It's kind of a weird question, within America there is such a radical difference between people depending on region. Someone from Alaska will be nothing like someone from Hawaii, who will be nothing like someone from New York, and they will be nothing like someone from Miami. We call our various territories "states" but sometimes it feels more like disparate countries.
Interesting. I'm American. I worked for an Oslo-based company for nearly 10 years. Flipping the question around, I absolutely loved every Norwegian I had contact with. As a group they were highly intelligent and very hard-working. Most were a little hard to get to know, not completely trusting, but once they got to know me they were very friendly and I never felt like an outsider. I visited several cities, including Oslo, Kristiansand, Kristiansund, Bergen, and Stavanger. I never felt less than safe and always felt like I was welcome. If I could have talked my wife into leaving the US, I would have been happy to retire there!!!!
They accurately report the inaccuracies they get from the media. "I get my news from Instagram," said the dark-haired woman, "it's USA-dominated..." Nothing is on Instagram that Mark Zuckerberg doesn't allow. Same with TH-cam and Twitter. If the Internet moguls want the USA to look bad, they only have to suppress the good news.
@@leemealone8622 no in norway we just dont call the media fake because we know that the media is there to make sure the politicians dont go to far (like what donald trump have done when he tried to take down the democracy in america)and we actually call the media the forth state power.
@Lars Aalborg Isn't "leadership" the act of getting a lot of people to agree with the Leader's opinion? Journalists tell us stories. Many of them are true. Some are not. The journalist's goal is to get you to agree that _all_ their stories are true. That's a Leader's goal too! Journalists do indeed influence governments, and not from any distant 4th place.
I personally have nothing against Americans, I met them as very open and friendly people (they talk a lot tho). I also think they make great movies. The only thing I don’t like is their politicians, but then again... I barely like politicians of any country, I even hate the politicians of my own country.
I am an American moving to Norway in a few months. Loved watching this video! I have to say though, that I've met some Norwegians who are much more outgoing than me! Of course, it always depends on the person rather than the nationality's stereotype :)
That is really awesome! I really want to do the same in a few years, but it'll take a lot of work. If you don't mind me asking, how are you able to move there while Covid restrictions are in place? Or have the restrictions been lifted? I've been in college, so haven't kept up with it much.
@@shipwreck9146 the restrictions haven’t been lifted, but my boyfriend is Norwegian, and they are allowing those who are in relationships with Norwegians to enter :) luckily the process for me is easier than for others because of my boyfriend. But if you apply for a visa and get it, they’ll let you in despite covid. Maybe apply graduate school in Norway?
@@hannahsheppard74 Very interesting, thanks for the info. I think after I graduate, I'll get a job in the US, and then immediately start applying to jobs in Norway. I have an AS in engineering, and I'm getting a BS in physics with minors in math and astronomy. So even if it takes a while, I should be able to get a job there at some point.
@@shipwreck9146 good luck to you, but I do wanna say its very difficult finding a job in Norway for a few reasons. 1) You need to speak decent Norwegian and be able to communicate with people daily in Norwegian 2) Norwegians are very highly educated. Many people have masters degrees, especially in STEM. I dont mean to rain on your parade, but I am going through this right now actually. I just graduated with my BS in microbiology, and speak some Norwegian, but am not good enough in conversations. All the jobs I’ve applied for required masters and some level of Norwegian. I apply because I have nothing to lose, but have yet to get a call back. Many expats say it takes them months or even a year to find a job, and that employers consistently choose Norwegians over foreigners, because its just easier to have someone already fluent. At this point I’m applying to universities to get my masters degree, because it seems to be the only way I’ll have a good shot at getting a job. Of course, some people get lucky and find a job right away, maybe even one that is with an international company so they don’t need to know Norwegian- however, this is definitely the exception and not the norm.
@@hannahsheppard74 Thanks for the advice haha. I was aware of that, which is the most worrisome part to me. But that's why I have my timeline set to a 2-3 years. I'm in my senior year now. So I have an extra 1-2 years on my timeline which I'll be trying to get a job in Norway. And I'm currently learning Norwegian on duolingo, so I'm hoping that I'll be quite good at it in 3 years. (probably not fluent though). But I now have a 122 day streak, and really hope I don't lose it.
The USA is a very large country. I understand the stereotypes. My family moved from Norge (Bergen and Skien areas) to the USA. What I have gleaned from these interviews is that social media and the world news have “sensationalized” the view and perspective of items such as crime rates, guns, etc. What you see on the news is usually only in a select few large metropolitan cities. In most geographical locations in America, it is very safe. The culture may be different, but also remember that you are comparing a country of 335 million people (with many ethnic and cultural backgrounds) to a country of 5 million. In many ways this is comparing apples and oranges. What would be fascinating to compare, would be to go to areas of the USA that have very high populations of immigrants that came from Norge, Sweden or other Scandinavian countries, to those people living in Norge. Areas such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota or Utah. I believe you would see we have a lot more in common than you believe. And yes, we still eat lutefisk og lefse here also..... 😉. Vi elsker Norge...
hallo. jeg er en amerikanks en Minnesota. My family came from Norway a few generations ago and we also eat lutefisk and lefse. Also a lot of smoked fish and tons of beer. I love still having a connection to my family's homeland.
I couldn’t agree more. America is on the world stage, our own media distorts the facts. The vast majority of Americans are never represented correctly.
@torivarnor this is a very controversial topic here in the US. I would reccomend you find a really good reliable source of statistics to find out. I don't know the statistics myself, but most people here have an idea of certain communities (sadly but mostly based income) being safer/not safer
There’s an interesting tv program here in Norway, called “alt for Norge” about Norwegian American participating in challenges relating to Norwegian culture, to win a reunion with their distant Norwegian relatives. 😊
The people living in Nordic counties like Sweden (especially the younger people) actually hate this about their culture. Look up the “law of Jante”. Young people are saying they hate how they can’t express themselves, wear what they want, and have no motivation to become something special because their country looks down on people who dare to be different. Also Sweden is SO Americanized it’s funny to hear them talk about the things they don’t like. They’re the most Americanized foreign country.
Nice video! Americans are definitely more into small talk than many Norwegians. And I agree it can feel a bit superficial for us, but at the same time I find it refreshing when I'm in the US and are easily able to talk to strangers.
It's not superficial. We who've been here generations aren't closed minded. We can't be. If there is conversation to be had a new connection to be made a new culture to explore we're all in. Many more homogeneous nations don't get that with so many different looking, speaking, lifestyles and tourist you either learn to be open or be left out or isolated. Like many nationalities that move here and only live amongst themselves. Like Chinatown or little Italy and the like. You never know who you'll meet next if you open up and explore people more. No room for shyness we literally don't allow it by making the kids socialize often. We have introverts. They are mostly our computer people.
@@norwaywithpal Thank you for understanding. I feel we are most misunderstood😔. People move here pick up the habit and may or may not be sincere. It has levels also co-worker maybe some information. Co-worker/friend maybe some personal stuff and advice. Good friend watch out you'll know to much but so what. Best friends... ride or die together no matter the shade of skin. It's complicated for sure.
@@lynyngragfunkyfoot3765 To be honest I wish we could all be open and ready for connection which each other. Humans are social and curious animals after all :)
They would too if u didn't live in a cold ass climate surrounded not by all basically Norse decents, I grew up in the pnw and hate the winters summers here are hard to beat tho would love to live in a warmer climate idk how my ancestors lived up in a cold ass climate for millennias
I think the best and worst of humanity is as accurate as it can get for basically every country around the world. When it comes to politics, you have to live in that particular country to truly know what these politicians are all about
Exactly. All Americans are unhappy with our government. A small % of ppl are nationalists, despite what media will make you think. Even they hate it. I wish I could tell everyone that American Globalization ruins lives here, too. It doesn’t make us rich. It benefits the top 5% who run the companies. They don’t pay taxes and the wealth gap gets worse. The working class is suffering.
@@user-gn1ef8qd2i You are raised to belive that what you have is true freedom. Take universal healthcare, every time it is mentioned it is called socialism, communism etc. Someone don't want you to have universal healthcare, because now they can charge you thousands of dollars just for calling an ambulance. You have learned that the way to freedom is to work hard, which translates to that you need several jobs just to keep your head of bills. Who benefit from that? The very few rich on top that makes you work for as little salary as possible. To me (in Norway) freedom is to have a good salary so I only need one job. - Freedom is to go to work at 8AM and home again at 15:30, with weekends off. - Freedom is to not worry if I get sick, then the system will take care of me and my employer will have all expenses covered if I get long term ill. - Freedom is to have 5 weeks payed vacation every year. - Freedom is to have free education for my kids. - Freedom is to don't have any medical expenses on my kids, not even dental care, even glasses for kids are covered. - Freedom is to have all expenses covered if you get pregnant. That includes one year payed salary after birth to stay home with your newborn. There is so much more in this list, but that is true freedom, not what you are told. Who is most afraid of you getting all that? Those that make billions every year on charging you for the same services we have for free. Why are they afraid? Because 10 billion is not enough to buy the third private jet.
@@samen4411 You’re way underestimating Americans’ awareness of capitalist greed and the “American Dream” propaganda. We know all about the evils of capitalism and inhumane deregulation- we lived thru 2008! We know why our healthcare is expensive, the wealth gap is huge, social services suck, etc. We know why billionaires back both political parties. I want all those workers rights too! We have no pro-labor party anymore. We know why. The news media doesn’t represent America at all. The major networks like CNN, Fox, etc. are totally surreal. I’m literally a Marxist. There are tons of us but you won’t see us on TV anytime soon. People like me vote Democrats because Republicans are worse, but the liberals still betray labor all the time. They betray their own party. Everyone hates the Democrats. Joe Biden was the liberal choice! Insane! Idk what you think we learn in public school about freedom or our govt, but I guarantee it’s less extreme than you think. It’s not the 1950s anymore. We learn about Red Scare & McCarthyism. We learn more criticism about our govt and our historic wrongdoings than anyone. The concept of freedom in the U.S. is so nuanced… it’s more about the 1st & 13th amendment & the Bill of Rights. We celebrate freedom on July 4th (Independence day)… we had a Revolutionary War for it. We know it’s not regular people that get freaked out by “communist”, “socialist”, etc. it’s the elites, the media class (TV news reactionaries), and old people (from McCarthyism). Most Americans hate politics because they hate the (capitalist) system. In my lifetime, Americans have always been extremely cynical about our leadership and openly scrutinize the government constantly. Bernie Sanders is the only candidate (for national office) that I’ve ever cared about. We were so close in 2016. If Bernie got the nominee instead of Hillary, he would have beat Trump. Everyone on the left believes that.
@@user-gn1ef8qd2i I know you exist, the big crowd that truly cares that 45.000 dies every year because they can't afford basic healt care. Both right and left in American politics are far right in the rest of the modern world. For a short time I laughed at Americans and their way. But after starting to dig in to the system my laugh chocked, when I started to understand the mechanics that make people vote for republicans. The latest election gave some hope to the world, both presidents got an all time high number of voters. In other words, the regular Americans are staring to take responsibility, starting to vote. But now we see democracy in USA being destroyed by republicans. Now they are pushing out laws to deny typical left side voters from voting. If you see a lot less voters for the Democrats at next election it is the final proof that democracy in USA is ruined. Then what is next? More protests? They will just keep pushing out laws to strenghten their position. Remember that they also now have a court precedence saying that killing protesters is a self-defense act if they react to your weapon. You are facing some scary times now.
I mean, as an american, if you tell me how you actually are when i ask, i'd be delighted i'd say. I can't speak for every other american out there, but i'm sure i'm not the only one
You're not. Though I've encountered a hell of a lot of people who just give the confused or outright irritated facial expression directly at me, or, they just ignore me and leave with a little more haste. I've actually gotten the "I'm sorry, do I fucking know you? No? THEN FUCK OFF!" to it too. And that latter one, that's definitely a "only in America" trait, I can just about guarantee it.
I think in America there’s a formal and informal way of saying “how are you?” especially when it comes to millennials. For example if someone says “what’s up?”, “what’s good?” or even the relatively outdated “‘Sup” (you’re almost never going to hear that from people from older generations) they most likely do not want to hear your life story. It’s more of a greeting. I do see where they’re coming from though. I feel like everyone here assumes they don’t want to hear each other’s life story when they say “how have you been?” so they don’t say it. I’m 25 and from New York, and that’s just what I’ve noticed so far in my life. It varies a little bit from state to state.
Americans are polite and very skilled, but treated like shit, live poorer than most 1st world countries and even 2nd world. Their labor is constantly taken advantage of and expected to live poor, so that some richie can have another billion. The rich take more than what can be supplied
It is interesting how the phrase "How are you?" is seen based on one's cultural background, but that is okay that different people see it different ways. While the answer is expected to be brief from an American's perspective, it is definitely okay to admit you're not good. I'd say it's not just a greeting but it is sort of "testing the waters" and not inviting some one to open up completely. If you're not doing well, it is perfectly acceptable to say "I've been better" or something similar, you just wouldn't want to elaborate unless they keep asking.
Now i really would like to see a video where somebody goes through the streets, ask people "How are you", and if they don't say "great" he starts to punch them in the face and kicks them when they lie on the floor and tells them "How dare you damned asshole, now i will show you how it is to not feel great" 😂🤣 Is it weird to have something like that in my head ? 😜
The way it works is that you ask how someone is doing, and if they take it as a bland greeting, they will say, "Great" and ask you the same thing back, causing you to answer "great." So that means you will move on to the next item of conversation. But it's possible for them to answer back candidly "well, not so great. My cat just died and I lost my job." In that case, you shift gears and become empathetic and comforting. The dynamics will shift based on how well you know the person, of course. If you are an acquaintance or friend, you will likely answer with more candor when that person asks how you are.
I notice the answering “how are you” more sincerely is a lovely characteristic across the other Nordic countries as well including Finnish culture where I may be wrong but I think value on personal space is prioritised even higher than even in Norway and if you aren’t sincere in asking it to someone you have some sort of emotional connection with from some established meaningful time or place, you wouldn’t ask that to just anyone. Norway I think has that it’s a question taken sincerely but slightly less of the personal space custom, maybe I’m overgeneralising but it’s fun to think about.
