Should men carry bags?

Source: "The Social Guidebook to Norway"

I grew up in a more latin society

My mother wanted her young boy to become a gentleman

She taught me many things

To open doors for women

To leave my seat for women

To carry bags for women

I was told that if a woman carries anything else than a purse

To take it without asking and continue walking together with her

So that this gentle gesture of gallantry goes almost unnoticed

This is the art of being a gentleman in many cultures

When I tried to take bags from Norwegian women

It was not appreciated the same way

Norwegian women are independent

And the Norwegian culture idealises the idea that no difference exist between genders

And their respective roles

When you come from a place where men and women

Have more defined roles

Where gallantry is central to gender interactions

Where men are raised in a masculine role to care and protect

Where women expect these behaviours from men

Adaptation to Norway may not be easy

Norwegians expectations may be confusing

For both foreign women and foreign men

In most societies in the world men and women have more defined roles than in Norway




By Julien S. Bourrelle

Book a lecture