It's that time again. Blog-time. Like hammer-time, only less fun.
I was going to go to sleep, but the heat is making sure that's not possible. So I may as well bore myself to sleep by writing a blog. About babies and dates. Unrelated to each other, just for clarity. Actually, I'm also going to talk about penises, something that Norwegians seem to be obsessed with. At least when creating statues. Outside my workplace here in Oslo are some statues - naked statues. Ha, I wonder if anyone would find it funny if I dressed on up in an Abba outfit or something... Anyhoo, penises outside the window. And on Monday I went to an apparently world famous park, where there were LOADS of statues. Statues of naked people, doing all sorts of weird stuff. Like this:
Isn't it awesome?! And there's a famous one of an angry baby but I didn't take a picture of it coz everyone else was and I didn't want to conform. However I did take a picture of the piece de resistance, this phallic symbol:
You can find out more about the park and the statues here: http://www.vigeland.museum.no/en/vigeland-park/bridge You might not want to, but I don't care if you want to or not, I'm giving you the option at least. Jeez.
Just to clarify, no actual person or persons has shown me their penis here in Norway. And there are clothed statues available for viewing as well.
So, onto the date. I went on a date this week. My first ever date with a Swedish guy. Exciting eh? That's it, that's all I have to say about that.
Only kidding!! As if I'd leave you in suspense like that!? I'm not that cruel.
Right, so, we met near my house, said our awkward hellos and decided to go to a cafe/bar up the road. We walked up to the bar and umm-ed and aaah-ed about what to drink. At least, I did. My date promptly asked what the best white wine they had was and I thought "how sweet!". But no, not sweet. My date then proceeded to order a glass of said wine, pay for it, and go and sit down. Without a word to me. Without waiting for me to get my drink. Without offering to get me a drink. Actually, I don't really mind him not offering to buy the drink, but surely it's common courtesy to wait for your date, especially if it's your first one with this person, while they get their drink? I was flummoxed. So when I got home (after having down about a third of my cider because my date decided it was time to go and there was no way I was wasting £2.50) I decided to ask Google about date etiquette in Sweden (he was Swedish, after all). Yes, yes, I know I'm Swedish but, as previously mentioned, this was my first ever date with a fellow Swede so I wanted to know if it was a cultural thing. Here are a few snippets I found:
"I slowly start to realize that a Swedish man on a first date is like a lost puppy trying to find his way. He knows not how to approach a lady, carry a conversation, or to offer to pay. "
"And also - for the most part "special treatment" of women is not appreciated. If a man runs ahead of a woman to open a door for instance this would be seen as patronizing. "
"Another thing in Sweden is that since men and woman are viewed equally the man is not supposed to pay the bill and such things during dates. Instead they always split (well not always but its common)."
Make what you will of that. I'm undecided, but leaning towards the please-don't-leave-me-at-the-bar-on-our-very-first-and-probably-last-date side of things.
And lastly, I found this: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070106084217AAJ71dz And I love it.
Night, night.
I was going to go to sleep, but the heat is making sure that's not possible. So I may as well bore myself to sleep by writing a blog. About babies and dates. Unrelated to each other, just for clarity. Actually, I'm also going to talk about penises, something that Norwegians seem to be obsessed with. At least when creating statues. Outside my workplace here in Oslo are some statues - naked statues. Ha, I wonder if anyone would find it funny if I dressed on up in an Abba outfit or something... Anyhoo, penises outside the window. And on Monday I went to an apparently world famous park, where there were LOADS of statues. Statues of naked people, doing all sorts of weird stuff. Like this:
Isn't it awesome?! And there's a famous one of an angry baby but I didn't take a picture of it coz everyone else was and I didn't want to conform. However I did take a picture of the piece de resistance, this phallic symbol:
You can find out more about the park and the statues here: http://www.vigeland.museum.no/en/vigeland-park/bridge You might not want to, but I don't care if you want to or not, I'm giving you the option at least. Jeez.
Just to clarify, no actual person or persons has shown me their penis here in Norway. And there are clothed statues available for viewing as well.
So, onto the date. I went on a date this week. My first ever date with a Swedish guy. Exciting eh? That's it, that's all I have to say about that.
Only kidding!! As if I'd leave you in suspense like that!? I'm not that cruel.
Right, so, we met near my house, said our awkward hellos and decided to go to a cafe/bar up the road. We walked up to the bar and umm-ed and aaah-ed about what to drink. At least, I did. My date promptly asked what the best white wine they had was and I thought "how sweet!". But no, not sweet. My date then proceeded to order a glass of said wine, pay for it, and go and sit down. Without a word to me. Without waiting for me to get my drink. Without offering to get me a drink. Actually, I don't really mind him not offering to buy the drink, but surely it's common courtesy to wait for your date, especially if it's your first one with this person, while they get their drink? I was flummoxed. So when I got home (after having down about a third of my cider because my date decided it was time to go and there was no way I was wasting £2.50) I decided to ask Google about date etiquette in Sweden (he was Swedish, after all). Yes, yes, I know I'm Swedish but, as previously mentioned, this was my first ever date with a fellow Swede so I wanted to know if it was a cultural thing. Here are a few snippets I found:
"I slowly start to realize that a Swedish man on a first date is like a lost puppy trying to find his way. He knows not how to approach a lady, carry a conversation, or to offer to pay. "
"And also - for the most part "special treatment" of women is not appreciated. If a man runs ahead of a woman to open a door for instance this would be seen as patronizing. "
"Another thing in Sweden is that since men and woman are viewed equally the man is not supposed to pay the bill and such things during dates. Instead they always split (well not always but its common)."
Make what you will of that. I'm undecided, but leaning towards the please-don't-leave-me-at-the-bar-on-our-very-first-and-probably-last-date side of things.
And lastly, I found this: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070106084217AAJ71dz And I love it.
Night, night.
Did he have any redeeming qualities because to me he sounds like a complete JERK!!!! Also was this in Oslo or Nottingham? I get so confused with where you are these days!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHis only redeeming quality was his eccentric quirkiness. The date was in sunny Oslo, forgot to mention, sorry! K
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