Englishman Reacts to... What is daily life in Oslo really like?

[00:00:00]Welcome to the channel. My name is Rob and I am learning everything about Norway, Denmark, Sweden as well. And we have a trip to Oslo planned within just over a week. So, I want to learn a little bit more about what to expect when we do come to Oslo. And if you enjoy this video, please do hit that like button, subscribe, and go to Charlie and Rob on YouTube to see when those vlogs come out.

[00:00:22]>> Living in a new city isn't just about finding a job or learning the language.

[00:00:26]It's also about navigating daily life, >> like buying groceries, saving money, or even just interacting with Norwegians in everyday situations.

[00:00:35]>> That's why we're taking you around the city today and diving into daily life in Oslo. [music] >> That scream was a bit unnecessary, it seemed.

[00:00:45]>> This might be crazy to you, but the king in Norway lives there inside the castle.

[00:00:51]>> Hi, Huddled.

[00:00:54]I I do you know that straight away reminds me of Denmark because when we went to Copenhagen it's almost the same.

[00:01:02]Uh everyone could just walk up almost to the window and say hello through the window. That's what it feels like.

[00:01:07]Whereas in the UK you know it's behind a massive gate Buckingham Palace and all that and you will not get anywhere near.

[00:01:14]It's completely different and and I see why, for example, in Denmark, there's more trust with the royals. And I assume it's the same with Norway. There's more trust with the royals.

[00:01:23]>> In Oslo and around Norway, there's a strong emphasis on equality, balance, and social trust. [music] Values that shape daily life here. The idea is that everyone should have access to essential services like education and healthcare and that life isn't just about work but also about time for family, nature and [music] personal interests.

[00:01:44]>> Norway operates on a high trust society model meaning [music] people generally trust the government institutions and even each other. This is reflected in everyday life. Parents leave baby strollers outside of [music] cafes.

[00:01:58]Workers take sick leave without fear of losing their job. And people follow the owner system in places like selfch checkckout stores and public transportation.

[00:02:08]>> Of course, things aren't always perfect, but [music] the system is built on the idea that society functions best when people have a solid foundation [music] to stand on.

[00:02:18]>> Yeah, I I said I I've now learned a lot about Denmark as well, and it just seems like a Scandinavian thing. Like even the leaving the push chairs outside a cafe if you go in sometimes even with the babies in which for me just seems bizarre all right it seems bizarre but that's coming from my society in the UK where you just wouldn't do it um you can't trust people you know there is that lack of trust with your fellow countrymen and women and and yeah it seems so nice the fact that for example in Norway that you can just do these things you trust people because everyone I say everyone clearly it's not going to be everyone but the idea is that everyone is supported and well looked after there's no need to do these certain bad things one thing you'll notice on Oslo's public transportation system is that it's super quiet people will almost always sit apart >> if there's room so if uh no one comes is sitting next to you, it's not because you smell bad.

[00:03:27]>> And it's not just on public transportation, [music] but small talk with strangers isn't super common. Sure, if you're in a small [music] space like an elevator or a waiting room, a hi can be polite, but don't get offended if people don't respond.

[00:03:42]>> Work life balance in Norway is huge.

[00:03:45]Most people leave work at around 400 p.m. And which is outdoor life, is a big part of Oslo culture. Another key part of the Norwegian society is yenovven or the law of yamp. It's a set of unwritten social rules that emphasizes uh equality, humility and not standing out too much.

[00:04:08]>> It's definitely an interesting social cultural nuance that can take some time to get used to.

[00:04:17]So this is something that you know discovering that sometimes like here it's common for people to talk about their achievements sometimes boast about their achievements to to rise up above everyone else almost. Now no one likes it right no one likes it there's the there's the there's the saying tall poppy syndrome where if one poppy gets too tall you cut it down. That's what happens. It happens in Australia as well, but obviously there's serious links with Australia and the UK anyway.

