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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 NEGOTIATION
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.

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