Career
Abroad is the ideal guide to facts on work culture abroad. Do's
and don'ts on etiquette, work ethics and conversational pleasantries,
find them all here.
Norway
COMMUNICATION
Though Norwegian is the official
language, Lapp and Finnish minorities speak their language, as
do the Samik speakers of Sami. The
Norwegian language is closely related to the other Scandinavian
languages, and to some degree to English, Dutch and German. Most
Norwegians have a good command of English. There are two languages,
Bokal and Nynorsk, with equal status in schools and official use.
ATTIRE
It is common to wear casual suits or sports coats and jackets
to work. Many simply wear nice trousers and shirts. Women wear
skirts and sweaters, suits, trousers, blazers and dresses. For
more formal occasions, men usually wear dark suits and women either
long dresses or suits.
THE
FIRMER THE BETTER !!
We refer of course to handshakes! Norwegians greet and take leave
of one another with a firm handshake. Common etiquette is to introduce
themselves to the other before meetings, coffee breaks and at
cocktail parties. Don't wait around for your host to do the honours.
Business cards are exchanged after introductions have been made.
Do remember Norwegians are egalitarian by nature. Titles or name-dropping
will not impress them. Always keep direct eye contact during conversations,
it is very important in Norway. Norwegians are often perceived
as being open and informal, frank and personal discussions are
quite normal even if the participants are not well acquainted.
NO SMALL TALK PLEASE
Engaging in small talk will not get you anywhere. Norwegians are
usually goal-oriented in their discussions. They prefer to get
directly into matters without much ado. Unlike England where weather
happens to be a common topic, don't try that on Norwegians. It's
a sure-fire way of avoiding conversations. They like people with
interest and knowledge in winter sports, the great outdoors and
possibly any athletic event under the sun.
BUSINESS MEETINGS AND NEGOTIAN
The best time for meetings is usually between 9a.m and 12a.m in
the morning and 13p.m and 16p.m in the afternoon. Meetings should
be set up beforehand and confirmed by letter, telephone or e-mail.
Punctuality is important. Coming in late is considered impolite.
Do not expect a briefing to catch up on what you have missed.
Repeated cancellation of appointments has a negative impact on
your image. For social events such as dinner parties, etc. there
is a grace period of about 15 minutes. Words of welcome are usually
spoken for about 30 minutes in a reception or a cocktail party.
In Norway, it is still relatively easy to reach top-level executives
within a corporation. But weigh your move wisely. Sometimes the
best place to start may be a bit further down the organizational
structure.
It is crucial that you be thoroughly prepared for business meetings.
Start with an agenda and choose a fact-oriented presentation form.
It is also important that you stick to the time frame. You may
find that negotiations move more quickly than you expected. Norwegians
are inclined to taking quick decisions.
Contracts and agreements are mutually binding. Prices and specifications
are black and white and an offer stands as tendered. Bargaining
will probably get you nowhere and may well generate resistance
among your Norwegian counterparts. This attitude has given Norwegians
a reputation as inflexible and tough to deal with. On the other
hand, Norwegians are direct and present their intentions immediately.
All parties are expected to honour all agreements and promises.
BUSINESS LUNCHES AND DINNER
Most offices have a lunchroom or canteen, with or without cafeteria
facilities. Business partners are taken to the company facilities
for lunch.
Lunch in Norway is a simpler affair. A standard meal consists
of cold sandwiches and or rolls, fruit, baked goods and various
non-alcoholic beverages. Often sandwiches are homemade and eaten
with coffee or tea during a half-hour break taken sometime between
11.30 a.m and 13p.m. Norwegians prefer to eat dinner at home with
their families.
Business dinners to cultivate customer relations are more the
exception than the rule. If business partnerships turn into friendships,
it becomes more common to go out for an informal meal or drink
together at the end of the workday. Signing of contracts or successful
negotiations are good occasions for celebrating. Formal meetings
and seminars lasting more that a day will usually incorporate
one or two dinners and receptions for participants.
INVITATION HOME
if your Norwegian business partner invites you home, be on time.
Punctuality extends to social gatherings as well. Home dinner
parties tend to be informal, with male guest of honour sitting
to the left of the hostess, while a female guest of honour seated
to the right of the host. Toasts (raising your glass and saying
"skål", or "Cheers") are traditional.
The host is responsible for the first toast, during which he or
she welcomes the participants to the meal. This is also the cue
that it is OK to begin with the drinks.
However, at formal events, toasts follow special conventions of
rank and age. Remember one cardinal rule: all personal toasts
should be returned during a meal. It is proper etiquette to look
the toaster in the eye both before and after a toast. If you are
not drinking wine or beer, it is acceptable to toast with mineral
water. After dessert, before coffee is served, there is usually
a final toast to end the meal. This can take the form of a well-rehearsed
speech (e.g. at an arranged company function) or be a spontaneous
thank you from one of the guests.
Most dinners consist of an appetiser, main course, vegetable(s)
and dessert, with or without a cocktail beforehand. After dinner,
it is common to serve coffee with cake and cognac or a digestive.
Few subjects are taboo during dinner conversation, for example
religion, unless your hosts bring it up.
GIFTS
Gifts are not a necessary part of Norwegian business life, but
it is good gesture to bring a small gift to your business connections
or host. A small souvenir or local delicacy from your country
is a suitable gift. Flowers, a potted plant, a box of chocolates
or a bottle of wine are always popular for home visits. Expensive
gifts are generally inappropriate in any context and may be misunderstood
to imply hidden motives.
ESPECIALLY FOR THE FAIRER SEX
In meetings women are expected to participate on an equal footing
with their male counterparts. Norwegians often use only last names
when referring to one another in meetings. Some women feel slightly
uncomfortable; so don't be surprised if they tack on a "Mrs."
whether or not this is appropriate.
Men do not generally rise when a woman enters or leaves a room,
nor do they necessarily introduce women first in a meeting. None
of these actions are interpreted as rude, rather seen as an expression
of the egalitarianism that exists in the Norwegian society.
MAJOR COMMERCIAL HOLIDAYS
January 1 --New Year
April 9 --Holy Thursday ("Maundy Thursday")
April 10 -Good Friday
April 13 --Easter Monday
May 1 - Labour Day
May 21 - Ascension Day
May 17 - Constitution Day
June 1 - Whit Monday
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 26 - Boxing Day
Keep
a few of these business courtesies in mind, will be greatly appreciated
by the Norwegians.
