Generalizations are difficult, I know - but it seems to me that some of those well known stereotypes really do match.
The average Norwegian seems to be relaxed, happy and generally open minded. No matter if it's a 6 years old kid or a 70 year old grandma, they appear to be really warm-hearted. Noone was ever looking strange at me for not speaking Norwegian or being a foreigner in general.
What I've also noticed is that people are really calm and relaxed. Even when discussing very intense everyone stays polite, noone starts yelling or even insulting each other. But what I've also noticed is a tendency to be a bit careless. While Germans tend to be cautious about everything what they do the Norwegians do not bother about thinking each and every possibility of what might go wrong. When they pass the road then they expect the cars to break for them. When someone empties the dish washer and a glass or mug is dropping down - so what? it happened, not a big deal. There is a server running beyond its technical specifications, in danger to crash - fix it if you have time, but no worries!
Oh, and another very convinient specialty: noone cares about formalities. Just got told that even the prime minister is used to be called by his first name. Imagine calling the German chancellor and starting the talk with "Hi Angela, ..." - it would definitely cause a strange face on the other side of the line at least. This is not a lack of respect here, it's a more pragmatic approach to handle your life.
It's new to me but I like it.
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All generalizationes are false. Think about that one. :)
I know, therefor the comment in the very first sentence. But at least some kind of truth might still be found in it though.
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