Culture

Norwegian culture should be understood in the context of Norwegian history as well as Norwegian geography. The unique Norwegian farm culture resulted not only from scarce resources and a harsh climate, but also from Norway's ancient property laws, which sustained a unique character still visible in Norway today. This unique character resulted in a strong romantic nationalistic movement in the 18th century which is visible to this day in the Norwegian language and media.  Norwegian culture is very egalitarian, and this has both positive and negative effects.

Norwegians celebrate their national day on May 17, dedicated to the Constitution of Norway. Many people wear bunad (traditional costumes) and most participate in or watch the Norwegian Constitution Day arade that day , consisting mostly of children, through the cities and towns. The national romanticist author Henrik Wergeland was the founder of the 17 May parade.  Common Christian holidays are also celebrated, the most important being Christmas (called Jul in Norway after the pagan and early Viking winter solstice) and Easter.  Jonsok (St. John's Passing), or St. Hans (St. John's Day), i.e. 24 June, is also a commonly revered holiday. It marks midsummer and the beginning of summer vacation, and is often celebrated by lighting bonfires the evening before.

Norwegian cuisine is in its traditional form largely based on the raw materials readily available in a country dominated by mountains, wilderness and the sea. Hence, it differs in many respects from its continental counterparts with a stronger focus on game and fish. Modern Norwegian cuisine, although still strongly influenced by its traditional background, now bears the marks of globalization: Pastas, pizzas and the like are as common as meatballs and cod as staple foods, and urban restaurants sport the same selection you would expect to find in any western European city.

Both industrial and small-scale brewing have long traditions in Norway. Restrictive alcohol policies have encouraged a rich community of brewers, and a colourful variety of beverages both legal and illegal. The most popular industrial beers are usually pilsners and red beers (bayer), while traditional beer is much richer, with a high alcohol and malt content. The ancient practice of brewing Juleøl (yule beer) persists even today, and imitations of these are available before Christmas, in shops and, for the more potent versions, at state monopoly outlets. Cider brewing has faced tough barriers to commercial production due to alcohol regulations, and the famous honey wine, mjød (mead), is mostly a drink for connoisseurs and practitioners of the native religion.

Physical culture is also important in one of the most prosperous nations in the world. In terms of the opportunities for enjoying leisure, few countries compare with Norway. With great forests and wide mountain plateaus for winter pleasure and extensive coastal areas and rivers for summer recreation, Norway provides a natural environment which encourages outdoor sports and to a large degree hiking. Many Norwegians owns at least one pair of skis, and the Norwegian Mountain Touring Association stands strong.

Business Customs

Business customs are largely similar to those in the U.S. and practically all business people speak excellent English. Norwegian business people tend to travel extensively, so meetings should be scheduled well in advance. It is recommended to use the 24-hour clock. This will avoid confusion over any references to a.m. and p.m. Punctuality is valued for both business and social occasions. If you are late for a business meeting, call your counterpart and explain the delay.

The typical greeting is a firm handshake with everyone in the room when you arrive and before you leave. Maintain moderate eye contact. Business cards are widely used. Although many Norwegians tend to dress more casually, you should dress conservatively – at least until the host opens up for an open-shirt dress code. Norwegians are often direct and do not focus on rituals and social environments for negotiations. In the initial meeting Norwegians are ready to talk business after only a few minutes of small talk. Norwegians are straightforward in business meetings. Presentations should be precise and concrete and you should not make any promises that you cannot keep - your honesty will be respected. There is no need to be embarrassed talking about price and payment.

Business lunches and dinners are common. The one inviting is the one who pays. If you are the host, arrange for reservations in advance. Smoking is banned in all places of business. Do not smoke in someone's home without asking for permission. Norway, with its 4.6 million population spread over an area larger than the U.K. or Germany, has a very low population density. This gives the opportunity for a large variety of outdoor sports, hikes in the mountains, skiing, sailing, hunting, golfing, etc. Many Norwegians own their own cabins or vacation homes in the mountains, on the coast, or both, where they spend many of their weekends and vacations. If invited to a local Norwegian home or to an "off site" meeting, you are experiencing an honor that should be gratefully accepted.

