What I Hate About Living in Iceland

Many of you know that I love living in Iceland. However, there are some things that I strongly dislike, so I'm sharing them in this video.
If you're curious to hear about what I love about living in the country, check out this video - • What I Love About Livi...
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I mentioned microspikes in this video. Here are the ones I use during winter in Iceland - amzn.to/3zSM8PV
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If you enjoy my content on KZbin, then you'll love the fun content I make on Instagram & TikTok. I share often about Iceland travel inspiration, observations of the culture, and more.
Instagram - / allthingsiceland
TikTok - / allthingsiceland
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Make sure you have the right clothing packed for Iceland by grabbing my Free Ultimate Packing Checklist. It has comprehensive lists of winter and summer essentials to wear here.
allthingsiceland.com/iceland-...
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Book a one-on-one trip video Iceland trip planning consultation with me here - calendly.com/allthingsiceland...
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Want a gorgeous authentic Icelandic Sweater like mine? Shop here for one:
icelandicstore.is/?aff=3
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Are you a company that wants to work with me: Send me an email at jewells(at)allthingsiceland(dot)com
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All Things Iceland podcast
Hear interviews with natives and ex-pats that dive deep into Icelandic history, language, nature, and culture, as well as learn new Icelandic words and phrases.
Available for download at:
My website - allthingsiceland.com
Apple podcasts
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Time Stamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:34 - 1st Reason
01:51 - 2nd Reason
04:24 - 3rd Reason
07:25 - 4th Reason
08:51 - 5th Reason

[@HrRezpatex]

lol, this remind me of a visit we had from Brazil. it was in the winter, and the first thing we did was to warn her about the slippery ice. With her Brazilian temperament, she got angry at us for this, because "she was a grown up and we did not have to warn her about every thing.." The next day we had to drive her to a hospital with a broken leg.. And no, we did not say "what was it we said..".. there was no need to put salt in it.. lol

[@AllThingsIceland]

Oh no! So sorry to hear that she got hurt. 😢

[@HrRezpatex]

@@AllThingsIceland Its ok, she is tuff and took it well. And after all we also have free healthcare here in Scandinavia. 🙂 Not to say that we did not feel sorry for her until she was good again of course. Also, when we say something is dangerous and warn her about it, she listen now. 🙂

[@SherryAnnOfTheWest]

Actually, securely packaged vegetables don't spoil as fast --- Packaging also reduces dehydration, while enabling the use of UPC codes for accurate pricing. Also, if you forget about your produce in the refrigerator drawer (like I did with my English cucumber that I bought a couple weeks ago) the liquified vegetation doesn't get all over you and your appliances when you throw it out.... LOL

[@AllThingsIceland]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@kimberlywade2632]

This is correct!

[@markuserikssen]

You've become such a great host Jewells! I love watching these videos. I didn't know about all the things you've mentioned, even though I was living in Iceland for a year before. Anyhow, keep up the good work. The waterfall looks stunning!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you! I really appreciate that. Glad to have shared somethings you weren't aware of. Yes, this waterfall is stunning.

[@egheitisunna]

As an Icelander, I also hate the slippery sidewalks, what has saved me is putting spikes in nice pair of shoes (beware to only use them for walking in ice then), you can get them in outdoors-stores. I would never eat skata or anything else fermented 😅 I think its mostly older people that like it, it is actually illegal to cook Skata in apartments! But liqorice is my favourite.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@christinediab6194]

So cool to randomly run in to you on my first visit to Iceland, having watched all your videos! Thank you for being so approachable!

[@Islandicus]

Having lived in Iceland for many years, both in Reykjavík and Ísafjörður, I totally agree with your dislikes. I never even dared to try skata or hákarl. I do miss the freshly baked bread early in the morning though. ❤️🇮🇸

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for sharing. If you don't mind me asking, what years did you live here?

[@Islandicus]

@@AllThingsIceland From 1991 to 2003.

As an Icelander, I also hate skata but love your videos!

