Archive for February 13th, 2007
Life in Norway with Norwegians
by Dr. Pants on Feb.13, 2007, under Norway
Don’t think you’re anyone special or that you’re better than us.- Jante Law
(Post has been updated, see bottom)
I was sitting and chatting with a friend from work today when he mentioned the Jante Law. After he described it I realized that I had spoken about it just a few days ago (see number 5) myself, I just didn’t know what the ‘rule’ was called.
This Jante Law, after just reading it, has caused one of those,”Oh! Now I understand!” moments for me. This, I believe, is something any American moving to Norway MUST know. It explains so much that I have been trying to understand for years.
A snippet from the Wikpedia article:
“There are ten different rules in the law, but they are all variations on a single theme and are usually referred to as a homogeneous unit: Don’t think you’re anyone special or that you’re better than us.
The ten rules are:
- Don’t think that you are special.
- Don’t think that you are of the same standing as us.
- Don’t think that you are smarter than us.
- Don’t fancy yourself as being better than us.
- Don’t think that you know more than us.
- Don’t think that you are more important than us.
- Don’t think that you are good at anything.
- Don’t laugh at us.
- Don’t think that anyone cares about you.
- Don’t think that you can teach us anything.
In the book, those Janters who transgress this unwritten ‘law’ are regarded with suspicion and some hostility, as it goes against communal desire in the town, which is to preserve social stability and uniformity. “
Truth be told, not all Norwegians are like this. This isn’t a hard and fast rule. But, you should know, this idea pervades all of Norwegian Society at some level.. Could Americans be any different?
Update: After Dr Paint’s comment I have added some more places to visit that show that the Jante Law has some detractors as well as meaningful opinions on the matter. Thanks Dr. Paint!
