American Woman Who Moved To Norway Shares 25 Things That Culturally Shocked Her

Moving to a new country can turn everyday errands into a long list of surprises, and Norway seems to deliver plenty of them. For Jorie, a Chicago creative who relocated there with her husband, family, and dogs, even the smallest routines became content for her TikTok series, Things In Norway That Are Foreign To Me.

Her videos highlight the little details that stand out to an American in Norway, from bread slicers in grocery stores to babies left outside in strollers and shoppers packing their own groceries. The series has clearly struck a nerve, drawing thousands of followers who enjoy seeing Norway through fresh eyes.

Some of her discoveries are practical, some are just plain funny, and a few might make you look at your own daily habits differently. Read on.

1. "Dogs Are Allowed On Public Transport"

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2. "Stop Light Buttons That Actually Make Drivers Stop"

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3. "Grass On Roofs"

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4. "Double Beds With Single Duvets"

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5. "Leaving Babies In Strollers Outside"

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6. "Bread Slicers In Grocery Stores"

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7. "Everything Is Closed On Sundays"

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8. "Recycling Bottles And Cans"

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9. "Colorful Houses"

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Jorie originally intended to make these videos for an American-only audience to educate people about Norwegian culture. However, she quickly realized that Norwegians enjoy having their culture reflected back at them, and the audience swiftly grew.

That shift gave the series a bigger audience than she expected.

It also feels like those hidden corners of the world you’ve probably never heard of, where the “normal” rulebook doesn’t match what you expect.

10. "Packing Your Own Groceries At Checkout"

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11. Clean Tap Drinking Water

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12. Date Format

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13. Newborns Get Gender-Specific Names

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14. Milk Is Not Sold By The Gallon.

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15. Smaller Refrigerators

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16. "People Would Rather Stand Than Sit Next To A Stranger On Public Transit"

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17. "Paprika Flavored Snacks"

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18. Folding Shower Doors

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19. "Roundabouts!"

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20. Blinds On The Wrong Side Of The Windows

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21. Windows Can Open In Several Directions

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22. Airport Security Is Not So Tight

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23. Norwegians Do Love Their Canned Corn

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24. "Different Outlets"

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25. You Don't Have To Buy A Whole Pack Of Beers And Sodas

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Jorie loves living in Norway and making these videos, but she points out that the subjects for them are slowly running out. Even though there are many differences, they are so small that they don’t deserve to be featured in videos, and she doesn’t want to sound like a “stupid American.”

That leaves her with fewer and fewer surprises to point out.

Before your next trip, read how someone handled a friend who criticized every plan.