selling “I survived the blizzard” tee-shirts, not to mention the fact that all schools will close at the slightest possible chance of snow.

-Your directions include “when you see the Waffle House” or “turn on the dirt road.”

-You say “sir” and “ma’am” if there’s even a chance someone is even thiry seconds older than you and it is just the polite thing to do.

-The falling of one rain drop causes all drivers to immediately forget all traffic rules; so will daylight savings time, a girl applying eye shadow in the next car, or a flat tire three lanes over.

-There is nothing but country, gospel, or classic rock on the radio.

-A tornado warning siren or sever thunder storm is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.

-Almost everyone you know is Baptist or Methodist.

-A Mercedes Benz isn’t a status symbol. A Chevy Silverado Extended Bed Crew Cab is.

-You know everything goes better with Ranch dressing, especially hot wings.

-You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply or in my case even read, write or spell.

-Krispy Kreme doughnuts are the only doughnuts that exist.

-You know at least one Bubba, and maybe a few guys named Bo.

-You don’t assume the car with the blinker light on is actually going to turn anytime in the near future.

[precious007]

-You measure distance in minutes or hours.

It's like saying .... "that is 50 minutes away" ....

I thought that is all over the U.S...

[chadizzy1]

Woo pig! Funny laws in Arkansas.


-Hunting camels is prohibited.
-Any misdemeanor committed while wearing a red mask is considered a felony.
-There is a possible 25 years in prison for cutting down a cactus.
-Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs.
-A class 2 misdemeanor occurs if one places a mark upon a flag which is "likely to provoke physical retaliation".
-It is illegal to manufacture imitation cocaine.
-When being attacked by a criminal or burglar, you may only protect yourself with the same weapon that the other person posseses.
-It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water.
-You may not have more than two "relationship" toys in a house. (I'm guessing you know what those are.)
-The bullfrog-hunting season is permanently closed.
-It is illegal to sing in a public place while wearing a swimsuit.

[precious007]

-It is illegal to sing in a public place while wearing a swimsuit.

Hahahahaha

Wut?

[Veganpunk]

It's like saying .... "that is 50 minutes away" ....

I thought that is all over the U.S...

Yea, but they stole it from us!

[Hanske]

Hanske,

Oslo is full of Pakistani and Indian people

they even have their of mini neighbourhood .... down in the center of Oslo

and chinesee too ... it's full in that area......

There are roughly 6000 Romanians living in Oslo, I can imagine there ten times as much Indians ....

Soon enough Norway will realize they need "cheaper employees" and open it's gates as the rest of Europe did... I guess..... but I believe it's a pitty to do that.... Norway is such a quite country that doesn't have to be spoiled.

The area is called Grønland. And they alslo have Groruddalen with about 150 000 inhabitants, the borough of Søndre Nordstrand, Lørenskog, Lillestrøm... I could continue for ages. But there is, as of october 2009, only 8500 people of Indian decent in Norway.

Source: http://journalen.hio.no/journalen/In...rticle8842.ece

And our borders are open as long as you are from a Schengen country, the EU, Switzerland or Iceland. For the last ten years, Norway and Sweden has allowed more Asian and African immigrants than the whole of the EU! There's also about 100 000 Swedes here, and roughly 80 000 Poles.