How to Treat Women in Norway
Norwegian women are highly respected and generally well educated. They hold important positions with Norway's leading industries and businesses. Women in Norway struggle, like women everywhere, to maintain a balance between their careers and their families. It is important to treat Norwegian women, and men for that matter, with respect and courtesy.
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Instructions
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Make sure you are informed and prepared when doing business with women in Norway as they tend to be skilled in negotiating effectively.
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Treat women with the same level of respect and in the same regard as male colleagues when doing business in Norway. Women in Norway demand equal treatment and will speak up if they detect mistreatment. Failure to show this courtesy could result in a failed business venture.
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Be direct when communicating with Norwegian businesswomen. Directness is a common trait amongst Norway's professional women. Try not to take these forward comments as a sign of disrespect.
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Shake hands when introduced to a woman in Norway. Maintain eye contact to show proper respect and interest. Wait until asked to refer to a woman by her first name.
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Offer a gift to the hostess of a dinner party or gathering. Flowers, wine or candy can be appropriate. Avoid white flowers which are only used at funerals.
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Provide equal pay to female staff members if you run a business in Norway. Treat female employees with equal consideration for senior-level positions. This includes offering them the same opportunities for training and education which will increase their chances for advancement.
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Provide adequate maternity leave to women if you have employees in Norway. Norwegian women may take up to a year's maternity leave at 80 percent pay, or 10 months at 100 percent pay.
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Tips & Warnings
Be on time when meeting with a Norwegian. They tend to place importance on punctuality and see tardiness as a sign of insincerity.
Norwegian women commonly invite men to dinner and usually cover the bill if they do the inviting. Women tend to be comfortable taking the lead.
Be sure to review tips for business etiquette if your interaction with Norwegians is business related. Norway.com offers suggestions for doing business successfully in Norway (see Resources below).
Norwegians tend to feel uncomfortable with touching and close contact during conversations. Keep your distance and avoid personal touching unless the person is a close friend or relative.
