RSS feed from Icelandreview.com
Icelandreview.com on your mobile (Nokia)
12.11.2012 | 12:00
Of Polite People and Clean Air (JB)
The most important thing to do for those of us living on an isolated island—no matter the size—is to travel beyond the watery borders to gain perspective. Sometimes we discover our fortune and at other times we become acutely aware of the faults in our society.
A recent visit to the grand old city of London, my old hometown, reminded me of the very things I miss about big city life as well as the things that could drive me up against a wall during my London years.
One of the things I miss about London is the generous sense of belonging. No matter where you come from in the world, you are a perfect fit—just another colorful addition to the rainbow of multiculturalism in the most liberal sense.
The demand to integrate and adapt particular local habits just to put your own aside is never made. Unfortunately, in Iceland, through my interaction with foreigners of various international descent this has not always been the case. The same, I believe, applies to other Nordic countries. We have improved but still have a long journey before we are on even foot with London.
The melting pot of languages and a deep sense of the importance of one’s cultural heritage in London evokes sentiments of being part of a bigger picture, a member of planet Earth rather than just a citizen of a single country.
As a result of mutual cultural respect, patience and politeness are qualities held in high regard. English manners have always been impeccable and one rarely gets the sense insincerity is at play.
Even out and about on a Friday night, I encountered the delightful nightlife manners I’d forgotten when a man in his twenties asked me if I was heading to a bar—the London way of asking if you want to have a drink—but after detecteding the wedding band on my finger, he smiled and wished me a pleasant evening.
I would love to see this cordial ritual develop in Iceland where good manners are not as high in demand. Bumping into a person inside a club is not reason enough to offer an apology, and on more than one occasion have I witnessed a drunken man sit down at a table full of girls, placing himself uncomfortably close for comfort, and not listening to a polite request to take a hike.
The first warning I give to friends visiting me and planning a night out is to not take it the wrong way. I do however advise them to express a genuine dislike when bumped into at the mall and not offered an apology.
But London is not without faults.
The culture may be refined and people eternally polite, but green space—despite the presence of beautiful grand parks within the city’s borders—is a luxury, and fresh uncontaminated spring water nowhere to be found.
Not having been struck by the industrial revolution of the eighteenth and nineteenth century the way Britain was, Iceland is still relatively pure. Its nature is largely unharmed and large and wide roads or an excess of polluting factories which spoil the fresh air have not been built.
For some reason though, there are those in power who seem to think Iceland needs a little nudge in that direction and want to build further aluminum plants to help the economy grow.
The environmentalist in me is not of the same opinion and wants to celebrate the unique opportunity to build on the values of ecotourism and preservation of nature when re-building our economy and starting afresh.
Another thing I am grateful for is the heating we take for granted in Iceland. The warm comfortable room temperature and hot water is not an expensive necessity. Compared to the price of heating a home in London, the monthly cost in Iceland is a small price to pay.
Nature areas within the city of Reykjavík are another wonderful but rare quality in the modern cityscape. The proximity to the wilderness of the grand ocean and the fresh sea air we enjoy, beats the Thames, despite the spectacular sights glaring on its banks. The cultural value may not be anything to compare but for the intended purposes of enjoying nature while dog walking and even taking a swim in the sea on a warm summer’s day, ticks all the boxes.
But for us dog owners, the compassion Londoners have for our four-legged friends is in limited supply. Unlike in Iceland, dogs are not excluded from public transport nor frowned upon as I’ve witnessed on numerous occasion during my own walks with my puppy Emma.
A beautiful greyhound entered the Circle line yesterday afternoon, and not a single person showed signs of hostility. I hope one day, Iceland will follow suit, and tolerance for dogs and pets becomes a general courtesy.
Even though Reykjavík may not share the grandeur of London’s lit-up cityscape and glorious historical building in abundance, it is a growing city that can both be exemplary and take a hint from London.
Wherever the wheel of time takes the city of Reykjavík, we must continue to strive in our ambition to make it a better city, enrich it with sympathy and respect for all and appreciate her precious and rare gifts.
Júlíana Björnsdóttir – julianabjornsdottir@gmail.com
Thirty bands have now announced that they will perform at the Iceland Airwaves music festival, held in Reykjavík from October 30 to November 3 this year
June
17
|
15 More Reasons to Like Iceland (Photos)
Icelandic is English that didn't get distracted. The ravens of the Hengifossá, that follow you for days. Waterfalls in the ice and ice in the waterfalls, and the sound of rock breaking from mountains at their hearts.
more
June
17
|
Today is the Icelandic National Day
On June 17, 1944, the Republic of Iceland was formally established and Iceland became independent after being under Danish rule. The day has been celebrated as the Icelandic National Day ever since.
more
Yesterday Fréttabladid revealed that the President’s wife, Dorrit Moussaieff, has moved her legal residence to Great Britain. This has happened in spite of the legal requirement of couples to have the same residence. The Office of the President says that no official organs have objected.
more
June
16
|
Festive Mood in Akureyri on June 17
June
16
|
Reviving Reykjavík’s ‘Slum’
June
15
|
From Russia with Hate?
June
13
|
New Photos on Facebook
.
The 2013 June-July issue of Iceland Review is out. Themed ‘We Are Young’ the magazine celebrates the arrival of summer by interviewing young energetic Icelanders who excel in art, sports, business and politics—and Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, the youngest PM in the republic’s history and the world’s youngest ruling state leader. Click here to take a look at a selection of the current issue and here to subscribe to the magazine.
more
REVIEWS
June
10
|
Blues-Rocking Away the Crisis
Iceland’s vivid and bubbly music scene sometimes hides away in small cafés and bars, and you can call yourself lucky if you happen to discover some groovy band playing unannounced in the middle of the week. Síðasti sjens is one of these hidden gems. They certainly have stories to tell, and it’s exactly their tough life experience that makes the arrangements Blues – Er ekki örugglega enginn í stuði? so authentic and thrilling.
more
June
10
|
Harboring the Homegrown
The road to Höfn, a 1,690-person harbor town by the fjord Hornafjörður, is lined with reindeer. Whole herds of the wild horned animals rest peacefully on withered pastures, grace next to sheep and horses and bounce along the road. Soon, Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier and the region’s biggest attraction, comes into view. Looming over Höfn, its outlet glaciers flow down from the mountains on which the bright white icecap rests.
more
June
10
|
Sin Fang’s Album Release Concert
Sin Fang will celebrate the release of his third album with a release concert in Iðnó on June 12. Flowers was released in February by Morr Music and has been well received by music enthusiasts and critics alike. The concert will be supported by Vök, this year’s winners of the Icelandic Music Experiments.
more
&p[title]=Of Polite People and Clean Air (JB)&p[images][0]=http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/upload/images/daily_life/3842841_julianabjornsdottir_dl.jpg&p[summary]=Island life in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean is at times a strange existence, and a visit closer to the continental mainland of Europe reveals the quirks.
<BR>')){kind=link}