Usually, when we talk about “cultural shocks” when moving to another country, we mean countries that are completely different in terms of economic and social development. As a rule, in such pairs, for comparison, the United States or Canada are at one extreme, and some not very wealthy developing countries are at the other. But what if the countries are approximately the same in terms of wealth?

For example, Norway, which is ahead of the United States in many economic indicators – say, in terms of gross domestic product per capita. In general, Norway is one of the richest countries in the world, with its long traditions and customs. What will happen if a person from Norway comes to live in America?

The answer to this question is given, for example, by TikToker @eirunneba, a Norwegian who lives in Los Angeles. She recently made a video that went viral with nearly 1M views and almost 2.5K different comments. The video is about those features of America that look strange from the point of view of a European.

More info: TikTok (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

The Original poster is a Norwegian living in Los Angeles

Image credits: eirunneba

We note right away that, in the Original Poster’s own words, there are also quite a few very strange things in Norway that could confuse not only Americans, but also Norwegians themselves. But specifically in this list, Eirunn decided to list what surprised her (pleasantly and not very much) in America.

@eirunneba Just a virgo with a list!!! In a mood today so let me rant ok🥺 #studyabroad #studyabroadusa #europeanculture #greenscreen ♬ original sound – Eirunn

Among the things which surprised the OP, was the absence of a duvet inside the duvet cover

Image credits: Salim Virji (not the actual photo)

First of all, what surprised the OP was the absence of a duvet cover for the duvet. The OP had seen this in movies before, but thought it was just fiction. Now she had to face it herself.

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: eirunneba

The students can choose their classes at the university level and this confuses the OP as well

Image credits: Oregon State University (not the actual photo)

Furthermore, the OP was surprised that at universities, when studying for a bachelor’s degree, you can choose classes yourself. Eirunn said this could mean that when HR hires a candidate, they won’t be sure they’ve taken the proper classes at university for the business.

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: Eli Duke (not the actual photo)

Image credits: eirunneba

The OP also states that it is surprising that drivers constantly honk, and in stores they start preparing for the holidays too early. For example, for Christmas as soon as October, and in January – for St. Valentine’s Day.

Image credits: Phillip Pessar (not the actual photo)

Image credits: eirunneba

The OP also finds banking checks and accounts a bit “vintage” and “old school”

Image credits: Keith Cooper (not the actual photo)

Eirunn was also surprised that bank checks are still used in the United States – in Europe, according to her, they are almost out of circulation. In general, it is mandatory to open a bank account in order to receive money – this, as the OP supposes, looks vintage and old school.

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: eirunneba

Americans like to use the letters Æ, Ø and Å in naming just for fun, while in Norway they are simply letters of the alphabet

Another “claim” is purely Norwegian. The fact is that the letters Æ, Ø and Å, which are often used by Americans just for fun in naming (for example, for bands), for are just the last three letters of the Norwegian alphabet. Nothing special, just grammar.

Image credits: Tim Samoff (not the actual photo)

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: Eliazar Parra Cardenas (not the actual photo)

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: Cost of Living (not the actual photo)

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: Joe Wolf (not the actual photo)

The OP really enjoys that there are special employees in grocery stores who put your purchases in bags

In grocery stores, the OP is surprised that there are special employees at the checkouts who put your purchases in bags. There is no such thing in Norway, but Eirunn definitely liked this tradition. And what the woman did not like was the concept of credit score, which determines a lot in the USA. And, of course, continuing on the subject of money, it’s very strange to the OP that there’s an entire industry of experts who fill out your own tax returns for you.

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: olle svensson (not the actual photo)

The OP thinks that walking at home in street shoes is really weird

The OP attended college and university in America, and among the strange things for her were, in particular, the detention and school dress code, although she admits that she had seen this before on the Disney Channel. Also in films and TV shows, she saw that people often wear their street shoes at home, but she did not even imagine to what extent this is true.

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: Michael Coghlan (not the actual photo)

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: Mussi Katz (not the actual photo)

The Norwegian also admits the confusion with the “Push” and “Pull” signs

From what else surprises and sometimes annoys the Norwegian in America, the OP mentioned her confusion with “Push” and “Pull” signs, tap water and tampons with applicators. And finally, the woman admitted that at first she was afraid of whether it is safe when a waiter takes your credit card in a restaurant to pay. However, the OP is sure that any American will also find a lot of strange things in Norway.

Image credits: eirunneba

Image credits: Philip Cohen (not the actual photo)

Image credits: eirunneba

Probably, many of you have also lived in other countries for a long time, so it will be interesting for us to know what customs and traditions looked strange to you. And you can also read this post of ours, where people born in developing countries tell what impressed them the most after moving to prosperous nations like the UK, US or Canada.

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