[00:04:49]But it seems like in Norway, Scandinavian countries, it is not uh it's not polite. It's not socially acceptable to big yourself up too much.

[00:05:02]And yes, I like that. But sometimes it's nice if other people big you up, you know, give you the praise. you know, you work hard for something and you want that praise sometimes. So, I don't know.

[00:05:15]Let me know what you think about that.

[00:05:17]>> The biggest holiday that you'll experience while living in Oslo is Satai or Constitution Day. The entire city turns into [music] one big celebration with parades, flags, and a lot of people walking around [music] in traditional bunods, which are worn on holidays and special occasions.

[00:05:34]>> And speaking of bunods, every region in Norway has its own unique design.

[00:05:39]including Oslo.

[00:05:40]>> And another celebration that you'll experience is Christmas, which is huge in Norway.

[00:05:46]>> Oslo's Christmas markets are also a must visit. They make the city feel extra cozy in the winter months.

[00:05:52]>> And let's not forget Easter, which for many Norwegians means heading to a cabin for a long weekend of skiing, reading crime novels, and eating pusca egg.

[00:06:02]>> Um, the Christmas market thing. Now, quite often in Christmas markets, it is just tat, right? It's tat that comes in from China quite often or um you might get wooden engraved stuff and whatnot.

[00:06:14]Okay. I do find that we we obviously have them in the UK and they're pretty rubbish. Right now, going to Poland, seeing them there, it's awesome, especially when it's snowing. And so, I can only assume there's more chance of snow in Norway. And there's just something about it. I love it. You don't want it too much, but you love it when you go somewhere and it's kind of Christmas, snow, uh, hot chocolate. That sort of feeling just makes you feel, as the Danish say, hugger.

[00:06:48]Yeah. Other big seasonal events include the pride in June, sans often, which is midsummer, and the fact that also basically empties out in July because everyone is on vacation.

[00:07:00]>> That's true. The area that we're in now is called Throner. And guess what park this is?

[00:07:08]>> Frognner Parkin.

[00:07:09]>> Yes.

[00:07:11]While Norway isn't a particularly religious country, Oslo is home to a diverse mix of different communities.

[00:07:18]You'll find mosques, temples, and churches throughout the city.

[00:07:22]>> Many communities celebrate their own holidays there. So, if you're looking for people to celebrate your favorite holidays with, there are definitely ways to stay connected to your culture.

[00:07:33]>> Of course, not everyone's experience here is the same. Some find Oslo welcoming, while others struggle with language barriers, job opportunities, or feeling truly included.

[00:07:44]>> In general, Oslo is a city where you can find your people and be proud of who you are.

[00:07:51]And fun fact, if you spot any of these telephone booths around Oslo, you have to go in because there are books inside.

[00:08:00]>> Take one, leave one policy. And it's really cool.

[00:08:03]>> Yeah. Part of settling into a new place also means getting used to new daily routines like where to buy food, clothes, household items, and other daily essentials.

[00:08:12]>> Whether you're looking for local >> Did you just say that? Why is it everywhere? Right. Everywhere there's an Irish bloody pub. Literally everywhere there is an Irish pub.

[00:08:25][laughter] Wherever country you go to, you'll see an Irish pub. Freaking hell.

[00:08:30]Um I just love That's so funny. That's so funny.

[00:08:33]>> Food, clothes, household items, and other daily essentials.

[00:08:37]>> Whether you're looking for local products or ingredients from home also has a lot of options.

[00:08:42]>> Grocery stores here range from budget friendly to premium depending on what you're looking for. Budget options like Kiotusen and Coupe Extra are great for everyday essentials at lower prices.

[00:08:54]>> Mid-range to premium stores like Coupe Mega and Mani have a wider selection and higherend ingredients.

[00:09:01]>> Convenience stores like Yukir and Bun Pris are smaller, open later, and even on Sundays, but you can expect higher prices and limited selections. Make sure you pick up some yummy Norwegian snacks from the store like Brunost and food in tubes.