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂 Thank you! ❤

[@ravenharris1257]

Your skata is synomous to our hog (or pig) chitterlings or hog intestines….except I love them.

[@csnymoodiesfan]

I was only there for 10 days, but what really irritated me were the teeny tiny trash cans , so little counter soace around bathroom sink, and showers with no dividing wall so that the water ends up in the bathroom. Also just one towel usually and maybe a washcloth. Also, they don’t like giving you more than one of anything, so when I wanted an extra plastic cup to,share a beer, I got a strange look. Also, many mini-marts did not provide plastic cutlery, usually it was wooden, so I learned to,just keep a set in my purse. You mentioned the prices and we found that having dinner was easily $100 for two, so we often went to either mini marts or grocery stores for sandwiches. I was a bit disappointed to not find a lot of specialty foods like seafood which I expected since Iceland is surrounded by oceans. We also found out that there are very few places to pull over like rest stops, gas stations, food places, etc. I was aware of it, but didn’t expect the number of mikes you had to drive before finding a small town. Don’t get me wrong, we loved it there, but as a tourist youmhave to expect that things will be different and adjust. to it. I still highky recommend it to my friends and famikymbecause it is so beautiful and the onky place where I’ve seen such diversity of landscapes in such close proximity.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for sharing.

[@user-gd4hn9iq8s]

I've been learning so much. Love your videos.

[@jcortese3300]

I've heard that they wrap individual fruit/veg in shrink plastic because overall, it's got a lower carbon footprint. Balancing the plastic with the amount of food waste that happens when things rot before they are eaten actually tilts things in favor of using tight plastic shrink-wrap to keep the veg fresh.

[@cowsmooloud]

This is the first video of yours that's popped up on my feed in many months. Your list, oddly, almost perfectly echoes my problems of living in Labrador, Canada. The ice roads; the windy conditions; the plastic wrapped vegetables. Thankfully, they don't ferment fish nor embrace licorice flavour heavily. They do deal with iron ore dust [Labrador City] in EVERYTHING, which is a health care nightmare.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Wow, I wonder why my videos are not being shown to everyone. Oh, interesting that there are almost identical parallels. Dang, the dust sounds awful!

[@sonjafarrell2773]

Same here with not getting your video for month I got 4 today! Love your videos..Love Iceland Planning to visit! I am Norwegian on my mother's. We have Lutefisk this time of year which I understand comes from Iceland. It is brined cod fish that is soaked in water to get the lye brine out. It use to be boiled which is very smelly, but I have learned to bake it.which makes it less smelly & the over all texture it better. We serve it with melted butter, salt & pepper along with boiled potatoes and peas & lefse with butter & brown sugar. This is our traditional Christmas Eve & Day & New Year's Eve & Day dinners.. Love it

[@Terenia531]

Our English cucumbers are wrapped in a similar way here in Canada but they’re usually imported from down south. I think it’s possibly to extend the shelf life so they don’t dehydrate. The local cucumbers in the summer are usually sold loose in bins.

[@Sindrijo]

As a child I HATED that I had to go to the local community building that day before Christmas because of the smell, I was always encouraged to just try the Skata a little bit and I'm sorry to say that it eventually grew on me and now I LOVE IT and I can't imagine Christmas without it. It really clears your sinuses! Though I do make sure I only eat it once a year, I don't think I've ever eaten it more than once in a year. It's a nice tradition though, at least in the town I come from its sort of an event, seen and be seen, catch up with old neighbours and acquaintances you normally don't continue interacting with as you mature and perhaps move away. I'm always a bit shocked at seeing people I remember as little kids show up as teenager, then as young adults and now even with kids of their own. Skata is forever. Skata brings people together. 😂

[@AllThingsIceland]

Interesting how you changed from hating skata to loving it! Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@elizabethd.7662]

Thanks. I always enjoy your videos.

[@AllThingsIceland]

My pleasure and thank you!

