Akkurat nå sitter Daily Mail-journalist Jonathan Foreman og svarer på spørsmål.

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Aw, *giggles*

God, I laughed when I read your little article.
You're a funny man :)
But still, why judge Norway when you know nothing about it?
Oslo is only the capital of this Country, and may I say so myself; Oslo sucks.
Compared to many other beautiful cities, Oslo is really boring.
Why have meatlof when you can have Filét Mignon? ;)
Take a trip to the North of Norway.
Tromsø to be exact, and I promise that you will enjoy it!
Northern lights and the Midnight Sun.

I dare you!
Innsendt av: Ragnhild

Ragnhild, Somehow you make the North sound like an invitation I can't refuse. I look forward to coming back and seeing if I was unfair to make so many conclusions from my time in Oslo, and also just to seeing more of your beautiful country. This is my last question and I have to sign off now. Thank you all very much. Goodybe.

Charmed English journalist
 

Good Going

You are very brave to utter Your opinion of Norway. Even thought some might not be proud of the "norwegian" ways, they will defend it, as you probably have experinced. But still, it is a good thing to get aware of these things(maybe a forthcoming improvment of these matters?). But do You also see the flaws of Your own Country, there always seems to be something everywhere we go. Thank You for being honest. In despite of all, I still like my country, most of all the nature. Greetings, from the coldest of all Norwegians.
Innsendt av: Karen Sophie

I'm beginning to think that Coldness really is an unfair stereotype!. Thank you all for your comments. It has been a pleasure talking with you all, just as it was mostly a pleasure to visit Norway for the first time.

Relieved English journalist
 

i dont quite agree

how can you judge an entire country based on one week in oslo? oslo is a "cold" place concidering the hospitality etc, you could have experienced norway in a much better way if you went about a bit. kind of narrowsighted to judge a book by its covers.. i am being quite harsh here, and apologies if i am being rude, but youre views upsets me.
we do drink like vikings,yes. and i, for one, and proud to do so.. cause its the norwegian style.. you can say whatever you want about that, but if you are intolerant for a different culture, then i dont think you are in a position to critique the ways of others.

btw. congrats on the ash cricket thing ;)
Innsendt av: calle haug

Thank you. It's not too often these days for us to have major sporting victories!. You may be right, often the soul of a country is to be found in the countryside. But people assured me that the food is even worse outside Oslo!

Relieved English journalist
 

Many Norwegians seem to enjoy misery.

I always find it difficult to understand how so many norwegians, and the media, seem to focus so much on what's wrong in this country and their lives instead of looking at the bright side of life. I think this may be a result of us being used to getting more and more welfare all the time and instead of being happy about progress we belive that by now the progress should have given everyone a perfect life. Not realizing that happiness is generated on a personal level, and not by money in the bank. But isn't this a problem facing all of Europe?
Innsendt av: Kristian

Kristian, you are right. As were the American founding fathers when they talked about a right to the 'pursuit of happiness' rather than a right to happiness itself

Relieved English journalist
 

The worlds best country to live in? I think not.

Seems like you've ticked off most of my countrymen royally with your criticism, but then again, nobody handles the truth very well. Its like our national icon Henrik Ibsen said: "If you take the life-lie away from the average man, you take happiness from him at once."

Our politicians have been telling us for years that we're the best country to live in in the whole wide world and that we ought to be thankful and quite. What most don't know, however, is how the UN came to their conclusion.

The UN survey is based on three factors, all of which count for one third of the score.

The first factor is Gross National Product per capita, and yes, the petroleum industry and our low population makes us score pretty high there, but very little if any of that money is actually used to benefit us citizens. Unlike other oil nations, we still pay about 50% in taxes off our income.

The second factor is how old we become - and let's face it, turning 95 in a retirement home, hooked to a life-support machine... It isn't a glorious way to go.

The third factor is illiteracy over the age of 15. And ok, we've got free public schools, so yeah, our kids learn how to read and write. Big deal.

So we norwegians have to ask ourselves - does these three factors mean that Norway is a better place to live in than any other country in the world? Nope, we're flawed, just like any other nation. Our politicians are just as greedy and uneducated as in most other countries.

We've all got this dirty little conscience deep inside, that tells us that the pleasures we take in life are wrong - remnants of the protestantic religion that we used to follow. No wonder we seem glum.

