Stille

Views of Oslo from Kolsåstoppen hike, October 2025.

One might think this word means still, however in Norwegian stille means quiet.  When I first arrived in Norway, I immediately noticed how quiet it was walking down the streets, entering buildings, and using public transportation. Electrified vehicles make for quiet roads, but it’s the quiet culture of Norway that drives the stille life.

I will admit that it took a bit of time to adjust to the absence or lack of random chatter. In rural Minnesota, we say “hello” to strangers walking on the sidewalk, start random chit-chat with strangers while waiting in line at the doctor’s office or in check-out lines, say “bless you” when someone sneezes, and quickly blurt, “excuse me” if we get in someone’s way. Driving down dirt roads in the countryside, people even raise their hands from their steering wheels to signal a friendly “hello” to the person in the vehicle they pass.

That is not the case in Oslo. Not at all. I quickly learned not to make eye contact with anyone on the bus, trains, or trolleys and find a seat that is as distant as possible from anyone else. Personal space is important. Obviously during peak travel times, one may need to sit next to someone, but that is only when the modes of transportation are busy. When traveling, refrain from talking or talk in a low whisper as to not disturb anyone.

Don’t make eye contact with people on the sidewalks and move out of peoples’ way, don’t say anything, just move. Don’t attempt to start a conversation unless there is an urgent reason to do so and save any pleasantries for interactions with people who have a genuine reason to talk to you. For example, don’t start talking to a stranger at a sport or activity club unless you have intentions of joining that club.

Now that I have been in Oslo for nearly three months, I get it. The lack of conversation, eye contact, or verbal interactions may be interpreted as rudeness in rural Minnesota, but it is strongly tied to RESPECT in Norway. Give people space and respect their space. Don’t say hello to a stranger because you would be disturbing their personal space.

My husband was recently visiting, so we went out for dinner. We ordered our meals and drinks at the restaurant’s bar, paid the bill, and provided the waiter with our table number. He gave us our drinks and later brought our food to the table. As we sat there eating our food, we were surprised that there were no interruptions. Not one. The waiter did not return to our table to ask us how our food tasted or if we needed anything. Of course, if we did need something, we could just return to the bar counter. Our conversation was never disrupted, and we ate in peace. Not once did we take a bite of food and need to nod our heads in awkward response to questions about the meal.

This reflects the Norwegian way of respecting personal space. Waiters respect your eating space and will not interrupt your conversation and meal. We LOVED that! My husband also enjoyed not needing to leave a tip...but perhaps that’s a topic for another blog post…

While my husband was here, he joined me traveling north for a school workshop. We ventured into the hotel’s dining area for breakfast and were immediately drawn to a booming voice in the center of the room. A man was talking loudly while using his speaker phone. I was so irritated! How rude! It was at that moment that I ascertained just how much I had been enjoying the stille or quiet ways of Norway living. Up until that point, I had savored quiet meals, silent bus rides, and calm walks without realizing just how much loud voices and sounds disrupt the tranquility of one’s space.

This is in no way meant to convey that people in Oslo don’t interact. Sometimes people will say “hei” to me when we meet on the stairs in my apartment, sometimes they don’t. Other times, people say “hallo” when we meet on walking trails, and sometimes they don’t. When there is a common connection (e.g., living space, hiking interest) and a reason to exchange greetings, people do interact, and I have met many incredibly friendly people here.

The boisterous breakfast man disturbed my morning meal, but he also prompted worry about transitioning back to loud life in the States. I fear it is going to be somewhat of a challenge to return to random chit chat, shrill voices, and clangorous spaces. However, since there is nothing that I can do about that, I’m going to be present in the here and now and savor the stille of Norway while I am able.

Sogsvann Lake, October 2025