[@feleciawallace8420]

Great show... thanks

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. 🤗

[@hoser7706]

We have been enjoying your videos as we prepare for our first trip to Iceland. How did you end up staying and working in Iceland. Best smile on YT btw. 😁

[@terapia.desenredada]

I love your channel :) I know it has an educational purpose, but I wish you can make a video talking about your experience of moving to Iceland, building new friendships and/or relationships as an adult, and so on...

[@agng5547]

Great video as always! I completely agree about the smell of the fermented skate.. It's hard to escape. xD And the icy roads. Here in Sweden cucumbers are wrapped in plastic as well. It's done to keep the quality of the cucumber for several weeks and therefore prevents food waste. :)

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for sharing and glad you enjoyed the video. 😊

[@carolgold-boyd9287]

Ice on the sidewalks and roads? High winds? Sounds like winter in Chicago - seriously, we had 100 kph wind gusts where I live just this week (that's 60 mph for my fellow Americans). We've had even higher than that, and that's not even counting tornadoes. Well, every place has its flaws as well as it's benefits. Keep making these videos, I enjoy them so much.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Wow, keep safe out there. Thank you!! 🤗

[@bjarkih1977]

The problem in Iceland is that because the temperature is often around freezing point the ice get wet and therefore way more slippery. Very low temperatures are preferred in this case.

[@R.L.Buick.]

Thanks for sharing, Jewells. The background is beautiful! Q: Where was the video location?

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks! It’s Kvernufoss waterfall in south Iceland

[@amandamoran923]

Couldn't agree more on the liquorice front it really is an acquired taste I never acquired!

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂😂 same

[@aiidina67]

Oh also I've brought a literal hard framed dog bed (broken down) into Iceland for someone because it fit in the checked bag. Sneakers, makeup, baby items, American junk food, all kinds of things for friends/acquaintances in Iceland at their request due to the crazy fees.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yea, it’s amazing the lengths people have to go to get stuff at reasonable prices. They’re lucky to have someone like you bring that for them.

[@grettirgrattmards2348]

Low wages, outrageously high taxes, shitty micro currency exclusively managed by the elites, Healthcare system worse than in Moldova and consumption heavily taxed. Yup that's iceland for ya. Fine to visit as a tourist for a short while but absolutely dreadful to live and work.

[@chocolatemint9225]

Sounds like Iceland has its own version of African-American chitlins😂 my grandma used to make them and us kids would just hate going over there when they had a Chitlin weekend. At least it’s only once a year

[@l.b.9722]

Ok, it's becoming a hobby of mine research Iceland since I've started following your channel. Thanks to you an Icelandic vacation is first on my bucket list! 😊 For some reason though, I always imagined mead drinking being more common in Iceland. (Please don't laugh. I was huge fan of Old Norse mythology and Viking legends as a teenager 😆). Imagine my surprise that Iceland's (supposedly) one and only meadery opened in 2017. It's called Öldur and it's in Reykjavik. They make a few varieties, according to their website. Maybe its worth checking out for a future video? 😬

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yay for wanting to visit!! I totally understand you thinking that mead was more popular here but, as you mentioned, it’s not at the moment. Maybe that will change. Yea, it would be awesome to visit them and show all of you their process, as well as try some mead! 😊

[@Sindrijo]

Locally made mead probably never was a huge part of Icelandic culture just from the fact that the honeybee doesn't exactly thrive in Iceland's climate and the native species we do have aren't very productive compared to the other European honeybees. For a mead-culture to sustain itself it needs to produce it reliably in huge volumes too as the honey would have been much more valuable is a food source rather than the production of alcohol. I think the majority of alcohol in Iceland throughout its history has been imported and for most of its history it was probably mostly red wine for use in church service or other stronger spirits for medicinal uses. A huge reason is also the Danish trade-monopoly that lasted between 1602-1786 and trade was heavily regulated at that time.

