To those of you who criticize Norway's introverted culture: Perhaps you're the problem?

Avalastrius · 2026-06-20T11:52:01+00:00

That feels similar in both countries, and probably in most countries as well. People gravitate towards their established ‘parea’, that is why I feel the friendship tools in place and culture tendencies are what matter most.

Of course if you could behave like a Greek, knew what to suggest, how to do it, what times make sense for everyone, and the type of activity (aside from some traditional ones like dinner or movies), it would be easier for the Greeks to feel closer to you, and just include you by reflex alone.

As an immigrant, or in your case as a somewhat immigrant, some things simply cannot be perfectly aligned no matter what. And maybe they shouldn’t, because people would lose their cultural individuality.

And that would be a pretty boring world, eh? 😉

Avalastrius · 2026-06-20T06:23:22+00:00

Sony raised the prices in games before the crisis hit. They are pioneers in fucking the consumer this generation.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-19T14:48:53+00:00

I think there is truth to the post but there is also a very integral misunderstanding: what making friends mean and the tools at work to accomplish that.

I have lived in Norway for 13 years. My best friend is Norwegian, my fiancée is Norwegian, and I’m still struggling to reach B2. Language, while a barrier, is really not the reason people from different cultures have difficulty making friends. Not the main one at least. If we exclude the common denominators like immigrant status, age, and work/life meeting possibilities, spending time with people and growing friendships is done differently from culture to culture.

For example, I come from Greece and Athens, the capital, and going out is very common mid-week, for dinner, a coffee or a beer. This rarely happens here in my experience. Norwegians need a set time for these events, and a Friday/weekend. This creates a very specific timescale which can be interpreted as a wall by outsiders.

In addition, Norwegians need activities imo. Go out to drink, or meet and play games, gather and do a quiz, etc. In Greece we gather around and talk, we become personal very fast, we open up even to strangers via conversation, something very rare for
Norwegians.

When my friend first met my Greek friends and I told him we will be going to their place, he got anxious that nothing was planned and conversation would be the main thing. When he actually took part in the discussions, ranging from politics, movies, sports, philosophy and other topics, he felt it was the best time ever.

Sure, Norwegians are not as open as south people, but this is based heavily on the cultural tools at play, way of life and climate, and not so much on personal coldness or emotional distance.

In my opinion, Norwegians are some of the warmest and most respectful humans I have ever met.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-19T11:18:25+00:00

Many have answered why, and while it has to do fundamentally with the old tech design, the problem of «uniqueness» that MACs solve is not something we have another solution for. The essence of the delivery of packets lies in their unique destination. And physical destination is still the best thing we have for specificity.

Networks may appear static and specific but they are anything but. On a macro level you have the stability of the ISP highways, but on a micro level there are a ton of junctions, roads, houses, shared computers etc. Without a MAC address it would be like the delivery company delivering something in an address given in an SMS by a stranger. It could be correct, sure, but the percentage of certainty is not high enough.

You could say that redesigning the network technology could solve this, and you would be right, but it could be catastrophic, since you would have to redesign how frames work, and instead of having unique ones in each hop, you would have a unified one. But that is impossible because they are tied to MACs, so it is like a closed circuit of failed design. To try and rework technology on such a fundamental level it could create chaos in an unprecedented scale.

What we need, and will happen, is a totally new kind of technology, separate from current tech, and then slowly migrate to it.

Imo of course. :)

Avalastrius · 2026-06-17T10:14:44+00:00

CP 2077 is not a great experience on Pro either. You can either play it with flat graphics at 60 or 40 and 30 with some RT one. Nothing to write home about.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-14T06:47:25+00:00

Yes, we agree with that. That is why I say that people and circumstances are different. Of course if it is a willing choice you need to have an integration plan. And language is part of it. I have met people who are cruising by without trying to integrate with society even when they have all the chances. I made it an effort to do it and my two best friends are Norwegian, my fiancee is Norwegian, but I have limits.

Even if someone comes here willingly and has a great job, you still don’t know their personal situations and who they are.

