8 Strange Habits of Icelandic People

Icelandic people are lovely but they do have some strange habits. Well, strange to some foreigners. Here are 8 that I have observed. Let me know in the comments about strange habits of Icelandic people you have observed or strange habits of people where you live.
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#iceland #icelandicpeople #strangehabits

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for all the love on this video. If you are planning to visit Iceland, make sure to get my free Ultimate Packing Checklist. It has all the essentials you need and more to have an awesome trip - allthingsiceland.com/iceland-packing-checklist

[@supercheezies]

My grandparents came from Iceland! 💚 I had to laugh because I do a lot of these things or have the same tastes and I have never even been lol ...it’s on my bucket list💚💚

[@supercheezies]

arborcidal maniac 😢 who hurt you? 😂

[@meredithheath5272]

❤❤❤💗💗💗👍 All Things...!!

[@jeremiahkerry]

@arborcidal maniac That may be true, but alternately so do most men. The idea behind it is to save time pussyfooting around.with social foreplay and then finding that you are sexually incompatible. Icelanders also have a ‘cousin App’ on their phones to alert them if they are related. This may shock US pseudo puritans who glorify war but ban the sight of a female nipple or a mother breast feeding her baby. I worked in 6 US cities including Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta. Give me Iceland any day!

[@jeremiahkerry]

@arborcidal maniac You are lucky. I have never had a ‘round of applause’.

[@violetgruner707]

Not worrying about leaving your infant outside is truly wonderful. How lucky to live in such a safe society where children are respected and loved.

[@northwindx79]

trying hard to make it a 10 min video for cash from utube? stop talkin shit kthanxbai

[@alexysq2660]

~Yeah; that's fairly common in Denmark, too.

[@boomertuxx]

I’d be more worried about the cold than other ppl

[@takku88]

Our mom put me and my siblings in baby carriage and take outside to sleep and it was ok back in late 80's and early 90's.

[@angebrowne1730]

Tara king and the 70's. Remember very occasionally a new mum would forget and go home, remember then dash back to the shop? Baby and pram (real prams) would still be there? I never did but heard of it. Lol.

[@ingalaragunnarsdottir4997]

I'm Icelandic and this is shocking to me! People DON'T eat icecream all the time in other conturies?!?! How!?!

[@theclanplus1]

Haha!! I'm in the U.S. and I love my ice cream too! I was tempted to swim to Iceland when I heard about Skeer!

[@ingalaragunnarsdottir4997]

@@theclanplus1 Haha! Skyr is pretty good. But I do advice you to not swim to Iceland. You might get a little more than a brain freeze😂

[@wvanderwahl]

I live in New York City- I only eat ice cream during the summer. Most of the ice cream in supermarkets during the fall & winter goes unsold.

[@ricecristi]

ink sack I do generally eat it when it warm outside 🤔 , I never realized I did that 😂

[@ingalaragunnarsdottir4997]

@@ricecristi Wow.. thats.. impossible to me. I crave icecream everyday😲

[@siggaozk]

It was so fun to watch this as an icelandic person. The ice cream thing is so true! I think our weirdest habit is that we know all about our weather and how it changes in like couple of minutes and still EVERYTIME the weather changes we are so shocked and say ''Now where did this come from?!'' Everytime... also we dress like it's summer and complain about how cold it is. Loved your video. xoxo

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@AllThingsIceland]

@@oddurhjaltason7223 First off, there is no reason to insult someone just because you don't agree. Secondly, the comments you have left are mean and insulting for absolutely no reason. Many Icelandic people, including the person you just left a comment under relate to many of the things I mentioned in the video. If you don´t agree, that's fine but calling someone stupid is not ok.

[@willionaire77]

Yeah, I‘m pretty used to „weird“ weather changes as a german. Especially in munich we sometimes tend to have three weather seasons (rain,snow,sun) in a day during spring or autumn - but Iceland was really another level. Like every 30 minutes or so from rain to windy to sunny.... on the other hand I've never seen so MANY rainbows in one week like I‘ve seen in Iceland. Quite amazing and beautiful. 😎👍🏽

[@Wyrd22]

Sounds like Colorado, hahaha. We have so many mountains it messes with the weather like crazy, we'll have a sunny day and all of a sudden we'll have a really intense downpour of rain and 30 minutes later it'll be sunny again, and you can never really tell when it'll rain or snow. It's July and we still have snow in places, haha.

[@angebrowne1730]

Sigga Ósk We do that in the UK. lol.

[@19gregske55]

My Amma (grandmother) was born in 1880. She spoke of the sod huts and the smoke that was inside of them. The babies were often left outside for fresh, clean air. Babies exposed to the fresh air fall asleep very quickly. This is a wonderful way to promote good sleep habits. Sadly, it isn't safe in most of the urban world.

[@a.7711]

True. When taking a toddler is a stroller does wonders. My nephew used to always wake up in hysteria when i let him nap at home, but when he woke up in a stroller in the parks, he was very peaceful :)

[@Volundur9567]

We were. We're still alive! 😂

[@user-gd1un6tk8n]

I may not be Icelandic, but I eat ice cream in winter, too. Lol

[@linajurgensen4698]

Αναστασης Σπανος you‘re from Greece... how cold can your winter be?

[@hmmm6317]

@@linajurgensen4698 really cold,depending on location of course

[@Pidalin]

I have freezer full of icecream in Czech Republic, normal thing.

