What is it like to live in Norway? (standard of living, pay)

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by Tjukken

Yeah we from Oslo can be a bit "closed" some times.
And can there for need some to loosen up.. Beer helps


TJ..

Lol, Tjukken, in Finnmark we've known this for a long time about you guys in Oslo -- loosen up, relax, have another beer, skåll!!! Good to still see you around C-D.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by cre8

Norway, a NATO member, in general is very pro U.S. It's said that there are twice as many Norwegians in the U.S. than there are in Norway. Most of the population speaks at least a little English. The TV programming is overwhelmingly American, and Norwegians are often quick to adopt American culture -- even the bad parts. For example, there have been increasing "copy-cat" incidents of kids bringing weapons to school claiming to need "self protection." A trend like this has direct ties to what the kids learn about the U.S.

One common thread in most Norwegians these days is that they cannot in their wildest imaginations figure out how George W. Bush is president of the U.S of A. You'll hear people exclaim and ask, "The U.S. is not a third-world country; it's a sophisticated, educated place! How on earth can they elect a moron like Bush?" Norwegians will point to World War 2 and shake their heads in disbelief that the same country that did so much for Europe back then would ever want someone like "Dubya" for prez. On the other hand, Norwegians are comforted when they turn on their TVs and watch David Letterman and John Stewart shake their heads as well.

But it usually only takes one vacation trip to the States for Norwegians to realize that the U.S. is a big and complex country. And, after the first trip, they usually always start planning their next trip.

Thank you for your reply, and trust me, millions of Americans cannot in their wildest imagination figure out how THE SHRUB is president. Many of us doubt the honesty of our election process now.

[Finland Boy]

Norway is my neighbouring country and I know one sure thing about it It's probably the best place to life if taxes, safety, education, wages etc. has been considered

[globetrotter]

I watched "Sicko" too and was very impressed with Norway and other countries, like another poster said, who care for their people without dollars signs in the agenda. I am tired of the U.S. Even if the next president is wonderful beyond the U.S. wildest dreams, it will take at least four years to undo everything Bush has done. Fixing relations with now doubtful countries will take a long time. Apologies aren't always accepted on the first try. The U.S. feels like France before its revolution...no more middle class, only the rich and the poor. I want my boys to grow up caring about other people, and feeling a sense of social responsibility. I wouldn't mind higher taxes for a better life for everyone. I'm glad everyone is sharing their thoughts.

[titanhero2000]

Norwegians know nothing more about George W. Bush than the left wing media broadcasts, which was always with a bias. They're like everyone else, we are fed what the media wants us to know and they were against George W. Bush regardless of what he did or said. None of us actually "know" anything.

Americans do not like the socialistic ways of Barak Obama and are fed up with his running America into the ground. The media, as usual, is not doing their job and sending out what they want. Americans are fed up and the majority of Americans are for a capitalistic democracy. We are fed up and the change Obama promised is not what most were expecting.

If you want the government to feed you so you can sit on your backside and eat chocolate candy, then stay in Norway and be a socialist, but if you want to work hard and have a better standard of life with opportunities to work hard and be successful, then come to America. We are not socialists and we will fight to the bitter end to NOT become socialists.

[ChrisC]

Originally Posted by titanhero2000

Norwegians know nothing more about George W. Bush than the left wing media broadcasts, which was always with a bias. They're like everyone else, we are fed what the media wants us to know and they were against George W. Bush regardless of what he did or said. None of us actually "know" anything.

Americans do not like the socialistic ways of Barak Obama and are fed up with his running America into the ground. The media, as usual, is not doing their job and sending out what they want. Americans are fed up and the majority of Americans are for a capitalistic democracy. We are fed up and the change Obama promised is not what most were expecting.

If you want the government to feed you so you can sit on your backside and eat chocolate candy, then stay in Norway and be a socialist, but if you want to work hard and have a better standard of life with opportunities to work hard and be successful, then come to America. We are not socialists and we will fight to the bitter end to NOT become socialists.

I think you have a misconception that nobody in the entire world works besides you (and people in the USA). Use your head. If nobody worked in the rest of the world, there would be no rest of the world.