@@newperspective5918 i've actually lived here all my life. Other youtubers have similar videos where they ask about this, and they get more frank answers, they asked Danes, Dutch and the British what they thought about americans.
Maybe they were lucky or Danes are more outspoken. I am born and raised in Sweden and I think the result would be similar here. Sure we might have more opinions but we might not share it with a random person with a camera. You can also read out some extra information from their expression when talking about americans.
I have the sense that that is part of Norwegian culture. I’m guessing you’re American by virtue of wanting direct and biting responses. To get those, they’d need to ask American people and not Scandinavian people.
Speaking as an American, we have a lot of domestic disagreements inside our country (regionally, politically, and even within close tightknit families and that’s likely not solely an American thing but a continuum), but one thing we have an anomalie of agreement on substantially in the US!!! We love the people of your country of Norway! All of us! Thank you so much for this video. I also have been fortune to have visited Bergen and Oslo, Flan, and we had an absolutely amazing visit experience. We know even Norway isn’t a perfect place but you have the attitude we need more of everywhere.
"We (Americans) love the people of your country of Norway! All of us!" Really all Americans? Well I am an American and I don't love Norway, especially after seeing another survey video where a significant number of Norweigians identified the United States as the 'worst country on earth'. What they don't seem to grasp is that our country has had a complicated evolution from it's foundation, and is composed of a large diverse populace (with a broad range of passionate views). Norway is a small country with a largely homogeneous population, gifted with an abundant and profitable natural resource. Of course, their politics are going to be expontionally less fractious than our own. Duh.
I really like Norwagian people. They are very diplomatic and educated people. I moved to the USA in the beginning og 2021 from Olso to live here for a year due to work and I would comfortably say that, as a black person it is much safe and delightful to live in Norway than USA. USA is so polarised and dividend country. I have never felt outsider in Norway. People want their privacy but at the same time they have time to do good for the community like for example dugnad. So, i can not wait to come back home and sink my shoulder.
Strange & sad for me that my ancestors left Norway due to horrible economic conditions & now Norway, 100 yrs later is a paradise compared to the US and here we are disconnected from our anscestral peoples & culture
I know how you feel. My parents came here in 1923. If they were alive now, they would be back in Norway. I'm 73 so it's too late for me, but sometimes I get sad because I don't feel like I belong here. There is nothing Norwegian about this place.
I agree, this video made me really glad I live in New England. My Norwegian bf and I agree they’re not that unlike each other. But yeah, this video did not make me proud to be an American lol.
Frostbite ohh yes about friendly thats true we treat everyone like family and about the weather right now in San Diego CA and Tijuana Mexico the weather is crazy at times. We can have all seasons in a day LOL ex in the mornings is kind of cold during mid day it can get hot and at night it can be cold again 😅🤣
@@DJTreviCSRecordings "American" is referred to as the people of the United States. It's always been like this, like or not. There's no confusion here. You're smarter than that, come on.
I love Norway. I love the Norwegian people. I am an American, and I have traveled the length and breadth of Norway from Toensberg to Oslo to Bergen to Honnigsvag and the Nordkapp and back, more than once. I have done it in Summer, and in the dead of Winter. I have spent time in Trondheim. To the Norwegians I say this. Keep your country safe. Keep your culture safe. Safe from the danger that exists in the world. What is that danger? Anything that limits your thinking, your movement, your ability to express yourself, anything that threatens your life. It is possible for danger to infiltrate a country without detection. Beware. Beware of group think. I believe the last time this happened to you was WWII. Stay vigilant. You are so wonderful as you are. All your opinions were good, except the older man in the light gray shirt. It's obvious he did not have much experience with Americans. Also, try to listen to someone's heart, not their dialect. Dialect is irrelevant. The biggest problem we have politically is a biased media. It is the worst thing that can ever befall a nation. A biased media can propagate the Big Lie, and the result is propaganda. I am dead serious. You probably are bombarded with CNN over there, which does not give you the whole truth. Always seek to hear both sides, and make up your own mind. Be well all.
@@AUniqueHandleName444 traveling Norway is pretty unexceptional. However, the whole conspiracy thing and oversharing your amazing opinions is definitely stereotypically American.
@@Matt-dx3wo Which part was conspiratorial? American here who has lived abroad for a decade and the U.S. is moving closer daily to chaos economically and socially.
It's really hard to find objectivity in questions like "what do you think of X country", but surprisingly, the same things end up being said, whatever the target and local country. I heard the total opposite of how Americans are, and the same things but for Brazilians. All in all, with globalization, we all share a very similar culture, ways of talking, with some difference in more specific cases, like when one has authority over another, or is family. it's important to realize that whatever media you consume, the vision of another country will be exaggerated, whether good or bad, but when you go there it's totally "normal". Let's remember the "Paris syndrome" of Japanese and not make the mistake of thinking what we see can be generalized to everywhere at any time in a country.
I was in Narvik in 1987...on a Navy ship... I felt so safe and secure unlike many places i go to in America...It was the people there, they were so nice and seemed like solid people( mature). I wanted to leave my ship and abandon the US Navy and just get on a train and travel the Norwegian countryside...I did not... but the place felt so much like a real home ...like i belonged there... I stopped into a hardware store while there, just to see what was in a Norwegian hardware store... i looked a bit and as i was leaving a man who worked there stopped me and handed me a cassette tape( it was 1987) of some Comedy duo...i thanked him and he smiled and acknowledged ...we didnt really speak...language... lastly in a nightclub i met a young guy who asked me for an American cigarrette ...i gave him one and asked for one of his...he rolled me a cigarette with one hand...it was amazing..i have not seen this before or since...anyway...he points to a beautiful young woman on the dancefloor and says " See her blonde hair? our women are blonde down here too...!!! i laughed... i love Norway...
A lot of these stereotypes are true, like the portion sizes one. Even within my own lifetime I've seen drink sizes just go WAY up. Well, I think that would just be the portion sizes at restaurants, I think the portion sizes of snacks or things you might buy at a grocery store or convenience store have gone down a little. And it may be that people talk on the bus, but at least where I live it's like "Ugh, I have to take the bus? No one talk to me while I'm on it, please."
Yeah, I've always worn headphones while on a bus. I really don't like people talking to me in public, and it seems to happen far too often unless I'm wearing headphones. Music is my shield.
I agree, the stereotypes are pretty accurate. I feel like I would fit in better in Norway than here in the US. I dislike the random hellos, having to converse with strangers when waiting in a line and when people give me the "hi, how are you?" The portion sizes alone are unbelievable and unnecessary. It's completely ridiculous.
There is a video on TH-cam where a girl in a subway with headphones on is asked what she is listening to. She admits that she doesn't actually have any music on but she just doesn't want anyone to start talking to her 😂
I lived in Tønsberg waaaay back in 1988-89 as an exchange student (I was from New York STATE-not the city) But everyone who asked where I was from and I said NY asked me what it was like to live in NYC lolol I'd never been there even tho I was only 8 hours away. I loved my time there, and am still very close to my family. I have been unable to go back, but they do visit me here. The main 'problem' I had with Norwegians was that they were too polite! LOL Instead of saying, "Please take your shoes off when you enter a home, it is custom to do this." They said, "We like to take our shoes off when we get home." Me: Well that's nice, I leave mine on. *family gives me a blank stare* 30 years later on a youtube video I find out that Norwegians hate that Americans wear shoes in the home !! OMG! lol So I called my Mamma and all these decades later apologized for being so thick in the head hahaha. She still tells the story of her crazy American daughter and her shoes in the house. I still tell the story of my first day there and Mamma asking me for a rubber!!! 1- why does she think I am carrying rubbers with me. 2- why does she want rubbers from me 3- OMG I do not want to know you and Pappa are doing IT! I had no idea how to answer that. I just couldn't say anything, as I had no clue how to word it. Suddenly she busts out laughing and says, "I need a Gummi, and eraser!" Took me a minute to figure out the British English to American English. Something I didn't even know I'd encounter!! So I learned a lot of British English as well as Norwegian lol By the time I left a year later, I didn't even have an American accent, my accent was full Vestfold Norwegian for my area and I was quite fluent. I'm a tad rusty but after 5 minutes on the phone I am fine again lol. I can pick up any accent and speak with it within a minute or two. I watch BBC and spend the rest of the talking with a posh accent lol I knew right away the one gal was from Vestfold as soon as I heard her accent! She was also the easiest for me to understand when I didn't read the subtitles.
As an American, I agree with the introductions of Americans, its superficial. The 'how are you phrase is a formality' but isn't meant literally. Also when we say, 'we should hangout,' it never happens.....which is why I don't have many friends because I mean it when I say let's hangout 🤣 Also keep in mind, the typical attitudes described in the video, vary per region. Keep in mind, usa is almost the size of Europe and each region's hospitality is drastically different from the mid Atlantic, versus the south to the southwest, and pacific northwest etc.... The attitudes of being proud of accomplishments is celebrated in the u.s., versus Norway where it's almost embarrassing to celebrate as it may come off as pompous, or holier than though attitude... Needless to say I enjoyed my visit to Norway and the solitude! Everybody left me alone and I loved being ignored. Every introverts dream 🤣. Hoping to go back soon
Maybe it varies by region, but I don't see "we should hang out" as fake at all. It's just easy to get overtaken by other priorities or forget. If I make that offer to someone, or ask how they're doing, I mean it.
I love Norway. I would go back if I could. When this video started, the shot with the Church, I have this very picture when I stood there in 1998. What a wonderful town.
2:09 This girl is correct, there are many, many types of Americans. One that would travel to Norway for holiday is already a specific type of American. Inner-city folk or “Texan Cowboys” are not known for their yearning to explore Scandinavia. My guess is most American tourists, students, or business people that travel to Norway are middle class and educated.
@@Cromag3 Oddly, the U.S. it really spread out. It takes 5-6 hours to fly from New York to Los Angeles. Looking down, almost all of it is empty space. When on holiday in Europe, I found it wild that one can easily travel to another country in 2 hours - by rail!
@@BradThePitts Oh man have you heard about the "interrail" in Europe? Never tried it myself but some friends of me have, you basically buy a month/week/days pass of train travel and go where ever you want in Europe (most of Europe).
@403 Forbidden Sorry to break this to you, but people with 2nd grade capitalization, punctuation, and grammar skills aren't in a place to judge other people’s level of education.
Omggg, i realy would like to see vlog about what Norwegians thinks about Polish People! Propalby there won't be such vlog but if there is a chance ---> I cant wait for it !!! And here some gretings from Poland🇵🇱❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you for making this channel! I am Amerigan but live in Germany. I was dating a guy in Oslo for a year before COVID happened. We broke up this summer but I grew to love Norway so much! Maybe I will move there next. It's great to be able to still learn more about Norway on this channel :)
This video randomly popped up and I watched it, I enjoyed it as I don't know much about Norwegians and how they think about USA and Americans. It was also the first time I heard about Trondheim. I like their way of thinking and how they expressed their opinions. They seem to very diplomatic people but they still tell you the truth. Greetings from Hungary.
This was very interesting but not surprising. On our trip to Norway, my husband and I are overweight but not obese Americans and we were riding the water taxi to bygdoy, we could pick out all the Americans on the boat. We felt ashamed. There are many other things we felt ashamed of for our country, from how we treat one another, to our politics, to how we treat the planet. America does everything big. That goes for the good things and the bad things. Our politicians could learn some very valuable lessons from other countries if they just put their pride aside and actually listened. The Norwegians we met were very open, accepting and helpful. We have a second family in Norway and a lot of friends. I loved my 2 week vacation to Oslo, Bergen and around Sogn og Fjordane. I also went back for 2 weeks of hiking around the Sogn og Fjordane. So beautiful.
US politicians are also the product of the history and legacy of US and comes from among the people. They aren't that unique to common US public. Also US is way big than Norway. It is federal in nature. Every state has own constitution with own set of laws, so complexity and less uniformity of systems that make life easier. It has its own merits and demerits. Excessive deregulated capitalism triggers the Obesity crisis and health collapse(big pharma). Misplaced priorities- profusion of funds for military and no funds for public infrastructure
The one thing to keep in mind is how big the US is. There are variations in culture somewhat depending on where in the country you go, and there can be some regional rivalry. Even state rivalry. Personally, I feel like the biggest issue for me right now living here is the tumultuous political divide. Add covid and the upcoming elections to that mix, and everything just feels like a whirlwind of anxiety, insecurity, and frustration. Also, social media I think is warping people's grasp on reality, although that may be true in other countries as well. There are still many things to love about this country, but as the one individual in the video mentioned, you REALLY do get the best and worst of humanity here. But again, that is largely dependent on where you go. Basically, it can be fun and exciting here, but you are gonna need some thick skin and street smarts. Honestly.
I agree. And I also don't think it's a good idea to get your opinions from social media. As you say, it kind of warps your mind a bit. The only way to truly know what side you should be on politically, is to live here lol. Because we have such varying news sources.
Don't you get the best and worst of humanity everywhere? I don't understand that statement. The US is highly populous, so there is more going on. But per capita, can you really say that it's different from anywhere else?
@@automnejoy5308 I never did say it didn't exist anywhere else. But the topic of the video is about the US. I am merely giving my viewpoint as someone who grew up here. I understand very well that each country one can go to has it's negatives and positives. Does that elucidate things enough for you?
I think everything said about us is quite accurate and fair! I’m impressed that everyone is well-informed, and thoughtful, not cavalier with opinions. I am jealous of the culture of concorde that seems to bless all the Nordic peoples. We may never have that in America, because there are 12 or more distinct cultures, most inherited from Europe, but also several each from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Any common heritage will require us all to surrender a little more of our origins (Ireland for me) so we might assemble a more humble perspective of our horizons Americans, Anyway, thank you, our sweet Norwegian friends.
