So I’m visiting Norway as an American, going to small rural towns and big cities alike. I’m coming mainly to practice my Norwegian, which I’ve been learning for about 1.5 years now. From the day I’ve gotten here, I’ve experience only what I can call a norwegian disillusionment. The first experience with a Norwegian was at customs, where the boarder patrol thought I was Norwegian (I’m ethnically half and I have a Norwegian last name). She apologized about me having a USA passport immediately. I was honestly a bit taken aback, but reserved my judgement because maybe Norway was just absolutely incredible and I’ve been living in a bubble.
Cut to 1 week in, I think I’ve been living in a bubble, but not the way you would think. I feel a sense of scarcity that I’m not used to. All the grocery outlets are tiny, all the pastry outlets sell the exact same pastries (from the same company?), the selections at department stores is low. Even living in airbnbs and hotels seems limited. Tiny rooms, duvets that barely cover your body (i’m 6’1), no AC, small fridges, etc etc. The lack of variance and abundance is frustrating. Is the entire market consolidated under one person?
The people I talk to seem pretty cold too and universally the same. I don’t drink alcohol, which might be why my experience is shifted, but I’m used to my existing being acknowledged on the streets with a friendly nod or smile. Everyone just passes each other by like you don’t exist. When I do talk to people, the discussions always pivot to some sort of pessimism or depression, then an apology about me living in America like it’s a war torn hell scape (spoiler alert I love my life in America).
My day to day experience in America, when I’m not online scrolling or watching TV is pretty blissful. I walk to work, make a ton of money (over $400k with a bachelors degree), have lots of job opportunities, have great healthcare. know I’m privileged as an American, but as an autonomous, curious and optimistic person, this place works out pretty well for me. I feel like I could pivot into any industry and do it all over again from scratch. My neighborhood feels safe (and I’m sure everyone I walk by owns at least 1 gun), it’s quiet, clean, etc. But most of all, is there is a sense of abundance and optimism. I can walk into 10 different bakeries and they all make and sell their own bread in house. The grocery stores are massive and I can choose all the health or eco conscious foods I want.
And then, I see more Norwegian flag/penant waving than in my American state. Maybe because the recent world cup? Anyway I sense there is some national pride in Norway and what they’ve built. The infrastructure is pretty amazing (over 1200 tunnels!) and you have a good equitable system. But it’s always “In Norway, we…”. People seem to look down on me because I don’t have “free” healthcare, as if they dont know that health care barely registers a fraction of my pay. All they talk to me about is American politics. Trump barely affects my day to day except for maybe my grocery costs, which are again minuscule anyway. It’s like they watch our garbage news channels more than we do. I think it’s because we export low quality things like CNN/Fox and McDonalds (addictive but highly profitable), which most conscious Americans avoid entirely. These exports don’t really paint the American experience accurately, they just feed off users amygdala and dopamine receptors.
All this to say, I love Norways nature, language and infrastructure - but besides that, I’m excited to get back to my bubble. It’s not a perfect bubble, but it’s a big bubble where you can choose your own adventure, and the life I’ve chosen there is pretty great comparatively.
I’m sure my 2 weeks in Norway isn’t enough to get a real picture of day to day life. I’m sure it’s not this bleak. Just wanted to share some honest thoughts as I feel like I’ve been told the exact opposite prior to this trip. Maybe you’ll at least appreciate my fresh perspective! Thanks.
