The Cost of Living the High Life

Norway is a pretty wealthy nation.

Based on last year's end-of-year numbers, it ranks in the top 5, globally, in both Purchasing Power Parity and Nominal GDP (both rankings are in terms of "per capita", an important distinction to make.  In terms of "gross", Norway doesn't rank in the top 20).  The abundance of riches are not just limited to monetary units, as Norway is rated as the global leader in human development (a seemingly unquantifiable thing to measure, but the process the UNDP uses is addressed, at length, via the link I've provided).

Not only does Norway create a conducive situation for their own citizens, they extend a helping hand to developing nations around the world as the globe's second-largest foreign aid contributor, in terms of percentage of GDP.  Also, while the number is in decline, Norway is the world's, 13th largest recipient of asylum seekers.

What does this mean in day-to-day life?

Norway is second-globally in wages and, while the citizens enjoy a plethora of upscale cars, multiple homes, and jet-setting vacations, Norway has one of the largest, maximum, personal income tax rates in the world.  If one were to read the Government's 2011 Tax Report such phrases that would be heresy in my native country are present, for example:  "redistribution of wealth", "fair tax system", and "plans to increase the pension income social security contribution" (there are a few, familiar phrases such as "90% of the equity is owned by 10%").

Puffy would probably not enjoy Norway

Taxes, like death, are unavoidable and profitable ($36 billion in Norway in 2010), but where the average person really feels the pinch is on the VAT.  Value Added Tax is basically a punishment for balling that only effects the buyer.  It isn't a godless, euro concept, it is present everywhere.  Even in America.  The US' version of VAT is the reason why gas and cigarette prices vary so much from state-to-state (well, partially the reason).  The main difference in how VAT is used in Europe (specifically in Scandinavia) on more products and with a higher rate of pay.

For food, there's a 15% rate and a variety of transportation, hotels, and entertainment come with a 8% rate.  While that seems hard to keep up with, it's nothing compared to alcohol.

A 12-pack of 12 oz (.355 liter) Sierra Nevada or Samuel Adams costs $14 on the east coast, but a six pack of half-liter (16.9 oz) Tuborg costs $25 in Norway.  There's a 25% VAT on alcohol + 5 kroner ($0.90) per can environmental VAT + 1 kroner pant ($0.17) per can.  Additionally, on wine, there's 4 kroners for every percent of alcohol (13% alcohol = 52 kroners/$8); on spirits, the cost rises to 6 kroners for every percent (40% alcohol = 240 kroners/$40).  This is before you factor in the soon to go into effect 5% increase in alcohol tax.

You have to pay the cost to be the boss.

ALT FOR NORGE

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Catching Up and the path to Norwegian-ness

Wow... It's been 26 days since I last checked in (really, like 1.5 months since a real post).

It's been a summer.

As I'd previously noted, it was "Adult Summer Break" here in Norway which means that, for the majority of July, most Norwegians have either reduced working hours or off altogether (often a combination of the two).

I detailed most of my exploits in the last post and have been back to "life" for a few weeks ago.

So "Why no posts?" you may ask.  Well, it's hard to say because there's not really much I care to say.

If you do a quick google of "expat blogs", what you'll find is a plethora of personal diatribes that are, frankly, boring.  While a lot of my posts probably shade to that realm, I try to at least put together universal experiences that are either entertaining (beer festivals with the awesome Dutch!) or are written to appear as so (haircuts!).

So yeah, I'm not writing unless I have something I wish to share or someone asks me a question ("Hey, bro.  Is Norway a communist country?"  False.) 

My new favorite dessert!

I am now a resident (temporary) of Norway.

For those of you who are reading this and notice that this blog is almost two years old will probably be perplexed by that statement.  

Let me back-up.

I originally came to Norway on a Job Seekers exemption.  Which, as far as I can tell, is fancy language to explicitly mark the difference between non-EU/EEA countries.  People from developed, western nations, ok;  Everyone else, follow the "Apply-for-a-visa-wait-for-the-visa-come-here-for-three-months-return-home-poorer" process.

