Now Iceland celebrates beer day on March 1st every year. Its also to ensure the purity of the bloodlines remains intact in all Icelandic horses. No edits were made. With just over 340,000 people, Icelanders suffer from a small nation complex. They prefer to say, "it's an acquired taste.". A flag stands at the spot where the parliament first gathered. One place you certainly have to take your shoes off is at the geothermal lagoons and pools in Iceland. If you watch films from the early days of Hollywood, you see that they have overture, intermission and exit music. What did you find most unusual about the culture in Iceland and Icelandic people in your travels? People in Iceland Have a Unique Sense of Humor, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by The Blanz, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Max Naylor, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Dontworry, Locally Hosted Reykjavik Beer & Food Tour at the Old Harbor, beer was banned in the whole country for nearly 75 years until March 1, 1989, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, byBjarins Beztu Pylsur, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Richard Eriksson, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Nobel Foundation, Excellent 12 Hour Super Jeep Tour of Landmannalaugar & Hekla Volcano with Transfer from Reykjavik, visiting places in the Icelandic Highlands, Crystal Blue Ice Cave | Super Jeep from Jokulsarlon, pictures of the country's worst parked cars, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, byMaria Eklind, What's an Icelander? Learn about each individual Yule Lad on the Reykjavik Christmas Walk. The closest thing you could get to proper beer was Pilsner with 2.25% alcohol (which is still the only "beer" you can buy in convenience stores in Iceland). As with the odd and silly laws controlling marriage in many countries, so too are there strange divorce laws. It's also a frequent tradition of Icelandic people to partake in "Ice Cream Runs." Did you know its considered one of the worlds first democracies? The most common complaints were that the shop assistants were rude and that the stores' opening hours were sporadic at best. Its a chance to go to the toilet and fill up on your drink/popcorn. What is Guide to Iceland? The arctic fox is thought to have arrived on Iceland after the last Ice Age when the sea between Greenland and Scandinavia was frozen over. A lone outpost of the US burger chain operated in central Reykjavik for a few years, but the financial crisis saw its demise in 2008. The end of this dark chapter of Iceland's history has been forever immortalized in holiday form. Strange marriage laws are on the books all over the world, and in every state in the US. Light hair and blue/green eyes are two of the most common physical traits of Icelandic people. Are any of the oddities on this list that are similar to your home country? Icelanders in the know, all agreed that imitation beer was nowhere near as good as the real thing. Since then, Jon has been the subject of numerous articles worldwide for his fun, eccentric style. Iceland does not discriminate against sexualities, and same-sex marriages have been allowed since 2010 when the Icelandic parliament unanimously agreed to the new law. 1. Like any country, the inhabitants of Iceland have some distinct traits others may find peculiar. To be fair, its hard to look at Icelands rugged and ethereal scenery and not believe in the fae folk. Its also to ensure the purity of the bloodlines remains intact in all Icelandic horses. 2 One place you'll not (or rather should not)see monster trucks is off-road. Fresh and unpolluted air, one of the cleanest water sources on earth, and a healthy diet of What is the history of Icelandic architecture? Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Nobel Foundation. To be fair, its hard to look at Icelands rugged and ethereal scenery and not believe in the fae folk. The other mammals you might see in Iceland the cows, sheep, reindeer and horses were all brought by settlers. Eventually, the beer ban was lifted on 1 March 1989. Many Icelandic people bathe naked in certain hot springs or jump naked in the sea. Upplsingar og g r, hugaverir fangastair, skemmtilegar stareyndar og margt fleira. These monster trucks do not exist because of their owners' inferiority complexes (although it's fair to be suspicious of those who keep them just to travel around Reykjavik). It's even a catch-phrase: "Island, best i heimi" (which translates to "Iceland, best in the world"). If you were living in Reykjavk in the 1880s, you had a very high chance of getting a nasty type of tapeworm (eeeuw). Then, in October 1987, a year after Channel 2 was founded, the INBS started broadcasting on Thursdays as well. After a series of