Travel Advisory

U. S. citizens are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Norway. The American Embassy in Oslo is located at Henrik Ibsens gate 48, Tel. (47) 22 44 85 50, Consular Fax: (47) 22 56 27 51, E-Mail: osloamcit@state.gov. For additional information visit the Embassy’s website at .http://www.usa.no

Norway has a relatively low crime rate. Most crimes involve the theft of personal property, e.g., residential burglary, auto theft, or vandalism to parked cars. Persons may become targets of pickpockets and purse-snatchers, especially in hotel restaurants and in certain parts of the Oslo area. Violent crime, although rare, occurs and appears to be increasing. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport in Norway should be reported immediately to the local police and to the U.S. Embassy in Oslo. The Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad. The pamphlet is available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html.

While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country’s laws and regulations. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the laws of Norway, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict. Some substances that are legal in other European countries are prohibited in Norway. These include ephedrine, an ingredient in many U.S. over-the-counter drug preparations. The possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use that may not result in arrest in neighboring countries can result in arrest in Norway. Penalties usually include detention, a hefty fine and deportation.

Visa Requirements

A passport is required. U.S. citizens may enter Norway without a visa. Norway is a member of the Schengen Agreement. Travelers may not stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days in any six-month period. For information regarding entry requirements travelers can contact the Royal Norwegian Embassy at 2720 34th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008-2714, Tel. (202) 333-6000, or the nearest Norwegian consulate. Consulates are located in Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco. Information is also available on the Internet at http://www.norway.org. U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should take into account that some travelers may require visas. This process may be time-consuming. Visa applicants should go to the following links.

State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
U.S. Embassy, Oslo – Consular Services: http://www.usa.no/embassy/consular/

Telecommunications

Norway has one of the most modern and advanced telecommunications networks in Europe. The following cellular phone systems can be used in Norway: GSM 900 and GSM 1800. GPRS, EDGE, 3G/UMTS, and CDMA are also widely available in more urban regions. There are still also many public telephones where payment can be made with Visa, American Express, Diners Club or Eurocard/Mastercard. For operator, dial 1881 for numbers in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and 1882 for numbers in all other countries. When calling another country from Norway, dial 00 first. In Norway, in the event of an emergency, call:

110 Fire Department
112 Police
113 Ambulance

Downloading of e-mail/internet: Normal analogue telephone lines have a standard speed of 56 000 bps and ISDN lines, 64 000 bps (128 000 bps with double ISDN). Broadband, ADSL lines and wireless networks are widely available. Electricity in Norway is 220 V AC with 50 Hertz cycles. Plugs used are round-ended, two-pronged, continental plugs.

Transportation

Norway has an excellent transportation system. Car rentals are expensive but easily available. Those choosing to drive themselves should exercise caution. Because of the mountainous terrain, most roads are narrow and winding. The northerly latitude can cause road conditions to vary greatly depending on weather and time of year. Speed limits vary from 50-100 km per hour (30-60 miles per hour). Fines for traffic violations are extremely high and can exceed USD 1,000 for speeding. Roadblocks for checks of drivers under the influence of alcohol are frequent, and submission to a breathalyzer test is mandatory. Norway has adopted a zero tolerance policy regarding drinking and driving. One drink may put a person over the legal limit and could result in a fine. More than two drinks could result in a jail sentence.

Language

The three Scandinavian countries – Norway, Denmark, and Sweden - are closely related in terms of language, ethnic roots, religion, history and a host of other ways. The languages are to a lesser degree related to English, Dutch and German. Americans with business interests in Norway benefit from the ease of communication as the vast majority of Norwegians (and nearly everyone under 60) speak English well. American culture, including movies and TV series, is pervasive. Unfortunately, news about Norway in English is sparse, limited to a few Internet services that provide only brief summaries of major events. There are two official languages, bokmål and nynorsk, with equal status both in official use and in schools. The Norwegian alphabet contains 29 letters, including three letters not found in the English alphabet – æ (ae), ø (oe), and å (aa).

Health

Medical care is widely available. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful in some cases. Information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at Tel. (877) 394-8747, or via their Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.

Business Hours & Holidays

Some Norwegian manufacturing plants and major businesses are closed for 3-4 weeks during the summer holidays from mid-July to mid-August. Easter (10-day holiday season for many Norwegians) and the week between December 23 and New Year also are periods of low business activity. Businesspeople should note the following local holidays during 2007:

Jan 1 – New Years Day
April 5 - Holy Thursday
April 6 - Good Friday
April 9 - Easter Monday
2/16/2007
May 1 - Labor Day
May 17 -Independence Day
May 28 - Whit Monday Day
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 26 - Second Christmas Day

Temporary Entry of Materials & Personal Belongings

Click on the following link for updated customs regulations when traveling to and from Norway:

Norwegian Customs and Excise
http://www.toll.no/default.aspx?id=94&epslanguage=EN