Business
- Appointments are necessary and should be made as far in advance as possible.
- Punctuality is extremely important, as it demonstrates trustworthiness. If you are going to be even five minutes late it is important to call ahead and explain your tardiness.
- Send an agenda before the meeting so that your Norwegian colleagues can be prepared. Be sure to leave time at the end for a Q&A, as Norwegians will not interrupt you during the presentation for questions.
Norwegians do not need a close relationship in order to conduct business, though they prefer to come to agreements with people they trust.
- Friendship develops when you are professional and deliver upon your word. If you and your Norwegian associates are like-minded, then a relationship will develop over time.
- Communication is straightforward and relies on facts. Presentations should be well researched and delivered in a confident manner.
- Norwegians are not very emotive speakers and have very little body language.
- Maintain eye contact through negotiations and do not interrupt others while they are speaking.
Dining
- You should be punctual in all social situations. You should confirm the dress code with your guests.
- Offer to help the hostess with preparation or with cleanup after the meal is served.
- You should not bring up business in conversation, as Norwegians separate personal and business lives.
- Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.
- The male guest of honor usually sits to the right of the hostess. When the meal is over, he must thank the hostess for the meal for all the guests.
- Guests should toast the hostess at least once during the meal. Toasts are made with alcoholic drinks, but not beer. Women must put their glasses down first after the toast
is done.
Gift Giving
- If invited to someone’s home it is appropriate to bring flowers, chocolates, wine, or imported liquor.
- Do not give lilies, carnations, white flowers, or wreaths.
- Gifts are opened when received.
Greetings
- Greetings are very casual; give a firm handshake with direct eye contact.
- Many Norwegians refer to themselves simply by their last name, without any title.
- Shake hands starting with women first, according to age from oldest to youngest.
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Smoked Salmon
Norway is well known for
its seafood and meatballs. Smoked salmon is a
traditional Norwegian dish
that has gained popularity
all over the world.
Ingredients:
• 1/3 cup flour
• 5 fluid ounces milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 11 ounces cream cheese
with herbs
• 1 ounce horseradish cream
• 3 ½ ounces crème fraiche
(sour cream is an appropriate substitute)
• 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 7 ounces smoked salmon, sliced thinly
Directions:
1. Mix the milk, eggs, flour, oil and a pinch of salt to make runny dough.
2. Set aside and allow to rest for about 30 minutes.
3. Cover a large oven tray with baking paper (the kind that comes with your oven and has a slightly raised edge).
4. Carefully pour the dough into the middle and spread thinly to form a rectangle.
5. Bake for about 13 minutes until the edges start to come away the tray.
6. Allow to cool on the tray.
7. Mix the cream cheese, horseradish and crème fraiche until smooth and creamy.
8. Season with dill, salt and pepper to taste.
9. Spread half of the mix onto the cold baked dough, cover with a layer of smoked salmon and then spread the rest of the cheese mix on top.
10. Carefully roll the whole thing up, starting with the long end, to form a roulade. The baking paper should help you do this.
11. Cover with cling film and chill well. It’s best to leave it in the fridge overnight, before cutting it into ¾ inch thick slices using a very sharp knife.
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