I'm a Yank, and I loved this video. I lived in Africa for ten years, and had two very close Norwegian friends. I found it fascinating that all who answered were so very careful to be polite with their answers, even when talking about us being loud, large, and dressing funny!! (all true!!) I've worked in 7 different countries in tourism. It has given me a unique perspective on my own culture. I became "detribalized" and learned to be a little slower and softer when meeting new people so as to give them time to trust me, and warm up to me. I especially appreciated that all who were interviewed let it be known they didn't know Americans well, and were unsure how accurate their perspectives are. Honesty with insight!!! I love Norwegians!!! Truly nice people, and your govt does not stick its nose in everyones business like America. I really became aware of how much the USA meddles in other countries under the disguise of "being helpful". (helpful to themselves) I know the guy sitting down with the tshirt on and I would enjoy having some beers together!! Loved his careful hamburgers and large people comments!!! Best of luck to you all!! I live in the states again, and finally can breathe deeply and relax, now that our nightmare of Trump is over. Amazing that one person almost overthrew the govt of the USA!! Freedom is fragile.
I'm also a Yank. I think you should do some basic research before posting on TH-cam. Does the US make mistakes? Yes. But, the US has also helped millions of people all over the world. In 2010, the US gave 1 billion to Haiti after their earthquake. As recently as 2018, the US gave almost 7 billion to combat HIV around the world. Millions of people are living with HIV in Africa: www.afro.who.int/health-topics/hivaids. And the US has given billions in aid: ge.usembassy.gov/database-offers-transparency-on-u-s-foreign-aid/. If you want to criticize the US, that's fine. But that criticism needs to be based on facts, and not baseless allegations which are not supported by basic research.
@me me I hope you enjoy your new found love of America with higher gas prices, higher inflation, higher prices on everything, more illegal people entering the country, and our idiot president Biden and his cronies. Welcome back to the real nightmare.
Yeah I loooooove paying $5 per gal to put gas in my car under the current US administration. I haaaaated paying under $2 per gallon when Drumpft aka Trump was in office. 😂
Yayyy you’re back!!! You channel is growing so rapidly, I’m so happy for you! (again). Also, I was wondering if you’d consider doing a short storytelling (from narrations based on your trips to well-known short stories) with both Norwegian and English subtitles? In that way, we can just listen to them anywhere we want. It’s all up to you, though. In my opinion, it’d help a lot of people, including me. Thanks for reading this, love your vids and keep up the videos 😆👌🏻
What do Norwegians think about Minnesotans? We have the most ethnic Norwegians anywhere in the world outside of Norway. A lot of my friends here grew up eating lutefisk and lefse and learning about old norwegian things from their grandparents. My great grandma shared a Norwegian prayer with me that they use to say before every meal. My other great grandma used to speak Norwegian with her neighbors, but unfortunately she never taught my grandmother how to speak it.
It is cute, but you sort of keep on to an idea of a Norway from the late 1800's that never existed in the first place, and seem often confused by Norway as a modern society.
@@abcabcboy Sure but a lot of us 3rd or 4th gen Americans in scandinavian families are fascinated by our families home country and I've even started learning the language and plan on studying abroad there soon.
My last name is Danish would love to learn more about motherland as Russians call it lol, I know a little bit about viking times from history class my dad's dad was from Ohio don't know to much about his father or when they immigrated here been linage has been us immagrants then Americans for a few generations, I'll ask my ancestors in the afterlife lol
@@caseykreie1839 I have only met my MN relatives when I was kid, they came over on vacation in Norway. They was positive, polite, nice and super friendly, very proud of their heritage, which surprised me quite a lot, as I didn't consider Norway something special. The contact died out now, so I can't speak for others living in same state, but if others are similar to my folks, I think MN would be one of the better states to live in.
I live in Canada so not USA but similar culture. The thing about people connecting through there roots or like knowing someone that you know is so true. When you meet someone there’s always like a connection to make lol. It’s like oh you know John Doe I went to school with his uncle.
Pulling random Americans off the street to talk about Norway, they certainly wouldn't be able to tell you much of anything. And I'm glad to know other parts of the world know how sick and twisted our political system is. A lot of us who live here STILL haven't realized that yet.
The media learned early that the sick and twisted stories get attention. "If it bleeds, it leads." That was the rule long before TV supercharged it, the Internet personalized it, and smartphones started training us to ignore everything except smartphones.
@@waynesmith7746 Well, aside from being dark and rainy constantly, everything overpriced, shopping totally inconvenient, unable to buy the most basic things at a pharmacy, and being extremely dull, the horrible hospital in Bergen all but killed my firstborn daughter in delivery because they have a policy limiting the number of c-sections they’ll do in a period of time, even in emergencies. She was left with severe brain damage and afterwards the doctor and administrator there did all they could to avoid responsibility. The agency that handles injured patients was so rude and awful putting us through more misery. We fought them for ten years and beat them in the supreme court. We happily live in Texas now.
Loving these videos!! I'm trying to familiarize myself with the culture before I go stay for a few months and this has been incredibly helpful!!! Please keep them coming!!!
Correct or not, they sure do agree with the media. "I get my news from Instagram," said that lady. Too many do. They won't hear anything on Instagram that Mark Zuckerberg would prefer not be heard.
This was interesting, and I think it's funny that one of the speakers said "we have to dress warmer in Norway" and that Americans can "wear shorts all the time." That is true for some parts of the country, but here in the US Northeast (and also in the Upper Midwest, where many Norwegians settled), winters are very long and cold, lasting from late November or early December until the end of April. Summers are warmer because of climate change now, but our "shorts-wearing season" here is really only late June until August and maybe early September.
Even where I live, in the Kansas City area, last February, it got below zero (Fahrenheit) for eight days in a row! Right now in August though, it’s in the 90s almost every day.
Most of there saying is true. As the guy said that in the USA a lot of people act like superficial on the surface to each other and I know that and hate that. When I was in Norway I found it was so easy to talk to people and make friends. I actually feel more comfortable in Norway than at home...
Interesting responses, but you might get similar answers if you ask a Midwesterner how they perceive a Deep Southerner, or what Vermonters think of Texans, or what a resident of Saranac Lake thinks of people from The City.
The pretty girl in the blue top with glasses summed it up the best, even of course there is a huge difference between say someone raised in New York n Montana almost like day n night
The Norwegian government pursued a very conservative policy regarding their vast wealth on the form of oil reserves. This policy now pays off in the form of totally funded government programs that will extend far into the future. This special financial security blanket gives them a very comfortable living and a rich culture to draw upon. This is a very simplistic statement and books can and have been written about the current Norwegian phenomenon. This is what happens when a people control their government and policy is created for the benefit of the people, not any one protected class of elites.
Conservative. In terms of oil policy, yes. An example is the Brits. When the oil prices rose and stayed there decades ago, the Brits took advantage and increased their production to record levels. As a result they depleted their then known reserves dramatically. The Norwegians did not increase production, preferring to maintain long term production goals believing that to be the best policy for long term sustainment of that vital but finite resource. The term conservative can be applied to things other than politics and this is a fine example.
@Douguinho The conservative government in most countries outside the US is either just slightly left or center, compared to the US where both democratic and republican candidates are on the right side of the spectrum. The US if im not mistaken is the most right leaning modern country in the world
@@harrisonmega7918 Yes, I think so too. You basicly have the choise between being blue or deep-blue, bordering on brown, compered to the systems in the rest of the world.
I hope others realize what you see on tv and Instagram is not an accurate depiction of America. When you are in smaller communities, it is polar opposite to the larger mainstream cities.
@@Dani-it5sy eh, it’s complicated. Trumps popularity was mostly rural and was based entirely on a few things 1. Dissatisfaction with the current political system, so bad that people voted for the person most unlike the system 2. Very conservative or right wing types love him with a passion. 3.many people voted lesser of two evils. Even if they didn’t like trump, plenty hated Hillary and the idea of her being a Warhawk even more. Even then trump didn’t get the popular vote. Most people voted Hillary. He won by electoral college which is essentially more points based on states points rather than population (this was made 200 years ago it doesn’t make sense)
@@waynesmith7746 Yes I understand that Trump's political agenda was populair. I am also sick of this extreme left bs. And this insane immigration problem is also something that should be addressed. FFS look at Europe. They are pushing back severely overloaded zodiacs full of referees. Norway would not let any thousands of numbers of Russians walk over the border. Point is republicans could come with another candidate with the same agenda but it could be a normal sensible person. Like Trey Gowdy or another genius like that. I think they would easily win the election. I think they loose votes because of Trump rather than win. Although they should stop this creepy abortion stuff. Before that I just can not give them my vote no matter how great the rest of their political agenda is.
Really nice videos (not just this one), they are a very entertaining way to learn about Norway. Also, re another video of yours about the nicest world languages, I must say that the more I listen to Norwegian, the more I like it, it’s actually very smooth and melodic. Not enough yet to beat my favorite one (Portuguese), but definitely in my top 5;-) And it comes from a native French speaker! Cheers from France;-)
What Norwegians Think About italians ? If you've got time for a vlog on Italians I have to admit, you are good Slowly I begin to learn Norwegian I am a native speaker of Italian even though I know through the English Nice teaching, you got it right For me
I thought the comment that America "represents the best and worst of humanity" was quite thought-provoking. Here is another familiar quote that could have well been describing America at any moment in time since its founding: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” ― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities. I think one aspect of the discussion that is often missed when comparing Norway and America (or Norwegians and Americans) is the difference in the resident populations of the two countries. The US has over 60 times as many people as Norway. Even the Chicago metropolitan area, where I live, which includes the city of Chicago and its suburbs has almost twice as many people as Norway. Here are a couple additional data points: There are more professionally active medical doctors and nurses in the United States than the entire population of Norway. Also, there are over 1.5 million faculty and nearly 20 million students in degree-granting U.S. colleges and universities. With so many people in the US (over 331 million), there will always be millions who are (pick one): selfish/generous, rude/polite, superficial/deep, fake/genuine, complaining/caring, fit/obese, well-educated/uneducated, loud/soft-spoken, open-minded/intolerant. We are not one thing. This is our greatest strength and weakness.
Norwegians seem so gentle and comfortable for standing next. Ps: May I ask anyone my question of languages talked in family and learned at school that how many language are you learning or using daily?
As a Norwegian. I speak Norwegian normally when I'm with family or when I'm out shopping or other things where I'd need to speak Norwegian. English is widely taught in Norway, as early as kindergarden. English just helps with the language barriers you evidently run into when talking to people over the internet or a co-worker that doesn't speak Norwegian very well (Could be a new person who just moved to the country or is a laborer from a different country). I've used English in connection to work before (I worked at a library), where I was working we'd get tourists who'd read books and even ask for directions. Your English comes in handy and you get some practical practice to be able to communicate irl. How many languages you learn in school, you primarily learn Norwegian (helps for immigrant students to learn the language and integrate more to society) and English (for language barriers online). If you live in a community that has a lot of Sami people, you might learn how to speak or understand Sami. (Sami is the 2nd official language of Norway other than Norwegian) Depending on the opportunities and budget at your school, you can learn a 3rd language (in my case Spanish, but I'm not fluent). It depends on the teachers sometimes and where in the country you are and what level of education you have. Some go to study languages in university, so it really depends.
I also speak Spanish and German in addition to English and of course Norwegian, and some Portuguese... You might say that we also speak Swedish and Danish, because these Scandinavian lingos are quite similar. Danish is a bit harder to understand vocally and verbally, but not in written... 🙂
I was hoping you would also interview that American girl from one of your earlier videos, the one who grew up in Norway, it would have been interesting to hear her thoughts on the subject x
Niklas Gustafsson it seems that a out of people (not you) like to criticise Americans for being patriotic, when in fact these other countries display patriotism constantly, such as on their Independence days or during sports matches. I find it frustrating when people dislike Americans being patriotic but they don’t mind their own country’s citizens being patriotic towards their country... It just doesn’t make sense. Although, perhaps there have been too many incidents in foreign countries, not talked about, of Americans being rude with their patriotism. Maybe those negative experiences have coloured opinions.
@@simonehawkins5520 The reason people become annoyed with american patriotism is because it often comes with a mindset that they're better than other places (like the best country in the world, the only country with freedom (wether that be free speech.. gun rights etc.)) when that's not true. I as most people i know dislike that kind of nationalism Norway as well. It's just that you're so loud and in your face about it, even abroad. Though maybe that has become less of a thing now as people have become much more aware with whats going on, and what people think about the US, through the internet and such. It's fine to be partiotic but there's a line which a lot of countries (escpecially in Europe) don't dare to cross, but the us does it constantly. And let's not even mention pledging to the flag, thank you for your service, flags on like everything etc. which you either won't or rarely will see anywhere else, even Norway which is as the swede said very partiotic escpecially compared to sweden.
@@liseanettegranheim4404Maybe Americans would not be so open with their pride in their culture if you weren’t so open about your anti-Americanism. If all Americans thought America was the best country in the world, how do you explain Obama who ran on the platform of a “fundamental transformation.” He won twice. Why would someone want to fundamentally change the best? The fact is that most Americans prefer their own culture or they’d be living somewhere else. There is nothing wrong with that. That doesn’t mean that we believe everything is perfect here. Europeans base their views mostly on what they see and hear from their Leftist press. That gives you a very distorted view of the USA. For example, most of you think the U.S. is violent and we’re shooting each other all the time. I’d say, then don’t go to certain neighborhoods in Chicago, New York etc. You can easily avoid such crime-ridden areas. Most places are just as safe as anywhere in Norway. But, from what the Leftist media is telling you, you wouldn’t know that. Your views about Biden and Trump are formed in the same way. The Leftist media hates Trump, so you hate Trump. Whatever they say.
Out of own experience I can say this: The attitude to USA is very variable around in the nation. Where I come from, traditionally a fishing region in the southwest, a rock hard America romaticism is ruling. I was once at secondary school asked by a classmate: "If you had the money and time for it, where would you like to go for a vacation?" I thought a little and said: "Russia, because I don't know very much of this nation and would like to know more." The astonished reply, in intonation as well as face expression and wording, as if I was a zoological rarity: "Why, don't you like to go to America (like everyone else in the hereabouts)?" Afterwards the thought came to me: I see so many news from America of unfavorable character not making me feel like putting my feet there, and I've seen so many movies, historical and contemporary in topic, that I feel little curiosity about the land. A caveat: I'm no longer living there, these experiences are forty years old. A lot may have changed since my boyhood but so rooted as the "Americophilia" was, it may take more than one wild race riot and one brutal epidemics to change this attitude.
So glad I subscribed to your interesting and informative channel. Until I can visit Norway again, I will share this video with my cousin in Stavanger for his opinion. Looking forward to additional videos. Jeg elsker Norge!