[@lindagates9150]

My Biology teacher said in 1968 to a vinegar worm vinegar is sweet 😮 I took that to mean no matter how bad the situation was there would be someone who would be happy with it. I take comfort in thinking no matter how bad something is it could be worse perhaps much worse. My mother in law packed her suitcase in a larger suitcase and tucked bags in every other free place in our car on a holiday we took in Michigan….we had to buy an excargo for the top of the car to bring her purchases home they loved us at the border crossing we had all the forms filled in the receipts attached…..we were awarded the tourist of the year status and were shown off to the rest of the staff that night. Paid to be married to her son the accountant who forced all of us to prepare everything for the momentous occasion . Thank you for inspiring my walk down memory lane.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Cassandra-..-]

Such a nice short list! Could also be distilled down to “no ammonia please.” LOL

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂😂😂 so true!

[@HennabyMaryam]

Lol, and plastic. And ice.

[@TheCraigaberdeen]

In my home city Glasgow, Scotland, I can always tell when the Duty Free shop at Glasgow Airport is busy, there are many Icelandair Crew and passengers travelling back to Iceland. I would love to visit one day.

[@rina_maria]

How do you take care of your locs in Iceland? When I lived in Asia it took me awhile to find a different routine instead of just spending a lot to have things sent over from the states.

[@AllThingsIceland]

I do my own hair and I try to stock up on products when I go to the U.S. 😊

[@Robert67010]

I recently visited your awesome country and loved almost everything that I experienced. The two things I didn’t like were the midges and egg scented showers.

[@Just_Vryatt]

Skate is a stingray!? Great videos great personality ✨👌

[@Keiaradise]

In terms of the plastic use, this occurs in so many places, I honestly don’t know why. I’ve seen it in the states (places like Trader Joe’s).

[@AllThingsIceland]

So bizarre. Thanks for sharing

[@aiidina67]

TJs is the biggest offender of this!

[@tobynephew247]

Just got back from Iceland on Sunday. My family thoroughly enjoyed it. Beautiful country. Did the Golden Circle, Plane wreck, (wind was brutal in Vik) and Blue Lagoon. Thing I hated the most was the Sulphur smell everywhere.

[@yoRockstardude134]

Hm.. I think I've seen you come into my restaurant awhile back. As a fellow american, I must agree with your assessment of licorice being everywhere. I missed my chance to try skate last year, so I'm hoping I get to fully embrace it this year :).

[@AllThingsIceland]

Interesting. What restaurant do you have? 😊 I hope your skata experience lives up to the hype. 😂

[@yoRockstardude134]

@@AllThingsIceland Brewdog, Moreso an employee, not an owner so you're not confused.

[@ellayon5489]

Lol 😂the cucumbers 🥒 part got me down 🤣🤣🤣. But u still cute in telling us what u hate in Iceland 💝✌️💝✌️

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL thanks 😂❤

[@GeekFurious]

Let me address your points as someone who now just visits. Icy sidewalks: I can't tell you how many spills I've taken just walking near my family's homes in Mosfellsbær. ALL LICORICE IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Except the pepper licorice. I think it may have been invented as a joke. And they have it has an icecream topping! Wind: It's not that bad... compared to tornadoes in Nebraska. Fermented food is fine but the shark is gross. Skata smells AWFUL but the flavor is better than the smell. My American partner couldn't enter my aunt's house for days after they made it. The delivery fees are insane and one of the reasons I may never move back. I don't know why they do the plastic thing. Granted, I've never thought about it.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for the point by point feedback. I hope none of your spills in Mosó resulted in any serious injuries. LOL, it would be hilarious to know if pepper liquorice was created as a joke. I know so many Icelanders that love it! Yea, Nebraska tornadoes sound brutal. I think being plant-based has really saved me from a lot of foods that don't smell appetizing. I feel like Iceland will have to do something about the delivery fees in the future but only time will tell. I assume most people never think about it. I remember it sticking out to me when I first came. I also realize there are things in NYC or the US that I would not think twice about but someone new might notice right away.

[@GeekFurious]

@@AllThingsIceland Nothing too bad, fall wise. I love taking that walk on the path facing the ocean. Through the woods. So beautiful. I don't mind falling. It's like my favorite winter walk.