[@rosalindjohnson5806]

I always keep ice cream in my freezer at home. But I think it's about going to an ice cream shop in the cold. In the US, ice cream stores are seasonal (except chain ones). There are few independent ones open in winter and even if they are, the amount of ppl going is low in say...January.

[@KarolYuuki]

I love ice cream when is cold, I eat it more when is winter than in summer actually.

[@prentun7]

The reason for the staring (I did not realize that it is so noticeable) is that Icelanders are still in their hearts and mind, small town people that expect to know everyone they meet on the street. There is only one city that was just a town few decades ago. This is also the reason for many other things in Icelandic behavior, like you try not to be to nasty to other people because you know you will meet them again.

[@loverainthunder]

@Jack Stucki But can you recover from your mistaken first impressions? lol

[@karenschafer2827]

Germans stare a lot too.

[@grovermartin6874]

@@karenschafer2827 That was my experience in the south of Germany, too. There was an American military base there, but one seldom saw anyone in the town. The military guys referred to it as "the glare," which did indeed feel hostile. I think it was the flared nostrils and curled lip that gave that impression.

[@christinamckinney4907]

@D M Agreed small town southern U.S. is probably truly dangerous to that extent because the judginess can become jealousy, the rumour mill starts turning and you don't even have to make a mistake to become a "threat" to others. Surely Iceland is better. Like a feudal society running on fear and snitching - you can imagine how bad it would be to leave your baby outside alone in that american small-mind environment. Come back, no baby, before you can get home to call police don't worry police are waiting in front of your house with guess what? No baby. They've already fostered baby out with a more caring and trustworthy neighbor but you won't be allowed to know who. That police is there with handcuffs, not your baby. You see, the longer they can keep you in jail, the more money the county will make for themselves so it is entirely in that small communities interest to look for a problem with you and your parenting skills from the get-go. I like what Elijah Carter had to say about Iceland above: "it's not luck, they work super hard to build and maintain that trust and cultural cohesion. We in the USA need to take notes" I'm ready to leave the U.S. for Iceland any day! Trouble is, would they have me and could I afford it? U.S. is a 2nd world country now compared to Iceland. (I say 2nd because most 3rd world countries citizens usually have more anarchy/freedom than more developed nations) If you want to end up living in a shack (or a normal place with MANY roommates) or locked up or beat up, the U.S. is a great place to be if you are different!

[@meganrortiz]

"Icelandic people tend to stare" ~India has entered the chat~ lol

[@nlee4724]

~Spain has now entered the chat~

[@luciafrau125]

@@nlee4724 los viejos en España have enter the chat lol

[@cocalero]

At least they only stare and are not like Chinese that like to touch and take pictures... :S

[@luciafrau125]

@@cocalero for real?? I thought chinese people respected other people's personal space!

[@jainammehta1020]

@@luciafrau125 Maybe you're confusing japanese with Chinese.

[@patrickmcshane7658]

Having a full shower before swimming is supposed to happen in the US as well.

[@patrickmcshane7658]

@Moon Child NYC health code says a naked full body soap shower

[@patrickmcshane7658]

@Moon Child Of course you're right.

[@scanspeak00]

@Moon Child Yes thats what we do in Australia.

[@Pidalin]

I thought this is normal everywhere. I think you have to shower at least your feets and when you trying to acces pool you have to go thru low water

[@angebrowne1730]

PATRICK McShane UK most don't but should. Then we wouldn't have to have heavily chlorinated water.

[@agnesisabellagunnarsdottir6462]

Another strange thing icelanders do is announcing when they need go go to the bathroom:)

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL so true! My husbands does this and I still haven't gotten used to it. :-)

[@elsaolsen4487]

We do that in Norway to.

[@brentoneccles]

We do it in Australia too. I once had a supervisor at work panicking that something might have happened to me in the 5 minutes I was in the loo, because I hadn’t told her! And this is supposed to be a laid back country lol

[@kim-nijaviktoriaannasveins356]

Yep

[@AllThingsIceland]

@@brentoneccles LOL

[@yrham8689]

You make me homesick! I am a 'South-Icelander', have lived in Australia for decades. I'm so grateful to you: My Auzzy husband (of twenty-odd years) watched your video with me and has finally concluded that I am in fact quite normal - for an Icelander, that is...

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL that is awesome.

[@maxinewalters]

Hello South Icelander! Nice to have you in Australia. I wonder how many Icelanders live in Australia now

[@nitink.a567]

It's time for Auzzy , husband to move back to Iceland , with you for another 20 +years. Home sickness problem solved. 😅

[@Bananainacar]

It's honestly amazing how many people are shameless with their stares. In cars people seem to believe they are invisible for some reason. It's also a known thing that Icelanders will slow down their car if they are going past an accident to see what's going on for longer and thus creating a traffic jam. They stare at people waiting for the bus, walking around. I've had a staring contest with a man on the bus (I won).

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL thanks for sharing.

[@kristilisakleiner9384]

Bananainacar 😄

[@broseidonrulerofthebrocean8128]

Um people all around the world slow down when they drive past a car accident. It is all associated with morbid curiosity and there is even a term for it called rubbernecking. Just wanted to point it out cause it’s not like an exclusively “icelandic” thing. And I easily space out myself and just stare into the blue but as soon as I catch myself staring at someone I feel so awkward that I snap myself out of it lol. The idea of staring at someone or being stared at is so creepy, dunno why people would do that.

[@sakki8889]

@@AllThingsIceland Thanks for staring*

[@annasmith4559]

BRENDA DLS dear brenda, please don't come with racist generalzations on a video about iceland. Have a nice day.

