Black females traveling to Norway, Finland, and Sweden: Is this a bad idea?
Feb 9th 2002 | 1:44 pm
#1
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Me and my friend are finally traveling abroad and we are going to try London first.
However, London is a very diverse city and we feel comfortable about going there for
the first time. We are now interested in traveling to the Nordic countries in order
to adore the midnight sun, the fjords, and other spectacular scenery. My question is,
how are black vistors treated in these countries? Is it common to see blacks walking
around, or will we stick out like a sore thumb? I'm just curious to know what to
expect. I also want to visit Iceland one day but noone wants to go with me, and I
KNOW I'd stick out there. I just can't myself! The travel bug has hit me hard.
Cheers... SpecialK
However, London is a very diverse city and we feel comfortable about going there for
the first time. We are now interested in traveling to the Nordic countries in order
to adore the midnight sun, the fjords, and other spectacular scenery. My question is,
how are black vistors treated in these countries? Is it common to see blacks walking
around, or will we stick out like a sore thumb? I'm just curious to know what to
expect. I also want to visit Iceland one day but noone wants to go with me, and I
KNOW I'd stick out there. I just can't myself! The travel bug has hit me hard.
Cheers... SpecialK
Feb 9th 2002 | 2:22 pm
#2
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Hi Special...remember, in the Scandinavian countries, women are pretty empowered.
Iceland, I seem to remember, had a woman president some years ago. Also I seem to
remember some years back, quite a few black American musicians were working and
living in Sweden and Denmark. Happy travels, glen b.
SpecialK wrote:
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Iceland, I seem to remember, had a woman president some years ago. Also I seem to
remember some years back, quite a few black American musicians were working and
living in Sweden and Denmark. Happy travels, glen b.
SpecialK wrote:
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Feb 9th 2002 | 7:22 pm
#3
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to try
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adore the
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common to
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thumb?
It's probably relatively uncommon, but don't worry about encountering any racism to
speak of. Scandinavians are largely tolerant and liberal. American jazz musicians
gave a long history of playing and living in Stockholm and Copenhagen.
to try
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feel
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adore the
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question
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common to
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thumb?
It's probably relatively uncommon, but don't worry about encountering any racism to
speak of. Scandinavians are largely tolerant and liberal. American jazz musicians
gave a long history of playing and living in Stockholm and Copenhagen.
Feb 9th 2002 | 7:34 pm
#4
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When I was in Norway visiting a friend, amost all of her favorite friends were black
from various African countries. My view is therefore that there are a lot of black
people in Norway. It isn't like DC, but no lack of colors of all shades. There's
even a section of Oslo where one can shop for foods from every African, Asian and
Arabic culture.
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When I was in Norway visiting a friend, amost all of her favorite friends were black
from various African countries. My view is therefore that there are a lot of black
people in Norway. It isn't like DC, but no lack of colors of all shades. There's
even a section of Oslo where one can shop for foods from every African, Asian and
Arabic culture.
Feb 9th 2002 | 9:54 pm
#5
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I can't answer you directly but I can tell you about my experience in Hamburg 40
years ago:
A friend of mine, Black, was working there as an entertainer "Direct from San
Francisco" which, ineed, she was. However, here, she was a sales clerk! She told me
that Germans were quite accustomed to seeing Black men because of the US armed forces
but "All I have to do is stand there and let them look at me" as, at that time,
they'd seen so few Black women.
One afternoon we were walking Jungfernsteig. She's taller than I, quite good looking
in spite of a not-so-hot figure. She's dark brown and wore golden bangles on her
forehead, gold rings dangled from her ears and adorned her hands. Her clothing was
the definition of "elegance". I was clad in a black leather jacket, unclean blue
denim pants, motorcycle boots, had very long hair (before the Beatles), was unshaved
and generally looked like a bum with a folded newspaper under one arm.
In one of her arms was a basket with the head of a white Miniature Poodle sticking
out. The other arm was proudly locked into mine as we stolled the elegant street. We
literally stopped traffic and not one pedestrian could resist staring at us!
It was all we could do to keep from laughing at the time and, over dinner, we were
constantly giggling because of the Germans' behaviour. To this day, on the rare
occasions that we meet, we can hardly look at each other without lauging over that
delightful stroll.
I can't answer you directly but I can tell you about my experience in Hamburg 40
years ago:
A friend of mine, Black, was working there as an entertainer "Direct from San
Francisco" which, ineed, she was. However, here, she was a sales clerk! She told me
that Germans were quite accustomed to seeing Black men because of the US armed forces
but "All I have to do is stand there and let them look at me" as, at that time,
they'd seen so few Black women.