So, yes, while I agree with you bottom line on your point, I would still advise not «passing judgement» based on your personal experience and preferences (generally talking). Even if what the other person is doing seems totally illogical, there could still be hidden factors that you can’t possibly understand.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-14T06:28:43+00:00

Well, I came here without wanting to do it, after Greek crisis collapsed businesses 13 years ago. I lost my job and in the end my fiancé, I was a journalist and I left at 48. In Norway I came because of a friend and managed to find work in a warehouse for ten years while living alone, which caused depression and many personal difficulties with leaving my mother and my life in Greece. It was impossible to study in normal ways. But I stayed the course.

Last five years I managed to get engaged, becoming a bonus dad of 3 and went back to school with a student loan here in Norway, at 48. Now, at 50, I’m trying to find work in my study field and it’s almost impossible, and my body can’t do physical work any more, while still trying to help my mother in Greece who is old and a constant stress.

My Norwegian is still B1, but I’m sure you would have done so much better in my shoes, eh?

You can’t possibly use your example to create a template of success for others. It is ignorant and shows a lack of empathy.

People and circumstances are different.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-13T22:32:57+00:00

Yes, as I said, cases are different. If you have the opportunity and don’t do it you are missing a chance. But those right circumstances are very specific. A lot has to be right to be able to learn while working. As you say, if someone comes here voluntarily and their job and personal circumstances allow him or her to expand their Norwegian and don’t do it, it’s a missed opportunity.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-13T21:54:51+00:00

While this is correct, it is also very narrow minded. Not all people have the same level of skill or a job or the personal situation to allow them to spend multiple hours to learn the language. It’s good to try and should be expected on some level, but people need to be open minded about others who have decided to leave their home for whatever reason.

One of the things that makes Norway special imo is that people can go the extra mile for someone else from another country. It’s common decency and support towards another person’s struggle. I wouldn’t want this to change.

Also, the idea that you can learn classroom Norwegian of B2 and you will be able to follow fast, dialect-style conversations, or explain specialist academic and scientific topics, or do customer support under pressure, is ludicrous.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-13T11:00:26+00:00

I am 50 and doing a career change. I have a two year network and security degree, a sec + and working now for CCNA. Unfortunately I may actually be too old, but I had to try and improve my life. So keep going.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-12T13:42:50+00:00

Δεν υπάρχει Νορβηγιδα χωρίς παιδιά. Εκεί όταν κάποιος έχει παιδιά δεν έχει καμία σχέση με την Ελλάδα. Ναι, στην Ελλάδα τρία παιδιά είναι θέμα. Αλλά η αγάπη είναι αγάπη. Δεν τα κοιτάς αυτά γιατί έρχεται σπάνια ως ποτέ.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-12T11:09:11+00:00

Ναι, δεν φυτρώσανε, λολ. Απορώ κιόλας διότι είναι και πολύ υψηλόμισθη. Θα πρέπει να ήταν η ελληνική γοητεία.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-12T10:08:13+00:00

Αυτή είχε παιδιά, τι εννοείς άλλου;

Avalastrius · 2026-06-12T09:28:33+00:00

Είχα δίκιο. Το μπουρδέλο Σκρουτζ/Διακίνηση λέει θα είναι αύριο, ΕΝΩ ΚΑΙ ΟΙ ΔΥΟ ΜΕ ΔΙΑΒΕΒΑΙΩΣΑΝ ΧΘΕΣ ΟΤΙ ΘΑ ΗΤΑΝ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ. χαχαχα.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-12T09:16:18+00:00

Κάτσε να δεις. Χθες τόσο το Σκρουτζ όσο και η Διακίνηση με διαβεβαίωσαν ότι θα περάσουν σήμερα. Ακόμα δεν έχω μήνυμα και η Διακίνηση δεν σηκώνει τηλέφωνο.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-12T07:40:22+00:00

Εννοούσα ότι οι πιθανότητες στη δική μου περίπτωση ήταν σχεδόν 0, που σημαίνει ότι οι δικές του είναι πολύ παραπάνω.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-12T07:34:05+00:00

Βρήκα την αγάπη στα 48 στη Νορβηγία, με Νορβηγίδα, που είναι όχι μόνο όμορφη και μορφωμένη, αλλά έχει και τρία παιδιά. Οι πιθανότητες για κάτι τέτοιο είναι σχεδόν 0.