[@ceriedwards3]

I come from Wales. In my lifetime (not sure about now) leaving babies outside was normal. My Nain (Grandmother) got home from the shops once thinking something wasnt right until she remembered she had left her son outside the shop. No one was shocked

[@Dunsapie]

Same in Scotland.

[@katrin896]

I'm Icelandic and I agree with the staring, it's mainly because we are trying to figure out where we know this person from, because he/she looks familiar (comes with a small population :) ). With the liquorice, for centuries that was the only candy available in Iceland so we developed a unique taste for it that most other nations can't handle :)

[@RobinMusicc]

The Netherlands also has really strong liquorice haha

[@bryndislilja1188]

I live in Iceland as well and I live in selfoss and it is a little town so everyone knows each other

[@ancientsurvival]

Finland, Sweden...very common too))

[@derPetunientopf]

@@ancientsurvival Dont forget Denmark.

[@willionaire77]

I‘m just happy that we (germans) aren't the only on this one.... 😁 almost EVERYBODY who visits germany accuses us of exessive uncomfortable starring... I never understood why. Maybe if you‘re used to - you don‘t register it as much. And it‘s most likely just curiosity - and nothing really else. But if other countries do it too - I‘m starting to think that maybe some people are just too sensitive... 😂

[@e.marievalgarsson1107]

Haha, about the "staring" : It is such a small population that you see many people many times over during the course of the year, in the street, in the shops or just out and about. So many Icelanders are related to each other going back many generations, so there are a LOT of similarities in looks. I think it just takes time for the brain to process facial recognition because if it turns out you do know the person, it would be rude not to stop and say hello. So when I see someone in a shop for instance who I think I recognise, this is what is going through my mind: #1 Do I KNOW that person? If yes...then I start trying to remember their name (not always successful) or #2. Wow, they look soooo familiar, have I met this person before? or #3. Wow they look just like somebody else I know, maybe they are related? (happens ALL the time). 4. You have to take a good look to make sure they really are who you think they are because it turns out that if you have met, of course you should stop to say hello. So this is the thinking process that goes on. But you can make mistakes once in awhile. Not long ago I ran into a guy in Bónus who I was SURE I knew, so I said, Excuse me, aren't you the guy with the horse riding tours? And he said NO! I said, oh okay sorry, you look exactly like someone I know. It was funny. I am SURE he had to be at least cousins with the guy with the horses ;) All of this probably holds true in any close knit society or in small towns the world over.

[@shirleycameron7718]

Black icelanders ????

[@ZenFox0]

Shirley Cameron Maybe they think she might be a famous celebrity, and are trying to place her. In Iceland you might see many foreign films with black people, so might associate seeing a black person with someone famous, perhaps traveling to Iceland on holiday.

[@theicelandicnationalist2.023]

@@ZenFox0 uh no, well some here probably does, but nobody in my town does (as far as I know, there are a good 3-6 thousand people here)

[@ZenFox0]

@@theicelandicnationalist2.023 Okay, maybe not then. It was just a thought.

[@theplaycationexperience9922]

you have THE most gorgeous face! expressive, relaxed and open .....

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you for the lovely comment and checking out the video.

[@raiwoo6291]

The Playcation Experience I wanted to comment the same thing she looks very pure Nd honest

[@meredithheath5272]

Exactly !!!!!! I agree, and said the same in another section of the comments, so - I'm glad you noticed what I did - and my observations are validated!!

[@meredithheath5272]

❤❤❤💗💗💗

[@nab6138]

That is one creative way to say you're not a racist.

[@jubmelahtes]

As a Norwegian none of these seem at all strange to me. Perhaps it's just how us Nordics are. Except where I live in northern Norway we don't stare. Whether you're gay, straight, black, or whatever people will just mind their own business

[@ILoveGrilledCheese]

Olav M. I believe it is a Nordic things. Although I don’t know about the starting thing , maybe I do it and just don’t notice?

[@askuregilsson7984]

Yes you nordic people stare alot

[@HawklordLI]

Minding one's own business is a concept American's can't comprehend.

[@mellohi2899]

@@HawklordLI your hate is cute

[@HawklordLI]

@@mellohi2899 Good Night Poopsie.....you naughty little keyboard warrior....

[@23ahndra]

Why are such a large number of people disliking her videos?!? Her vids are so nice, informative, and fun! I don’t get it!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you for the positive comment. Some people are just mean spirited.

[@maryapatterson]

Because they are trolls with no life!

[@Exiria]

People are unhappy, their demons are irritated by bright, healthy happy humans

[@Innocent_Villain]

​ @Exiria I'm not particularly happy and I didn't dislike the videos. I think there is probably more to it than that. But as far as mean-spirited trolls that makes possible sense; some people are psychologically sadistic and like to try to shame people for nothing...

[@geniallen5328]

Probably from the USA and not black.

[@TheSlowNordicLife]

Kids sleep outside in Norway and Sweden to. It is good for their health, because of the clean air in the Nordic country's. Do not forget that the Nordic country's are way safer then the USA.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for sharing and yes, I am aware of that. :-)

[@agng5547]

Melis I’m guessing you might be from or know people from either northern Sweden or somewhere in the countryside, it’s possible that the people there consider it safe for babies to sleep outside, but that’s not the case here in Gothenburg where I’m from. My boyfriend is from Iceland and when I heard about this I was a bit chocked and this is not a common thing among Swedes. At least not for those from the bigger cities. Perhaps it used to be in 60-70’s, but definitely not anymore.