[@blipjockey3100]

Boy, I'm with you on the salt licorice. I about gagged the first time (and last!) that I tried it.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Right?! So intense and definitely not for my palate 😅

[@Insanity_awaits]

The plastic around produce baffles me too lol here in Texas the English cucumbers are wrapped in plastic individually. I'm not sure why either 🤔 😊

[@Rachel_lyn]

In Canada we have wrapped cucumbers (they last longer) as well as unwrapped organic cucumbers.

[@skoskur2271]

the wind and ice is late this year, but the skata will be on time :D

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂😂😂

[@bjarkih1977]

Salt makes ice more slippery which is why many places outside the Reykjavík area use sand.

[@AllThingsIceland]

True. I totally forgot to mention the sand. Thanks for adding that.

[@nigelclifford8405]

When it got snowy and icy b4 Christmas here in UK they use a lot of salt on roads so they mostly clear of ice, it’s the pavements that are very icy and slippery and I mostly walked on the roads if they were not busy and were minor roads than go on the footpath.

[@richardstringfellow5454]

I'm with you on licorice and plastic on cukes. We have that here on the English cucumbers in Tacoma. I don't get it at all. And the wind in Iceland is no joke.

[@Grillwell-bj1uo]

Hii please make a video , how forners come Iceland?

[@oskarkawulicz3956]

Packed cucumbers in many countries showed that are came from outside country. They are fresh but not like local could be. Sometimes its a price to live in quite remote places. Unfortunately its not super ecofriendly type, and in foil can grow some bacterias so always double check them. Without that foil it will be very hard to have nice looking untouched cucumber for longer period of time. Nice channel. keep goin

[@Dennis-lp7xe]

I love to buy the icelandic vegetables straight from the greenhouses.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Nice!

[@mamudoucolley6106]

You always make me feel in love Icland

[@gingerlundgren-barron3594]

I love real black salted licorice… it’s good for circulation & blood pressure.. but of course my Swedish grandpa fed me licorice very young .

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yea, I think growing up with it makes a huge difference. I tried it for the first time as an adult.

[@lindabrown0]

@@AllThingsIceland Licorice Allsorts are popular in England. Not my favourite but some folks love it. Does skata smell as bad as durian fruit? Now that's nasty (lol).

[@CristianoRonaldo-kb5tk]

Nice 👍

[@kimberlywade2632]

Can say family send you products to Iceland without customs? Like you have mom send you a laptop out of the packaging but in a postal box.

[@AllThingsIceland]

If it is a birthday gift and I can prove it is for my birthday then yes. Not sure if that will apply to electronics though.

[@grettirgrattmards2348]

​@@AllThingsIcelandalso if the value is over $100 you'll have to pay 24% VAT on it along with item based customs duty

[@dirkvannieuwenhove]

I absolutely want to buy crampons for icy road walks during my next visit. Whoe size is an issue alas. But liquorish candy is my favourite as well as Icelandic weather. I also saw a childs being flown away in Myvatn together wih my brother, that was on the parents’ responsbility.

[@dirkvannieuwenhove]

*shoe size

[@CxMinette]

Visited in 2019 - loved Iceland so much but we arrived on the 23rd of December. We went to a restaurant for lunch and the hostess was actually apologising for the smell...

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂😂😂 must have been an unpleasant surprise

[@CxMinette]

@@AllThingsIceland A little bit!! Still a wonderful trip, but quite an intense start 😬

[@LoppyLoves]

I made a similar video a few years ago but wasn't brave enough to upload it to my channel, but it sounds like our lists are pretty alike! However back then I hadn't yet encountered skata...last year I was asked to cover a shift at work in the staff canteen on the day that they were serving it 🤢 traumatized for life! The plastic wrapped veg really irritates me too! I hate those cucumber smokkar 😂

[@hoser7706]

Can more expensive items be mailed in as gifts to avoid import fees?

