Allison's Travels in Europe: Top 10 insights from 6/25/13

1. I had many interesting conversations with Norwegians I just had met last night. Berit (Marens good friend) told me that Norwegians think that Americans are fake because we are too over the top and we come across as fake. She said Norwegians are (most of the time) very very reserved until they get to know someone well. She said if an American and Norwegian would meet half way it would be perfect. She gave two examples... One was that Americans shake hands and say "hello, it is nice to meet you". She just thought that was so weird because I could be shaking hands with a serial killer. How do you know it is nice to meet that person until you actually get to know them? She also told me that Norwegians would never tell a person they just met that they look pretty. Americans could shake hands with someone and tell them they look nice today. That is on too much of a personal level she said.

Maren also said Norwegians can come across cold to Americans but most of the time it is because they don't feel comfortable speaking English so they are embarrassed. (But they made a point to say they are much better at English when they are drunk so everyone was my friend last night)

2. Always wear close toed shoes to festivals-even if it is ugly. Norwegian boys don't look at your shoes.

3. Norway has the best chocolate and candies I have ever eaten.

4. Maren's drunken thoughts about the beauty of Norway at 3 am, "there is always something positive to look for in life. Even if you don't know what that is sometimes, you just have to find it." Thanks Maren. Ha