Ive had most of my bad experience in spanish places.

But as in Norway I guess there are always some of those that are rude and fed up with foreigners, tourists, exchange students, EU workers etc. But I dont let the bad experiences get me down as the good ones outshine all the bad ones.

A thing about Norway is that they often feel foreigners are trying to take advantage of us. Both here in Norway and when we are out traveling. Almost every norwegian have been victim of some kind of scam from foreigners either at home or abroad. The thing that we have to pay more for the same goods as the natives do many places etc. Many little things that make an impression.

I myself have been scammed many times during 20-30 years of traveling, but I always know when it is happening and If i dont loose a whole lot I dont bother to make a fuss.

Another thing is that norwegians sets honesty very highly. If prove yourself as an honest person you will have no problem gettin friends. In some cultures people rather lie not too loose face and that does not build trust even if it is about silly things.

I work in an area that has tourists every day. And even if Im dead tired after work I always try to be polite and helpful if foreigners are asking for directions or other things. But sometimes I think I am so overworked that I dont seem polite even if I am.

We have a lot of romanian/organized beggars that comes in organized busloads and if we dont give them money they spit or curse at us (happened several times). They setup camps and totally ruin the places with garbage and fecies everywhere. They ask for money and leave us theire shit.

Norwegians are also loosing jobs in great speed to cheaper foreign work and they sometime feels foreigners as a threat to theire livelyhood.
Man companies use indian or east-european companies instead of hiring norwegians.

We also have a problem with a huge amount of money laundering and criminal activites in foreign circles in our countries. Where most are represented by somalies, pakistanis and east europeans. Many pakistanis treat our girls badly, use them and throw them away but norwegian guys are not allowed to date theire women (racism towards theire host country).

But these are the bad stuff. We certainly never judge everyone based on this. But Norway certainly has had its share of foreigners trying to take advantage of us and that shapes how people view visitors.

As I have lived for half a century I know that Norwegians attitude have changed gradualy towards foreigners in the last 10-20 years based on many years of bad experience when trying to be open and welcoming.

When it comes to dutch people Ive never heard of anyone having trouble with them. Some friends have had long relationships with ducth men and women. The netherlands is a place most norwegians love and I findt it hard to think that we wouldnt be welcoming a dutchman.

We have many dutch imigrants that bring new life to abandoned farms and villages and all norwegians I know love them for that.

And one thing norwegians excel at is bashing theire own culture and people and worshipping everything foreign or exotic. I find that naive.

haha Wat

Can anyone explain to me why a woman would accuse me of staring at her breasts when she have them on display with large parts uncovered and clevage for everyone to see? Why is she showing cleavage if she dont want people to look at it?

The point being. Most people only want attention from the ones they prefer. People that dont want attention from you will act rude. Look down, away, make a grimace etc. to signal "I dont want your attention".

And I have not found this to be particulary norwegian.

Sorry if you understood it that way, but that was not what I meant. I will try to explain it you you one more time. You have to read what I am writing and think of it, just don't assume things.

I was also, like you, using the stranger sitting next to you on the bus as an example. You may be busy walking with your own thoughts and minding your own business, but if you are in town, lets say that you are out shopping, you will eventually get eye contact with someone. You found a jacket you want, you now have to pay for it, you got to talk with the cashier, why don't smile and say hello insted of ignoring her?

I don't mean that you have to go around smiling like an idiot to everyone you see. I don't care if you stare at the ground, but if it was me who was working on that bar you go to every weekend, I would like that you said hello to me when you was paying for the beer, not ignoring me.

I don't speak on your behalf, or anyone's. I am just sharing my opinion, sorry if you got hurt or something, it was just my opinion. So if you want to look in the ceiling insted of smiling to the person you just got eye contact with, be my guest.

She probably wants you to look at it, she just don't dare to tell in fear of sounding "slutty"

I really agree with Simonaline, if you want to know a Norwegian you have to do it though a practical setting. It is an introverted society, and we need a framework to not feel awkward. Therefor Norwegians are into their social bubbles, where socializing is about being together though a common activity.

If you are from the outside and has no Norwegian friends , I think this is a good way to boot-strap yourself into the Norwegian society.

I also recommend the book, Social Guidebook to Norway. Try join a group of some setting, like e.g. Turistforeningen. Or try the Meetup -app. You can also try joining a church of some sort, they organize many activities for people to be social.

And yes, as southerner, to be honest I feel the northerners are better at being social. I feel they are more extroverted. They often are really good at social banter, and to create a good social atmosphere. This has been my experience when I have visited Tromsø, and Bodø. So if you are moving to Norway, maybe give Bodø or Tromsø a go? Its cold and dark many months of the year but has warm people..