Visit Norway - 10 Things That Will Shock You About Norway

Fun fact: Kvikk Lunsj and Kit Kat was in a trial last year about who deserves the right of the shape of the chocolate. And Kvikk Lunsj won.

I'm Norwegian, and most of the things you're saying here are accurate, but I wanted to add a bit to it and explain a few things. 1. Yes, we have an alcohol monopoly in Norway, but beer under a certain alcohol percentage (4,5% I think) is sold in regular grocery stores, but only before 18.00 (6 PM). 2. When it comes to beggars, you mention that it's odd that a rich country like Norway has beggars, but you also quickly mention that these aren't Norwegian beggars. Well, the thing about these beggars is that they (at least the ones shown in your video) are Gypsies who travel as tourists (most of Europe is under the Schengen agreement, which guarantees visa-free 90 day travel), with the explicit purpose of begging for money because Norway is a rich country. So, ironically, there are foreign beggars in Norway BECAUSE we are rich, not in spite of it! This has literally nothing to do with the Norwegian system. These beggars aren't even immigrants and have no legal rights in Norway beside the visa-free 90 day travel. 3. Yes, many Norwegians are proud. I don't see why this is shocking, especially to an American? Are only Americans supposed to be proud? I realise that's probably not what you implied, but it may have come off in a different way than you intended it to, as in "Wow! What on EARTH do these people have to be proud of? They're not Americans!"

As im Norwegian myself, i always thought that all the other countries was just super cheap, but not that Norway is expensive :/

Useful stuff for foreigners in Norway: 1: If you are staying more than a weekend. Buy and make your own food. Eating at a restaurant in Norway is expensive. 2: If you want to party, Norwegians mostly party only on Fridays and Saturdays. Also its common to pre-drink and then go out so the city wont get lively until 11pm and are open to 4am. 3: Everyone speaks English. Norway has a higher English speaking percentage than Canada. 4: Use credit/debit cards every time you are making a payment. Cash is getting unusual and will probably be gone entirely soon. If someplace dont take cards, dont trust them they are not a real store. 5: Norwegians usually love to speak to foreigners but they are afraid to make contact. Unless they are drunk. 6: Wifi are common on most public transport and hotel/businesses. Use it. 7: Taxi are expensive and untrustworthy. Use public transport or walk. 8: If you are going to take a hiking trip, dress appropriately. Norwegian hiking trips are not built out for comfort and ease. Good shoes and light sports clothing is what you should wear, not suits and dresses. 9: Don't ever slap your kid or each other or do any sort of violence. You will be arrested. Don't try to bribe the cops. You'll get double arrested. 10: Cops and other official servicemen are generally trustworthy and polite. Don't be afraid of them and you can ask them for advice.

You can buy beer in every groserystore. Not that hard - dude. And most of the beggers are rumanians - professional beggers. Another thing - not many ppl eat whale anymore. In the 60thies it was normal. And if you want to see some great fjords - go to the west of norway. Oslo fjord is booring in comparison.

The beggars are illegal, usually from romania. If they were norwegian citizens they would get help from the government

ITS NOT A KIT KAT

I am not norwegian, but norway is the most beautiful country in the world. I love the people, the nature and the history. And of course the norwegians can be proud. Jeg elsker dette landet.

One little point I would like to mention though (as a Norwegian) is that while, yes, we do still hunt whales in Norway, our whalers do not under any circumstances hunt whales of any endangered species, and the species we do hunt are closely monitored to ensure stable populations. I realize a lot of people will still find it terrible, but realistically speaking you ought to then feel outraged at your porkchops too, because pigs are at least as intelligent as whales and they don't even get to live free before they die.

Just to add, the whole month of July off thing. This is how it typically works. We have the right to 5 weeks of paid vacation a year. When you chose to use them during the year is up to you. But you have to use them all up by the end of the year. You're not entitled to use all 5 weeks in one go. You can request 4 weeks in a row tho. Pretty rough description I know. But it beats his explanation where he made it sound everyone just disappears in July.

Goodness! It's nice to learn a bit about my ancestral country! Thank You again Mark for a wonderful glimpse of far away places!! 😄🌸

As a Norwegian, I just have to say..... I am really looking forward to July :) But seriously, two other things that may shock you. 1. Norwegians are pretty damn good at speaking english. 2. Our water tastes amazing :)

I'd love to visit Norway!! Looks like an amazing place! Thank you for all the videos you make for us!! I hope you and your family had a great New Years! 😁

We have beer in all grocery stores though

After reading the comment i realize that most of the people watching this are norwgians.

Don't stay in Oslo when you come to Norway either. It is too expensive, and just a typical capital city.. Go and visit other towns, you won't regret it.

The thing about the beer is wrong though. You can buy beer at normal stores and supermarkets. it's open from 8am until 8 pm mondays to fridays, and 8am to 6pm on saturdays. Sure, that's pretty early for it to close, but you can still get pretty cheap, and pretty high quality beer if you visit the right store. Meny and Coop Obs are the best ones for buying beer I think. Oh, and cheap beer is relative to our income rates, so it might still seem insanely overpriced for anyone not from scandinavia.

Norway sounds like an amazing place. I'm American and I would love to visit some day. So much nature and beauty to see there. And food to try!

I've been to Norway five times on business. Yes, imported stuff is expensive, locally brown or caught, not so much. Lots of seafood. The King Crab up north is excellent. Reindeer is very good too, sort of like very lean beef. Never had whale there. There are also a million kinds of bread and cheese. Driving any distance there is slow. Up north the roads range from fair to very narrow with vertical up on one side and vertical down on the other. Also there are a lot of fjords to go around. If you have to drive any distance most people go through Finland and Sweden for most of the trip. Roads are plowed well in winter but not sanded or salted in many areas. Air service is very good and not all that expensive. Taxis are atrociously expensive. The Hurtegruten ferry up and down the coast between Bergen and Kirkenes is a once in a lifetime experience and a great way to see the country. Most younger Norwegians speak English better than many Americans. It's a great country to visit in the summer. They use their own currency, the Norwegian Kroner. Finland uses Euros. Credit cards are universally accepted but American ones without the chip and pin common in Europe are harder to use.

There's a HUGE difference between KitKat and Kvikk Lunsj... the shape is the only thing that's somewhat similar.. taste wise there's no comparison.. Norwegian chocolate is what Americans consider premium chocolate..unlike the waxy weird tasting stuff Americans call chocolate.. ;)