@@sulu8050 Yes, and oppocite. I remember I saw Jackson Five on tv when I was a child already. And many movies. We saw series, country and Western and Festus from Gunsmoke came visiting. Levis and the yuth culture was here, too. It was an "ironblanket" between us and Sovjet, so we didn't know much about over there. Midle East and Asia was far away and exotic. Almost no one hade been there. But in USA it is as many decendant from Norway as it is etnic Norwegians in Norway, about 4 million
@NauticTL You know there was a big migration to America from Scandinavia from 1825 to 1920. It was advertissements from America sent to Scandinavia. They were invited over. 800 000 people from Norway traveled to America and settled there. There is a good swedish Oscar winning movie made about the settlers journey, made in 1971 : "Utvandrerene" With the Norwegian actor Liv Ullmann.
Tourists that confirm the stereotype get noticed more, which tends to confirm the stereotype even more. This applies to loud dress or loud manners. There are undoubtedly many quiet Americans around, but they don't get noticed because they are... quiet.
I think it's interesting seeing Europeans' perspective of the weather in the USA. I live in Indiana, where it will get well below 0°F in the winter every year and also often goes over 100°F in the summer... then I watch the weather in Oslo and Hammerfest and see how it's warmer all winter than it is here, which is below the 40th North parallel.
Not really, A bunch of pricks all over here aswel. Though some folks try to be polite. In the video? They sort of had to be because they were being recorded :P
Very interesting. It's nice to hear constructive criticism now and then. Yeah, pretty spot on...Loud, big, crazy politics, overly friendly. I think we scare foreigners because we're so much more forward with strangers than people from other countries.
All of the people interviewed were thoughtful and diplomatic in the way they put things. As a Canadian I can say that I liked almost every American I met, but of course I only met a few dozen of them in New York State and most of those were sailors. As a rule they were more outgoing than many Canadians are.
I see some conflicted responses. They know the stereotypes and may share them, but they are unwilling to appear rude and want to put forward the most balanced response that they can muster. So, there is some self-editing, but it's in the cause of being fair and diplomatic. Seems reasonable.
As a Norwegian i can tell you that i felt that self editing in my soul. We have opinions, but we pass things off as diplomatically as possible when we speak with people we don't know (in general... There are individual differences of course).
@@IReallyLikeMyNamexD Well, Norwegians are known for their diplomacy. Maybe it's your cultural gift to the rest of the world. Seems like a pretty nice thing to be known for, as a cultural trait.
Not the best translation :P He might mean that there's a lot of jumping to conclusions too quickly and move on to the next thing before people have even had time to consider it properly. In his defense, your media cycle does make it seem that way and your country is huge so a ton of things happen constantly compared to norway which is boring in comparison :P
@@nonamemcgillicutty9585 Well doing things or saying things too quickly without thinking things through, and jumping to conlusions are often considered a negative trait yeah, i'm pretty sure that's the case in the US as well. It has nothing to do with confidence, bravery nor pride..? You don't become more confident by blurting out the first thing that comes to mind or jumping straight to a conclusion withough properly assessing your tought proccess or what lead you to that conclusion to begin with. I won't say that makes you dim, but maybe a bit reckless. Unless you're blurting out things because you're confident in your abilities, but from my experience there's often some dunning-kruger involved and these people think their smarter and better than they actually are, leading them to say some silly or straight up wrong stuff.
I've been browsing through youtube lately and stumbled upon a few of these types of sites. In my opinion, the truest and most accurate description was given by the individual who commented that we and our country represent the best and the worst of humanity. Perfect.
@@ErwinBlonk I think a good portion of people get their impressions from American television and reality shows. To your other point, I would say that rural Americans are more reserved than their urban counterparts.
That was interesting and i agree with most of the Norweigians. I am Navajo, Native American and most of our people are not loud and they are reserved. But majority of Americans are quite loud and not shy.
it is impossible to stereotype Americans it is like stereotyping Europeans I would say, but most people I spoke to from the US where friendly and had a grandfather from Norway :D
As an American I would say that their impressions are spot on. I really can't argue with most of them although I really do not understand the very universal impression that we're very loud. Assertive yes, but not loud, at least not in my view. One thing that is common amongst many other countries is that they compare the US to their own country which is really comparing apples and oranges. Few countries on this planet are as diverse both in people and natural environment as the US and Norway strikes me as very homogenous. Sure they have immigrants but by comparison to the US it pales. Then there is the size and complexity of the US that is virtually unmatched by all but a few other countries.
As a Norwegian I have tried to tell Europeans that you should compare Europe as a whole to the US for reasons that are obvious to me. Unfortunately people don't understand why I can come with such a suggestion. I guess there are awake people, and then there are people who are not awake everywhere.
@@ahkkariq7406 This is just patently false. The idea that a dude from Alabama and a dude from Alaska are comparable to the difference between a Norwegian and a Greek is just silly. The language barrier alone should tell you that. The average Norwegian knows more or less nothing about Greek customs or internal politics and vice versa. On the other hand I’m pretty sure that the two Americans have turkey for Thanksgiving while discussing Trump/gun control/abortions. They live in the same reality to an extent that the two Europeans are not even remotely close to.
I am was an American soldier and have been to Orkanger and to Trondheim, beautiful city with beautiful people. Nice mall. And yes, Americans can be loud as though we own the world.
I` ve heard this before, about the loud Americans. But I can t say that I`ve met many of them, and I have seen (and heard) TONS of american tourists on the streets of Oslo where I live (or maybe they were Canadians? I wouldn`t know the difference, sounds the same). Maybe they were less loud due to the fact that they were in a foreign country? anyway, I don`t see it as a problem that a group of people is a bit loud, on a busy and noisy city street, you probably have to, in order to communicate. Depends on. Or people who are on their way to a party, night club etc. They are in a good mood- NOT a problem to me. Some Norwegians can be a bit loud as well, in these situations. Also: I think that the major reason why Norwegians may be seen as a bit reserved is the LANGUAGE BARRIER. Yes, quite a few of us speak great English ,but it depends on. You may come across a person whose English is not that good, and this may be interpreted as shyness/reservedness, when indeed the real reason is the language barrier.
If there's any Norwegians on this thread are most people in Norway this polite? There's so many obvious and deep criticisms they could mention but for the most part seem to focus on positive or neutral things. Makes me want to visit.
@@SimpleNorwegian I don't know of i agree with the whole "low quality people" bit.. (I mean there are plenty of rude people here, though the wording you used was a bit weird..)
the girl @9:26 is pretty spot on with the stereotypes, that's pretty much 90% of this country. I'm honestly sad that I didn't have a choice where I was born in this world and it's even worse not being able to truly just explore as everywhere is private property and the laws vary from state to state on quite a number of subjects so that just makes traveling that much more confusing because while there are a lot of "blanket" laws that apply all over, there are some you might break without ever knowing simply because it's not something that is listed when you go there... "hi welcome to "X", you broke some law you had no idea existed so you're going to be punished!" ... the people here are not really to be trusted much as most will really only use you for as long as they can to get as much out of you as they can before you catch on and then they'll cut you off and try to find someone else. I'm 1/4 Norwegian on my grandmothers side and hope to one day make it over there to see the beautiful landscape, I enjoy cold weather a lot despite having almost no insulation(fat) on me and I find it FAR easier to work in colder conditions without getting wore out so fast.
@@saksham379 Yeah, I think many Americans forget this. A lot of things suck here, but we really do have a lot of comforts, conveniences, and liberties and could certainly have it so much worse.
What do Norwegians think about Russians? Or Finns? I think they are the two neighbouring countries that Norwegians don't know as much about as Sweden and Denmark, so it would be fun to hear their opinions
I love the finns, and consider them equally a brother just like swedish and danish people, altough you are not in Scandinavia, I still Think the finnish people have some really cool cards and personality. Russia I dont know much about, in my experience its difficult to communicate with them without knowing russian sadly :( seems like cool people tho as Ive been working with russian ships and its crew arriving at my job and city I live in.
@@larswilhelms1 what do you think about Americans with Norwegian decent last name is Danish but my ancestors migrated generations ago, so no ties besides distance distance, relitives lost in translation of the American melting pot I like to think it's easy to spot, someone with Norwegian and Scottish decent big pale people with a bigger brow and more blond hair and redhair generaly.
Please adopt me and bring me over. I would live in Norway forever. It started by watching Norway 4k and meditating. I have fallen deeply in love with your country. Thanks
I was expecting to be pretty triggered but maybe they're holding back. I found the Norwegians in this video pretty humble and circumspect. I know people think of us Americans as being somewhat arrogant and thinking we know best, even though we're actually kind of naive, and sheltered. That's probably all true. But I also find myself often thinking much the same of Europeans.
Is "fond of food" a really nice way of saying that we are all obese?
yes lol
haha, Nah you are not all obese, but they food do taste really good and my self would probably be obese if I lived there :D
You are a chubby people... but great fun to drink with😎🍺
@@fylke1814 it's not a stereotype if it's true and we prefer the term big boned 😆 cheers 🥂
That was the stereotyphe. Luckily people in Norway are generally well educated. I liked that woman, humble and intelligent. Greetings from Finland.
It's kind of a weird question, within America there is such a radical difference between people depending on region. Someone from Alaska will be nothing like someone from Hawaii, who will be nothing like someone from New York, and they will be nothing like someone from Miami. We call our various territories "states" but sometimes it feels more like disparate countries.
I completely agree. My boyfriend has grown up in Norway and I in New Hampshire and honestly it doesn’t seem all that different.
@God of the Eternal light. Well put.
Yes, to most europeans the U.S is seen as one nation, one country. Missing the point that its HUGE !
Glad you said Miami not Florida. South Florida/Miami is it's own nation.
Thats the best part tho! We are a huge melting pot!
Interesting. I'm American. I worked for an Oslo-based company for nearly 10 years. Flipping the question around, I absolutely loved every Norwegian I had contact with. As a group they were highly intelligent and very hard-working. Most were a little hard to get to know, not completely trusting, but once they got to know me they were very friendly and I never felt like an outsider. I visited several cities, including Oslo, Kristiansand, Kristiansund, Bergen, and Stavanger. I never felt less than safe and always felt like I was welcome. If I could have talked my wife into leaving the US, I would have been happy to retire there!!!!
That`s great to hear! Welcome
they are avoiding any confrontation, so its easy to confuse ignoring with politeness or friendliness.
its the "they are large and powerful and eat hamburgers all the time" for me lmaoooo
we like hot dogs too!!!!
The less obese people you have the less words you have for it
Everyone of these when asked about Americans they ALL say "They eat hamburgers and pizza" What they don't realize is we eat TONS of them.
april pryce actually, I am a bacon cheeseburger kind of guy.
@God of the Eternal light. What are these "Vegetables" you speak of?
They were honestly all so polite in their criticisms, and they're all so accurate hahaha
You misspelled inaccurate, Cletus.
They accurately report the inaccuracies they get from the media. "I get my news from Instagram," said the dark-haired woman, "it's USA-dominated..."
Nothing is on Instagram that Mark Zuckerberg doesn't allow. Same with TH-cam and Twitter. If the Internet moguls want the USA to look bad, they only have to suppress the good news.
Not really.
@@leemealone8622 no in norway we just dont call the media fake because we know that the media is there to make sure the
politicians dont go to far (like what donald trump have done when he tried to take down the democracy in america)and we actually call the media the forth state power.
@Lars Aalborg Isn't "leadership" the act of getting a lot of people to agree with the Leader's opinion?
Journalists tell us stories. Many of them are true. Some are not. The journalist's goal is to get you to agree that _all_ their stories are true.
That's a Leader's goal too!
Journalists do indeed influence governments, and not from any distant 4th place.
Norwegians seem to be very diplomatic people. XD
Thats honestly so true
@OLee82 A lot of Scandinavians in general are that way. It's called jantelagen. Or maybe that's just the Swedes who call it that lol
@@infinite5540 ohhh right, we call it janteloven
@@infinite5540 I remember that, a Norwegian friend of mine mentioned it. I think in Norway they call it janteloven.
As long as you're not overweight.
"America represents the best and worst of humanity"
FACTS
Yes
@Sullivan Biddle NO he was a masonic actor... you american are still asleep of this world you life in
Sullivan Biddle he was a Norwegian, none of us like him.
@Sullivan Biddle Oh did he kill more than americans? wtf is he really the worst human?
what is the best of humanity from usa? not really sure if there is something.
I personally have nothing against Americans, I met them as very open and friendly people (they talk a lot tho). I also think they make great movies.
The only thing I don’t like is their politicians, but then again... I barely like politicians of any country, I even hate the politicians of my own country.
😂😂
You’re not alone.. A lot of us Americans don’t like our politicians either.
So true.
Politicians make us all look bad
Don't worry, we don't like our politicians either.
I am an American moving to Norway in a few months. Loved watching this video! I have to say though, that I've met some Norwegians who are much more outgoing than me! Of course, it always depends on the person rather than the nationality's stereotype :)
That is really awesome! I really want to do the same in a few years, but it'll take a lot of work.
If you don't mind me asking, how are you able to move there while Covid restrictions are in place? Or have the restrictions been lifted? I've been in college, so haven't kept up with it much.
@@shipwreck9146 the restrictions haven’t been lifted, but my boyfriend is Norwegian, and they are allowing those who are in relationships with Norwegians to enter :) luckily the process for me is easier than for others because of my boyfriend. But if you apply for a visa and get it, they’ll let you in despite covid. Maybe apply graduate school in Norway?
@@hannahsheppard74 Very interesting, thanks for the info.
I think after I graduate, I'll get a job in the US, and then immediately start applying to jobs in Norway. I have an AS in engineering, and I'm getting a BS in physics with minors in math and astronomy. So even if it takes a while, I should be able to get a job there at some point.
@@shipwreck9146 good luck to you, but I do wanna say its very difficult finding a job in Norway for a few reasons. 1) You need to speak decent Norwegian and be able to communicate with people daily in Norwegian 2) Norwegians are very highly educated. Many people have masters degrees, especially in STEM.
