Tipping in Norway can feel confusing if you are used to countries where gratuities are part of the price. Norway has high wages and strong worker protections, and service charges are already included in the bill. That means tipping is not required in most situations. You will still see card terminals asking whether you want … Read more
Working in Norway feels different in the best way: calm pace, clear expectations, and a lot of trust. If you are used to long hours, formal titles, and competitive office politics, the Norwegian workplace can be a refreshing reset. People show up on time, speak plainly, and then head home to family, hiking trails, or … Read more
Norway has a reputation for clean public life, high trust, and predictable rules. People often hear that corruption is rare here and wonder what that means in practice. If you plan to visit, move, or do business, you probably want to know how money, power, and influence actually move in a small, rich country with … Read more
Norway is famous for fjords, knit sweaters, and yes, showing up to vote. Our elections are calm, practical, and well run, and participation is part of everyday civic life. If you are curious about how many Norwegians vote, why turnout is comparatively high, and how it varies across elections and groups, this guide walks you … Read more
If you have spent a few days in Norway and noticed quiet buses, reserved small talk, and a national love of practical clothing, you may have wondered: are Norwegians a bit boring? I am Norwegian, born and raised, and I hear this question surprisingly often from visitors and newcomers. The short answer is that what … Read more
Saunas are part of everyday life here. We use them after winter swims in the fjord, on a Saturday at the cabin, or as a calm reset after a long workday. In the last decade, floating saunas in Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim have made sauna culture visible to visitors, but the roots go much deeper. … Read more
The Sami are the Indigenous people of northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula, with deep roots across Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. In Norway, Sami traditions remain a living part of daily life from the coast of Troms and Finnmark to the mountains of Trøndelag and the forests near Røros. Visitors often encounter colorful gákti … Read more
Norway is a multilingual country hiding beneath a deceptively simple outer layer. Most visitors hear Norwegian on the street and English when they need it, but that is only part of the story. We have two official written standards of Norwegian, several indigenous Sami languages, minority languages with legal protection, and a wild collection of … Read more
Viking names are not just museum pieces in Norway. Many of the names you see in sagas and rune stones are still on school registers, office doors, and mailboxes across the country. The language has shifted over a thousand years, but the bones of the names are intact. If you are drawn to Scandinavian heritage … Read more
Norway and Denmark sit close on the map and share deep history, but the day-to-day feel of each country is surprisingly different. If you are deciding where to travel, study, or move, understanding the contrasts will save you money, set your expectations, and shape your itinerary. In short, Norway offers dramatic nature, long distances, and … Read more