[00:09:18]>> Uh we will ensure we have some Norwegian food. We will do bring some back maybe to do some taste testing. We might even do some taste testing over in Norway. Um but we've got the same uh little Audi, they're the sort of budget. Um you've got Tesco, Sainsburries, Asda, and Morrison's are the sort of mid-range.

[00:09:36]The higher range, Waitros, uh M&S, uh those ones. So, we're very similar and we've got the kind of the convenience stores like the Premier, which you don't really want to buy from because they're normally quite expensive, but it's the convenience.

[00:09:52]If you want to save money, sign up for store memberships like Trum, [music] which works at several stores, or individual store memberships like from Norway takes recycling seriously. When you buy bottled drinks, you'll pay a small deposit. That's coming across everywhere.

[00:10:10]>> You can get back as a coupon or cash when you return the bottles or cans at the recycling machine. Or you can try your chances on winning a lottery. Are you feeling lucky today?

[00:10:20]>> No.

[00:10:22]>> Oh, and plastic bags cost extra at checkout, so it's a good idea for your wallet and the planet to bring your own.

[00:10:30]>> And you can also pick up free trash bags for recycling at the grocery stores, too. Green is for food trash and purple for clean plastics.

[00:10:38]Interesting.

[00:10:39]>> It's also important to know that almost all stores in Norway are closed on Sundays.

[00:10:46]>> Yes. Except some uh small ones are allowed to be open or in certain touristy areas.

[00:10:52]>> Yeah. So we just to point that to the UK. We have um similar in sense of in the UK on Sundays shops are normally either closed or open less. Normally, normally shops are open at least from say 9:00 till 5:00 or whatever. Um, straight away on Sundays, I think you're pretty much only allowed to be open from like 10 till 4. So, slightly reduced timing. Some close altogether. So, quite similar. It just I think that seems to be a way in most countries now on Sunday. There's a lot less open.

[00:11:25]>> So, make sure you plan ahead. If you're looking for ingredients from home, you'll find plenty of international grocery stores around Oslo, too.

[00:11:33]Giranlon is a great place to start. This neighborhood has a lot of shops that import goods from around the world.

[00:11:39]Plus, many things can be found cheaper than in regular grocery stores.

[00:11:43]>> Living here, you may also notice that alcohol sales are quite restricted.

[00:11:48]Grocery stores can only sell up to 4.7% and only until 8:00 p.m. on weekdays or 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Never on Sundays.

[00:11:58]>> What? And if you want something stronger, you need to go to the governmentalrun liquor store, Vin Monopol.

[00:12:06]>> Oslo has your typical brand name stores.

[00:12:09]But if you're looking for more affordable or sustainable options, secondhand shopping is really popular here.

[00:12:15]>> Fatex, the Norwegian Salvation Army, and of stores are great for thrifting.

[00:12:21]There's also an app where people buy and sell secondhand clothes. And of course, Finn.no.

[00:12:27]Finn is >> I think Finn is basically like eBay. I think >> it's a go-to for so many things in Norway. You can find everything from secondhand furniture [music] to jobs and even apartments on there.

[00:12:42]>> You can find furniture and household items in stores like Yusk, Kid, IKEA, and Claus Olsen.

[00:12:48]>> Another great place for bargains is L Mar, which is flea markets, especially in the spring and fall. I can find some really good deals.

[00:12:59]>> We have similar, we do have things like that. Um, but what we would have is car boot sales, we call them, where lots of cars pull up big field or wherever. H, they open up their boot, they empty what they don't want, basically put them on a table or on the floor and people, lots of people every Sunday normally. Um, and that's the way we normally sell stuff we don't want anymore through a car boot sale. But this seems indoors. Uh, so it's good for all weathers. So that's a that's a plus, I suppose.

[00:13:33]Norway is almost completely cashless.

[00:13:36]Most people use card or contactless payments for everything.