[@grettirgrattmards2348]

Nope, you pay 25% VAT on gifts exceeding $100 in value. If you refuse to pay they'll keep your package as hostage and won't resend to sender unless you pay for that shipping too, which is about $50 for a small box under 1kg to the USA

[@hoser7706]

@@grettirgrattmards2348 That is crazy!! Damned if you do or don’t. Forced minimalism. Lol

[@missvixenx]

Hey Jules Thanks for sharing this video I'm currently living in the Faroe Islands - hello neighbour! It's interesting because these are also things I dislike about Faroe Islands ---- especially the fermented foods that they have. They have fermented lamb and fermented fish. It's honestly the most disgusting odor I have smelled in my life. Everytime my in-laws make it I stay away!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Hi!! Oh, that sounds intense. Thanks for sharing.

[@lorinichols9996]

It has been getting noticeably windier here in New England, too, so you may be experiencing even more dramatic winds than you would have 20-30 years ago there. I live on top of a mountain, and it's always annoyingly windy when the weather systems are changing. Not necessarily dangerous, but enough that you have to think about law and furniture blowing over and things like that more often than we used to, it seems. And the sound of it is unsettling to me, especially at night. Climate change, of course, along with wetter storms, as they told us would be the case....

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for sharing

[@williamborges3914]

Is salt licorice memorable? I have geezer status, yet I vividly remember the day long ago in first grade when the sadistic teacher offered us bits of the vile stuff. 😖

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yea, I definitely think it’s memorable, especially if you don’t like it. 😂

[@siralanbstardmp7960]

2 years from now there will be a video from you telling ppl to fight the smell of skata and try it :)

[@gfritlev9956]

The ice 😬 Every winter is different but a few years back (maybe 2015 and 2016) there were 2 winters in a row with this thick ice everywhere for like 3 months. Terrible. Better be careful.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Not fun. Thanks and likewise!

[@jonfr]

You walk like a penguin when there's a ice over everything. Slowly and small steps.

[@AllThingsIceland]

True but you can still possibly slip 🙁

[@j.p.blackcoyote]

Icy slippery or heavily snow-piled sidewalks are a thing in Russia too, sometimes it can feel like you went hiking or something... some elder people put the microspikes on, but these things look ugly so most people prefer to train their balancing skills/try their luck. lol

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂 same here. It’s risky business to walk on solid ice.

[@inrakop9727]

we dont use ice spikes because the government advertises that the roads get all torn up after we use the spikes for long times

[@inrakop9727]

with the wind problem we have red yellow and orange viðvörun Red:dont go outside orange:only go outside if needed but you can only drive yellow:Just be careful

[@nikkirockznikkirockz8551]

Hey baby gurl! You ain't lyin' about that expensive azz price tag that comes with gettin' things delivered either to, or from Iceland! I ordered some of their yummy, snappy "hot dogs", some condiments and fermented cod snacks the other year, and hunnnnty it was about half as much as the products themselves! Was it delicious though (?) You bet it deffo was! ☺️

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂 Glad you found it tasty even though it was expensive.

[@nikkirockznikkirockz8551]

@@AllThingsIceland Lolol Thanx luvz, I'd really like to see you do some food reviews on the local "hot dog" and other things (seafood, drinks, etc.) whenever you get a chance plz! 💛

[@TwixyNo]

I do enjoy the All-Things-Iceland fingers! The ice thing in Chicago can be terrible. I got walking sticks so i don’t break my head open in a fall. I look like a giant praying mantis.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Ohh, I bet Chicago is intense during winter. I think it’s great you are using walking sticks. I might consider that too. 😊

[@kronotrigger]

Your second reason to hate it is one of my loves. I'm pretty sure I made myself sick last time I got some because I ate it so much. Good times. I am from Iceland though, so there's that. I know no one asked, I just wanted to share.

[@AllThingsIceland]

I’m glad you shared. It’s always interesting to hear different perspectives. 😊

[@anthonytang4327]

all i know about expenses in iceland is that a small pringles thing costs like 10 something (in my currency), i wanna be an immigrant but this is gonna take years to adapt to.

