Icelandic People and Community
ICELANDIC FAMILY
Family in Iceland is especially important, as the country is so small. Icelandic families are often larger than other Northern European countries. Extended family members usually don’t live together but uncles, aunts, and grandparents often help with childcare. Since most people in Iceland have been there for a very long time, charting family history is a popular hobby for many Icelanders.In Iceland culture and tradition, housework is shared by the whole family. Icelandic youth are taught to be self-sufficient and they are expected to clean their bedroom, change the linen, vacuum-clean or wash the floors, do the laundry, prepare meals and clean the kitchen after general use.
Teenage Life
Icelandic teens have quite a bit of independence and carve out time for soccer, parties, movies, chess and enjoying the outdoors. The relationship between teachers and young people tends to be casual and friendly as a part of a general atmosphere of creativity and support. Students join clubs at schools such as photography, cinema, radio, and choir or participate in activities like mountaineering, modeling, and cooking.
Holyday Iin Iceland
The old Norse calendar is still partially in use, and it dictates when Men’s Day, Þorrablót, and Women’s Day fall. On Men’s Day, husbands and boyfriends are celebrated by giving them flowers or taking them out for dinner. As per Iceland culture and tradition, people have mid-winter feasts with traditional foods such as dried fish, fermented shark meat, and liver pudding during this month. Women’s Day is celebrated the day after Þorri ends. Women’s Day is celebrated by giving flowers and presents to wives and girlfriends.
Icelandic Style
At first, Icelandic people may seem shy or reserved, but become quite friendly once they get to know someone. They are not typically emotive in conversation, preferring a more neutral expression. Icelanders are known to favor a direct and straight-forward communication style. Honesty is a highly valued trait in Icelandic culture. Icelandic people do not overpromise or deliver unreasonable expectations. In general, communication in Iceland is informal and participative.
Names In Iceland
I learned that most Icelandic last names do not carry on from generation to generation, but instead carry on the name of the father (or mother) with the suffix son or daughter attached (son and dottir).Let me explain. If my father’s name was John Smith, then my name would be Claire Johndottir, and my brother named Alex would be Alex Johnson.Obviously the names there are Icelandic sounding rather than the western examples I’ve used.
Almost crime is zero!
The island is almost entirely free of crime, especially violent crime. It is so safe that mothers are comfortable leaving their babies in the car while they quickly run into the store (saw this)! Soon after our trip there, an unfortunate situation required the police to shoot an armed assailant. The reason this made international news was because this was the first time this had ever happened!Even more shocking is that the island remains nearly crime free, even though there is a high incidence of gun ownership .
MINKE WHALE ON MENUS
Even though I didn’t eat whale while there, it is on the menu in many restaurants as asteak or stew. The serving of whale is controversial (and is supposedly largely supported by tourists). I find it ironic that many tourists spend the day whale watching, and the night eating them.
NIGHT CLUBS AND MUSIC
Reykjavik has no shortage of night clubs featuring electronic music booming late into the night. Metal is also really popular among locals. Icelandic culture .
MANY WORKERS FROM OTHER PLACES
Due to a recent tourism boom, Iceland has had to import more and more workers. The island’s entire population is only about 300,000. I was surprised to meet many people from across the entirety of the European Union.
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