Want to avoid feeling out-of-place in Reykjavik? Never mind eating sheep testicles in an attempt to fit in — here are the important everyday customs you’ll really need to become a true Friend of Iceland.
Take off your shoes
If you’re lucky enough to get invited into the home of a genuine Icelandic person (yes, it has been known to happen) make sure you take your shoes off at the door. Walking wet sludge all over their brand new parquet flooring is considered bad manners. And watch out – the same rule applies at some swimming pools, doctor’s offices, and other public areas.
Whatever you do, don’t say hello to anybody
Never say “hi” to anybody you recognise. Not even if they spent the whole of last night propping up the bar with you, relaying their life-story. People don’t greet each other here until after they’ve had at least two beers — then you’re free to hug / laugh / cry / get married, whatever.
Eat everything with your cutlery
Icelanders haven’t yet realised that burgers are served between two pieces of bread precisely so you don’t need to use a knife and fork to eat them.
Don’t be a push-over
Don’t feel offended if you get shoved to the floor in bars. It’s not that Icelanders are rude, it’s just that you’re in their way. We advise you to smile brightly and push right back. You might make a friend that won’t say “hi” later.
Get naked
Icelanders are notoriously hygienic. You must shower naked before you swim, paying special attention to your special areas. If you’re not sure which parts we mean exactly, refer to the classic Naked Androgynous Diagram.
You seem to have right-of-way
Don’t be surprised when cars slow down to let you cross in front of them; even if you never wanted to cross in the first place. It just gives everybody a chance to get a better look at you.
No Icelandic word for ‘please’
Say takk a lot to make up for it.
4 Comments
Nice Article, had to laugh at the comment on the No Please, my first trip to Iceland in 1992 was for a year and it used to wind me up that no one ever said please, it wasn’t until 6 months into the trip that I discovered that there is no wor for please!.
Good afternoon from the beautiful Tennessee…home to the Great Smoky Mountains, Dolly Parton, country music and Jack Daniels. Perhaps that explains why I need a humorous toast. A large mass of friends and neighbors will lift glasses tomorrow for a celebration for Iceland Beer Day. Hundreds will attend, gather around a bonfire while others compete in a toasting contest and beer judging. (No…we don’t hold it on March 1 in Maryville, TN since it is outside and we want the flowers to be in bloom. How’s that for Southern life?)
At any rate….could you suggest a toast? with translation please? I’ll probably really mess up the pronunciation, but I’ll give it my best shot.
By the way, our judging team consists of a local media celebrity, a U.S. Circuit Court judge, a State of Tennessee legislative representative, and a truck driver. Our crowd is diverse and full of life.
Can you equipment me with a boisterious toast for the day?
Thanks,
Lea Anne
Email – llaw@tennessee.edu
There is a word for saying please… we just use it in a very begging mode! “geeeerðu það”! That is if asking for something! I found, however, that a English language is really lacking, for example when asking people to sit down for a dinner, all you have is just; “pleeeease sit down” (you have that one “please” word that is applied to whatever. Icelanders have special strong meaning words for everything, it is a massive language and not for the average joe to tackle! When you are invited to sit down to a dinner, be sure it is going to be “gjörðu svo vel”…
There is a word for please, actually a few depending on the situation. For example the words, Gjörðu svo vel, Gerðu það and vinsamlegast. So whoever said there wasn’t “please” in the icelandic language either doesn’t speak the language very well or has a poor ability to translate words between languages.
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