[@grettirgrattmards2348]

Trust me you do NOT want to live in Iceland if you're gonna stay longer than from May till September Or don't have passive income you can live on because if working in Iceland for a year you'll start hating life which turns into disbelief that people actually put up with the horrid living conditions there. Visiting as a tourist during the summer months is somewhat okay but LIVING and WORKING there, that's when you'll start understanding icelandic society's true colors.

[@pharaohblack1784]

Wrapping plastic individual perishable items for bulk transport and hygiene; enabling stick labels, price, info, health stat, machine auto counters, etc. PLUS you don't need a BAG "wink"

[@GentlyUsedOreos]

Also... Holy crap with the customs, and the import fee's!!!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Agreed

[@grettirgrattmards2348]

It's just the tip of the iceberg of the scam being run on a societal level on inhabitants here. Most foreigners don't see iceland's true nature until they move here, have to work and pay taxes and get absolutely nothing in return but more taxes and more fees. Ordinary citizens are essentially just sheep or lifestock to generate tax income for the elites.

[@aiidina67]

Even parts of downtown have icy sidewalks! Put some freaking YakTrax on! people are insane. I tell everyone to bring them. Do not care if I look like a tourist, at least I am not breaking or spraining something.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Agreed and good for you!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@aggi999]

Plastic is good for storage of food, cheap, and doesn't get destroyed by the circumstances that would destroy other types of packaging

[@AllThingsIceland]

Ok, thanks for sharing.

[@tinaboyd7574]

See shrink wrapped English cucumbers in the US. It slows the spoiling

[@GentlyUsedOreos]

Other than the licorice, & the shark situation; This sounds like my complaints of Idaho. Ice. Wind. 4 seasons in 10 minutes. Still no where near what you deal with. But I can definitely sympathize. I will counter the fermented shark smell, with the smell of the sugar beet factory my Idahoan town of Twin Falls. 🤣

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂 thanks for sharing.

[@EstebanEscobarPalacios]

OMG, did she just messed with lakkrís??

[@charles.m.molema4758]

It's the foodie parts for me , fermented shark sounds like a skill or tradition passed down . . .

[@AllThingsIceland]

Agreed. Many Icelanders take part in gatherings where they eat traditional foods each year in the late January/early February.

[@charles.m.molema4758]

@@AllThingsIceland Will surely read up on it . . .

[@lisanutini5183]

I’m sure I’d dislike any food smelling heavily of ammonia. Truly.

[@billthorne1]

You are adorable! Living in Iceland you and all your friends and family should be taking vitamin D3, K2 supplements. The tryptophan in your diet needs vitamin D3 in order to become serotonin, otherwise it just makes you drowsy and groggy. If you supplement, the additional serotonin will make you alert and chatty. Icelanders seem to really love salt. You'd all do well to swap the salt for a potassium-balanced salt substitute. Be well...

[@1ACL]

Someone told me those English cukes are grown in the plastic. Not sure if it's true or not.

[@fickalinga]

It's wrapped in plastic to help keep it fresh for longer.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for sharing. What I don’t get is why the cucumbers and other foods from outside of the country are not wrapped in plastic too if it is about keeping them fresh.

[@violencnoviolet]

Jee! First!

[@AllThingsIceland]

🎉🎉🎉

[@cestusfr]

cucumbers are wrapped in plastics in France too. Plastic Wrap Helps Cucumbers Last Longer.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks for sharing

[@arnapetursdottir7489]

Við á landsbyggðinni setjum plast í sérstakar tunnur til að endurvinna. Veit ekki hvernig það er í Reykjavík.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Áhugavert og takk fyrir að deila. 😊

[@stevenvanhemmen]

We just got back from a week in Iceland. Loved it, but the not so subtle racism was really eye-opening. I'm white, my husband is Middle Eastern and people would always look at me while talking or strike up a conversation with me, but not him.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Wow, I’m so sorry to hear that and that your husband had to experience that.