I dont mean to rain on your parade, but I am going through this right now actually. I just graduated with my BS in microbiology, and speak some Norwegian, but am not good enough in conversations. All the jobs I’ve applied for required masters and some level of Norwegian. I apply because I have nothing to lose, but have yet to get a call back. Many expats say it takes them months or even a year to find a job, and that employers consistently choose Norwegians over foreigners, because its just easier to have someone already fluent. At this point I’m applying to universities to get my masters degree, because it seems to be the only way I’ll have a good shot at getting a job. Of course, some people get lucky and find a job right away, maybe even one that is with an international company so they don’t need to know Norwegian- however, this is definitely the exception and not the norm.
@@hannahsheppard74 Thanks for the advice haha. I was aware of that, which is the most worrisome part to me. But that's why I have my timeline set to a 2-3 years. I'm in my senior year now. So I have an extra 1-2 years on my timeline which I'll be trying to get a job in Norway.
And I'm currently learning Norwegian on duolingo, so I'm hoping that I'll be quite good at it in 3 years. (probably not fluent though). But I now have a 122 day streak, and really hope I don't lose it.
The USA is a very large country. I understand the stereotypes. My family moved from Norge (Bergen and Skien areas) to the USA. What I have gleaned from these interviews is that social media and the world news have “sensationalized” the view and perspective of items such as crime rates, guns, etc. What you see on the news is usually only in a select few large metropolitan cities. In most geographical locations in America, it is very safe. The culture may be different, but also remember that you are comparing a country of 335 million people (with many ethnic and cultural backgrounds) to a country of 5 million. In many ways this is comparing apples and oranges. What would be fascinating to compare, would be to go to areas of the USA that have very high populations of immigrants that came from Norge, Sweden or other Scandinavian countries, to those people living in Norge. Areas such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota or Utah. I believe you would see we have a lot more in common than you believe. And yes, we still eat lutefisk og lefse here also..... 😉. Vi elsker Norge...
hallo. jeg er en amerikanks en Minnesota. My family came from Norway a few generations ago and we also eat lutefisk and lefse. Also a lot of smoked fish and tons of beer. I love still having a connection to my family's homeland.
I couldn’t agree more. America is on the world stage, our own media distorts the facts. The vast majority of Americans are never represented correctly.
@torivarnor this is a very controversial topic here in the US. I would reccomend you find a really good reliable source of statistics to find out. I don't know the statistics myself, but most people here have an idea of certain communities (sadly but mostly based income) being safer/not safer
There’s an interesting tv program here in Norway, called “alt for Norge” about Norwegian American participating in challenges relating to Norwegian culture, to win a reunion with their distant Norwegian relatives. 😊
Ana ́s Happy days yes! I love it!! It is fun to watch. Thank you. Ha en god natt!
Minute 3:03 is kind of like en eye opener. It made me realize how materialistic we are and we admire people we don’t truly know.
Yeah that’s true. Our society had just normalized it so much that at this point it’s second nature
The people living in Nordic counties like Sweden (especially the younger people) actually hate this about their culture. Look up the “law of Jante”. Young people are saying they hate how they can’t express themselves, wear what they want, and have no motivation to become something special because their country looks down on people who dare to be different. Also Sweden is SO Americanized it’s funny to hear them talk about the things they don’t like. They’re the most Americanized foreign country.
As a Norwegian who lives in the USA,my friends like me and respect that I Am Norwegian. I love both countries
Same as mixture of you all love you man from fellow Minnesotan ❤️🍻⚔️❤️
Nice video! Americans are definitely more into small talk than many Norwegians. And I agree it can feel a bit superficial for us, but at the same time I find it refreshing when I'm in the US and are easily able to talk to strangers.
Definitely socially very superficial.
It's not superficial. We who've been here generations aren't closed minded. We can't be. If there is conversation to be had a new connection to be made a new culture to explore we're all in. Many more homogeneous nations don't get that with so many different looking, speaking, lifestyles and tourist you either learn to be open or be left out or isolated. Like many nationalities that move here and only live amongst themselves. Like Chinatown or little Italy and the like. You never know who you'll meet next if you open up and explore people more. No room for shyness we literally don't allow it by making the kids socialize often. We have introverts. They are mostly our computer people.
@@lynyngragfunkyfoot3765 good point!
@@norwaywithpal Thank you for understanding. I feel we are most misunderstood😔. People move here pick up the habit and may or may not be sincere. It has levels also co-worker maybe some information. Co-worker/friend maybe some personal stuff and advice. Good friend watch out you'll know to much but so what. Best friends... ride or die together no matter the shade of skin. It's complicated for sure.
@@lynyngragfunkyfoot3765 To be honest I wish we could all be open and ready for connection which each other. Humans are social and curious animals after all :)
"They wear shorts and Hawaii shirts"
I feel personally attacked 😂
lol XD
I have not seen anyone wearing a Hawaiian shirt in more than forty years and I am 62.
They would too if u didn't live in a cold ass climate surrounded not by all basically Norse decents, I grew up in the pnw and hate the winters summers here are hard to beat tho would love to live in a warmer climate idk how my ancestors lived up in a cold ass climate for millennias
@@bradjohnston8193 where you from in the US
Next video will be about dating in Norway, and after that 🇬🇧 !
Excited to see it!
Yass can't wait! :D
Can you ask also show us attractions and activities in norway
Brazil
Can’t wait for that one! :)
I think the best and worst of humanity is as accurate as it can get for basically every country around the world. When it comes to politics, you have to live in that particular country to truly know what these politicians are all about
Exactly. All Americans are unhappy with our government. A small % of ppl are nationalists, despite what media will make you think. Even they hate it. I wish I could tell everyone that American Globalization ruins lives here, too. It doesn’t make us rich. It benefits the top 5% who run the companies. They don’t pay taxes and the wealth gap gets worse. The working class is suffering.
@@user-gn1ef8qd2i You are raised to belive that what you have is true freedom. Take universal healthcare, every time it is mentioned it is called socialism, communism etc. Someone don't want you to have universal healthcare, because now they can charge you thousands of dollars just for calling an ambulance. You have learned that the way to freedom is to work hard, which translates to that you need several jobs just to keep your head of bills. Who benefit from that? The very few rich on top that makes you work for as little salary as possible.
To me (in Norway) freedom is to have a good salary so I only need one job.
- Freedom is to go to work at 8AM and home again at 15:30, with weekends off.
- Freedom is to not worry if I get sick, then the system will take care of me and my employer will have all expenses covered if I get long term ill.
- Freedom is to have 5 weeks payed vacation every year.
- Freedom is to have free education for my kids.
- Freedom is to don't have any medical expenses on my kids, not even dental care, even glasses for kids are covered.
- Freedom is to have all expenses covered if you get pregnant. That includes one year payed salary after birth to stay home with your newborn.
There is so much more in this list, but that is true freedom, not what you are told. Who is most afraid of you getting all that? Those that make billions every year on charging you for the same services we have for free. Why are they afraid? Because 10 billion is not enough to buy the third private jet.
@@samen4411 You’re way underestimating Americans’ awareness of capitalist greed and the “American Dream” propaganda. We know all about the evils of capitalism and inhumane deregulation- we lived thru 2008! We know why our healthcare is expensive, the wealth gap is huge, social services suck, etc. We know why billionaires back both political parties. I want all those workers rights too! We have no pro-labor party anymore. We know why. The news media doesn’t represent America at all. The major networks like CNN, Fox, etc. are totally surreal.
I’m literally a Marxist. There are tons of us but you won’t see us on TV anytime soon. People like me vote Democrats because Republicans are worse, but the liberals still betray labor all the time. They betray their own party. Everyone hates the Democrats. Joe Biden was the liberal choice! Insane!
Idk what you think we learn in public school about freedom or our govt, but I guarantee it’s less extreme than you think. It’s not the 1950s anymore. We learn about Red Scare & McCarthyism. We learn more criticism about our govt and our historic wrongdoings than anyone. The concept of freedom in the U.S. is so nuanced… it’s more about the 1st & 13th amendment & the Bill of Rights. We celebrate freedom on July 4th (Independence day)… we had a Revolutionary War for it.
We know it’s not regular people that get freaked out by “communist”, “socialist”, etc. it’s the elites, the media class (TV news reactionaries), and old people (from McCarthyism). Most Americans hate politics because they hate the (capitalist) system. In my lifetime, Americans have always been extremely cynical about our leadership and openly scrutinize the government constantly.
Bernie Sanders is the only candidate (for national office) that I’ve ever cared about. We were so close in 2016. If Bernie got the nominee instead of Hillary, he would have beat Trump. Everyone on the left believes that.
@@user-gn1ef8qd2i I know you exist, the big crowd that truly cares that 45.000 dies every year because they can't afford basic healt care. Both right and left in American politics are far right in the rest of the modern world. For a short time I laughed at Americans and their way. But after starting to dig in to the system my laugh chocked, when I started to understand the mechanics that make people vote for republicans.
The latest election gave some hope to the world, both presidents got an all time high number of voters. In other words, the regular Americans are staring to take responsibility, starting to vote. But now we see democracy in USA being destroyed by republicans. Now they are pushing out laws to deny typical left side voters from voting. If you see a lot less voters for the Democrats at next election it is the final proof that democracy in USA is ruined.
Then what is next? More protests? They will just keep pushing out laws to strenghten their position. Remember that they also now have a court precedence saying that killing protesters is a self-defense act if they react to your weapon. You are facing some scary times now.
I mean, as an american, if you tell me how you actually are when i ask, i'd be delighted i'd say. I can't speak for every other american out there, but i'm sure i'm not the only one
I feel the same way, yeah. When I ask people how they are, I really do mean it.
You're not. Though I've encountered a hell of a lot of people who just give the confused or outright irritated facial expression directly at me, or, they just ignore me and leave with a little more haste. I've actually gotten the "I'm sorry, do I fucking know you? No? THEN FUCK OFF!" to it too. And that latter one, that's definitely a "only in America" trait, I can just about guarantee it.
I don't like being asked, so I try not to ask others if I can think of something else to say!
I'm a lifelong Californian.
I think in America there’s a formal and informal way of saying “how are you?” especially when it comes to millennials. For example if someone says “what’s up?”, “what’s good?” or even the relatively outdated “‘Sup” (you’re almost never going to hear that from people from older generations) they most likely do not want to hear your life story. It’s more of a greeting. I do see where they’re coming from though. I feel like everyone here assumes they don’t want to hear each other’s life story when they say “how have you been?” so they don’t say it. I’m 25 and from New York, and that’s just what I’ve noticed so far in my life. It varies a little bit from state to state.
Americans are polite and very skilled, but treated like shit, live poorer than most 1st world countries and even 2nd world. Their labor is constantly taken advantage of and expected to live poor, so that some richie can have another billion. The rich take more than what can be supplied
It is interesting how the phrase "How are you?" is seen based on one's cultural background, but that is okay that different people see it different ways.
While the answer is expected to be brief from an American's perspective, it is definitely okay to admit you're not good. I'd say it's not just a greeting but it is sort of "testing the waters" and not inviting some one to open up completely. If you're not doing well, it is perfectly acceptable to say "I've been better" or something similar, you just wouldn't want to elaborate unless they keep asking.
Now i really would like to see a video where somebody goes through the streets, ask people "How are you", and if they don't say "great" he starts to punch them in the face and kicks them when they lie on the floor and tells them "How dare you damned asshole, now i will show you how it is to not feel great" 😂🤣
Is it weird to have something like that in my head ? 😜
The way it works is that you ask how someone is doing, and if they take it as a bland greeting, they will say, "Great" and ask you the same thing back, causing you to answer "great." So that means you will move on to the next item of conversation. But it's possible for them to answer back candidly "well, not so great. My cat just died and I lost my job." In that case, you shift gears and become empathetic and comforting. The dynamics will shift based on how well you know the person, of course. If you are an acquaintance or friend, you will likely answer with more candor when that person asks how you are.
I notice the answering “how are you” more sincerely is a lovely characteristic across the other Nordic countries as well including Finnish culture where I may be wrong but I think value on personal space is prioritised even higher than even in Norway and if you aren’t sincere in asking it to someone you have some sort of emotional connection with from some established meaningful time or place, you wouldn’t ask that to just anyone. Norway I think has that it’s a question taken sincerely but slightly less of the personal space custom, maybe I’m overgeneralising but it’s fun to think about.
@@beldin2987 Ja, dont mess width Vikings wil be the lesson. How are you is not the way here, you say hi. :) and we say hi, hello or hei ;)
In my region people just say "whats goin on?"
I feel like thats alot less personal
You need to find someone that is more brutally honest if you're going to ask these questions, everyone here is too polite and diplomatic!
I liked it. They conveyed their meaning without being offensive. Other countries should learn from them.
Welcome to the Nordic countries. This is how your average nordic person will answer. It is kind of part of our culture.
@@newperspective5918 i've actually lived here all my life.
Other youtubers have similar videos where they ask about this, and they get more frank answers, they asked Danes, Dutch and the British what they thought about americans.
Maybe they were lucky or Danes are more outspoken. I am born and raised in Sweden and I think the result would be similar here. Sure we might have more opinions but we might not share it with a random person with a camera. You can also read out some extra information from their expression when talking about americans.
I have the sense that that is part of Norwegian culture. I’m guessing you’re American by virtue of wanting direct and biting responses. To get those, they’d need to ask American people and not Scandinavian people.
thank you for putting both bokmål and colloquial norsk subtitles. super helpful for learners
Speaking as an American, we have a lot of domestic disagreements inside our country (regionally, politically, and even within close tightknit families and that’s likely not solely an American thing but a continuum), but one thing we have an anomalie of agreement on substantially in the US!!! We love the people of your country of Norway! All of us! Thank you so much for this video. I also have been fortune to have visited Bergen and Oslo, Flan, and we had an absolutely amazing visit experience. We know even Norway isn’t a perfect place but you have the attitude we need more of everywhere.
"We (Americans) love the people of your country of Norway! All of us!" Really all Americans? Well I am an American and I don't love Norway, especially after seeing another survey video where a significant number of Norweigians identified the United States as the 'worst country on earth'. What they don't seem to grasp is that our country has had a complicated evolution from it's foundation, and is composed of a large diverse populace (with a broad range of passionate views). Norway is a small country with a largely homogeneous population, gifted with an abundant and profitable natural resource. Of course, their politics are going to be expontionally less fractious than our own. Duh.
