Discopants and Haircuts

I am finding living here a little cold right now. There is something about the Norwegian character that doesn’t fit me right. There are very different rules for engaging people here. I am finding that I can’t quite figure it out and that people here don’t really like people who are different. It leaves a chill in me. It’s damn hard to meet people.

And they aren’t very neighborly. My previous landlord lived in his house since he was a child.. He knew none of his neighbors, some of whom lived there their whole life as well. Debby has even said to me at times… she doesn’t want to know the neighbors… Guess a welcome wagon won’t be stopping by the new place…
When you meet someone here, most (98%) of the time, they don’t smile or show any emotion. They’re like Vulcans or something. But give any Norwegian 2 beers and they are like Americans on a normal day. It’s as if there are so many unspoken rules here that when people have a drink they finally let loose.It’s like they are wrapped in some strange cultural rope. Real tight. I have heard a few people tell me that Norwegians have an unwritten rule that says, ‘Don’t be noticed. Don’t stand out.’ It’s really disturbing how common it is. So many people you meet have no expression and talk so little. Then you run into them after they had 2 drinks and they are…well … American.

All this seems to bring me down. My normal, if toned very down, character is such a put off for most Norwegians…it seems.

Now I heard it is different in Northern Norway.. But who wants to live further North?

I don’t know.. It’s strange. It’s just really bothering me right now…