Imagine walking into a Norwegian children’s dispensary and seeing everyone sitting on the floor in socks! Yes, you read that right. Norwegians not only take off their shoes at the entrance, but they also sit on the floor — and it’s not just the kids, but nurses, doctors, and parents too. This custom, which might seem strange or even rude to us from the Balkans, actually has deep roots in culture and upbringing.
In Norway, taking off shoes when entering a house or any space is mandatory. Entering with dirt from the street is considered impolite and unhygienic. This custom extends to public institutions like kindergartens and children’s dispensaries. Parents and children enter in socks, and there are lockers at the entrance to leave shoes.
But the real shocker is when everyone sits on the floor! In the children’s dispensary, nurses, doctors, parents, and babies sit on mats on the floor. It’s not just for comfort but also a philosophy of upbringing — everyone is on the same level, accessible to each other, and children feel safe and loved. Educators in kindergartens also sit on the floor with children, breaking down barriers between adults and little ones.
Another fascinating thing is the system of exchanging children’s clothes. Norwegians don’t throw away clothes their kids have outgrown; instead, they leave them on a rack in the kindergarten or dispensary, where other parents can take what they need. There’s no pressure to return clothes; the point is to reuse and not waste money unnecessarily.
This custom of sitting on the floor and taking off shoes might seem odd, but it makes sense. Norwegians are known for their culture of equality, hygiene, and practicality. Maybe it’s time we rethink how we enter our homes and institutions.
What about you? Could you sit on the floor with everyone in socks? Or is that too “Norwegian” for you? Drop a comment — you might be surprised how much shoe-wearing customs actually divide us!
