10 Ridiculous Questions Tourists in Norway Have *Actually* Asked

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Growing up in one of Norway’s #1 tourist destinations you learn a thing or two about tourists and their thoughts about Norway. Naturally, what most people think is that the country is incredibly beautiful, and they can’t believe how stunning the landscape is.

Some tourists in Norway, however, visit the country without doing any proper research, and it shows.

Since we were 15 (or even younger), my friends and I have all had summer jobs working in tourism. We served food and ice cream, sold Flåm Railway tickets, worked in the souvenir shops selling Norwegian sweaters and manned the reception at one of the hotels in Flåm. And through the years, we heard it all. Trust me.

The questions below are actual questions that my friends and I have been asked by tourists in Norway through the years, and they are just too ridiculous not to share. Again, these are actual questions that have been asked. I am not even exaggerating.

Disclaimer: I do not hate tourists coming to Norway (in fact, it’s partly thanks to travellers to Norway I am able to keep this blog going), but am bothered by the idea that you would visit such a beautiful country without doing any research or educating yourself even a little before you go.

10 actual questions asked by tourists in Norway

Keep reading for some hilarious (and at times, moronic) questions that tourists and travellers to Norway have actually asked. I don’t know if I should judge the ignorance or just feel sorry for these people, but either way it’s too funny not to share.

Side note: if you want to make sure you know everything you need to know before your Norway trip, browse all my Norway guides here!

#1 Do you drain the fjords in winter?

Uhm, are you serious? The fjords are a natural body of water, and they are there all the time. In fact, they are amongst the things Norway is most famous for, and you really should have some idea of this before you go.

#2 How did you get the cruise ship in here?

This question was continued with “Did you build it on the fjord?”

Spoiler alert: the ship sailed here.

I mean, if you don’t understand that the fjords are connected to the ocean (even the best fjords, that are hundreds of kilometers from the coast), you’ll have a hard time understanding how the ships made it in there.

#3 Where is the fjord?

This is actually a great question (and not at all stupid) to ask if you are on your way to see the fjord from a more inland destination.

But the woman who asked me this was standing on the docks in Flåm. Right by the fjord.

My answer? I just pointed at the water..

#4 What are those white stripes on the mountain?

This one was actually asked by an Australian friend of mine who saw Norwegian waterfalls for the first time in her life.

From the opposite side of the fjord, they do simply look like white vertical stripes, so I kinda get it. But I was also crying with laughter.

#5 Is the whale served here farm raised?

Whilst hunting whale is strictly regulated, it is legal in Norway. This means, that one of our traditional foods you might be interested in trying during your trip is whale meat.

You’ll find whale steak on the menu in most Norwegian cities (especially along the coast, such as in Bergen). Naturally, this raises some questions from tourists.

But for someone to ask if the whale is farm raised or wild came as a surprise to me.

Where would you even find the space big enough to “raise” whales? I thought this was hilarious.

Side note: Whale hunting is a controversial topic, especially amongst visitors to Norway. You can learn more about it here, and make your own decision on whether to try it or not. Every stance is respected here, and it is not considered controversial amongst Norwegians to abstain from eating whale (or even avoid restaurants that serve it).

#6 What do you do in the winter?

This was asked rather condescendingly by a lady who was amazed at how small my village was. Uhm, we go skiing, to the cinema, hang out with friends, play sports, watch Netflix. Literally what people do all over the world in the winter.

I am amazed at how many tourists in Norway struggle to understand that us locals live here, year-round.

(Part of me was tempted to say that we just hibernate)

#7 How high above sea level are we?

This one still kills me. It’s just too funny. Someone actually asked this while on a FjordSafari boat.

As in, they were on a boat on the fjord!

I still remember the stunned look on the guide’s face, but he did a great job in explaining that the fjord is actually connected to the ocean, so we are exactly 0 metres above sea level, Ma’am..

#8 When do you turn off the waterfalls?

The notion that the fjords and the surrounding sceneries are all man-made never gets old.

#9 Do you actually live here?

I won’t even dignify this with an answer. See how to be a tourist in Norway.

#10 What actually is a fjord?

This one isn’t the most ridiculous, as it’s great to see that people are curious and want to learn.

But it baffles me to see so many people visit THE FJORDS OF NORWAY without even knowing what a fjord is. Why do you think you’re here? What did you come to see? A simple Google search will sort this for you.

Bonus question: Were you a servant?

This one is a bonus, as it wasn’t actually asked this question whilst in Norway.

But this is a legit question someone asked me when I was working as a Cast Member in Disney World, as a response to the fact that my English was so good. The conversation went a little like this:

Older American man: Your English is really good!

Me: Thank you.

Older American man: …

Me: …

Older American man: Where you a servant?

Everyone around us: ……….

(yes, obviously a nice American family took me in as their servant to teach me English)

I don’t even remember what I said to this, as I was so shocked at his question. But he asked it so matter-of-factly that I wonder if this is a thing people assume when they meet foreigners who speak English fluently. Is it?

Anyway, there you have some of the most ridiculous (and moronic) questions that have been asked by tourists in Norway, and I hope the post gave you a good laugh! Did any of these surprise you? Tell me your thoughts in the comments!