One afternoon we were walking Jungfernsteig. She's taller than I, quite good looking
in spite of a not-so-hot figure. She's dark brown and wore golden bangles on her
forehead, gold rings dangled from her ears and adorned her hands. Her clothing was
the definition of "elegance". I was clad in a black leather jacket, unclean blue
denim pants, motorcycle boots, had very long hair (before the Beatles), was unshaved
and generally looked like a bum with a folded newspaper under one arm.
In one of her arms was a basket with the head of a white Miniature Poodle sticking
out. The other arm was proudly locked into mine as we stolled the elegant street. We
literally stopped traffic and not one pedestrian could resist staring at us!
It was all we could do to keep from laughing at the time and, over dinner, we were
constantly giggling because of the Germans' behaviour. To this day, on the rare
occasions that we meet, we can hardly look at each other without lauging over that
delightful stroll.
Feb 9th 2002 | 9:57 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Can't speak for all blacks, but black American jazz musicians are treated with
special kindness and consideration. Plenty of respect. These places are completely
unlike the USA; I think even more of the population speaks English than in the USA!
You will have a lovely time.
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special kindness and consideration. Plenty of respect. These places are completely
unlike the USA; I think even more of the population speaks English than in the USA!
You will have a lovely time.
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Feb 10th 2002 | 12:50 am
#7
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Me and my friend are finally traveling abroad and we are going to try
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There are quite a few black people in Scandinavia these days and for most part they
get along fine, although (esp. in economically depressed small towns) you will run
into the occasional xenophobic troglodyte. Most black people here are refugees, and
are thus considered freeloaders and/or stealers of white people's jobs by some. I
wouldn't worry too much about this though, as anything worse than unfriendly looks
and mutterings are rare, you will e.g. almost never be refused service (which would
of course be illegal). Speaking fluent English and wearing western dress (as opposed
to the burqa worn by most Somalis) will also help considerably, since if you're
obviously tourists almost nobody will have a problem with you. In fact, quite a few
will be impressed that you've come so far! American tourists of any color are not all
that common a sight in much of Northern Europe...
Cheers,
--
Jani Patokallio shomreni k'ishon bat ayin, [email protected] betzel k'nafeycha
tastireni
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There are quite a few black people in Scandinavia these days and for most part they
get along fine, although (esp. in economically depressed small towns) you will run
into the occasional xenophobic troglodyte. Most black people here are refugees, and
are thus considered freeloaders and/or stealers of white people's jobs by some. I
wouldn't worry too much about this though, as anything worse than unfriendly looks
and mutterings are rare, you will e.g. almost never be refused service (which would
of course be illegal). Speaking fluent English and wearing western dress (as opposed
to the burqa worn by most Somalis) will also help considerably, since if you're
obviously tourists almost nobody will have a problem with you. In fact, quite a few
will be impressed that you've come so far! American tourists of any color are not all
that common a sight in much of Northern Europe...
Cheers,
--
Jani Patokallio shomreni k'ishon bat ayin, [email protected] betzel k'nafeycha
tastireni
Feb 10th 2002 | 7:06 am
#8
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Posts: n/a
As usual quite common in the capital cities, not so in rural parts...But no worry no
KKK over there !!
"SpecialK" [email protected]...
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KKK over there !!
"SpecialK" [email protected]...
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Feb 10th 2002 | 7:13 am
#9
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There's been a fair amount of immigration to these countries, as well as some
substantial refugee settlement - now entering the second generation as descendants
of these refugees and other immigrants grow into adults largely integrated into
society. In the cities you'll be entirely uninteresting to anyone, except in a
mildly benevolent way. In smaller towns you might get some looks, but nothing to
worry about.
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When I was in Reykjavic cars would slow down so people could look at me. It was very
weird - something I'm used to in remote parts of Africa (except there it was donkey
carts) but didn't expect in Europe. The country is very homogenous.
However everyone in Iceland was exceedingly friendly (in their morose way) and I
never for a moment felt like it was anything but genuine curiosity. I have also never
heard of any untoward incidents occurring there.
You could always book your friend on an IcelandAir flight to London and then
sneak in a few days' stopover in Iceland. They'd never know what hit them until
it was too late!
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
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There's been a fair amount of immigration to these countries, as well as some
substantial refugee settlement - now entering the second generation as descendants
of these refugees and other immigrants grow into adults largely integrated into
society. In the cities you'll be entirely uninteresting to anyone, except in a
mildly benevolent way. In smaller towns you might get some looks, but nothing to
worry about.
