# data[].attributes.body
Norway is very similar to the United States in the fact that both are very developed and are thriving in the world. Both countries are global powerhouses and have similar social ideologies.

While many see America as the superpower of the world, Norway is arguably the more advanced country. In Norway, people are far more equal, with an egalitarian ideal. There is also 44.44% less of a class divide in Norway. There is far less crime in Norway than the US, and there are far stricter gun laws. This means that one is 76.32% less likely to be murdered in Norway.

Living in Norway is more expensive than living in the US. In Norway, one will spend 1.8% more on health care, but it is universal, meaning everyone has access. Due to the extensive length of the cold months in Norway, one will, on average, use 92.47% more electricity. While there is less of a class divide and people are generally paid more in Norway,  the cost of living is much higher due to the costly taxes and import prices.

# data[].attributes.body
This article explains the Law of Jante (also known as Janteloven). This is basically the unspoken cultural norm in Norway. It’s an concept that is centralized around the idea of the collective good rather than individual success. One is not supposed to put themselves above anyone else, but rather put everyone on an equal level.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
One of my most jarring experiences doing business in Norway was when I first encountered the Law of Jante, or Janteloven. While discussing why a Norwegian business was not excelling, a colleague of mine simply shrugged their shoulders and proclaimed "Well, you know, Law of Jante". Jante?

What was Jante?

He sat me down for an hour and laid out a cultural anomaly that colored how almost every Norwegian (and more broadly Scandinavians) operate, both in business and in life. The Law of Jante is a social concept created by Danish / Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in his 1933 book A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks. You may be familiar with a similar concept used in other parts of the world called "Tall Poppy Syndrome".

In Janteloven, individual success is discouraged and, in many cases, considered inappropriate. Instead society encourages the good of the collective over any one individual. This has shaped Scandinavian culture over many years and helped to create the peaceful, modest, and homogenous society of today.
You're not to think you are anything special. You're not to think you are as good as we are. You're not to think you are smarter than we are. You're not to imagine yourself better than we are. You're not to think you know more than we do. You're not to think you are more important than we are. You're not to think you are good at anything. You're not to laugh at us. You're not to think anyone cares about you. You're not to think you can teach us anything.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
One of my most jarring experiences doing business in Norway was when I first encountered the Law of Jante, or Janteloven. While discussing why a Norwegian business was not excelling, a colleague of mine simply shrugged their shoulders and proclaimed "Well, you know, Law of Jante". Jante? What was Jante?

# data[].attributes.body
Tromso is the largest city in northern Norway.

# data[].attributes.body
Oslo is the capital of Norway

# data[].attributes.body
Kygo is a Norwegian DJ, songwriter, and producer.

# data[].attributes.body
For any festive or formal event, folk/national costumes (bunad) are considered proper attire. Half of the population has access to family ski huts, cabins, or boats. It is said that 9 out of 10 Norwegians take part in some type of outdoor recreation. Access rights in Norway ensure free access and passage across all uncultivated land, all year. Fishing in the salt waters of Norway is free and a public right; however, fishing in fresh water is not free and only those who own the land can fish in the freshwater.

# data[].attributes.body
Idealizes natural environments-homes usually have indoor-outdoor living to incorporate nature. House furnishings encourage conversation among family and often incorporate the simplicity of Scandinavian aesthetics. Houses are often brightly colored along the coasts and rivers, and on some islands, there are rules about which colors one can paint a house. All homes in Norway have an open fire and chimney, by law. This is because it often gets so cold the power shuts down, and people need a way to stay warm.

# data[].attributes.body
June 2008; parliament passed a new act granting homosexual couples the same marriage and adoption rights as heterosexual couples. Education is gender-neutral with the goal of giving everyone an equal opportunity. Most families are nuclear, but many couples will live together and start families but not be married. Families rarely have more than 2 children; however, national culture tends to be very child-centered.

# data[].attributes.body
Breakfast is a large, plain meal (coffee, bread, meats, dairy), lunch is smaller than breakfast (meat and cheese sandwich, fruit, potatoes, and/or meat), dinner can be very similar to that of a typical American dinner (pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches, foreign foods) but is usually very simple yet filling. Lutefisk, seen above, is cod soaked in lye. It is commonly eaten around Christmas.

# data[].attributes.body
Greetings in Norway are very casual, much like the rest of the culture. They rarely introduce themselves with “Mr.” or “Mrs.” Greetings usually consist of a handshake with a smile and eye contact. It's also very uncommon for one to introduce someone to another person.

The use of informal pronouns is most common, and people rarely use formal addressings. Personal space and punctuality is respected. People rarely call attention to themselves by being loud and flamboyant. They are very noncompetitive and victors are supposed to remain very humble.

# data[].attributes.body
Most people in Norway fit the general Scandinavian stereotype. They often are very fair and have very light hair. Men and women are generally taller than average. There are no defining characteristics specific to Norwegians, as most Scandinavians fit the same general profile.

# data[].attributes.body
Before converting to Christianity under King Olav Haraldsson in the 990s, Norway was most polytheistic, following the Norse religion. Today Norway is mostly Evangelical Lutheran, with a small population of Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim.

# data[].attributes.body
The main language in Norway is Bokmal Norwegian. This is the official written language. Nynorsk Norwegian is the second most common language, but is arguably just a written dialect of Bokmal Norwegian, as they are very similar. Sami is the language of the indigenous people in Norway, and is split into three types; North Sami, Lule Sami, and South Sami.