[@AllThingsIceland]

@@agng5547 Wow, that is interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@Reneecph]

The same in Denmark. Baby can sleep longer in cold air.

[@ida4721]

And also in Finland

[@DmsStudios]

i’m only a minute in, but i already love your personality!!! 😆😆😆

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks! :-)

[@meredithheath5272]

💗💗💗👏👏👏

[@ariel3703]

I was in Iceland for a really long lay over, so my friend and I decided to go to Reykjavik for the day. We were looking at bus schedules and talking to a woman working at the airport cafe about the best way to get there and back. We were worried about missing the bus back, and she told us so casually that we could just hitch hike. My friend and I nodded, but we were thinking “Okay lady, I’m not down to get raped and murdered today,”. I could never do that in the US!

[@martelproductions1975]

Hi. Just a comment about the breathing in. There are 3 ways to say "yes" in Icelandic. Já ( rhymes with cow) basic yes. Jú (rhymes with shoe) is in response you a question with a denial/refutation. Example: "So you don't plan on going to the party?" Jú I do plan on going. Lastly, the inhale referred to above. It's an indication of sympathetic agreement. Example: 'Sometimes I get so frustrated with raising kids' Answer: inhaling....Já. Signifying sympathy/agreement.

[@kivzzzz]

So interesting!

[@ykendall9836]

Two things: I’m from the South and when I moved to Boston for grad school, I was stunned to see a line around the block from a Ben & Jerry shop in the dead of winter. My Canadian roommate was in that line! I kept walking, feeling colder just looking at them. In Japan, women and children (in separate room from men) check their clothes (like baggage) and strip down for a complete soap/shower before entering the hot springs of the bath house. I just went with the flow.

[@stephaniesteoberl4342]

I don't know if you will see this, but I am from Boston, MA and going to the icecream shop to get an icecream cone is very normal even in a blizzard. I'm with the Icelander on this. I like it better in winter as it doesn't melt. We don't eat it in the car, we eat it walking down the street.

[@ACheshireCat2001]

I found a Thermos food jar ("Big Boss") that I can put a second pint of icecream in so that I can have a pint after I get home as well as the one I will eat in my truck, no heat, I just dress warmer...

[@blackhatter011]

Another strange thing Icelanders do is announcing before they fart.

[@AllThingsIceland]

a tribute to Yeah, Sure 😂

[@verasmanful]

Pull my finger

[@MoonLightOnWater1]

🤣🤣🤣

[@FNJ720]

Wowwww😳

[@Sthmohtwenty]

Really...then what happen sometimes u feel u will fart but it didn't open

[@Jneian]

This might have just as well been 8 strange habits of Finnish people :D We have all of these habits too. My husband is from the US and has honestly taken quite well to all our "strange" things - he even likes our salty liquorice (salmiakki). Also, my absolute favorite thing as a kid was to sleep outside and I kept insisting on napping outside even after I outgrew my stroller.

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL nice. Did your parents let you sleep outside after you outgrew your stroller?

[@Jneian]

@@AllThingsIceland Yes - with my legs hanging out 😂

[@elderscrollsswimmer4833]

@@Jneian They didn't get you a tent and sleeping bag?

[@Jneian]

@@elderscrollsswimmer4833 Not at that point... Though I do faintly recall having a small tent on the backyard when I was a bit older...

[@jllyjill]

I loved the frequent option of licorice ice cream in Finland

[@miasolala8415]

That's very interesting! I've recently learned from a Norwegian blogger that the Norwegians (also descendants of the Vikings) are mainly a trust-based society. it is the highest value and the majority goes along with it (which I think is really cool). The Icelanders seem to share this with the Norwegians.

[@fatiidun]

WOW , I mean this in the most purest most genuine way, from a black woman to black woman I am so amazed and grateful to have come across someone like you! I feel like I've found my people, I feel so understood. You have such an amazing contagious versatile personality.

[@zbigniewbiernacki3682]

Regarding snorting your own mucus, can you picture a Viking putting up his hand and say "wait a minute, do you have a kleenex?"

[@ingolfurarnar697]

@FruAnonym That's bullshit

[@sigururorsteinngumundsson7701]

🤣

[@rdawn27]

😀

[@marche.partee]

I had not thought about Iceland but I have been considering moving to Finland for a year or so now. I first heard about leaving babies outside in carriages on a video about Finland which is why I have been considering the move. Feeling safe in the country that I live in huge for me. I really just want to be in a safe place now. Your videos are very enlightening. Thank you for the information.

[@jessibella0167]

“Mmmm, that’s so delicious....ugh, that’s disgusting, they’re trying to poison me!” 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😭

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂

[@lauren4434]

That first one, speaking on the inhale, startled me when I first met my Norwegian boyfriend. I thought he may have a speech impediment. Then I started hearing so many nordmenn doing it! That's great to know! :)

[@aissm8282]

French people stare too with an angry face.

[@linajurgensen4698]

Aisling Smith lol same in Germany from time to time

[@cm-jb7tt]

Humm no? 😂

[@applelime7693]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@notveryrea1]

Lmao

[@1browngirl29]

😂

[@eugenepattivalitzski9757]

When I was a child we slept outside in our carriage in USA of coarse it was 60 + years ago and people were not as crazy

[@23rdcenturyhobbit]

My brother lived in Italy, he showed me a picture of a stroller outside a clothing shop. I said wow, that's neat because here in US people will call CPS or do something terrible to a sleeping baby. I didn't find it surprising just a normal thing and really lots of peace for the parents in public.