After my six months were up and I was unemployed, I returned to the Good, Ol' US of A.  No worries there (Unless you attended my "Going Away Party", then it was just awkward).  After another six months of bouncing around (the specifics aren't really important), I finally did the whole "Shucks, why don't we get married, I guess" romanticism with the girlfriend.

She said "meh... ok"

Artist rendering of her response to my proposal

And what followed was a eight month game of "send-us-the-paperwork-will-check-it-approval-it-change-our-mind-require-you-to-get-more-paperwork-tentatively-approve-it-make-you-go-to-a-dozen-different-offices-for-signing-off-and-stamping-not-to-mention-those-offices-are-poorly-run-and-smell-like-what-I-imagine-Asmara-and-Islamabad-smell-like" with a lot of old school waiting in-between.

The one bonus was that I was able to wait out the response here in Norway as opposed to America (though, its not like that was a huge bonus as I wasn't really eligible/allowed to work in Norway).

However, in the end, here we are.  I have a handy dandy card and, in a couple weeks, I'll be wearing a ring for the rest of my life or something like that.

Oh, and I found more Americans here and I still haven't caught a fish in Oslo yet.

The Fjord is barren.

Alt for Norge

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Independence Day in Norway

It feels very appropriate that the last post I wrote delved into the issue of "American-ness" as this one falls on the actual, definitive day of America.

237 years strong(ish)!

Here's to the future!  (Despite the fact it looks an awful lot like the past)

So... what's an expat to do on his country's national day?  The same thing they'd do if they were home!

Grill out and party for the red, white, and blue like there's no tomorrow!

Unfortunately, the weather didn't get the memo.

It has been raining for two days straight now.

Oh well.  Sounds like good weather for this weekend so we'll have to get it in then!

Happy 4th to all my American readers from Norway!  Alas, there's at least one American who won't be joining the party in Norway.

Alt for Norge and God Bless America

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A Holiday Market and A Whale

December brings with it winter and the holidays.  Which, in Norway, means a variety of things.  Two of my favorite are: 1) Juleøl

Dark.  Smooth.  Perfect

and the other is the Christmas Market (or Julemarked).  

The sky is not really that dark... well, not all the time

The Christmas Market is cool because there's interesting decor there (Elk Antlers piled upon each other gives new meaning to the phrase:  Racks on Racks on Racks), random animal sightings (I saw a Reindeer walking down the streets of Oslo... contrary to popular belief, that's not a regular occurrence), and, of course, goofy sweaters (jeg elsker norske genser!).

However, I found something new that I had been thinking about since I first came to the land of moose in sunset, whale.  Not like whale, but whale... All jokes aside, Norway only hunts the Minke Whale.  Which is neither intelligent (like, say, pigs) nor cute (like, say, baby carrots... you veggies can get it, too!).  Moving along...

You 'bout to be dinner, homie... 

I wanted to try whale and the market happened to have a stand that sold it.

The following conversation happened:

Me: Do you sell whale?

Stand Owner: Yes

Me: Can I purchase some?

Stand Owner: Yes [awkward pause] would you like to buy it now?

Me: That was my intention

Stand Owner: You must taste if first

Me: Ok [Lady hands me pinkish-dark red meat on a tooth pick] 

Stand Owner: This whale is so fresh. It was just caught.

Me: Seriously?  Like you just got this right now?

Stand Owner: From the ocean to you to... where are you from?

Me: United States

Stand Owner: And you want to eat whale?

Needless to say, it was a memorable exchange (though, no where near the most bizarre I've had in Norway), but not as memorable as the whale tasted.  It was sweet and savory, but a cool touch.  Like Salmon Sashimi but much better.  

So yes, I ate whale and I liked it.  I also ate an Elk burger and that was not quite as enjoyable, but very tasty.  I would've eaten dodo bird eggs and Manatee steaks, but those stands weren't open.

I jokingly said that my latest dietary adventure made me a "monster", but it doesn't because it is the diet of the land where I live.  This holiday season, I got the gift of assimilation (well, sorta... I'm not doing lutefisk.  Sorry).

Alt for Norge

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