I could go on and on, but I'll stop ranting. Thanks for having the balls to tell us what we needed to hear. :)
Innsendt av: Niels

Thank you. That was my original point before all the jokes: the UN measures are all very well, but they really don't tell you much about the quality of life as people actually experience it. And I'm not sure that Norwegians wouldn't live better if they didn't have to pay so much VAT, and if they weren't left with more disposable income in general

Relieved English journalist
 

fuckin foreigner

get out of our country if you don't like it. we don't fuckin' want you here, and noone asked you to write your crappy article about us. we don't fuckin' care what the hell the world think of us. we have $, much more than you guys can ever dream off. our country doesn't smell like poo like britain does, and our royal family arn't nazis like Prins Harry! our king is not a sexy man, but he doesn't look like he has dumbo ears like charles... your queen is a hoe, she looks like a dragqeen takes straight out from the red light distrcs in amsterdam!

go back to your poor crappy country and never come back! we don't like you. hope you enjoy your boring country!

by the way... why does never norwegians write about other countries? may it be because we don't give a rats ass?! YES!

americans and british people are so jealous of us, so they have to write in the newspapers about our lifes!

go back home you twat!
Innsendt av: fuckin' angry patriot!

No one asked you to read the article... Are you sure you are a Norwegian? You all seemed so nice when I was there....

Not bitter English journalist
 

You know you're norwegian when...

1. You'll rather miss your flight than go short on your tax free quota.
2. You order drinks at the airport at 06:00 in the morning.
3. You buy a carton of sigarettes even though you don't smoke just to bring your quota.
4. You drink on the plane and barf in the bus.
5. You heat the red wine.
6. You barbecue in the rain.
7. You build a balcony on all sides of your house.
8. You bring home what you didn't finish at the party.
9. You feel bad when you're not outside on a sunny day.
10. You go limp after two consequtive days of sun.
11. You bathe in 12 C and say it's "refreshing".
12. A potroast on a disposable barbecue is the top of bliss.

Don't you agree?
Freely translated from humor911.no
Innsendt av: Cheerful norwegian

Very funny!

Not bitter English journalist
 

You really touched our soft spot!

We, my fiance and I had wisiters from Spain this summer. Needless to say, they experienced some of the same sad things as you did, except they didn´t forget to compare it to their own home country. In Norway, as you found out, it is very expensive to go out for dinner, so we do it at home. Most of us have friends visiting us at home, eating good dinner and sharing laughter and try to be good people. I would like to invite you to our home one weekend. It will be open to you, and you can see what I mean is my little familys way of having a good life. Can you accept this "challenge"?
Innsendt av: Kenneth Antonsen

Kenneth I would be delighted to accept your challenge on my next visit to Norway! Thank you

Not bitter English journalist
 

Why so bitter

What was the name of the norwegian girl that dumped you, that made you hate norway? And wha would britain be today if it wasnt for us? An island filled with munks.
Innsendt av: Helge Martin

Helge, no Norwegian girl dumped me! I've never gone out with one -- though I would be very happy to.
As for the monks -- wasn't it our monks who kept literacy alive in the Dark Ages, brought Christianity to Norway etc.?

Not bitter English journalist
 

Where do our problem comes from?

Do you think our problems comes from the socialist-regime we have lived and suffered under for decades? Because they always tells us that everything is bad and unhealthy, and we don't know what is in our own interest, but they do. And that is, no smoking, no drinking, no, no pokerplaying, no late nights, no fun etc, etc......
Innsendt av: Unhappy norwegian viking

I strongly suspect that you are right. It is not so much temperament or climate but rather the Norwegian socialist "nanny-state" that is responsible for some of these problems. Given Norway's proud independence and egalitarian traditions I was surprised by how deferential Norwegians seem to be to their government and to the governing elite. You're all very used to being told what's best for you (the one shining exception, of course is your proud resistance to joining the EU or the Franco-Belgian empire as we like to call it)

Joking English journalist
 

Hey man

I pitty u english that have to have sex with so ugly women. And nude fat older guys running over a fotball field during a match. And u caLL NORWAY BORING?

Innsendt av: Next

Well, none of the stuff you describe is actually boring...

Joking English journalist
 

Wrong city, Jonathan...

First of all.. don't you think you're generalizing this just a tad? I guess there are lots of grumpy faces if you visit any large city in the world - even in London. Maybe you should have come to a smaller and not so busy city. Maybe you'd view things differently if you came to a small town along the coastline, like Arendal. Actually I don't think you really mean what you're saying.. You're only teasing us.
Innsendt av: Trygve

Trygve,
I am teasing you. Though i did think that people seemed surprisingly subdued. The town seemed to wake up when all those drunken Scots arrived...

Joking English journalist
 

Finland next.

There is ok. in Norway but have you been in Finland? :)
Innsendt av: Maarit M.Hanssen

Just Helsinki. I much prefer Oslo

not pale English journalist
 

You're spot on, you ol' sod.

