A few observations about life over here:
- Since about mid October a very common outfit for toddlers and infants is a snowsuit. Ironically, we've only come across actual snowfall in Krakow and rarely has it been forecast outside of the Alps. In many cases temperatures have been relatively mild, which often caused the thought - do those parents know something more then everyone else?
- Duty free is critical here. It didn't really click in until landing in Oslo late at night. People were running off the plane, in a couple instances nearly stampeeding. We've seen this before (in Zurich) and it usually is to beat the lines at immigration control. Not in Scandanvia. The Duty Free store closes at 11pm and our flight landed around 10:45. We may have been the only people on the flight who did not shop that evening. This mass rush to shop still left us perplexed. It took a couple days to realize that it was common for a 25% sales tax (VAT) throughout Scandinavia. The aura of Duty Free was starting to make a little more sense.
- Personal space is an ultimate luxury. This is violated just about everywhere. Trains, planes (especially getting off), public benches, coffee shops. If you have an empty seat next to you, enjoy it because it won't last...
- Loud cell phone guy is in every country. The lack of discretion with cell phones permeates throughout every country. If a cell phone rings, that person will answer it. We've walked out of Christmas Mass in Venice and a somber Berlin Wall exhibit (the Topography of Terror) shaking our heads that people took calls, not even noticing their surroundings.
- Screaming children in airports/planes are also a worldwide phenomenon, not just American. It appears it comes down to the parents, not the nationality.
- If someone is looking to get a specific point across it will most commonly be written in English, no matter what language is primarily spoken. There have been countless instances where no signs are in English, only the native language unless it asks tourists/visitors NOT to do something. Regular examples are: Do Not Enter, Don't Touch, Closed, No Parking, No Picture Taking, Silence Please, etc. The funny thing is typically these notifications are in high traffic areas filled with tourists, but no additional signage is in English (or other languages outside of the host country). In other words exhibit details, location directions, general area information would be carefully listed in the native tongue followed by - DONT TOUCH, DO NOT ENTER and CLOSED. We have found this to be true in every country we've visited. A favorite may be - "do not walk here" - this was on the wing of a Swiss Air airplane???
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