Norway has Norwegian and Sami as its two official languages. However, Norwegian is the one that’s most widely spoken in the country. If you have no idea how to speak Norwegian, you have nothing to worry about! Locals in the country are very proficient in English, and the language is widely used in business settings.

Language Skills
Norway is one of the skilled speakers in the world in terms of using the English language. With an English Proficiency Index of 624, the country is ranked 5th among all of the countries in the world. However, learning basic Norwegian will also benefit you a lot. With basic Norwegian understanding, you’ll be more comfortable surrounded by locals, and you’ll be able to easily break down social barriers among your Norwegian peers. To learn the official language in Norway for free, you may want to check out online lessons in Duolingo or Norwegian ABC.

One of the basics that you should be studying is the greetings in Norwegian language. Occasionally, you will be interacting with local colleagues and you’ll be greeted and will have to respond in basic Norwegian. The most commonly used greeting in informal settings is ‘hei,’ which simply means ‘hi.’ You may also say ‘hallo,’ and that simply means ‘hello.’ Another greeting you may say in Norwegian is ‘god dag,’ which means ‘good day,’ or ‘god kveld’ which means ‘good evening.’ When parting with a counterpart whom you may not see for a long period of time, you may try saying ‘ha det bra’ which means ‘be well.’ To know how the mentioned greetings are pronounced and to learn more of the basic greetings in the country, you may check out this link.

Body Language
Norwegians are reserved people and do not prefer physical touches unless with close family and friends. They value personal space, therefore you should observe your distance with locals when going to public places. It is also advisable to avoid unnecessary physical interactions like slapping the back of a local or putting your arms around them, as it will not be accepted positively.

Locals in Norway use hand gestures sparingly, therefore signaling with your hands is not advised. A thumbs up is perhaps the only one that is common as it signifies approval and is a positive gesture. However, avoid using the ‘okay’ gesture where the index finger forms a circle with the thumb, because it is considered an obscene hand signal.

During conversations, always maintain eye contact. Complete engagement means a lot to the locals, and they associate this with frequent eye contact. Norwegians speak in gentle and soft tones, and it is advised that you respond in the same manner. If conversations reach a pause, do not rush to fill in gaps or silent moments. It is common for locals to pause during conversations, and they may find it displeasing if someone does not allow a space for silence.

Topics for Discussion
You may notice that most Norwegians may not be the first to engage in conversations. It is suggested that you are always ready with topics that are relevant to your local counterparts. You may begin by mentioning notable cultures and features of the country. A topic that you may bring up is about the Nobel Prize. While Nobel Prizes on sciences are awarded in Sweden, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo Norway. It is an integral part of their culture and is a topic that a local may want to elaborate about.

A very engaging topic you may also try is the subject of football (soccer). Norwegians are fond of football and are supporting their national team that is actively competing globally. Check out the most recent games their team has been in, and don’t forget to note the most popular players in the country.

Norwegians are also fond of conversations about travel. Since the outdoors are an essential part of their lifestyle and culture, they like stories of how other people enjoy their vacations and international journeys. Go ahead and jump start the discussion on how wonderful your Norway travel has been so far. You may also share your experiences in other European countries and which destination you liked the most.

It was mentioned in the previous sections that Norwegians are quite reserved people. This is entirely consistent in terms of the conversation topics they don’t like being discussed. Locals are not comfortable talking about matters that are too personal such as financials, position, rank, and social status. It is also advised that you avoid any topics that will lead to questions about family. They are also displeased with criticisms about the Norwegian government and comparisons between their country and other nations.