I would like to share some of our experiences, adventures, and observations.
Norway is an amazingly clean country, you see very little trash.
Most Norwegians speak English and at a high level. Our travels have taken us to places where "they speak English" but not nearly as well as the Norwegians.
There are places where you can park for free. The places that require you to get a ticket to park for free simply do so to help keep parking available for the intended clients/customers (i.e. cars parked at the mall are mall customers and not commuters who took the subway to work).
You may have to "pay" for a shopping cart, but you get your money back when you return the cart. The payoff of this procedure is a lack of carts scattered across a parking lot and shopping carts that are in decent shape.
Groceries/food tends to be fresh and with no or very limited additives. I heard that GMO food is banned in Norway.
Reflector gear is very popular, especially in the darker months. This gear is worn for any outdoor activity. The increased visibility is appreciated as a motorist.
"Merry Christmas" is not only allowed but encouraged (god jul--pronounced "go yule"). Christmas also brings pepperkake (a cookie somewhat like a gingersnap), Christmas soda (jule brus), and Christmas beers (jule øl). During winter and the Christmas season it is common to place candles at the end of your driveway, along your sidewalk, etc. The candles come in large "tubs" roughly the size of a margaine tub. Many businesses offer self-serve wrapping--you may wrap your gift right there at the store with paper, tape, scissors, etc. provided.
Food is allowed almost everywhere including concerts, sporting events, amusement parks, etc.
The Norwegians are not into law suites. My wife saw a staircase with one of the steps in disarray. The question was raised why there weren't warning signs, the step taped off, etc. In the US such a situation would be a law suite waiting to happen. The reply was that people could see the stair was broken and would take the appropriate precautions. You would have trouble finding a lawyer that would take your case if you hurt yourself and it may be even tougher to find a judge that would hear the case. It is refreshing not having to be paranoid about being sued. My guess is the person that spilled hot McDonalds coffee on themselves would not have gone to trial in Norway.
Norway is incredibly safe. Children four and five years old walk or ride their bike/scooter to school. Lost/forgotten items may be reclaimed several days later (there have been bikes and skateboards at the end of our driveway for days). Pedestrians enter cross-walks without looking to check for traffic. Someone (who shall remain nameless) left the keys in the car at a shopping mall parking lot and the car was still there after two hours. Mothers will leave their sleeping infants in strollers outside while they go inside and have coffee with their friends. Our neighbor has left five wheels (rims and tires) for his BMW out on the driveway for a week.
Norway is the most child and pet friendly country in the world. If your children don't have school and you don't have child care just bring your child to work with you. It is not out of the norm to see a person's pet at work either.
Norwegians are an active and healthy people. You see very few overweight people and no morbidly obese ones. Fitness and exercise are a priority. Regardless of the weather you will see joggers, cyclists, roller-skiers, etc. out on the streets and paths. As has already been mentioned the food is healthy, People do not eat out very often but when they do the portions are smaller than in North America.
Norway has/is a good experience for our family. We are looking ahead with anticipation to our remaining time.