[@the-fiddling-fox]

In the 60s in the UK when I was a baby, it was normal to put babies outside for a nap. My mum once went to the supermarket leaving me outside the shop whilst she was inside - again normal back then - she then forgot about me and walked home with the shopping before realising she was missing something!! 😂 I was right where she’d left me and perfectly safe but nowadays you just wouldn’t do that.

[@Sahlofolin542]

“People are not as crazy?”

[@croissantuwu6203]

“Snorting your mucus?” Me being VERY icelandic: Doesn’t every one do that?

[@leslieh761]

No & yuck!

[@nitink.a567]

Yes most do it.

[@kariwagner2769]

Nooooo!

[@PecanBaby...]

Nope disgusting 🤢

[@Lucyinthskyy]

No. In the us it’s considered rude . You’re supposed to blow your nose with a tissue.

[@Luredreier]

Oh, a expat in Iceland? I have Icelandic family and live in Norway so find this kind of content super interesting. ^^

[@sigurdurgretarsson8527]

Fun video :) Just wanted to comment on that mucus thing. I´ve heard before that foreigners find this disgusting, being from Iceland myself I find this totally normal :) In fact, when I hear people blowing their nose THAT I find digusting! Yeah, I know by doing that you´re cleaning out your system much better and more efficiently, but eww! It´s just a question of what you grow up with, and maybe the weather is a big part if this? All this crappy weather does make your nose block up more than in most other countries I would guess :) And the licourice thing, showering naked with strangers before going into the pool, letting children nap outside etc, these are all things I grew up with and find totally normal. When you grow up going to the gym and to the swimming pool during your school and showering before/after with the other children, you get accustomed to it very quickly hence making it "normal". Every country has it´s customs, some make sense, some don´t. I think we Icelanders have many bad habits, my Ukranian girlfriend certainly has many things to say about that subject :) And mostly I agree with her. We do stare a lot probably, I´ve never noticed it much. Maybe part of it is because we mostly are from a small town or village and everyone knows each other. This can be a good thing but... It can become too much I think. Everyone has their nose in each others business. Just human nature I guess but I think it´s more noticable in smaller communities. Interesting observation. Thanks for a fun vid.

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL Thanks for watching and commenting. It was fun to make this video. Yea, I have noticed that my nose runs a lot more here. It is funny what some people consider normal. I would love to know what your Ukranian gf considers to be bad habits that Icelandic people have. Regarding the staring, it totally makes sense. It has taken me a long time to adjust but now I am fine with staring back. I have to remember to NOT stare when I visit NYC. LOL. Thanks again for watching.

[@sigurdurgretarsson8527]

@@AllThingsIceland well, she mostly talks about our lack of manners :) that we do not show proper respect towards women and our elders for example. How we should never start eating until everyone has received their food (women getting their food first). How we should hold open the door for a woman/older person. Stand up on the bus and offer our seat. The old-school manners I guess. Which I actually totally agree with her on, even if I don't really know proper manners myself :) But we are a bit basic, I will be the first to admit. I have heard this from other foreigners. One Englishman told me that at first he was quite offended by our almost total lack of manners until he realized that we just did not know any better :) Perhaps because we did not have much influence from our neighbors, being a cold and inhospitable island in the North Atlantic might have something to do with that :)

[@AllThingsIceland]

Ah ok. I see what you mean now. I still wait for everyone to get their food before eating. I think it is a nice thing to do. My husband's family thinks it is strange and they try to convince me to eat right away. LOL. I think it would be nice if everyone held the door for each other. I do it for my husband and vice versa. Yea, I definitely think isolation had a lot to do with it. The upside is that the atmosphere is more relaxed here. Most countries with a lot of manners usually includes people that look down on others for not being as "sophisticated" as them. It can be tiring to try and keep up with so many rules. :-)

[@eagle223]

Also with the mucus. In the winter time a lot of people get colds and think if everyone used tissue to get rid of snot?

[@edholohan]

GROSS

[@birnagudlaugsdottir9202]

The breathing in is so true im icelandic 😂

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL

[@faizanalam3206]

@muhammad Asif what the hell is wrong with you

[@faizanalam3206]

@muhammad Asif khuda ka khawf karo

[@ae6616]

Same as with Finnish too. I think Swedish as well. I think it's a Nordic thing.

[@viktoriasolhjaltadottir9660]

Yeah i do that😂

[@alittlepieceofearth]

Leaving babies outside in the carriage is something you see in "Call the Midwife." Apparently it was a thing in England at least back in the 40s and 50s.

[@kp4911]

Germany as well.

[@Neophema]

We speak on the inhale in Norway too. :) I never knew that was something weird until someone from Spain commented on it.

[@annatraustadottir4387]

In iceland we sometimes speak whole sentences on the inhale

[@imapotato8010]

I think Icelandic people are a lot like the Irish. We both have a good sense of humour and are very friendly. And the rest of the world seem to forget we exist lol.

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL awww!

[@ACheshireCat2001]

I found reading about 'the potato people' was an interesting bit of history relating to the famine and migration and social issues involved... important to know about, causes and responses help one to understand cultures an impacts beyond a single culture...