[@TheSiggib]

Frabært að hlusta a þig. Það eru pusar og minusar allstaðar. Eg elska vatnið her .-)

[@AllThingsIceland]

Takk kærlega fyrir. Já, ég er sammála. 😊

[@HennabyMaryam]

Licorice is an absolutely divisive taste. People either love it or hate it. I'm part Norwegian and my son and I both love licorice, even the salty kind. My husband hates it. Maybe it's in the genes!

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂 it sounds like it is possibly in the genes. Thanks for sharing.

[@janetoconnell8295]

English cucumbers are wrapped in plastic in my state Washington. Not sure why. The other cucumbers are not.

[@AllThingsIceland]

So bizarre. Thanks for sharing.

[@jonbourne1906]

@@AllThingsIceland Supposed to slow down dehydration and spoilage of the cucumber and reduce food waste. But doesn't always feel like a great trade-off. I think all UK cucumbers in supermarkets are sold this way.

[@truthpopup]

I'm surprised someone returning from vacation can bring a suitcase full of stuff into Iceland and not have to pay import duties on everything.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Some people take the risk of not getting stopped by customs. 🤫

[@grettirgrattmards2348]

If the value of the goods you're importing is over $500 you'd have to pay 24% VAT on everything exceeding that value. That is if you declare it at customs upon arrival which from my experience NO ONE does.

[@wade2922]

Salt and Pepper Licorice??? What? People like that?

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yes, many people like it. Definitely not for everyone. 😂

[@poldariser8686]

I'm in Iceland now 🇮🇸 woo-hoo

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yay!! Have a fabulous time. 🥳

[@poldariser8686]

@@AllThingsIceland Thank you! And thanks for all the videos, they are very helpful in our trip here to Iceland 🇮🇸. My wife is half Iceland and we're already planning on moving here at some point. Unfortunately, we have to go back to the states for now...ugh.

[@tonysherwood9619]

Americans come to england to have a free operation - then go back and impress their friends!

[@juni_purr]

Hi Jewells! Is it just me, or do I detect an Icelandic lilt in your voice? Thanks for airing your complaints in this video. It presents the view that living in Iceland is no more idyllic than living anywhere else. Nonetheless, there are things about life in the European far north that speak to me.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Hi!! Lol it’s possible that my voice is changing. 😅 Yes, agreed. Iceland is lovely but it is not a utopia. The pros far outweigh the cons, in my opinion. 😊

[@grettirgrattmards2348]

​@@AllThingsIcelandWhat Pros? Free cold drinking water from the sink? That's about the only thing I can think of compared to just about any average sized city in Europe or the USA as Iceland is essentially just a citystate.

[@LindaStitches]

OH my goodness! The dish they serve at Christmastime sounds absolutely disgusting!!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Some people claim that the smell is much worse than the taste but I can’t confirm that because I have no intention of ever tasting it. 😂

[@LindaStitches]

@@AllThingsIceland 😂😂 I don’t blame you!! Yikes

[@DianaBos7]

🌶️🥒🌶️🥒

[@jhoigaar]

We have individualized cucumbers wrapped here, even in the Health F ood Stores. - ALL THIS PLASTIC IS A BOON TO THE PETROLEUM, FOSSIL INDUSTRY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Blerg! Yea, it feels like such a waste and terrible for the environment.

[@Jajapaak]

Just walk it off, Iceland best

[@kraken5003]

i hate people that stay here for over a year and don't even attempt to speak the language

[@andreag983]

Could you clarify that many Icelanders do not like fermented shark or Skate or any of the old þorramat. Not everything you say is accurate, still some things could be better. Look into prices in other Nordic countries. Compare prices with products in the us? Why. People in Iceland have better wages than in the United States…and so on

[@AllThingsIceland]

I never said that the majority of Icelanders like þorramat but that it’s something that is consumed on occasions. This video is about what I don’t find appealing. Even with wages considered, the prices of electronics here are very expensive.

[@jhoigaar]

sooooooooooooooooooo MUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH plastic - really lots since the pandemic since nothing can touch anything else??????????????????????????????