This is the last post about my trip to Norway to attend the UEFA Grassroots Workshop. Here I tell you some of the things I've found about the life in this country.
The first two things you notice when you arrive at the airport of Oslo are the prices and the cleanliness. A coffee costs around € 4, a pizza, 14-15 € m, a soft drink, about 7-8, a beer, € 12 and an entrecote, about 40-45 €. A taxi ride from the city center at the airport is about 90 €, although the ride is about 35-40 minutes. It is true that the standard of living around here is very high, but if you compare it to what's in Andorra or Spain, it's crazy. Yes, taxes are high, but also noticeable in education, health, infrastructure, ec.
The other thing, as I said, is cleaning: is not even a paper or a cigarette on the floor (the cigarettes have also a scandalous price, by the way), but it must be said that there are ashtrays and wastebaskets in all parts. The hotels, restaurants, office buildings, etc., all have out great ashtrays for smokers and, when you go down the street, there is one every 4 steps.
The salmon. It is known that salmon is one of the most typical things of Norway, and it appears in all meals. So, even at dinner the last day, the starter was based on salmon, prepared in 3 different ways. I must say all, and the "surimi" of salmon we had in our meal's buffet was absolutely delicious.
The issue of technology is another important point. I have already spoken of the great presence "on-line" for coaching courses, design sessions, etc.. but is that even buses and taxis have wi-fi! We discovered it the second day, when we went to dinner, and the last one, when we went to the airport (a mini-bus for 15 people), also had wi-fi. Incidentally, at the airport in Oslo you also have 2 hours of free Wi-fi (as in Barcelona!).
As I said, the issue of volunteers is another important thing in this country. Among the standard of living they have, working hours (working day ends around 3.30 to 4 pm and the school about 2-3 pm), there are many free hours and people is engaged in many things (including sport and volunteering in all its facets).
Another thing I've noticed is that people who work with the public always has a smile on his face. Interestingly, these people, who has a reputation for "cold", is usually the most friendly (I have also seen it in Sweden or Finland, ie it is not a rare thing), when it comes to working for others. They have very clear that it is the customer who does a favor by going to your business and not the store or restaurant that makes a "favor" to the client. Over here you should take note of these things.
So, this is what I got from this trip to Oslo. I hope you liked these posts and that you enjoy reading them as I did writing them!
The first two things you notice when you arrive at the airport of Oslo are the prices and the cleanliness. A coffee costs around € 4, a pizza, 14-15 € m, a soft drink, about 7-8, a beer, € 12 and an entrecote, about 40-45 €. A taxi ride from the city center at the airport is about 90 €, although the ride is about 35-40 minutes. It is true that the standard of living around here is very high, but if you compare it to what's in Andorra or Spain, it's crazy. Yes, taxes are high, but also noticeable in education, health, infrastructure, ec.
The other thing, as I said, is cleaning: is not even a paper or a cigarette on the floor (the cigarettes have also a scandalous price, by the way), but it must be said that there are ashtrays and wastebaskets in all parts. The hotels, restaurants, office buildings, etc., all have out great ashtrays for smokers and, when you go down the street, there is one every 4 steps.
The salmon. It is known that salmon is one of the most typical things of Norway, and it appears in all meals. So, even at dinner the last day, the starter was based on salmon, prepared in 3 different ways. I must say all, and the "surimi" of salmon we had in our meal's buffet was absolutely delicious.
The issue of technology is another important point. I have already spoken of the great presence "on-line" for coaching courses, design sessions, etc.. but is that even buses and taxis have wi-fi! We discovered it the second day, when we went to dinner, and the last one, when we went to the airport (a mini-bus for 15 people), also had wi-fi. Incidentally, at the airport in Oslo you also have 2 hours of free Wi-fi (as in Barcelona!).
As I said, the issue of volunteers is another important thing in this country. Among the standard of living they have, working hours (working day ends around 3.30 to 4 pm and the school about 2-3 pm), there are many free hours and people is engaged in many things (including sport and volunteering in all its facets).
Another thing I've noticed is that people who work with the public always has a smile on his face. Interestingly, these people, who has a reputation for "cold", is usually the most friendly (I have also seen it in Sweden or Finland, ie it is not a rare thing), when it comes to working for others. They have very clear that it is the customer who does a favor by going to your business and not the store or restaurant that makes a "favor" to the client. Over here you should take note of these things.
So, this is what I got from this trip to Oslo. I hope you liked these posts and that you enjoy reading them as I did writing them!
No comments:
Post a Comment