I really like Norwagian people. They are very diplomatic and educated people. I moved to the USA in the beginning og 2021 from Olso to live here for a year due to work and I would comfortably say that, as a black person it is much safe and delightful to live in Norway than USA. USA is so polarised and dividend country.
I have never felt outsider in Norway. People want their privacy but at the same time they have time to do good for the community like for example dugnad. So, i can not wait to come back home and sink my shoulder.
Strange & sad for me that my ancestors left Norway due to horrible economic conditions & now Norway, 100 yrs later is a paradise compared to the US and here we are disconnected from our anscestral peoples & culture
I know how you feel. My parents came here in 1923. If they were alive now, they would be back in Norway. I'm 73 so it's too late for me, but sometimes I get sad because I don't feel like I belong here. There is nothing Norwegian about this place.
I agree, this video made me really glad I live in New England. My Norwegian bf and I agree they’re not that unlike each other. But yeah, this video did not make me proud to be an American lol.
Norway is how it is because people like you’re ancestors left
Do you know how much they pay in taxes?
@@rjthomasindyusa yes I have a daughter who lives in norway
what do norwegians think of latin america?
Yess please or hispanic people
Sí!!!!
Summer all year, very warm, and friendly people. That is the first thing that comes to my mind. :)
Frostbite ohh yes about friendly thats true we treat everyone like family and about the weather right now in San Diego CA and Tijuana Mexico the weather is crazy at times. We can have all seasons in a day LOL ex in the mornings is kind of cold during mid day it can get hot and at night it can be cold again 😅🤣
@@DJTreviCSRecordings "American" is referred to as the people of the United States. It's always been like this, like or not. There's no confusion here. You're smarter than that, come on.
I love Norway. I love the Norwegian people. I am an American, and I have traveled the length and breadth of Norway from Toensberg to Oslo to Bergen to Honnigsvag and the Nordkapp and back, more than once. I have done it in Summer, and in the dead of Winter. I have spent time in Trondheim. To the Norwegians I say this. Keep your country safe. Keep your culture safe. Safe from the danger that exists in the world. What is that danger? Anything that limits your thinking, your movement, your ability to express yourself, anything that threatens your life. It is possible for danger to infiltrate a country without detection. Beware. Beware of group think. I believe the last time this happened to you was WWII. Stay vigilant. You are so wonderful as you are.
All your opinions were good, except the older man in the light gray shirt. It's obvious he did not have much experience with Americans. Also, try to listen to someone's heart, not their dialect. Dialect is irrelevant.
The biggest problem we have politically is a biased media. It is the worst thing that can ever befall a nation. A biased media can propagate the Big Lie, and the result is propaganda. I am dead serious. You probably are bombarded with CNN over there, which does not give you the whole truth. Always seek to hear both sides, and make up your own mind. Be well all.
oh, here comes a stereotypical American now...🤯
💯 correct. I said exactly the same thing to Norwegians recently. Love it over there. Good people, great country.
@@Matt-dx3wo A stereotypical American has traveled all over Norway?
@@AUniqueHandleName444 traveling Norway is pretty unexceptional. However, the whole conspiracy thing and oversharing your amazing opinions is definitely stereotypically American.
@@Matt-dx3wo Which part was conspiratorial? American here who has lived abroad for a decade and the U.S. is moving closer daily to chaos economically and socially.
It's really hard to find objectivity in questions like "what do you think of X country", but surprisingly, the same things end up being said, whatever the target and local country. I heard the total opposite of how Americans are, and the same things but for Brazilians. All in all, with globalization, we all share a very similar culture, ways of talking, with some difference in more specific cases, like when one has authority over another, or is family. it's important to realize that whatever media you consume, the vision of another country will be exaggerated, whether good or bad, but when you go there it's totally "normal". Let's remember the "Paris syndrome" of Japanese and not make the mistake of thinking what we see can be generalized to everywhere at any time in a country.
I was in Narvik in 1987...on a Navy ship... I felt so safe and secure unlike many places i go to in America...It was the people there, they were so nice and seemed like solid people( mature). I wanted to leave my ship and abandon the US Navy and just get on a train and travel the Norwegian countryside...I did not... but the place felt so much like a real home ...like i belonged there...
I stopped into a hardware store while there, just to see what was in a Norwegian hardware store... i looked a bit and as i was leaving a man who worked there stopped me and handed me a cassette tape( it was 1987) of some Comedy duo...i thanked him and he smiled and acknowledged ...we didnt really speak...language... lastly in a nightclub i met a young guy who asked me for an American cigarrette ...i gave him one and asked for one of his...he rolled me a cigarette with one hand...it was amazing..i have not seen this before or since...anyway...he points to a beautiful young woman on the dancefloor and says " See her blonde hair? our women are blonde down here too...!!! i laughed... i love Norway...
A lot of these stereotypes are true, like the portion sizes one. Even within my own lifetime I've seen drink sizes just go WAY up. Well, I think that would just be the portion sizes at restaurants, I think the portion sizes of snacks or things you might buy at a grocery store or convenience store have gone down a little.
And it may be that people talk on the bus, but at least where I live it's like "Ugh, I have to take the bus? No one talk to me while I'm on it, please."
Yeah, I've always worn headphones while on a bus. I really don't like people talking to me in public, and it seems to happen far too often unless I'm wearing headphones.
Music is my shield.
I agree, the stereotypes are pretty accurate. I feel like I would fit in better in Norway than here in the US. I dislike the random hellos, having to converse with strangers when waiting in a line and when people give me the "hi, how are you?"
The portion sizes alone are unbelievable and unnecessary. It's completely ridiculous.
There is a video on TH-cam where a girl in a subway with headphones on is asked what she is listening to. She admits that she doesn't actually have any music on but she just doesn't want anyone to start talking to her 😂
@@WinnieRoe The portion sizes are meant to keep u addicted to fast food and make u obese. American greed and capitalism at its finest
I lived in Tønsberg waaaay back in 1988-89 as an exchange student (I was from New York STATE-not the city) But everyone who asked where I was from and I said NY asked me what it was like to live in NYC lolol I'd never been there even tho I was only 8 hours away. I loved my time there, and am still very close to my family. I have been unable to go back, but they do visit me here.
The main 'problem' I had with Norwegians was that they were too polite! LOL Instead of saying, "Please take your shoes off when you enter a home, it is custom to do this." They said, "We like to take our shoes off when we get home."
Me: Well that's nice, I leave mine on. *family gives me a blank stare* 30 years later on a youtube video I find out that Norwegians hate that Americans wear shoes in the home !! OMG! lol So I called my Mamma and all these decades later apologized for being so thick in the head hahaha. She still tells the story of her crazy American daughter and her shoes in the house.
I still tell the story of my first day there and Mamma asking me for a rubber!!! 1- why does she think I am carrying rubbers with me. 2- why does she want rubbers from me 3- OMG I do not want to know you and Pappa are doing IT!
I had no idea how to answer that. I just couldn't say anything, as I had no clue how to word it. Suddenly she busts out laughing and says, "I need a Gummi, and eraser!"
Took me a minute to figure out the British English to American English. Something I didn't even know I'd encounter!! So I learned a lot of British English as well as Norwegian lol By the time I left a year later, I didn't even have an American accent, my accent was full Vestfold Norwegian for my area and I was quite fluent. I'm a tad rusty but after 5 minutes on the phone I am fine again lol. I can pick up any accent and speak with it within a minute or two. I watch BBC and spend the rest of the talking with a posh accent lol I knew right away the one gal was from Vestfold as soon as I heard her accent! She was also the easiest for me to understand when I didn't read the subtitles.
Born and raised in tønsberg❤ Norways oldest City.
@@alexandraarnesen3585 Yes!! My heart will always be there! I lived on Slagen veien.
Maybe Americans are just too rude.
I am American and I try to be very polite. Americans take this as a way to be rude and mean to me.
@@milkandspice1074 "American's take this as a way to be rude and mean to me." I'm curious what the "this" is.
May sound as clear passive aggressive when it comes from another American.
"They talk loudly, and stand too close!!" (I do talk too loud!!)
I find it just the opposite, that Europeans definitely stand to close when talking to you.
@@teresah.6696 nah not true
@@teresah.6696 Europeans? There are fifty countries in Europe you numbnut! Did you have to reveal your ignorance?
We all laugh, we all cry. We’re all more the same than different.
As an American, I agree with the introductions of Americans, its superficial. The 'how are you phrase is a formality' but isn't meant literally.
Also when we say, 'we should hangout,' it never happens.....which is why I don't have many friends because I mean it when I say let's hangout 🤣
Also keep in mind, the typical attitudes described in the video, vary per region. Keep in mind, usa is almost the size of Europe and each region's hospitality is drastically different from the mid Atlantic, versus the south to the southwest, and pacific northwest etc....
The attitudes of being proud of accomplishments is celebrated in the u.s., versus Norway where it's almost embarrassing to celebrate as it may come off as pompous, or holier than though attitude...
Needless to say I enjoyed my visit to Norway and the solitude! Everybody left me alone and I loved being ignored. Every introverts dream 🤣. Hoping to go back soon
Maybe it varies by region, but I don't see "we should hang out" as fake at all. It's just easy to get overtaken by other priorities or forget. If I make that offer to someone, or ask how they're doing, I mean it.
I love Norway. I would go back if I could. When this video started, the shot with the Church, I have this very picture when I stood there in 1998. What a wonderful town.
It's called a city in Norway xD
2:09 This girl is correct, there are many, many types of Americans. One that would travel to Norway for holiday is already a specific type of American. Inner-city folk or “Texan Cowboys” are not known for their yearning to explore Scandinavia. My guess is most American tourists, students, or business people that travel to Norway are middle class and educated.
I'm Norwegian and I had the same thought. There are many(!) types of Americans, the US is huge!
@@Cromag3 Oddly, the U.S. it really spread out. It takes 5-6 hours to fly from New York to Los Angeles. Looking down, almost all of it is empty space. When on holiday in Europe, I found it wild that one can easily travel to another country in 2 hours - by rail!
@@BradThePitts Oh man have you heard about the "interrail" in Europe? Never tried it myself but some friends of me have, you basically buy a month/week/days pass of train travel and go where ever you want in Europe (most of Europe).
@403 Forbidden Sorry to break this to you, but people with 2nd grade capitalization, punctuation, and grammar skills aren't in a place to judge other people’s level of education.
Omggg, i realy would like to see vlog about what Norwegians thinks about Polish People! Propalby there won't be such vlog but if there is a chance ---> I cant wait for it !!!
And here some gretings from Poland🇵🇱❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
These videos are so helpful for listening skills, thank you!
Thank you for making this channel! I am Amerigan but live in Germany. I was dating a guy in Oslo for a year before COVID happened. We broke up this summer but I grew to love Norway so much! Maybe I will move there next. It's great to be able to still learn more about Norway on this channel :)
This video randomly popped up and I watched it, I enjoyed it as I don't know much about Norwegians and how they think about USA and Americans. It was also the first time I heard about Trondheim. I like their way of thinking and how they expressed their opinions. They seem to very diplomatic people but they still tell you the truth. Greetings from Hungary.
This was very interesting but not surprising. On our trip to Norway, my husband and I are overweight but not obese Americans and we were riding the water taxi to bygdoy, we could pick out all the Americans on the boat. We felt ashamed. There are many other things we felt ashamed of for our country, from how we treat one another, to our politics, to how we treat the planet. America does everything big. That goes for the good things and the bad things. Our politicians could learn some very valuable lessons from other countries if they just put their pride aside and actually listened. The Norwegians we met were very open, accepting and helpful. We have a second family in Norway and a lot of friends. I loved my 2 week vacation to Oslo, Bergen and around Sogn og Fjordane. I also went back for 2 weeks of hiking around the Sogn og Fjordane. So beautiful.
US politicians are also the product of the history and legacy of US and comes from among the people. They aren't that unique to common US public. Also US is way big than Norway. It is federal in nature. Every state has own constitution with own set of laws, so complexity and less uniformity of systems that make life easier. It has its own merits and demerits. Excessive deregulated capitalism triggers the Obesity crisis and health collapse(big pharma). Misplaced priorities- profusion of funds for military and no funds for public infrastructure
I just returned from 10 days in Scandinavia. I felt the exact same way.
The one thing to keep in mind is how big the US is. There are variations in culture somewhat depending on where in the country you go, and there can be some regional rivalry. Even state rivalry. Personally, I feel like the biggest issue for me right now living here is the tumultuous political divide. Add covid and the upcoming elections to that mix, and everything just feels like a whirlwind of anxiety, insecurity, and frustration. Also, social media I think is warping people's grasp on reality, although that may be true in other countries as well. There are still many things to love about this country, but as the one individual in the video mentioned, you REALLY do get the best and worst of humanity here. But again, that is largely dependent on where you go. Basically, it can be fun and exciting here, but you are gonna need some thick skin and street smarts. Honestly.
I agree. And I also don't think it's a good idea to get your opinions from social media. As you say, it kind of warps your mind a bit. The only way to truly know what side you should be on politically, is to live here lol. Because we have such varying news sources.
Yes exactly... maybe we should also not generalize Americans either.
Don't you get the best and worst of humanity everywhere? I don't understand that statement. The US is highly populous, so there is more going on. But per capita, can you really say that it's different from anywhere else?
@@automnejoy5308 I never did say it didn't exist anywhere else. But the topic of the video is about the US. I am merely giving my viewpoint as someone who grew up here. I understand very well that each country one can go to has it's negatives and positives. Does that elucidate things enough for you?
Social media is a cancer in society. The whole structure accentuates some of the best but mostly the worst in people.
I think everything said about us is quite accurate and fair! I’m impressed that everyone is well-informed, and thoughtful, not cavalier with opinions.
I am jealous of the culture of concorde that seems to bless all the Nordic peoples. We may never have that in America, because there are 12 or more distinct cultures, most inherited from Europe, but also several each from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Any common heritage will require us all to surrender a little more of our origins (Ireland for me) so we might assemble a more humble perspective of our horizons Americans,
Anyway, thank you, our sweet Norwegian friends.