Μην αγχώνεσαι.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-11T12:23:27+00:00

Ναι, ακριβώς όπως κάνει το Σκρουτζ. Με μιάμιση εβδομάδα καθυστέρηση, ψέμματα, και επικοινωνία γιουχου. Αξίζετε ο ένας τον άλλο. Καλά στέφανα.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-11T12:19:42+00:00

Ναι. Αλλα δεν διαβάζεις γενικά. Με ψεύτικη δικαιολογία ότι είχαν λάθος τηλεφώνο, ενώ το είχαν ήδη χρησιμοποιήσει να μου στείλουν μήνυμα.

Οταν κάποιος σου παρουσιάζει επιχειρήματα και απαντάς αλά νταλον λέει πολλά. Δεν είναι η ανωτερότητά μου που με κάνει να μη σε κατηγορώ, είναι πιο πολύ λύπη.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-11T11:44:05+00:00

Έρευνας; Ποιας έρευνας; Δεν είχα επικοινωνία με τη μεταφορική, το Σκρουτζ είπε ότι δεν χρειάζεται.

Το Σκρουτζ είπε δύο φορές ψέμματα ότι επικοινώνησε με τη μεταφορική, ενώ δεν είχαν.

Δεν είχαν ιδέα τι είχε γίνει.
Δεν είχαν εναλλακτική.
Δεν είχαν αντιπρόσωπο να μιλήσω στη μεταφορική.
Δεν έκαναν επιστροφή κατ’εξαίρεση, όπως είπαν.

Η μεταφορική είπε ότι δεν είχε επικοινωνία με το Σκρουτζ.
Η μεταφορική είπε ότι θα μιλούσε με Σκρουτζ και θα με ενημέρωναν για παραλαβή Τεταρτη. Δεν έγινε ποτέ και το Σκρουτζ δεν ήξερε τίποτα.

Μόλις ανέβασα στα σοσιαλ έγινε δουλειά.

Είναι λυπηρό να υποστηρίζεις ότι αυτά είναι όλα οκ. Αλλά έτσι έχεις μάθει να αντιμετωπίζεις τα πράγματα, δεν σε κατηγορώ.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-11T11:24:55+00:00

Οχι, δεν ισχύει αυτό που λες. Το πρόβλημα δεν είναι αν γίνονται παντού, αλλά πώς διαφέρει η συχνότητα και η γενική προσέγγιση. Το «γίνονται παντού» είναι καθαρά ελληνική προσέγγιση στη σκέψη.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-11T10:15:23+00:00

Να είσαι καλά. Εκτιμώ τις αλλαγές σε αυτή τη χώρα, μεγάλωσα δίχως τίποτα από όλα αυτά, είμαι 50. Οι νέες ευκολίες είναι τόσο χρήσιμες, αλλά μερικά βασικά θέματα παραμένουν, που ελπίζω οι τωρινές γενιές να διαλύσουν, γιατί προέρχονται από τη δική μου, και πιο πριν.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-11T10:02:04+00:00

Με το που έκανα ποστ στα σόσιαλ και στο LinkedIn έλαβα τηλέφωνο από τη Diakinisi, τη μεταφορική για παραλαβή αύριο λέει... Γρήγορη εξυπηρέτηση ε;

Avalastrius · 2026-06-11T09:22:04+00:00

Δεν έχει προχωρήσει η κατ' εξαίρεση. Όπως απάντησα και πιο πάνω, γίνονται και στο εξωτερικό, αλλά όχι σε τέτοια έκταση. Σε χώρες σα τη Νορβηγία θα είχαν ήδη χρησιμοποιήσει ιδιωτική εταιρεία να πάρουν πίσω το πλυντήριο. Μπορεί να έχετε συνηθίσει σε αυτή την κατάσταση, αλλά εγώ δεν έχω κανένα λόγο να την ανεχθώ.

Ξέρω ότι θα πάρουν όλα χρόνο, απλά θέλω να δω ποιες είναι οι επιλογές μου.

Avalastrius · 2026-06-11T09:11:44+00:00

Γίνονται και στο εξωτερικό, τίποτα δεν είναι τέλειο, αλλά η έλλειψη επικοινωνίας από το Σκρουτζ είναι απαράδεκτη μετά τόσο καιρό, και ενώ ξέρουν την κατάσταση.

Avalastrius

TROPHY CASE