[@terrancecoard388]

You remind me of Issa Rae. I live in northern Pa and a lot of folks from Sweden, Norway, Germany settled the area. They love their ice cream but most of the specialty shops that sell them are only open during the summer months and they are busy !! Three full time gourmet ice cream shops opened in the region, two in Buffalo NY and another in Bradford Pa...my first thought was WHY !! location, location, location...what do I know, they are thriving. The nearest Starbucks is 125 miles away! Go figure.

[@layoy7612]

For us in Germany it's not strange to share your bank account number too. It's a totally normal thing.

[@mortisCZ]

It's the same in Czechianad probably most of EU.

[@MarquitasKnottyCrush]

This just got better and better after each #- I wanna go to Iceland now. Thanks for the video. They sound like very warm and fun people.

[@Professionaltalent]

I love Iceland, the people truly appreciated me from old to young. It was an amazing European country to visit.

[@AllThingsIceland]

That's awesome. I'm glad to hear you had a lovely experience.

[@petersockler7988]

omg you are so funny especially about the staring comments dyinggggg

[@perisemiotics3204]

she had me on the "tissue campaign" lol

[@TraustiGeir]

As you mentioned the staring, I suddenly became aware of how often I do it. Thankfully, like you said, it's not a hostile thing to most people. Great video!

[@ShazWag]

Hey... Just found you and love your channel. I'm a British woman living in Germany and, except for the mucus snorting and liquorice thing, all the other stuff you mentioned is exactly the same in Germany. I think the liquorice thing there was probably imported from Denmark - as strong, salty liquorice is part of their culture. Germans dislike snorting mucus and prefer blowing a symphony concert into a tissue. Yes, it can be loud! As for bank transfer payments, it's very safe to use IBAN numbers, as long as people don't know your PINS and login details. Cheques (British spelling) haven't been used here for many years, and many of my British friends wonder if it's safe. I just tell them to look at the numbers at the bottom of a cheque. It has your bank code, account number, and even your signature - much more unsafe. Looks like you're having a great adventure there. I've yet to visit Iceland.

[@msdhonifanpage3317]

Ohh great tips ..are you from Germany or Iceland really interesting person you tell many useful things

[@masseffect3922]

Flights from London to Reykjavic is cheap. I can't wait.

[@cutiepie-bw2ry]

Reykjavík*

[@amaliagrassi6870]

What a great video! Thank you. My son has just come back from 7 days in Iceland and I think he left his heart there!

[@krista9015]

Chocolate covered Icelandic licorice! OMG! To die for!!!

[@rockinimma1]

chocolate covered salt licorice! that's a new one for me. I grew up eating danish salt licorice, but never with chocolate.

[@meredithheath5272]

💗💗💗

[@thebloodymoon9526]

I am Icelandic and all these things seem really normal to me

[@johnsteelman1410]

Hello The BloodyMoon ...please tell me how I can meet lovely girl from Iceland ? Please reply...ok ? You can also write to me on Facebook.com My name there is John Steelman retired , you see me playing a guitar....Thanks...John Steelman from America

[@jellosapiens7261]

The inhaled "yes" is very common in the Nordic countries; it occurs frequently in the unrelated Finnish

[@beckyd730]

I heard it a lot in France to. Don't know if it's a thing though in France.

[@DidrickNamtvedt]

We do it all the time here in Norway, it's definitely a very Nordic phenomenon.

[@pamelaadam9207]

We do it in the north east of Scotland when we say aye

[@aisha6787]

Lmao. this video is hilarious Jewells. YAYAYAYAYAYAY FOR ICE CREAM ALL YEAR ROUND!!! Thank you for sharing. :-)

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks, Aisha! LOL, I knew you would love the ice cream part.

[@astadisingimarsdottir6288]

With the snorting in Iceland is because it’s weary cold in our country

[@sharroon7574]

Makes sense. When it's cold your nose runs.

[@kim-nijaviktoriaannasveins356]

This is so true 😂😂 I'm from Iceland

[@johnsteelman1410]

Hello kim-nija viktoria anna sveinsdottir.....Hello you are from Iceland ? Can you please tell me the name of the nightclub in Iceland that has 4 floors where there is a band on each floor ? I was in Iceland before....when I was on a Ship in that Port....Please reply, thanks...John Steelman from North Carolina.

[@RobertBenedikts]

Maybe they were staring at ya cuz you´re beautiful :)

[@arbanaskocudo]

Shes got great shiny smile

[@gratituderanch9406]

MotherF Jones and such a great smile

[@johnwilson4677]

Lol. Exactly. Double takes everyday.

[@zossie5h]

Yes.... What a beautiful young lady.

[@MoonLightOnWater1]

I was going to write the same thing....and that bubbly personality...just adorable!

[@priyankeebordoloi6676]

You have a beautiful smile...

[@danonovmano5742]

I think so too. And she seems fun and approachable.

[@meredithheath5272]

💗💗👏👏👏 agreed!!!

[@kristinemma3386]

The part with the shower, I have never heard of those monitors (I’m from Iceland) also, the kids sleeping outside, Iceland is such a safe country, it’s so safe that people leave their baby out in a stroller to sleep, like outside shops and stuff and it’s completely normal here

[@MonicaReents]

Just found your channel today and have watched SOOO many of your videos. Love them! I've always wanted to visit Iceland and you make it sound so wonderful. 🥰💗 Thanks for sharing!!

[@PolarMary]

I really love salty liquorice. In fact, I always have to force myself to stop eating it :D

[@jonasness]

I'm from the United States, I have Norwegian heritage and I've lived in Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands, and I can say that the inhaled "Yes', salt licorice, the snorting, putting infants outside, nudity, are things that are common for most people in every other Nordic country. Thanks for sharing the video, it was fun to hear your thoughts!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for watching.