How come you're absolutely right and why are the Brits just like us only a bit more pale?
Innsendt av: Alchemist

Well the Brits do have a lot in common with you - including, as people keep pointing out, the love of excessive binge drinking. (Though I think that these days more and more British people are learning how to be extrovert without the assistance of alcohol.)
And it's certainly true that for some reason you all tan much better than most of us. Yet another way in which Norwegians seem genetically blessed.

not pale English journalist
 

Shat up, stupid british...

What is better about Britain then?nothing...you total wanker!!!
Innsendt av: Ken

And here I was thinking how polite and reasonable Norwegian people are!

Surprised English journalist
 

ONE day in norway?

NEXT time stay in norway. TAKE one week and travel in all of norway.. IF you dont like it...MY you have a problem..

AND you can buy one BEER .. 2 £ 3 £
AND ......................Pizza ...7£
AND Grandiosa .... 2£



Innsendt av: hans

I did spend a week in Norway, not one day. Long enough to get an impression, if not a complete one.

English journalist
 

Positive?

What did you find positive about Norway and the Norwegians?
Innsendt av: Lena Olsen

Many, many things: Of course, I would love to see more of your stunning landscapes (as a keen nordic skiier I'd particularly like to come back one winter). But I admired the fine public transport, especially the trams. I thought the city admirably clean and pleasantly un-crowded. Though service is not a Norwegian specialty, I found the people I met to be friendly and attractive and good tempered. It must be nice also to work such short hours - though it cannot be good for the economy in the long term and it may contribute to the level of depression.

English journalist
 

Attitudes towards children

I worked as a teacher in London for one year, and I was shocked by the englishmens attitudes towards children. You are not allowed to beat your dog in England, but english parents are free to beat their own children. Neighbours around the school constantly complained about noise, and they literally threatened kids who climbed over their fence to get a football etc. I have never experienced anyting like this in Norway. I think norwegians aknowledge childen as adequate human beings in a way far from you usually do in Britain. We accept that noise and footballs are an important part of the childhood, and that violence towards children is not only stupid and unacceptable, it is also a severe abuse of authority, and shows a lack of humanity, don't you agree? I know that this question is dicussed in the newspapers and in the parliament occationally, but you english insist on having the right to bang your kids. Not very impressive, is it?
Innsendt av: Ellen Stein

Actually people here do go to prison for beating their children. (And aggressive adolescent hooligans exploit this fact to intimidate their teachers.)

English journalist
 

An Englishman in Oslo

I must say that I agree with everything in your article about Norway and Oslo. I myself have lived in Oslo since 1997. I grew up in Solihull/Birmingham and studied journalism in London.

Although I agree with you, I think that the no one is worse than the english working class when it comes to drinking. Englishmen behave like screaming morons.

Anyhow I prefer Norway to the moribund English culture and nation.

When the Germans was defeated (for the first time during the war) in Narvik, Chruchill said this about Norwegians: Fighting a Norwegian is like rogering a frenchman without wearing a condom: death is impending.
Innsendt av: P. Nishead

All of us who know anything about World War II have great respect for Norway's resistance against the Nazis. And I've always been proud that Churchill sent troops and ships to Narvik etc., even though the mission didn't work in the end, and he was bitterly criticized for it.

Fair English journalist
 

Norwegian girls, stupid and gold digging blondes?

My name is Kathrine, I`m an 29 year old Norwegian girl.
I must say, I couldn`t care less about your opinion of Norway, but stereotyping blond, Norwegian girls as cheap "prostitutes"? And this based on what ONE extremely stupid ,(and probably bitter), man says?
My God, realise this: blond, scandinavian girls with good looks must proove themselves every day. The fight against this kind of stereotyping never seems to end.

You`re not helping, are you?!

Kathrine
Innsendt av: Kathrine

I think you must have read another article, or a misrepresentation of mine. I never said anything about "gold digging blondes". I did mention prostitutes, but only in the context of immigration (all the prostitutes I saw were African and Eastern European) and the low profile of Norways police

confused English journalist
 

No Daily Mail

Hi Jonathan,

I have lived in the UK for many years and am happier here than in Norway. However the one thing I would point to as a major downside to living in the UK is the existance of the Daily Mail - and, lets be honest, its readers. How would you feel about such an assessment?
Innsendt av: Christine

Well, no one forces anyone to read the Mail, and its readers include many wonderful people. I also think that one advantage the UK has over Norway is a more diverse and more interesting press, partly because there is less state involvement in the media here

proud English journalist
 

Are you gay?

Either you're gay, or you have mud on your contact lenses......We might be the most boring people you've met in your life, but we have all the finest girls......

To this last point you must agree...?