Not really
I'm a Yank, and I loved this video. I lived in Africa for ten years, and had two very close Norwegian friends. I found it fascinating that all who answered were so very careful to be polite with their answers, even when talking about us being loud, large, and dressing funny!! (all true!!) I've worked in 7 different countries in tourism. It has given me a unique perspective on my own culture. I became "detribalized" and learned to be a little slower and softer when meeting new people so as to give them time to trust me, and warm up to me. I especially appreciated that all who were interviewed let it be known they didn't know Americans well, and were unsure how accurate their perspectives are. Honesty with insight!!! I love Norwegians!!! Truly nice people, and your govt does not stick its nose in everyones business like America. I really became aware of how much the USA meddles in other countries under the disguise of "being helpful". (helpful to themselves) I know the guy sitting down with the tshirt on and I would enjoy having some beers together!! Loved his careful hamburgers and large people comments!!! Best of luck to you all!! I live in the states again, and finally can breathe deeply and relax, now that our nightmare of Trump is over. Amazing that one person almost overthrew the govt of the USA!! Freedom is fragile.
I'm also a Yank. I think you should do some basic research before posting on TH-cam. Does the US make mistakes? Yes. But, the US has also helped millions of people all over the world. In 2010, the US gave 1 billion to Haiti after their earthquake. As recently as 2018, the US gave almost 7 billion to combat HIV around the world. Millions of people are living with HIV in Africa: www.afro.who.int/health-topics/hivaids. And the US has given billions in aid: ge.usembassy.gov/database-offers-transparency-on-u-s-foreign-aid/. If you want to criticize the US, that's fine. But that criticism needs to be based on facts, and not baseless allegations which are not supported by basic research.
@me me I hope you enjoy your new found love of America with higher gas prices, higher inflation, higher prices on everything, more illegal people entering the country, and our idiot president Biden and his cronies. Welcome back to the real nightmare.
@@mikelovin7 A Trump supporter calling someone else an idiot? That's the pot calling the kettle black.
Trump almost overthrew the government? God you’re delusional
Yeah I loooooove paying $5 per gal to put gas in my car under the current US administration. I haaaaated paying under $2 per gallon when Drumpft aka Trump was in office. 😂
Yayyy you’re back!!! You channel is growing so rapidly, I’m so happy for you! (again). Also, I was wondering if you’d consider doing a short storytelling (from narrations based on your trips to well-known short stories) with both Norwegian and English subtitles? In that way, we can just listen to them anywhere we want. It’s all up to you, though. In my opinion, it’d help a lot of people, including me. Thanks for reading this, love your vids and keep up the videos 😆👌🏻
What do Norwegians think about Minnesotans? We have the most ethnic Norwegians anywhere in the world outside of Norway. A lot of my friends here grew up eating lutefisk and lefse and learning about old norwegian things from their grandparents. My great grandma shared a Norwegian prayer with me that they use to say before every meal. My other great grandma used to speak Norwegian with her neighbors, but unfortunately she never taught my grandmother how to speak it.
It is cute, but you sort of keep on to an idea of a Norway from the late 1800's that never existed in the first place, and seem often confused by Norway as a modern society.
@@abcabcboy Sure but a lot of us 3rd or 4th gen Americans in scandinavian families are fascinated by our families home country and I've even started learning the language and plan on studying abroad there soon.
Lutefisk og lefse.. ja :)
My last name is Danish would love to learn more about motherland as Russians call it lol, I know a little bit about viking times from history class my dad's dad was from Ohio don't know to much about his father or when they immigrated here been linage has been us immagrants then Americans for a few generations, I'll ask my ancestors in the afterlife lol
@@caseykreie1839 I have only met my MN relatives when I was kid, they came over on vacation in Norway. They was positive, polite, nice and super friendly, very proud of their heritage, which surprised me quite a lot, as I didn't consider Norway something special.
The contact died out now, so I can't speak for others living in same state, but if others are similar to my folks, I think MN would be one of the better states to live in.
4:30 11:30 I could see that woman in pink shirt passing by at least three times, I wonder she might be lost 😂
Lol
I don't know how you managed to notice that but it's funny for sure!!!
at 6:57 she found her friend and did some shopping ;)
Orbis Pictus True.
How could you notice!?
I live in Canada so not USA but similar culture. The thing about people connecting through there roots or like knowing someone that you know is so true. When you meet someone there’s always like a connection to make lol. It’s like oh you know John Doe I went to school with his uncle.
Pulling random Americans off the street to talk about Norway, they certainly wouldn't be able to tell you much of anything. And I'm glad to know other parts of the world know how sick and twisted our political system is. A lot of us who live here STILL haven't realized that yet.
Nah I think everybody knows it’s sick and twisted, they just don’t agree which side is worse
The media learned early that the sick and twisted stories get attention. "If it bleeds, it leads." That was the rule long before TV supercharged it, the Internet personalized it, and smartphones started training us to ignore everything except smartphones.
silly. i’ve lived in Norway. It was miserable. I’ll give you the full rundown.
@@briandavis849 what happened
@@waynesmith7746 Well, aside from being dark and rainy constantly, everything overpriced, shopping totally inconvenient, unable to buy the most basic things at a pharmacy, and being extremely dull, the horrible hospital in Bergen all but killed my firstborn daughter in delivery because they have a policy limiting the number of c-sections they’ll do in a period of time, even in emergencies. She was left with severe brain damage and afterwards the doctor and administrator there did all they could to avoid responsibility. The agency that handles injured patients was so rude and awful putting us through more misery. We fought them for ten years and beat them in the supreme court. We happily live in Texas now.
Loving these videos!! I'm trying to familiarize myself with the culture before I go stay for a few months and this has been incredibly helpful!!! Please keep them coming!!!
A U.S. citizen, I enjoyed hearing these perspectives on our country. I think they are probably mostly correct.
Correct or not, they sure do agree with the media. "I get my news from Instagram," said that lady. Too many do. They won't hear anything on Instagram that Mark Zuckerberg would prefer not be heard.
"There's such a big variation in that country."
Incredibly accurate. Stereotypes will fail you.
This was interesting, and I think it's funny that one of the speakers said "we have to dress warmer in Norway" and that Americans can "wear shorts all the time." That is true for some parts of the country, but here in the US Northeast (and also in the Upper Midwest, where many Norwegians settled), winters are very long and cold, lasting from late November or early December until the end of April. Summers are warmer because of climate change now, but our "shorts-wearing season" here is really only late June until August and maybe early September.
I am Norwegian, and reacted to the same. Some people obviously think that America = Florida, Texas and California.
Even where I live, in the Kansas City area, last February, it got below zero (Fahrenheit) for eight days in a row! Right now in August though, it’s in the 90s almost every day.
Most of there saying is true. As the guy said that in the USA a lot of people act like superficial on the surface to each other and I know that and hate that. When I was in Norway I found it was so easy to talk to people and make friends. I actually feel more comfortable in Norway than at home...
Interesting responses, but you might get similar answers if you ask a Midwesterner how they perceive a Deep Southerner, or what Vermonters think of Texans, or what a resident of Saranac Lake thinks of people from The City.
The pretty girl in the blue top with glasses summed it up the best, even of course there is a huge difference between say someone raised in New York n Montana almost like day n night
The Norwegian government pursued a very conservative policy regarding their vast wealth on the form of oil reserves. This policy now pays off in the form of totally funded government programs that will extend far into the future. This special financial security blanket gives them a very comfortable living and a rich culture to draw upon. This is a very simplistic statement and books can and have been written about the current Norwegian phenomenon. This is what happens when a people control their government and policy is created for the benefit of the people, not any one protected class of elites.
Conservative. In terms of oil policy, yes. An example is the Brits. When the oil prices rose and stayed there decades ago, the Brits took advantage and increased their production to record levels. As a result they depleted their then known reserves dramatically. The Norwegians did not increase production, preferring to maintain long term production goals believing that to be the best policy for long term sustainment of that vital but finite resource. The term conservative can be applied to things other than politics and this is a fine example.
👍
It's your post but that's the wrong word.
@Douguinho The conservative government in most countries outside the US is either just slightly left or center, compared to the US where both democratic and republican candidates are on the right side of the spectrum. The US if im not mistaken is the most right leaning modern country in the world
@@harrisonmega7918 Yes, I think so too. You basicly have the choise between being blue or deep-blue, bordering on brown, compered to the systems in the rest of the world.
I hope others realize what you see on tv and Instagram is not an accurate depiction of America. When you are in smaller communities, it is polar opposite to the larger mainstream cities.
But we did all see Trump and all the craziness surrounding him. That was quite a nation wide thing wasn't it?
@@Dani-it5sy eh, it’s complicated. Trumps popularity was mostly rural and was based entirely on a few things
1. Dissatisfaction with the current political system, so bad that people voted for the person most unlike the system
2. Very conservative or right wing types love him with a passion.
3.many people voted lesser of two evils. Even if they didn’t like trump, plenty hated Hillary and the idea of her being a Warhawk even more.
Even then trump didn’t get the popular vote. Most people voted Hillary. He won by electoral college which is essentially more points based on states points rather than population (this was made 200 years ago it doesn’t make sense)
@@waynesmith7746 Yes I understand that Trump's political agenda was populair. I am also sick of this extreme left bs. And this insane immigration problem is also something that should be addressed. FFS look at Europe. They are pushing back severely overloaded zodiacs full of referees. Norway would not let any thousands of numbers of Russians walk over the border. Point is republicans could come with another candidate with the same agenda but it could be a normal sensible person. Like Trey Gowdy or another genius like that. I think they would easily win the election. I think they loose votes because of Trump rather than win. Although they should stop this creepy abortion stuff. Before that I just can not give them my vote no matter how great the rest of their political agenda is.
Really nice videos (not just this one), they are a very entertaining way to learn about Norway. Also, re another video of yours about the nicest world languages, I must say that the more I listen to Norwegian, the more I like it, it’s actually very smooth and melodic. Not enough yet to beat my favorite one (Portuguese), but definitely in my top 5;-) And it comes from a native French speaker! Cheers from France;-)
What Norwegians Think About italians ? If you've got time for a vlog on Italians
I have to admit, you are good
Slowly I begin to learn Norwegian
I am a native speaker of Italian even though I know through the English
Nice teaching, you got it right
For me
Very interesting. Bestemor's parents were from Trondeheim. It would be fun to visit.
I’ve been waiting for this video!!!
I went to Oslo and and stavanger for May 17th Everyone seemed to love us when they found out we were American and wanted to drink
I thought the comment that America "represents the best and worst of humanity" was quite thought-provoking. Here is another familiar quote that could have well been describing America at any moment in time since its founding: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” ― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities. I think one aspect of the discussion that is often missed when comparing Norway and America (or Norwegians and Americans) is the difference in the resident populations of the two countries. The US has over 60 times as many people as Norway. Even the Chicago metropolitan area, where I live, which includes the city of Chicago and its suburbs has almost twice as many people as Norway. Here are a couple additional data points: There are more professionally active medical doctors and nurses in the United States than the entire population of Norway. Also, there are over 1.5 million faculty and nearly 20 million students in degree-granting U.S. colleges and universities. With so many people in the US (over 331 million), there will always be millions who are (pick one): selfish/generous, rude/polite, superficial/deep, fake/genuine, complaining/caring, fit/obese, well-educated/uneducated, loud/soft-spoken, open-minded/intolerant. We are not one thing. This is our greatest strength and weakness.
this people are so honest
Yes, I was born in the U.S. by Norwegian parents. Honesty, is very important in the Norsk culture.
@@norway178 that is very appreciated by me
Norwegians seem so gentle and comfortable for standing next.
Ps: May I ask anyone my question of languages talked in family and learned at school that how many language are you learning or using daily?
I only use norwegian in real life. No need for any other language, I'll speak english on the internet and whatnot though.
As a Norwegian.
I speak Norwegian normally when I'm with family or when I'm out shopping or other things where I'd need to speak Norwegian.
English is widely taught in Norway, as early as kindergarden.
English just helps with the language barriers you evidently run into when talking to people over the internet or a co-worker that doesn't speak Norwegian very well (Could be a new person who just moved to the country or is a laborer from a different country).
I've used English in connection to work before (I worked at a library), where I was working we'd get tourists who'd read books and even ask for directions. Your English comes in handy and you get some practical practice to be able to communicate irl.
How many languages you learn in school, you primarily learn Norwegian (helps for immigrant students to learn the language and integrate more to society) and English (for language barriers online). If you live in a community that has a lot of Sami people, you might learn how to speak or understand Sami. (Sami is the 2nd official language of Norway other than Norwegian)
Depending on the opportunities and budget at your school, you can learn a 3rd language (in my case Spanish, but I'm not fluent). It depends on the teachers sometimes and where in the country you are and what level of education you have. Some go to study languages in university, so it really depends.
I also speak Spanish and German in addition to English and of course Norwegian, and some Portuguese... You might say that we also speak Swedish and Danish, because these Scandinavian lingos are quite similar. Danish is a bit harder to understand vocally and verbally, but not in written... 🙂
I was hoping you would also interview that American girl from one of your earlier videos, the one who grew up in Norway, it would have been interesting to hear her thoughts on the subject x
Man, it is kinda crazy how similar the architecture and churches look to what you see in rural Minnesota
The large cathedral you see in the video is more than a thousand years old,by the way!It's called "Nidarosdomen"
As a Swede listen to:
"Good question, I think they're much more patriotic in the USA than in Norway"
Meanwhile during 17 May
"NORWAY FUCK YAAAA!"
Niklas Gustafsson it seems that a out of people (not you) like to criticise Americans for being patriotic, when in fact these other countries display patriotism constantly, such as on their Independence days or during sports matches. I find it frustrating when people dislike Americans being patriotic but they don’t mind their own country’s citizens being patriotic towards their country... It just doesn’t make sense. Although, perhaps there have been too many incidents in foreign countries, not talked about, of Americans being rude with their patriotism. Maybe those negative experiences have coloured opinions.
@@simonehawkins5520 The reason people become annoyed with american patriotism is because it often comes with a mindset that they're better than other places (like the best country in the world, the only country with freedom (wether that be free speech.. gun rights etc.)) when that's not true. I as most people i know dislike that kind of nationalism Norway as well. It's just that you're so loud and in your face about it, even abroad. Though maybe that has become less of a thing now as people have become much more aware with whats going on, and what people think about the US, through the internet and such. It's fine to be partiotic but there's a line which a lot of countries (escpecially in Europe) don't dare to cross, but the us does it constantly. And let's not even mention pledging to the flag, thank you for your service, flags on like everything etc. which you either won't or rarely will see anywhere else, even Norway which is as the swede said very partiotic escpecially compared to sweden.
