Studying abroad in Norway was a special experience for me. While I had previously lived abroad, this was as a child. I did not have the self-awareness to reflect and experience a new culture as an outsider. It was with fresh eyes that I learned about Norwegian culture. I experienced short work hours, a strong outside spirit, and very reserved countenance (self 3). Their quiet manner perplexed me, but after a year I feel I better understand them. Perhaps what best explains the Norwegian reserved manner, both in language and demeanor, is their outdoor lifestyle. Cars are a limited commodity that is not highly desired due to expensive taxes and licenses. As such, even when not hiking in the mountains, which Norwegians are likely doing, they are walking everywhere. My apartment in Norway was uphill and about a mile away from the University and about a half-mile from the nearest grocery store. Yet, nearly every student in the apartment complex walked both ways. Those who did possess a car only used it in extreme cases, such as inclement weather. This helps describe the outdoor and hardy nature that is commonplace in Norway. I believe this is part of what leads Norwegians to be typically reserved. It isn’t until you take a Norwegian hiking or to a bar that they become friendlier and open up. In fact, Norway even has a word for their outdoor lifestyle, frilusftsliv, or, outdoor life, and laws that protect their right to walk anywhere at any time unless crops are being grown. It’s not that Norwegians are cold people, it’s just that they would rather be hiking out in the cold (Knowl 3-4). A remnant of this is found in Minnesotans as a large portion of the population descends from Scandinavian immigrants. Relative to other parts of the country, Minnesotans can be very reserved and don't like over-embellishing. This can be seen in some common complements e.g., not bad and pretty good. These phrases might seem to be less than positive to non-Minnesotans, but are just reflective of Minnesota's Scandinavian heritage.
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