4 ms·

Nah, it's not that bad, but the police do protect it's own like in every other country on earth. And the drug "war" is ill-informed. This might be because Norwa

by Thlom 10y ago

Nah, it's not that bad, but the police do protect it's own like in every other country on earth. And the drug "war" is ill-informed. This might be because Norway has historically had a very strong temperance movement. Some towns were practically dry as late as in the 70s.

pmoriarty 10y ago
Part of the article's main points (particularly in part 2) is that alcoholism was rampant and yet tolerated or even ignored in Norway, and alcoholic debauches were widely encouraged and are an accepted and even lauded part of Norwegian culture: "There are several acceptable forms of non-conformism for the future ruling citizens of the land, beginning with weeks of drunken school-leaving Bacchanalia called 'Russ' that doubtless sets the style for many persons' lifetime of periodic heavy drinking. A sad example to youth, a sadder comment on the level to which one must sink at the height of one's youth if one is to be not just in the swim, but to be included or reckoned at all. This form of rites de passage, staying up as many nights as one can to drink as much as one can, sets the pattern for the average well-adjusted citizen... persons who will have social alcohol dependencies for the rest of their normal lives and many of whom will be periodic heavy drinkers. This supposedly intelligent form of behaviour proves manhood and womanhood in Norway, and it sets a kind of standard for a larger percentage of the future adults than one would believe." (much more detail on this in part 2 of the article[1]) That doesn't sound very temperate to me. Then there's use of nicotine, prescription drugs, caffeine. Perfectly legal, but the fist two could have quite serious negative effects on one's health or the health of others (often much worse than many illegal drugs), and the latter is usually taken for non-medical reasons -- reasons which are usually considered immoral if the substance in question is illegal. [1] - http://www.robertpriddy.com/Nos/Nor2.html http://www.robertpriddy.com/Nos/Nor2.html
- Broken_Hippo 10y ago
  I'm American and have been living in Norway a few years now. My spouse is Norwegian, and I read him this passage. And he laughed, then commented that he believed that sort of drinking was somewhat specific to cultures in Norway, Sweden, and Finland - and likely at least some parts of Russia, though he didn't mention that bit. It is socially acceptable enough that my Norwegian language class bought our teachers bottles of wine for a gift. This stuff is generally balanced out with responsibility. Take care of your kids, don't hurt others, definitely don't drive even a little drunk - or be a passenger with someone that is. And honestly, what the poster said was that there has been a traditionally strong temperance movement. It doesn't mean that the core of society follows this, simply that it has been strong. There was a period of complete prohibition alongside the one in the US. Like the US, it was used to control others. Currently, some of the outcomes are that bars are closed at 2am. You can only buy beer and cider under 5% alcohol content at grocery stores. Wine, strong beer, and spirits must be bought at the state-run liquor stores (there are more than 2 locations where I live, they have expanded). Vinmonopolet has short hours: 10am to 6pm during the week and 10-3 on Saturday. Grocery stores can sell until 8pm during the week, 6pm on Saturday, and no Sunday sales. In addition, alcohol is really expensive.
vintermann 10y ago
There's never been a real "war on drugs" in Norway. Yes, drugs are illegal, but penalties are almost non-existent by US standards. It's true that Norway had a strong temperance movement. I lived for a while in one of the last municipalities that still had a beer monopoly (Sula), it was removed with referendum when I lived there. Storeowners were actually divided on the issue, many of them didn't especially want to start selling alcohol. But the temperance movements have not lobbied for harsher penalties for drug use or possession.

by Thlom 10y ago

pmoriarty 10y ago

Part of the article's main points (particularly in part 2) is that alcoholism was rampant and yet tolerated or even ignored in Norway, and alcoholic debauches were widely encouraged and are an accepted and even lauded part of Norwegian culture: "There are several acceptable forms of non-conformism for the future ruling citizens of the land, beginning with weeks of drunken school-leaving Bacchanalia called 'Russ' that doubtless sets the style for many persons' lifetime of periodic heavy drinking. A sad example to youth, a sadder comment on the level to which one must sink at the height of one's youth if one is to be not just in the swim, but to be included or reckoned at all. This form of rites de passage, staying up as many nights as one can to drink as much as one can, sets the pattern for the average well-adjusted citizen... persons who will have social alcohol dependencies for the rest of their normal lives and many of whom will be periodic heavy drinkers. This supposedly intelligent form of behaviour proves manhood and womanhood in Norway, and it sets a kind of standard for a larger percentage of the future adults than one would believe." (much more detail on this in part 2 of the article[1]) That doesn't sound very temperate to me. Then there's use of nicotine, prescription drugs, caffeine. Perfectly legal, but the fist two could have quite serious negative effects on one's health or the health of others (often much worse than many illegal drugs), and the latter is usually taken for non-medical reasons -- reasons which are usually considered immoral if the substance in question is illegal. [1] - http://www.robertpriddy.com/Nos/Nor2.html http://www.robertpriddy.com/Nos/Nor2.html

Broken_Hippo 10y ago
I'm American and have been living in Norway a few years now. My spouse is Norwegian, and I read him this passage. And he laughed, then commented that he believed that sort of drinking was somewhat specific to cultures in Norway, Sweden, and Finland - and likely at least some parts of Russia, though he didn't mention that bit. It is socially acceptable enough that my Norwegian language class bought our teachers bottles of wine for a gift. This stuff is generally balanced out with responsibility. Take care of your kids, don't hurt others, definitely don't drive even a little drunk - or be a passenger with someone that is. And honestly, what the poster said was that there has been a traditionally strong temperance movement. It doesn't mean that the core of society follows this, simply that it has been strong. There was a period of complete prohibition alongside the one in the US. Like the US, it was used to control others. Currently, some of the outcomes are that bars are closed at 2am. You can only buy beer and cider under 5% alcohol content at grocery stores. Wine, strong beer, and spirits must be bought at the state-run liquor stores (there are more than 2 locations where I live, they have expanded). Vinmonopolet has short hours: 10am to 6pm during the week and 10-3 on Saturday. Grocery stores can sell until 8pm during the week, 6pm on Saturday, and no Sunday sales. In addition, alcohol is really expensive.

vintermann 10y ago

There's never been a real "war on drugs" in Norway. Yes, drugs are illegal, but penalties are almost non-existent by US standards. It's true that Norway had a strong temperance movement. I lived for a while in one of the last municipalities that still had a beer monopoly (Sula), it was removed with referendum when I lived there. Storeowners were actually divided on the issue, many of them didn't especially want to start selling alcohol. But the temperance movements have not lobbied for harsher penalties for drug use or possession.