Norwegian Drinking Culture and Julebord

In most business cultures there's some element of drinking related activities. "Work hard, play hard", as we like to say back in America. However, in Norway drinking culture may come as a bit of surprise to foreigners.

That surprise may also consist of waking up in a hung-over daze, partially dressed and for some still unexplained reason, even to this day, covered in glitter and what appeared to be kebab sauce.

To say Norwegians don't party hard would be like saying the tax is only a little high in Norway. It would be quite the understatement. No, in fact Norwegians enjoy a drink (or fifteen) and those drunken adventures often cross over into business life as well.

With the cost of alcohol in Norway so high, there's a local expression: "Being half drunk is a waste of money." In Norway they don't go halfway when it comes to drinking, more like all the way and then some.

The Vorspiel (Pre-Party)

One of my first experiences with Norwegian drinking culture was after attending a business conference in Oslo. With the work day done and sights set on enjoying the evening, we set out not to a bar, but to a local resident's house. Thus began the Norwegian pre-party, or as it's known in Norway, the 'vorspiel'.

This is a critical launching off point for an evening of festivities. Because of the high cost of alcohol in Norway it's a common practice—one must try to get as loaded as possible beforehand at home to avoid racking up a sky-high bill at the bar.

Over time I also realized that when it comes to extended social efforts, Norwegians usually needed a few drinks to get started. It allows them to loosen up a bit and be open to doing really crazy things, like talk to a stranger.

To get to this point that means a pre-party can actually go on fairly long, without venturing out until well past midnight.

At the Bar

Bars and nightlife in Norway are typical to what you might find in other European cities, just significantly more expensive. Due to this high cost, there is no expectation for you to buy drinks for your colleagues, although you'll usually be able to pick up one round for the group without too much protest.

Otherwise, everyone is expected to be self-sufficient when it comes to lubricating oneself. For the reasons above, it's also uncommon to find an 'open bar' at either work or social events. Tipping the bartender is also not required or expected in Norway, as service workers make a living wage even without your tips.

Making Friends Through Alcohol

As we ventured from bar to bar and from club to club that evening, I started to make some new friends within our group. This is a side effect of a well-oiled up Norwegian. They actually want to talk and get to know you!

Here's your chance to dramatically reduce the time it takes to build a closer relationship with your colleagues and Norwegian business partners. The hard exterior that most Norwegians wear cracks in this moment and new bonds and trust can be established, granted you both are able to remember the connection (and any of the evening's drunken activities) the following day.

Your New Friend: Aquavit

I made another new friend that night, who goes by the name Aquavit, the local Norwegian liquor that is similar to schnapps. As a foreigner you'll most certainly be encouraged to try it even though most Norwegians seem to hate it.

And for good reason: it tastes a bit like old shoe combined with spicy cough medicine, so the first shot is likely to be brutal. It will, however, earn you respect among your Norwegian colleagues with every gulp. After indulging a few more shots, you may actually find you enjoy the stuff like I did.

The Nachspiel (After Party)

That night and far too many shots later, the evening started to creep into the next morning. But the fun is not over yet in Norway: as I squinted my eyes hoping to find a taxi and my escape, a new friend put their arm around me and excitedly asked:

"Have you ever been to a real Norwegian nachspiel? No? Then you must come!"

Not knowing what I was agreeing to, we were now on to the final journey of a common Norwegian night of drinking. The 'nachspeil', or the after party.

At this point it's getting late, or early the following day, depending on how you look at it. It's too late to buy alcohol anywhere so you head back to someone's apartment to raid whatever is left there. This is the point of the night where things are best described as "getting sloppy" or borderline absurd.

Everyone has had far too much to drink and it's a bit of last man or woman standing. If you're a foreigner that probably won't be you, as Norwegians have great stamina in the arena of marathon drinking.

If you're lucky enough to make an early exit, try to sneak out quietly. Otherwise you risk having to take a "penalty shot" for your early departure, one final shot of Aquavit for the road.

How to Toast: Skål!

Perhaps most important to know in Norwegian drinking culture is how to toast your colleagues and all the new intoxicated friends you'll be making.

Grab your favorite drink, raise it up high (although still below your nose) and at any time proclaim "skål!" (pronounced "skol") loudly. The word comes from the Norwegian word for skull, and hails back to Viking times when it was customary to drink from the skull of your enemy.

It is also considered good manners to stare into the eyes of your companions while you toast in Norway. It may be one of the few chances to do such a thing with a shy Norwegian, so enjoy it.

The Apex: Julebord (Christmas Party)

The apex of Norwegian drinking culture, at least as it pertains to the workplace, is Julebord, or the Christmas party. A year's worth of pent up work frustrations is released on this glorious night.

It's a bit of a fancy night, at least fancier than a typical Norwegian event. Often taking place in a luxury hotel or other fine establishment, this is one night of the year when it's OK to indulge a little (more like a lot). You've almost made it through the brutal winter so perhaps you've earned it after all.

And indulge the typical Norwegian does at Julebord. The night is full of lots of great food, comfort food, along with songs, dancing and often a comedian or other form of entertainment. However, much of the indulgence takes the form of consuming a large amount of alcohol. A table setting might include beer and wine, and of course, Aquavit.

What Happens at Julebord...

Much has been said and debated about Julebord, but most Norwegians seem to take the Las Vegas approach: what happens at Julebord, stays at Julebord.

In Norway, there are so many social codes that must not be broken. However, on this wonderful night of the year, many of those rules fly out the window. You can be a little more wild than usual. You can say a few inappropriate things. You can sleep with your colleagues, even if he or she is married!

All that really matters is that you don't talk about it the next day at the office, which should be pretty easy to do in the already quiet Norwegian office.

BYOB Culture

As you attend or host parties in Norway you may also notice things work a bit differently here with regard to sharing of booze. In many other cultures, it would be common to bring a bottle of wine for the host and everyone to share.

However, due to the cost of alcohol in Norway, and Norwegians not wanting to owe others, most gatherings follow a strict BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) policy. So as a foreigner you should not expect to have a drink served to you upon arrival as you find in many other cultures.

Norwegians may also remember you did not bring your own alcohol and probably feel unhappy about it. Of course, they won't say anything about it, but they'll do what they do best in awkward social situations, silently protest it in their own heads.

Where to Buy Alcohol

You can purchase beer at most grocery stores but only until 8pm during the week, 6pm Saturday and not at all on Sundays. To get the good stuff, you'll need to visit a state run Vinmonopolet, or the wine monopoly.

Here, similar hours apply, but one can also purchase wine, Prosecco, and hard liquor (also known as the good stuff). Be sure to plan ahead for your work and social events in Norway. Failing to load up on alcohol ahead of time might leave you with very little options and worst of all, a rather boring event.