[00:13:39]>> And if you're living here, you'll definitely want to get VIPs as soon as possible. It's the go-to app for paying friends, small businesses, and even street vendors. There are a lot of different apps that make life in so much easier. Of course, root and v for public transport, not till good and cook for grocery discounts.

[00:14:01]>> E for weather forecasts, a Norwegian [music] favorite.

[00:14:05]>> Snapchat.

[00:14:06]>> This one surprised me when I moved here, but it Yeah, we sure do. And it's a public broadcaster. Or you can check the local.no for news in English.

[00:14:19]Oslo has everything from high-end Michelin star restaurants to budget friendly cheap eats. So, there's really something for everyone.

[00:14:27]>> Eating out in Oslo can get expensive, which is why many people also cook at home and bring a maka or packed lunch to work.

[00:14:35]>> Okay. Also, because we're coming to Oslo, do you have any recommendations, which I'm not a massive fan of fish, just a heads up. Um, but do you have any recommendations of Norwegian places to eat in Oslo? Uh, let me know in the comments down below and I will make sure I check them out when I'm looking for places to eat. Something I want I want to try Norwegian food. So, if you can recommend anywhere, preferably not ridiculously expensive, that would be great.

[00:15:06]>> If you're heading out for a night on the town, keep in mind that bars and clubs here close earlier than in many other cities. usually by 2 or 3:00 a.m.

[00:15:14]>> And since alcohol can get quite expensive in Norway, many people have drinks at home first, which is what Norwegians call for or for bill.

[00:15:24]>> We have pre-drinks.

[00:15:25]>> Oslo also has a lot to offer when it comes to arts and culture. Whether you're checking out some of Oslo's world famous museums, enjoying a play or a show at the opera or national theater, or [music] enjoying live music at one of the many venues around town like central or there's always something happening, >> especially in the warmer months, Oslo is host to many music, film, and even food festivals from Aya to Oslo World to [music] Vegetar Festival. And at that time of year, all the parks around town host a bunch of different events. And >> we will see when we go.

[00:16:05]>> Living in Oslo isn't just about adapting to a new place. It's about making it your own.

[00:16:10]>> Some things might feel unfamiliar at first, but you'll find ways to navigate daily life that works for you.

[00:16:16]>> We hope this video helps you feel a little bit more prepared for daily life in Oslo.

[00:16:21]>> Thank you. Thank you, you two. Uh Oslo Commune, I think that's how you pronounce it. Uh thank you. Uh that's some a few good points there. Uh I need you guys as well. So we are coming to Oslo from uh Sunday the 26th to Wednesday the 29th of July. So very very soon uh 10 days time. Um if you got any any recommendations for where to go now obviously we'll be filming the whole time pretty much. It'll be me, Charlie, and L the baby. Um so we'll be filming the whole time doing vlogs. Um, we if you got any recommendations on outside of Oslo where we can take a trip, you know, for a day, for example, take a train somewhere, come back in the evening, let me know. Uh, you guys can shape the videos that we make on Charlie and Rob. Um, so please do that. But yeah, interesting. I think from this it seems it does just seem like a lot of Scandinavia, so Denmark, Norway, and Sweden very similar in terms of their culture. um in terms of their kind of ethical approach to things as well.

[00:17:25]They're inclusive. Um they trust the government. So, it seems very very similar. And I I'm honestly so looking forward to it. It's interesting because like my mum's just been on a cruise to see the fjords. Um my uncle's been to see the fjords and all that. We're not doing that. You hope we might. I don't think we'll see the fields because it's a bit of a distance, but we are going to the big city rather than what a lot of tourists seem to do is simply take a cruise up the fields. So, we're doing it what we do, how we normally do things.

[00:17:54]That would be fun. I'm really excited.

[00:17:57]Thank you so much for watching. Please obviously like and subscribe. Go to Charlie and Rob as we are on YouTube to subscribe to that to see the Norway vlogs when they come out. And all the socials are down there. I'll catch you next time.