Social behaviors and morals
Norwegians are generally quite reserved, but their legendary coldness is just a myth. As a traveler, all you have to do is ask for advice in the street or chat with a stranger to realize that they are very open and smiling. On the other hand - and perhaps this is logical after all - strong bonds are established over time. Norwegians are very fond of France, and many of them even have a good knowledge of the language they learned at school or on their travels. If you're invited to a private home, don't forget to thank your host for the meal by leaving the table and saying " takk for maten ". Norwegians don't kiss to say hello: they shake hands for the first time and give each other a hug ( klem) if they already know each other. In Norway, people thank each other for almost everything. For example, if you meet someone you've seen recently (the notion of recent here can extend to several months!), " takk for sist " (pronounced "tac for chiste") is customary: "thank you for the last time". Another important aspect of the local mentality is honesty. In companies, for example, it is still common to find a basket for sweets, another for money and finally a list of prices above: everyone will pay the price mentioned without even thinking of cheating. This implicit trust is fast becoming one of the most enjoyable aspects of Norway. One of the major events of the year in the life of a company is undoubtedly the famous julebord (Christmas table). This Christmas party, where all employees and bosses share the same table, often gives rise to comical scenes of friendly exchanges, or even more, between employees of all ranks. When it comes to discipline, Norway is a country where laws and social codes are respected to the letter. In the evening, for example, you really have to choose between drinking and driving. Here, certain things are not joked about, and licenses are immediately revoked. There's little or no speeding on the freeway or in town. We let pedestrians cross even if they're not on the road. You respect the order of arrival at the post office, banks and stores, and you don't park your car just anywhere. Norwegian society may appear very rigid to our eyes, but this respect for rules actually makes life easier for everyone, and respect for others. Norwegian social mores therefore form a whole, centered around a positive, jovial mentality. Contrary to certain prejudices, Norwegians are not cold people! Getting to know them is easy enough, especially as international contacts are of great interest to them, and foreigners attract curiosity and interest rather than distrust.
Education
The Norwegian people are close to and respectful of their environment. Selective sorting is ingrained in their customs, and education is based on an almost cultural approach to nature. The vast majority of Norwegians have their own cottage, the hytte, in the mountains or on the coast, where they spend weekends with their families. It's an opportunity for outdoor activities, from hiking to wild berry picking to skiing. The Norwegian education system is based on non-elitism. There are no preparatory classes for the grandes écoles, nor are there any grandes écoles! There is no such thing as repeating a year, except in the case of failure at the baccalaureate. The school system banishes all forms of competition and elitism. It is founded on three principles: democracy, solidarity and equality. Instruction (or rather, "early-learning activities") is not graded until the age of 14. Kindergarten starts at the age of 2 or 3, and there are both public and private kindergartens. At the age of 6, the child starts in the first class until tenth grade, when he or she enters the final 2-year cycle leading to the baccalaureate at 18. Grading doesn't start until they enter secondary school: from 1 for the worst grade (never awarded in Norway) to 6 for the best pupils. The real selection takes place when students enter high school. With varying degrees of success, high schools reserve the right to decide which students they wish to admit. A behavioral mark in the form of a mention is awarded to each pupil on leaving secondary school, and may block a range of possibilities for that pupil. There are also vocational lycées, which are treated in the same way as general-education lycées. A further selection is made on entry to student life. Faculties and some colleges filter their students according to their grades. Quotas of students admitted to sections with limited outlets are controlled. Engineering schools, for example, recruit right from the baccalaureate, and the most highly rated (NTNU) is located in Trondheim. As in many countries, Norway's education system is in a state of flux, and the subject of much heated debate. Concerned about the failure rate and the shortage of teachers (their salaries are below those in the private sector), one reform follows another.
Gender equality
Norway is one of the most feminist countries in the world. Women play an important role in political life. The long-term work of feminists has succeeded in changing mentalities. The first wave of feminism came in 1879, driven by Norwegian writers. Henrik Ibsen, to name but one, embraced the cause of women in A Doll's House. Married women came of age in 1888, and the husband's guardianship was lifted. Women's right to vote was gradually introduced between 1884 and 1913 (compared with 1944 in France). Despite a step backwards in the 1920s (married women were forbidden to work), the principle of equal pay was adopted. From 1960 onwards, a new wave of feminism was at work, with the aim of bringing about a more profound change in the character of the state. Meetings were held in Oslo, movements were formed, social origins mixed and alliances formed. Free abortion was questioned, advanced and finally passed by Parliament in 1978. Bjorg Vik, Eldrid Lunden, Liv Køltzow, Cecilie Løveid and Tove Nielsen invent what is known as "women's literature". Political life was gradually feminized, and laws were passed to coordinate work and family life. Despite all this progress, there is still a certain stagnation, and despite various laws, salaries are still not equal and women are still mistreated. When it comes to parental leave, Norway's got it! 49 weeks (15 weeks reserved for each parent) at 100% or 59 weeks at 80%. Each parent indicates his or her wishes on a piece of paper sent to the Social Security, and men are entitled to take the majority of parental leave. By way of comparison, paternity leave in France is set at 25 calendar days, and maternity leave at 16 weeks. So take a good look around you when you're out and about in Norway: there are just as many men as women out walking their children, whether in strollers, on foot, on bicycles or in baby carriers.
LGBTQ+ rights
Norway was one of the first countries to pass laws granting equal rights to all. Most Norwegians have a tolerant attitude towards LGBTQ+ people. Same-sex couples have the same rights as heterosexuals: the right to marry, even in church, assisted reproduction and adoption. Numerous LGBTQ+ events are organized, especially in the major cities, such as the Oslo Fusion film festival, the Skeive Ski Festival (in Hemsdal) and Oslo Pride. The main LGBTQ+ venues and events are highlighted by the country's tourist office visitenorway.fr
