Life of the Norwegian Polonia
Weronika Haber
5 years in Norway
Works in art; concept art, paintings, collages, photography.
He's also building a new character in Diablo 3.
We're making mischief increasingly for emigration. You don't do it because you found a way around it. For everyone?
You know, it's hard to say, "I figured out a way that's right for everyone." It doesn't work like that, everyone has their own way or way they have to work out. The most important thing, however, is to answer the questions; why did you emigrate Why right here? Because if you emigrate only because you need to earn money, then you go wherever you find a job. And then there is a high probability that you will be dissatisfied because that was the only motivation. So you have only losses: you have no friends, you have no friends, you do not have your country, etc. If you are going to emigrate because you have chosen this country because you like this, that or that, because you are interested in being different, because you experience something new so totally palpably on your own skin, then something becomes more conscious and joyful. So it all depends on the approach!
What is your approach to emigration?
Well, I like it! Because that's what I'm curious about! I have been in Poland for many years, I know this country, I like it very much, but I am also curious about others. Therefore, if I have the opportunity to be in another country, it totally delights me because I get to know something that I would never have the opportunity to discover. Itself reading books isn't watching movies the same as being in the experience. This experience is a brilliant thing and that's why I like it.
How is Norway experiencing you? What are the shadows and what are the lights of living here.
Oh, a thousand things are totally different! There are a lot of things that totally piss me off, but it's just like having a family; You like her a lot, but she pisses you off in a lot of ways - that's the kind of pissing you off. For example, I sincerely hate all fastlegs (laughs!), I am very sick or rather seriously ill when I need to see my GP. I also hate the Norwegian bureaucratic system, it drives me to a shoemaker's passion. But I am amused by the Norwegians as a persona. I like them. They are so terribly different. I love their movies, their way of life (also the one they show in the movies). I am fascinated by their complete lack of ambition, which makes me very happy!
Lack of ambition? Norwegians are they not ambitious?
Of course they are not!
…because?
Because they see no reason to be ambitious... I say "them" meaning the majority, I'm not talking about exceptions because they always happen, even in Norway (laughter). The point is that Norwegians have completely different priorities. For them it is more important private life, and not, for example, pursuing a career, so they will not burn themselves for work because they do not see the slightest reason for it. For example, they will think much more often about building a cottage in the mountains, going there, skiing, or another trip because everyone goes/goes on trips. This is fantastic! It's great to compare people from one country to another, for example by opening up dating apps. For example, open Tinder in Poland and open it in Norway. Wow!! The very experience of doing this is brilliant because the advertisements themselves are so different; how people advertise themselves...
So what do the Norwegians present themselves, and how do the Poles?
Norwegians? Haha, it's very easy! Most of them say that she is tall, everyone loves going on trips, they are in a good mood, are nice and love good food which is hyper-fun because, as we know, Norwegian food is not the best. And they don't have any particular taste in that regard either, but they still enjoy it and it's cool. And very typical of them. Poles, however? Almost everyone starts with the fact that he is not a prince charming ... Can you feel it? Such a complex immediately and a withdrawing attitude. “I'm probably not good, but maybe you should be interested in me…” Not here (in Norway), everyone is great here!
You brought up Tinder then let's move on; how our view of sex is influenced by cultural differences. Do Poles in a different environment, in a different culture, also change their sexuality? Is the approach to sex different here?
Oh yes! The sex is completely different here. Norwegians have different expectations, although it is difficult to talk about it briefly and schematically. Well, we are all people and we have very similar needs; we want to have someone close, someone to talk to, we don't want to feel lonely, we usually want to have sex because we need it to be happy. And this is the same in all countries. However, here it is more direct and obvious, and everyone wants to do it right away because there is no problem with it. They have a bigger problem, for example, with friendship. In Poland, however, we want to meet and make friends first. It's a matter of forms; various forms customs.
Well, how does this prove to the Norwegians that it is easier to go to bed with them than to make friends with them?
Well, it shows what we all know - that they are very distanced from one another. And for them, making friends is a very complicated matter with their way of being. With such a very strong facade of courtesy, very little emotional spontaneity, it is insanely difficult. And Poles are much more spontaneous, just like that. They yell at you, say you're hopeless. And with the Norwegians, this is not possible at all. They somewhere secretly, with someone they know well, will talk to you with great enthusiasm, but they will never in your life say it to your face if they don't know you well.
So they are secretly working on our asses, Poles? Norwegians have a good opinion of Poles?
Of course it's bad. The absolute majority have a bad opinion because Poles do not associate them very well with them ... However, if you are a nice Pole, they like you, it is totally normal.
Does it mean that we, Poles, have built a stereotype that is unpleasant to perceive?
Often yes. And because most of the people, which does not only apply to Norwegians, is completely lazy and does not want to learn, learn, dig into various issues, but takes everything superficially, they are left with this image: a Polish woman - a cleaner, a Pole - a construction worker, and that Poles only care about money . These more primitive Norwegians also think that we are taking their jobs, which is complete nonsense. But you know, we Poles generally don't want to integrate, we're not interested in Norwegian culture... It's terrible.
Well, yes, but it's hard to integrate if we don't want to learn the language.
And that is why, among other things, we are poorly received.
What is a typical Norwegian?
Norwegians love their country and consider it absolutely the best! This is so typical, Norwegian. And something that is unique in the scale of my experience with other nations - the Norwegians are probably the only nation that does not complain about its government, at least not like other nations.
You know, it's hard to complain about something that works well. After all, according to a special UN report World Happiness Report Norway is still at the forefront of the happiest countries in the world.
Well of course! This is precisely because they have no ambitions.
I don't expect anything from myself, that's why I'm happy?
Definitely! The less you demand of yourself and the less you know, the happier you are!
I Norwegian cuisine also somewhat unambitious. Is she terribly old?
Sure. Only fish are delicious!
But this is not a special merit of the Norwegians, but rather of how they are situated.
Yeah. And the kitchen itself is not the best cuisine in Europe. That's why they have a fredagtaco and this unfortunate pizza. They don't eat well.
So kaviar or caviar?
I hate neither of these haha! Better to have dumplings at home
White nights are behind us, long winter evenings are ahead of us. Bearable?
Oh definitely yes! I am nightdifferent person, I love this lengthening night. You can really love Norway! Find out!