[@ailles1000]

The inhale já!🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@birnagudlaugsdottir9202]

Alexandra Illes einmitt😂

[@Starknight00]

Hi

[@bryndislilja1188]

Alexandra Illes það er alveg satt

[@TraustiGeir]

Genuinely Icelandic thing.

[@bjarkiorarson3546]

A really Icelandic thing to do, however from my own experience (I'm Icelandic), it's almost only women that speak on the inhale. I rarely if ever hear men do it.

[@AAWien]

stripping and showering with other people in bathhouses: Europe says "hello" to the US and Saudi Arabia

[@rolfjohansen5376]

great work!

[@karenrussell7338]

It was normal to leave your baby in its pram outside of shops in London in the 1970s. Not central London, but the suburbs.

[@frankhooper7871]

Very true - just don't do what _my_ mother did in the early '50s and return home without the baby!

[@lissnellin4589]

My Mum would leave me outside the shops in my pram in the early 80’s

[@orangestoneface]

and why did that change after that time....

[@olitomceliet2245]

@@orangestoneface i wonder why.....

[@locomotion91]

Love the way you expose the weird things in Iceland. Greetings from Lima

[@thorsgoldensSong]

Everything you listed is what makes me miss Iceland. And the pools and hot-pots.

[@suzannegittins9574]

This was so fun! Thank you!❤️😊

[@vladutcornel]

I freaked out when I saw an Icelander eating ice cream. I don't even think about it when the temperature outside is less than 20 Celsius.

[@h6502]

we get about five days with temperature above 20°C. we'd just never eat icecream at all.

[@mrTwisby]

I think the staring thing has mostly to do with how few of us there are. If you're out in public, odds that you will know some of the people you pass are relatively high. I automatically scan faces and have found it a surprisingly hard habit to break when I'm abroad. ^_^

[@karlscheuring6366]

mrTwisby yup lol same for us germans we tend to stare a lot as well i’m gonna be going to iceland in a few months i bet i might get a lot of stares lol

[@AllezerBrahmaneFraneiss]

Love the video!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you!

[@nichoho_tsikavoho]

Thank you for interesting information!

[@themazeballet]

The speaking on the inhale thing is a kind of Northern European thing; I'm German and I do that as well (even when speaking English). Also, my mum tells me she would leave me outside whilst she did a shop in a store that was too small for the baby carriage. And mucus is just kinda gross, no matter how you get rid of it, but the snorting noise is so loud! Thank you for sharing your observations, they were super interesting.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Very interesting and thanks for sharing that you talk on the inhale when speaking German as well. I have been wondering how many other cultures do it. Thank you for watching and commenting. :-)

[@alexanderhjartarson7687]

this is so funny cause its so accurate and i never realised we did those things

[@jeday3849]

This brings back memories from my childhood, we had this icelandic kid who just had moved over from Iceland starting at our school and he only spoke icelandic. He was running around with sticks being sorta aggressive towards the other kids, acting like a animal I thought, starring, mumbling in icelandic. One day I challenged him, I didnt like how he went about on the schoolyard. I was sorta teasing him in my own language and I imagined him swearing at me in icelandic as he spoke back aggressivly, teacher came rushing to seperate us as he like usal had a stick in his hand and he had been known to clubbing kids before that... so they had an eye on him.

[@pecator70]

They sound like like normal people to me... with great values and mentalities... and traditions to cherish! Love to Icelandic peoplefrom The Netherlands 😍

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL everyone's normal is different. I'm sure they send their love back :-)

[@dakshbagga7016]

9

[@WildwoodVagabond]

Hahaha... great video!! I enjoyed this because it reminds me of Finnish people! I’m an American who lived in Finland for 4 years and can totally relate to almost all of the things you mentioned!

[@heimirhelgason8828]

salty licorice for life

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL :-)

[@lisaling7431]

I’m glad to hear that Iceland is such a safe place. I’m coming in June for vacation ALONE and I was a little worrisome.... but now I can’t wait.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yay!!! Iceland is perfect for a solo traveler. I hope you have a great time.

[@ed9095]

Have watched a couple of your videos. What an adventure you're on!

[@mollysheehan6829]

Oh my gosh the mucus snorting! My husband is Icelandic and at first I thought that was just a weird/gross personal habit of his but I guess not 😂 I think some of these might be general Nordic things, or at least apply to Finland too. I lived in Finland for a few months and they also did the speaking on the inhale and I had the same reaction of wondering if they had a breathing problem or asthma at first :þ Also, in Finland because sauna culture is life they're also pretty comfortable with communal nudity. Also reminds me of Korea, in Korea they had the jimjilbangs which are public bath houses and they're gender segregated but still communal nudity and everyone just walking around naked in the hot tub / sauna area like it was no big deal, that was my first experience with semi-public communal nudity and definitely took a bit to get used to. I also got the stares a lot in Korea because I lived out in the country side where there weren't a lot of western foreigners, but it was mostly just curiosity/surprise and nothing malicious.

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL I am glad I am not the only one who had those reactions to the snorting and talking on the inhale. Thanks for sharing about your experiences.

[@esmeraldagreen1992]

They used to leave babies outside in Northern Italy too, decades ago not anymore. And it is still common for women to undress in front of each other; men do it too and it is not considered weird.

