Comments on: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes”

By: CT

CT — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 22:56:20 +0000

In reply to David Nikel. Nice reply inviting the possibly 'wound too tightly' individual to reassess his comment. Keep on killin' them with kindness.

By: Jayne Brita

Jayne Brita — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 16:29:28 +0000

Hi from Long Island, NY – Just sent this phrase to my book discussion group ladies. We are all retired teachers of English, Math and Science and so have not thrown caution to the winds. Since, we Americans have created quite a mess for ourselves in CoVid times – tomorrow we will be having our meeting outside by a firepit and all layered and bundled head to foot. My grandparents came from Lillisand, “the riviera of Norway” so when we visited in 2017 we were careful to bring lots of warm & waterproof layers as we were headed north. It’s so easy the let Fk U slide trippingly off the tongue when you are miserable, even after being warned — it is more self-flagellation than anything (“How could I be so stupid?! Ah, this is how…”) and also thinking that the rapid transfer btw home/car/work/repeat will somehow save us the burden of a heavy coat. But the thing I still remember with fond memories is that every cafe had outside tables & chairs that were covered with sheepskin pelts to sit in and wool blankets for over your legs. That is how you make life cozy and still see friends. We will be 6’ apart but warm in friendship as we struggle with our stupidity. My husband and I hope to go to Tromso for northern lights and northern water highway when we are through this sad time. Love from America.

By: Jayne

Jayne — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 15:40:14 +0000

In reply to meredith. One beach umbrella and a skateboard.

By: Lando Calrissian

Lando Calrissian — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 15:34:09 +0000

In reply to meredith. Two umbrellas.

By: Rara

Rara — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 03:48:09 +0000

I was in Trondheim last year. Now visiting Norway again in winter. Your writing is so funny. I’ll take the revenge advise.
I’m a tropical bird from Bali.
And most of the time I got question like, “Bali?! What are you doing here??? “

By: Kris

Kris — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 12:45:43 +0000

I never say this to my son in humor. I say it in concern and exasperation because he likes to think he can dress delicately and — for some reason — it will allow him a more pleasant and casual experience. It’s not funny to be cold and drenched in weather. I suppose I would inspire my son more kindly by smiling and inviting him to wear boots to keep his feet dry and warm? How much experience does it take to turn the light on in ones thinking? The same with the expression: You can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. My son doesn’t like going outdoors at all, I suppose, just to walk to the car. So what hope have I? of his survival in Norway? To me, there’s no answer but ……….!!

By: Mat Hill

Mat Hill — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 01:19:39 +0000

In reply to Ulf.

Hi Ulf, David,

I’m not going to try speaking for David here, and he’s already replied, but I found this quite interesting…! And, it would be even better if Ulf were to return and give us some more of his opinion!

As a Brit, I took David’s expression as a gag and nothing else; slightly obnoxious, but well within the normal boundaries of gags in this day and age. It is obvious to me he would never dream of saying that to anyone except perhaps as a running joke to Norwegian friends… and I’ve never met the bloke!

I say, ‘in this day and age’, but I’m reminded of an excellent article I read about German humour (to Brits a famous unicorn’s feather – but this article made it all crystal clear!), and how their tendency to put long words together and their grammar precludes improvised and instant plays on words the Brits have historically, so one of their only options in humour is to throw out THE single most obnoxious potential outcome of any situation which is so horrifically incongruous the only thing to do is laugh at it! I thought it was a good article anyway, and although it more than likely includes confirmation bias, anecdotally, I have found it to be true and agreed upon with three male German friends (two of whom also agreed with the analysis) but very different with one female.

British humour, I think I’m right in surmising, comprises of improvised word-play (invention of new but instantly recognisable expressions), brutalist observation and extremist opinion- or scenario-making (however fantastical – pretty much like the German model – which also lends itself to surrealism), and the somewhat fatalistic dry irony (which encompasses a lot but might easily include the blunt German model and the wry Norwegian weather observation)

So, here I am as a part-time amateur linguist with just one year self (and Youtube-) taught Norwegian under my belt and no Norwegian friends, wondering what our fellow German types from whatever country made of David’s gag… Nobody else here seemed to turn a hair at it! Ulf was obviously offended and took it (too? – although obviously this is the whole point of any cultural vs personal judgment) seriously. I never imagined Norwegians as particularly sensitive (as in over-sensitive – I’m not suggesting you’re all oafs!!)…

TLDR: don’t be lazy! Read it! Or don’t (or just f*ck off!)!

By: Andreja

Andreja — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 14:50:22 +0000

In reply to Jenny. I completely agree. Here in Belgrade, Serbia people seem to care more about fashion than about their own health.. Weird.

By: Andreja

Andreja — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 14:45:11 +0000

In reply to meredith. Flying suit? :D

By: David Nikel

David Nikel — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 09:41:22 +0000

In reply to Ulf. Hi Ulf, thanks for reading and for your very productive comment! Unfortunately you've taken the post a little too literally rather than in the gentle humour it was intended (and that everyone else seems to have grasped). I've lived in Norway for 4 years now, so clearly I don't mind the weather too much :-)