I assume that you would never venture beyond the borders of Utopia. But at least take a look at some photos. Yeah, there is a world out there! And YEAH people out there work, and live, and love, and build things, etc. Isn't that amazing?

[City of Rain]

Originally Posted by ChrisC

I think you have a misconception that nobody in the entire world works besides you (and people in the USA). Use your head. If nobody worked in the rest of the world, there would be no rest of the world.

I assume that you would never venture beyond the borders of Utopia. But at least take a look at some photos. Yeah, there is a world out there! And YEAH people out there work, and live, and love, and build things, etc. Isn't that amazing?

haha people like titanhero is the reason why so many europeans are anti-american - hes like the stereotype american!!

so there is no point in even arguing with him. for him, europe = a country where people use horses to get around and the capital is paris.

you just have to laugh at him and move on. whats good, though, is that everytime you feel like youre ****, you can just think of him and you'll instantly feel better as you'll know that there is someone out there even more pathetic than you.. thats the only good use of people like him.

its funny, though. (western) europeans pretty much never have more than 1 job, and they get way more holidays than americans - yet their standard of living is generally way higher you cant blame people like titanhero for being a little jealous. he has every reason to be.

[Sweden]

Originally Posted by titanhero2000

Norwegians know nothing more about George W. Bush than the left wing media broadcasts, which was always with a bias. They're like everyone else, we are fed what the media wants us to know and they were against George W. Bush regardless of what he did or said. None of us actually "know" anything.

I think people who hold this view of the media needs to do some research - this is indeed the way much of the media in the US works.
But it is not how it works in many other countries.

Just because the US has "24/7" media coverage channels, where the reporters are allowed to speak their opinion of the matter in question, it doesn't mean that all other countries use this model.
In many countries, eg. Sweden and probably even Norway, it is illegal for a reporter to express his/her view on a subject that s/he is reporting on. Huge fines will be handed out if it happens.

There aren't channels like the ones in the US. Hence, around here, the news are short, and only give you the facts of what is happening. "Vulcano erupts in Japan". "50 dead in Iraq". "Prime minister gets a pay raise".
Nothing else.

Also, believe it or not, but just because say Norway is socialistic, it doesnt mean that everybody sits around and eats chocolate and waits for the government to feed them.
But it sure sounds good if you are really afraid of another, successful political ideology and don't know anything about it

[Vic_Vega]

Originally Posted by titanhero2000

Norwegians know nothing more about George W. Bush than the left wing media broadcasts, which was always with a bias. They're like everyone else, we are fed what the media wants us to know and they were against George W. Bush regardless of what he did or said. None of us actually "know" anything.

This is a bit off topic, but anyway.. You actually make a point. I don't know about Norway, but here in the neighboring nordic country i remember when Dubya was still in the office, certain news media here had a pattern.. every other day, there was a story about a random american jobless, homeless person. And every other day a story about US soldiers in Iraq killing civilians. Constant bashing.

Now that Obama is in the office, there hasn't been a single story about the homeless in Detroit etc... only praise after praise aout how he has saved the US, saved GM, saving the Healthcare.... and so on. The picture of the US gets pretty distorted when the news coverage is only made with a certain agenda in mind.

[Vic_Vega]

Originally Posted by Sweden

Just because the US has "24/7" media coverage channels, where the reporters are allowed to speak their opinion of the matter in question, it doesn't mean that all other countries use this model.
In many countries, eg. Sweden and probably even Norway, it is illegal for a reporter to express his/her view on a subject that s/he is reporting on. Huge fines will be handed out if it happens.

There aren't channels like the ones in the US. Hence, around here, the news are short, and only give you the facts of what is happening. "Vulcano erupts in Japan". "50 dead in Iraq". "Prime minister gets a pay raise".
Nothing else.

That is some big bull sheeeet. While i have to agree that the media in the nordic countries does a decent job in trying to make news reports from a neutral point of view.. still, are you trying to paint a picture that our news medias DON'T lean, some even pretty openly and heavily towards certain political ideologies and agendas? I admit, maybe not so often on TV, but do you not EVER read the papers?