[@aryanemarques2089]

In Iceland and Finland are these communal baths gender segregated as well like in korea?

[@eliseumds]

I also find it insane that when I lived in Germany and Australia, it's very common to let subscription services companies (gym, insurances, electricity, etc) withdraw money from your account.

[@kawaiikowai08]

For some reason recently, I’ve been drawn to Iceland. It looks so beautiful and makes me miss it, even though I’ve never been there.

[@AllThingsIceland]

It is beautiful and I hope you get a chance to visit.

[@tobbi11]

Good stuff, keep it up.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks!

[@valerief1231]

What a fun video! I recently did a DNA test as I am adopted, and I’m super Scandinavian lol. I can’t learn enough about my heritage at 52 years old. I so wish I could have known my birth family, especially the grandparents so I could have grown up knowing what a neat part of the world I am from. Can’t say I enjoy hearing people suck their snot back into their bodies, but dang it if there isn’t an old American man blowing his nose after dinner in a nice Dallas TX restaurant almost every time I dine out, so snot is just gonna make its existence known no matter where we are lol!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you for watching and the lovely comment. I hope you explore more of your Scandinavian heritage. :-)

[@OsamasStory]

9:16 I think it’s normal, I live in a hot climate country, and the weather could get really hot sometimes and people still will drink tea and coffee.

[@Kay60010]

I was eating in public at a restaurant and I just kept getting looks. Not bad, just like...stares or even fascination or just confusion. But I’d look back up and they’d just stare and smile a little more and then look back down. Or they’ll say something about you, not expecting you to not understand. But when I do and reply it’s like amazement then laughter

[@LifeBetweenTheDash]

That was so good. Loved the list

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yay!! Thanks for watching. 😊

[@MaiinaJo]

Speaking while inhaling, showering in front of others before the pool, letting babies sleep outside (not below -10°c), is also normal in Denmark and The Faroe Islands :) And Faroese people also eat icecream all year around, although not in the car 😅

[@jamesdoughty8086]

Cars? i thought Faroese and Shetlanders used boats.. 😉

[@msjannd4]

I love ice cream in freezing weather too and I'm in Virginia lol!

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL nice!

[@vangogo6819]

Me too and I'm from Massachusetts.

[@danonovmano5742]

Me too, in Indianapolis.

[@ciaraofcourse1]

I’ve been down the rabbit hole on your channel and I’m in love with your spirit! Thank you for sharing such wonderful insights 🥰 new subbie

[@mikecolesvids]

I'm smarter because of you - thanks. I'm a soccer coach here in the US and we have a few Icelandic players on the team. I'm excited to speak with them today at training about my new found knowledge about their culture!

[@Starchild91]

Most, if not all, of these things are also true for the rest of the Nordic countries. I'm Norwegian, and my husband is English. The weirdest thing he noticed when he first got here was that a lot of people - me included - kept inhaling on my "yup"s and "yeah"s (I do it in both Norwegian and English). It baffles him still to this day. I always thought it was something everyone else in other countries did too. It's just to quick and easy, you know?

[@KaiMarcad]

A Finn here. This made me smile because the only thing that doesn't apply to Finns (I think...) is the staring. It's surprising to me how similar Nordics are.

[@janetturner7489]

Germans do this too.

[@jessaseek4297]

I’m from Texas, USA, and it is SO hot here. Iceland and its a safe place? So refreshing!! Love your energy, and your sweet delivery!!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Iceland is definitely not hot. Yes, it is a very safe place. Thanks for the lovely comment and for watching.

[@gratituderanch9406]

Love this. Had a huge smile the whole time

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yay! Thanks for watching!

[@mortisCZ]

What would people do with my bank account number? Send me money? What's the deal? They would need to know a lot more info to use my account for anything else than to give me their money.

[@kivzzzz]

That's an interesting question.

[@gingerlundgren-barron3594]

It no different than handing someone a “check”

[@cwtabbs1]

Kids sleeping outside or left outside to get some air was also done until relatively recently in the US and the UK. Up until maybe...the 50s and 60s it wasn't unusual to put the baby's pram or a playpen outside so the little one could get some fresh air. People in the neighborhood would listen out for the child.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for sharing that info.

[@habibmusa4946]

hi my sister I'm black too I'm planning to go there and want stay there is there many foreigner specially blacks

[@AllThingsIceland]

@@habibmusa4946 There are not many people of color in Iceland. I hope you get a chance to visit.

[@habibmusa4946]

Jewells Chambers Thanks sister It means they don't use to see many foreigners Did u get many stares

[@Ummkelechi]

You are right.. I am from America and my grandmother would put my sibilings and myself outside in our baby chairs while she cooked.

[@ingenuity168]

Lol! Talking on the inhale is so funny!

[@annelyceimgrund6884]

American here and, specifically, North Texan. Like many Deep South states, Texas has a hard summer from, let’s say, Mid-June through mid-September with heat indexes that are often triple-digit. Our hard summer is bracketed by what’s known as “Indian Summer,” meaning that temps are warm starting as early as late-April and stretching into early November … so, basically, a reliable 6-month summer with the fires of hades plunked down in the middle. So, yeah, Ice cream is DEFINITELY considered a major food group here, and I eat it whenever the mood strikes. That said, that mood rarely strikes between October and April, and *never* when it’s cold, icy, snowing, etc. It just doesn’t. Most Texans are similar in my experience, so I’d bet good money that ice cream sales plummet here between November and March for sure, even though our winters are very mild compared to other places.