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When I was in Reykjavic cars would slow down so people could look at me. It was very
weird - something I'm used to in remote parts of Africa (except there it was donkey
carts) but didn't expect in Europe. The country is very homogenous.
However everyone in Iceland was exceedingly friendly (in their morose way) and I
never for a moment felt like it was anything but genuine curiosity. I have also never
heard of any untoward incidents occurring there.
You could always book your friend on an IcelandAir flight to London and then
sneak in a few days' stopover in Iceland. They'd never know what hit them until
it was too late!
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Feb 10th 2002 | 7:16 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
You might be surprised with some curious looking , specially from children and old
people If you want to visit the north of Norway and Finland or other small rural
places you will be noticed for sure. I live in the north of Norway, so I
experienced that way of looking a couple of times, because I`m from the south of
Europe (Portugal), dark haired and dark eyes, married to a norwegian and people use
to stare at
me.Nevertheless, I never felt any kind of hostility from this polited and friendly
people. They are just curious !!
Have a nice trip and don`t worry
Regrads
SK
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people If you want to visit the north of Norway and Finland or other small rural
places you will be noticed for sure. I live in the north of Norway, so I
experienced that way of looking a couple of times, because I`m from the south of
Europe (Portugal), dark haired and dark eyes, married to a norwegian and people use
to stare at
me.Nevertheless, I never felt any kind of hostility from this polited and friendly
people. They are just curious !!
Have a nice trip and don`t worry
Regrads
SK
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Feb 10th 2002 | 7:49 am
#11
Guest
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I can't speak as a black person, but from what I've seen of Europe (Prague, Vienna,
Budapest, Brussels, Paris) people are far less "color conscious" there than here in
the states. Certainly in Paris, skin color appears to be no more a factor than
whether you have blue or brown eyes, and I've seen chic parisiennes of all shades -
all with that identical air of self-possessed sophistication that distinguishes them
from women of other nationalities, even before they speak. I imagine that's why so
many black American opera singers and entertainers make their homes in Europe - it
must be very liberating to be noticed for yourself, without people first observing
the color of your skin!
SpecialK wrote:
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Budapest, Brussels, Paris) people are far less "color conscious" there than here in
the states. Certainly in Paris, skin color appears to be no more a factor than
whether you have blue or brown eyes, and I've seen chic parisiennes of all shades -
all with that identical air of self-possessed sophistication that distinguishes them
from women of other nationalities, even before they speak. I imagine that's why so
many black American opera singers and entertainers make their homes in Europe - it
must be very liberating to be noticed for yourself, without people first observing
the color of your skin!
SpecialK wrote:
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Feb 10th 2002 | 8:49 am
#12
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that's quite a change from the prevailing attitude around WW-II
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that's quite a change from the prevailing attitude around WW-II
Feb 10th 2002 | 9:03 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
[usenetquote2]>> However everyone in Iceland was exceedingly friendly (in their morose way) and I[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> never for a moment felt like it was anything but genuine curiosity. I have also[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> never heard of any untoward incidents occurring there.[/usenetquote2]
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How so? I wonder what role the large US military presence at Keflavic has played over
the years...
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
[usenetquote2]>> never for a moment felt like it was anything but genuine curiosity. I have also[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> never heard of any untoward incidents occurring there.[/usenetquote2]
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How so? I wonder what role the large US military presence at Keflavic has played over
the years...
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Feb 10th 2002 | 9:30 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
[usenetquote2]> >> However everyone in Iceland was exceedingly friendly (in their morose way) and I[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >> never for a moment felt like it was anything but genuine curiosity. I have also[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >> never heard of any untoward incidents occurring there.[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > that's quite a change from the prevailing attitude around WW-II[/usenetquote2]
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The ICelandics were vehemently against having black servicemen posted there. I'm not
sure when the issue was forced. Either int he '40s or '50s.
Then again, we have to remember that German PoWs were treated and accepted better by
the local communities than the black U.S. servicement guarding them.
[usenetquote2]> >> never for a moment felt like it was anything but genuine curiosity. I have also[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >> never heard of any untoward incidents occurring there.[/usenetquote2]
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[usenetquote2]> > that's quite a change from the prevailing attitude around WW-II[/usenetquote2]
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The ICelandics were vehemently against having black servicemen posted there. I'm not
sure when the issue was forced. Either int he '40s or '50s.
Then again, we have to remember that German PoWs were treated and accepted better by
the local communities than the black U.S. servicement guarding them.
Feb 10th 2002 | 11:42 am
#15
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I didn't know that. Looks like I'm off to do some reading tomorrow.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
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I didn't know that. Looks like I'm off to do some reading tomorrow.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