Cheers
George
Innsendt av: George Best

Actually I went out of my way in my article to talk about the extraordinary number of beautiful women to be seen on the streets of Oslo. My editors thought I was exaggerating. But I assured them that you could take a random selection of women standing at Oslo tram-stops, bring them to England, and they could compete with all of our supermodels, actresses, TV presenters etc. In fact I suspect that Norwegians often take the beauty the ee around them for granted, a common human frailty.

Clear seeing English journalist
 

What about the food?

I dearly hope you did not find native norwegian food as bland as the rest of country. Seeing as english food (not counting imported stuff like curries) is considered some of the most bland in the world, having our food labeled as bland by an brit would be a huge and devestation blow to all our chefs.

Cheers,
Øystein
Innsendt av: Øystein Tvedten

I just found it surprisingly hard to find traditional Norwegian food in Oslo. (And I've never seen so many pizzerias in Italy or America) In England we have had a renaissance in traditional English food and also the birth of "new English cooking" which combines various foreign cuisines with our own traditions in a delicious way. As for curries - they are not really imported, they come out of a tradition the British helped create in India when they first imported chilis to the subcontinent

Well fed English journalist
 

Carpets on the bathroom floor

Hi Jonathan!
There is one thing about the UK that has been troubling me for years. How can any sane person cover his or her bathroom floor with thick carpets? I mean, we go out of our way to waterproof our bathrooms with tiles or vinyl or what have you, while some of your fellow citizens go out of their way to trap moisture in carpets! Think of all the small creatures who really thrive in this environment!
Apart from that - (and of course the fact that you are driving on the wrong side of the road) - England is a geat place!
Innsendt av: Tore

Hmm, It's never really occurred to me that the British are more likely to carpet their bathroom floors, with all the implications for hygiene. We certainly don't all live like that. Maybe we aren't tough enough when it comes to stepping out of a warm bath onto a cold winter floor

Surprised English journalist
 

You're right

Mr Foreman , your analysis of Norway are correct. Most people here are sad and boring. We actually like to be alone. And when we meet other people we cant have a nice time before we drink.
But thats how rich people are. And we are rich.

I am very impressed of the fact that it took you such a short while to discover the truth. We need a kick in the back !
Innsendt av: Lord Nelson

Thank you. But I think that every country including my own needs sometimes to see itself through foreign eyes. I'm not sure that Norwegians are boring - in fact in my limited experience they are not - but somehow life in Norway ends up being dull. Maybe that's a price people pay for prosperity and equality and order... And the question then becomes, is that a price worth paying?

Impressed English journalist
 

Couldn't agree more

Thanks for a well-written and observant article about Norway. I'm a Norwegian who lives and works in the UK, and I definately prefer Brits to Norwegians. What do you think are the main differences between Brits and Norwegians in terms of their "cultural mindset"?

Cheers, Henning
Innsendt av: Henning

Thank you. But I wouldn't say that I prefer Brits to Norwegians, just that I'm not sure I'd want to live in Norway. I do get the impression that Norwegian cultural life can sometimes be oppressive or claustrophobic, with everyone saying the same (reasonable) thing, and that it is hard being the small sibling of Sweden...

flattered English journalist
 

excellent point, Jonathan

Jonathan, you are absolutely correct about Norway being dull. There are definately room for improvement.
However, when I lived in Manchester (and London) I got mugged twice, tried to make conversation with illiterate adults whos only academic background is reading shitty newspaper, seen poverty, shopped cheap food at Quicksave, wathced single mums and lager louts fight, seen astonishingly bad teeth, lived in crappy, cold houses, shagged ugly women. However, England is great. So is elsewhere.
Innsendt av: olanordmann

You can certainly find all sorts of misery and ugliness here in England. And there are many things in Norway that are enviable, quite apart from the country's GDP or income distribution. One thing I found mysterious was that people seemed so subdued. I would have thought that surrounded by so much beauty, and being so prosperous Norwegians would be much more cheerful

English journalist
 

Jealous?

Honestly, Jonathan, is this just your way of getting back at us Vikings for invading/pillaging/ruling your country for all those years? We said we were sorry!
Innsendt av: Martin

Not all Martin. I think we're rather proud of our part Viking heritage (and language). Though we are envious of your oil (so much more than ours), your landscapes and the beauty of your women

Not jealous English journalist
 

moahahaha

naaaw, you're sooo cute, dear stiff english man ;) I guess you made that conclude after visiting several parts of norway, not just Oslo, am I right?

hehe, very nice...
Innsendt av: Heidi

thank you, Heidi. Unfortunately I did only get to see Oslo. I would very much like to have seen other parts of Norway -- and actually to spend more time there in general

Cute stiff English journalist