@@liseanettegranheim4404Maybe Americans would not be so open with their pride in their culture if you weren’t so open about your anti-Americanism.
If all Americans thought America was the best country in the world, how do you explain Obama who ran on the platform of a “fundamental transformation.” He won twice. Why would someone want to fundamentally change the best? The fact is that most Americans prefer their own culture or they’d be living somewhere else. There is nothing wrong with that. That doesn’t mean that we believe everything is perfect here.
Europeans base their views mostly on what they see and hear from their Leftist press. That gives you a very distorted view of the USA. For example, most of you think the U.S. is violent and we’re shooting each other all the time. I’d say, then don’t go to certain neighborhoods in Chicago, New York etc. You can easily avoid such crime-ridden areas. Most places are just as safe as anywhere in Norway. But, from what the Leftist media is telling you, you wouldn’t know that. Your views about Biden and Trump are formed in the same way. The Leftist media hates Trump, so you hate Trump. Whatever they say.
Would love to see what Norwegians think about Finland and the people, :D
@@MrVeggis1964 haha what an absolutely amazing reply from you sir, thank you for that with greetings and full respect from Finland. Rock on 🤟🏼😁
@@Coralyy finnish people are my brothers man i love everybody in the north, the estonians too!!!!! vitu hyvää
@@fakeidindaclub haha awesome, same thing coming from us to you guys 😀
They are insane drunk crazy knife wielding "people" who shout PERKELE! and kicked USSRs rear end in the winter war.
Do I need to know more?
Out of own experience I can say this: The attitude to USA is very variable around in the nation. Where I come from, traditionally a fishing region in the southwest, a rock hard America romaticism is ruling. I was once at secondary school asked by a classmate: "If you had the money and time for it, where would you like to go for a vacation?" I thought a little and said: "Russia, because I don't know very much of this nation and would like to know more." The astonished reply, in intonation as well as face expression and wording, as if I was a zoological rarity: "Why, don't you like to go to America (like everyone else in the hereabouts)?" Afterwards the thought came to me: I see so many news from America of unfavorable character not making me feel like putting my feet there, and I've seen so many movies, historical and contemporary in topic, that I feel little curiosity about the land.
A caveat: I'm no longer living there, these experiences are forty years old. A lot may have changed since my boyhood but so rooted as the "Americophilia" was, it may take more than one wild race riot and one brutal epidemics to change this attitude.
I love this channel! I would really love to live in Norway someday and these videos give me an idea of the life there ✨👍
Great Video! Love the content, I am learning quite a bit.
So glad I subscribed to your interesting and informative channel. Until I can visit Norway again, I will share this video with my cousin in Stavanger for his opinion. Looking forward to additional videos. Jeg elsker Norge!
Norwegians are more my speed. They even have similar views on Americans as I do. And I am an American haha
I think Norwegians and americans have a lot in common.
@@kirstireinholdtsen5844 Probably because Scandinavia, like UK, France, Germany and others heavily influenced American culture since the 19th century.
@@sulu8050 Yes, and oppocite. I remember I saw Jackson Five on tv when I was a child already. And many movies. We saw series, country and Western and Festus from Gunsmoke came visiting. Levis and the yuth culture was here, too. It was an "ironblanket" between us and Sovjet, so we didn't know much about over there. Midle East and Asia was far away and exotic. Almost no one hade been there.
But in USA it is as many decendant from Norway as it is etnic Norwegians in Norway, about 4 million
@NauticTL You know there was a big migration to America from Scandinavia from 1825 to 1920. It was advertissements from America sent to Scandinavia. They were invited over. 800 000 people from Norway traveled to America and settled there.
There is a good swedish Oscar winning movie made about the settlers journey, made in 1971 : "Utvandrerene" With the Norwegian actor Liv Ullmann.
@NauticTL Every third sitizen in North Dakota ( 33 % ) are of Norwegian heritage.
Minnesota : 851 000 Norwegians
Hawai'i shirts! 🤗 floral printed shirts 🌺
we call them aloha shirts 😊
a lot of the remarks are pretty accurate lol
aloha from Hawai'i! 🤙
Tourists that confirm the stereotype get noticed more, which tends to confirm the stereotype even more. This applies to loud dress or loud manners. There are undoubtedly many quiet Americans around, but they don't get noticed because they are... quiet.
I think it's interesting seeing Europeans' perspective of the weather in the USA. I live in Indiana, where it will get well below 0°F in the winter every year and also often goes over 100°F in the summer... then I watch the weather in Oslo and Hammerfest and see how it's warmer all winter than it is here, which is below the 40th North parallel.
For the portions of the country where people actually live, the harsh winter of Norway is a myth, yes.
You can thank the warmer waters in the northern antlantic for that in Norway
I would like very much to move to Norway... The people there are so polite! :)
Not really, A bunch of pricks all over here aswel. Though some folks try to be polite. In the video? They sort of had to be because they were being recorded :P
@@Kvitravn. apreacte the honesty
Very interesting. It's nice to hear constructive criticism now and then. Yeah, pretty spot on...Loud, big, crazy politics, overly friendly. I think we scare foreigners because we're so much more forward with strangers than people from other countries.
I am confused how you found this criticism “constructive”…
Yes, we are probably too direct for many Scandinavians.
It's like some people from certain nations take a big space in the room. Not only Americans, also some people from other countries...
The girl talking about individual liberty in the US is on point.
All of the people interviewed were thoughtful and diplomatic in the way they put things. As a Canadian I can say that I liked almost every American I met, but of course I only met a few dozen of them in New York State and most of those were sailors. As a rule they were more outgoing than many Canadians are.
I love you for these videos. Slightly offtopic but when do you plan on continuing lessons? I miss them already.
Hmmm I’m not really planning on making more lessons.. maybe at some point I’ll make 1-2, just to fill the #31-35 playlist a bit more
@@SimpleNorwegian you're never really done with learning a language so that would be tops!
I see some conflicted responses. They know the stereotypes and may share them, but they are unwilling to appear rude and want to put forward the most balanced response that they can muster. So, there is some self-editing, but it's in the cause of being fair and diplomatic. Seems reasonable.
As a Norwegian i can tell you that i felt that self editing in my soul. We have opinions, but we pass things off as diplomatically as possible when we speak with people we don't know (in general... There are individual differences of course).
@@IReallyLikeMyNamexD Well, Norwegians are known for their diplomacy. Maybe it's your cultural gift to the rest of the world. Seems like a pretty nice thing to be known for, as a cultural trait.
@@johnalden5821 I mean we did actually negotiate peace for a little bit in the middle east.
“They think a bit too quickly... not thinking long ..”
This is a generalization and, ironically, inaccurately thought out.
@@kevinh3979 I think what he means is that they tend to blurt out poorly thought stuff
Not the best translation :P He might mean that there's a lot of jumping to conclusions too quickly and move on to the next thing before people have even had time to consider it properly. In his defense, your media cycle does make it seem that way and your country is huge so a ton of things happen constantly compared to norway which is boring in comparison :P
Do these other countries not have confident people? Or proud or brave people lol? Are those qualities negative to most of the world?
@@nonamemcgillicutty9585 Well doing things or saying things too quickly without thinking things through, and jumping to conlusions are often considered a negative trait yeah, i'm pretty sure that's the case in the US as well. It has nothing to do with confidence, bravery nor pride..? You don't become more confident by blurting out the first thing that comes to mind or jumping straight to a conclusion withough properly assessing your tought proccess or what lead you to that conclusion to begin with. I won't say that makes you dim, but maybe a bit reckless. Unless you're blurting out things because you're confident in your abilities, but from my experience there's often some dunning-kruger involved and these people think their smarter and better than they actually are, leading them to say some silly or straight up wrong stuff.
I've been browsing through youtube lately and stumbled upon a few of these types of sites. In my opinion, the truest and most accurate description was given by the individual who commented that we and our country represent the best and the worst of humanity. Perfect.
What i think of Norway is that they gave the world Angelina Jordan. A real life singing Angel.
At the end of the day we are all humans, America is a melting pot of different cultures. We just gotta live the best life we've got.
I would like to travel to Norway, to learn about their culture.
You should I'm Norwegian Swedish Danish Finnish icelandic decent in America we are all around the great lakes area too in the USA so yes go for it
How would they meet a quiet American?
good point.
They wouldn't meet him at all, because no one would initiate the conversation :D
I was thinking the same thing.
@@ErwinBlonk
I think a good portion of people get their impressions from American television and reality shows.
To your other point, I would say that rural Americans are more reserved than their urban counterparts.
That was interesting and i agree with most of the Norweigians. I am Navajo, Native American and most of our people are not loud and they are reserved. But majority of Americans are quite loud and not shy.
Hello from a Viking... i lost counting years,, ;) year 800- 1050... :)
it is impossible to stereotype Americans it is like stereotyping Europeans I would say, but most people I spoke to from the US where friendly and had a grandfather from Norway :D
As an American I would say that their impressions are spot on. I really can't argue with most of them although I really do not understand the very universal impression that we're very loud. Assertive yes, but not loud, at least not in my view. One thing that is common amongst many other countries is that they compare the US to their own country which is really comparing apples and oranges. Few countries on this planet are as diverse both in people and natural environment as the US and Norway strikes me as very homogenous. Sure they have immigrants but by comparison to the US it pales. Then there is the size and complexity of the US that is virtually unmatched by all but a few other countries.
As a Norwegian I have tried to tell Europeans that you should compare Europe as a whole to the US for reasons that are obvious to me. Unfortunately people don't understand why I can come with such a suggestion.
I guess there are awake people, and then there are people who are not awake everywhere.
@@ahkkariq7406 This is just patently false. The idea that a dude from Alabama and a dude from Alaska are comparable to the difference between a Norwegian and a Greek is just silly. The language barrier alone should tell you that. The average Norwegian knows more or less nothing about Greek customs or internal politics and vice versa. On the other hand I’m pretty sure that the two Americans have turkey for Thanksgiving while discussing Trump/gun control/abortions. They live in the same reality to an extent that the two Europeans are not even remotely close to.
Jeg håper å se ansiktet ditt snart! så kanskje i neste video
I am was an American soldier and have been to Orkanger and to Trondheim, beautiful city with beautiful people. Nice mall. And yes, Americans can be loud as though we own the world.
I` ve heard this before, about the loud Americans. But I can t say that I`ve met many of them, and I have seen (and heard) TONS of american tourists on the streets of Oslo where I live (or maybe they were Canadians? I wouldn`t know the difference, sounds the same). Maybe they were less loud due to the fact that they were in a foreign country? anyway, I don`t see it as a problem that a group of people is a bit loud, on a busy and noisy city street, you probably have to, in order to communicate. Depends on. Or people who are on their way to a party, night club etc. They are in a good mood- NOT a problem to me. Some Norwegians can be a bit loud as well, in these situations. Also: I think that the major reason why Norwegians may be seen as a bit reserved is the LANGUAGE BARRIER. Yes, quite a few of us speak great English ,but it depends on. You may come across a person whose English is not that good, and this may be interpreted as shyness/reservedness, when indeed the real reason is the language barrier.
If there's any Norwegians on this thread are most people in Norway this polite? There's so many obvious and deep criticisms they could mention but for the most part seem to focus on positive or neutral things. Makes me want to visit.
No. Keep in mind these are the people who were willing to be interviewed on camera, Norway has plenty of low quality people as well
@@SimpleNorwegian I don't know of i agree with the whole "low quality people" bit.. (I mean there are plenty of rude people here, though the wording you used was a bit weird..)
The accuracy is astounding 😂
There was an advertisement that popped up as I watched this video. It validated most of the criticism they made about American.
the girl @9:26 is pretty spot on with the stereotypes, that's pretty much 90% of this country. I'm honestly sad that I didn't have a choice where I was born in this world and it's even worse not being able to truly just explore as everywhere is private property and the laws vary from state to state on quite a number of subjects so that just makes traveling that much more confusing because while there are a lot of "blanket" laws that apply all over, there are some you might break without ever knowing simply because it's not something that is listed when you go there... "hi welcome to "X", you broke some law you had no idea existed so you're going to be punished!" ... the people here are not really to be trusted much as most will really only use you for as long as they can to get as much out of you as they can before you catch on and then they'll cut you off and try to find someone else. I'm 1/4 Norwegian on my grandmothers side and hope to one day make it over there to see the beautiful landscape, I enjoy cold weather a lot despite having almost no insulation(fat) on me and I find it FAR easier to work in colder conditions without getting wore out so fast.
U are living in a place better than nearly most of the world
@@saksham379 Yeah, I think many Americans forget this. A lot of things suck here, but we really do have a lot of comforts, conveniences, and liberties and could certainly have it so much worse.
@ 0:21 give this gentleman whatever highest metal in the world there is---nailed it.
What do Norwegians think about Russians? Or Finns? I think they are the two neighbouring countries that Norwegians don't know as much about as Sweden and Denmark, so it would be fun to hear their opinions
I love the finns, and consider them equally a brother just like swedish and danish people, altough you are not in Scandinavia, I still Think the finnish people have some really cool cards and personality. Russia I dont know much about, in my experience its difficult to communicate with them without knowing russian sadly :( seems like cool people tho as Ive been working with russian ships and its crew arriving at my job and city I live in.
@@larswilhelms1 what do you think about Americans with Norwegian decent last name is Danish but my ancestors migrated generations ago, so no ties besides distance distance, relitives lost in translation of the American melting pot I like to think it's easy to spot, someone with Norwegian and Scottish decent big pale people with a bigger brow and more blond hair and redhair generaly.
Please adopt me and bring me over. I would live in Norway forever. It started by watching Norway 4k and meditating. I have fallen deeply in love with your country. Thanks
I was expecting to be pretty triggered but maybe they're holding back. I found the Norwegians in this video pretty humble and circumspect. I know people think of us Americans as being somewhat arrogant and thinking we know best, even though we're actually kind of naive, and sheltered. That's probably all true. But I also find myself often thinking much the same of Europeans.