skirmishes, Iceland won without the use of an established military. If there is a car coming from the other direction make sure it will give way and if not, you must give way. Driving across the Icelandic countryside, you might come across single-lane bridges, passing over crystal-clear, glacial rivers. Even the Brits, who love their gravy and ketchup nearly as much as their tea, may find the number of sauces in Iceland overwhelming. If you want to immerse yourself in Icelandic culture and do the same, make sure that the hot pool you are going to doesn't have anyone else in it and is safe for bathing (you can't expect everyone to be as free-spirited as yourself). An Icelandic Facebook page posts pictures of the country's worst parked cars daily. Weve got a selection of guided tours and activities to help you get to know this strange but wonderful country isolated in the wild North Atlantic. Of course, swimming in the sea should only be done in safe areas, as the North Atlantic waters are notoriously treacherous. This necessity is particularly true if you're planning on visiting places in the Icelandic Highlands. If you go to the cinema here, there's always an intermission roughly in the middle of the film. In the decades that followed, the discussion over legalising beer was the countrys hot topic with televised debates attracting a lot of attention. Keeping your baby outside, therefore, was beneficial for its health. However, this top 13 list should help show the traits that make Iceland and Icelandic cultureseem odd the world over. Beware that the only traffic jam you'll find in Iceland nowadays is in front of Rikid late on Friday afternoons. Gradually, it increased to every day of the week apart from Thursdays and everyone got a month off in July. Nebraska In Nebraska, it is against the law for someone with gonorrhea to get married. Driving across the Icelandic countryside, you might come across single-lane bridges, passing over crystal-clear, glacial rivers. Child abductions and the like are extremely rare. No edits were made. My Divorce Steps. The Benefits Of A Career In Law Are Astounding (Infographic). It's no surprise that a town that once burned witches hangs on to a bit of its prudish past. Answer the Questions: Answer each of the questions we will ask you and the forms will be completed for you. Their interiors were very unpleasant places, filled with filth, cluttered with people and often animals, and had terrible ventilation, making these primitive houses very smoky. Create an account: Simply register online, pay the small fee, gather your papers and ready to get a divorce. Iceland has a population of around 375,00 people. Norse Vikings first settled Iceland in the late ninth and early 10th centuries, and for the next thousand years, the population hovered between 10,000 and 50,000. Get inspired! In this post, you can discover everything you need to know about seeing the aurora borealis in the land of fire and ice. Photo fromHot Spring Hike of Reykjadalur Valley. Over the years, people complained about the stores in open letters to newspapers. Prohibition was abolished in 1935, but beer remained banned because some believed it made people drink more and its cultural ties with Denmark were seen as unpatriotic after Iceland gained independence. If there is a car coming from the other direction make sure it will give way and if not, you must give way. It wasnt until 1983, that The TV aired in July. Iceland has a population of around 375,00 people. So in any one year, Iceland will probably see five times its own population in tourists. We certainly do but, according to one of the most weird laws in Ireland, we could technically get fined for watching the latest blockbuster in Northern Ireland. People in Iceland Have a Fondness for Black Death, 9. Parents Leave Their Babies Sleeping Outside, 5. When "The TV" (as our first TV channel was called) first aired, it only broadcast on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This was a reality for Icelanders up until 1987. Today, however, the increase in traffic across the island means that extra care should be taken at these bridges. Therefore, this list will delve into some lesser-known and more recent Icelandic oddities. Everyone in Iceland is called by their first name, including teachers, doctors, celebrities such as Bjork (Gudmundsdottir), or even our presidents and prime ministers. Icelanders even have the world's most Nobel Prize winners per capita, despite only having one 1 in 360,000 is still the world's best ratio of Nobel laureates compared to other populations. Primarily served in a chilled shot, Brennivin is also consumed with beer and used as a base in cocktails, often replacing gin. Eventually, the beer ban was lifted on 1 March 1989. If you haven't heard or read anything about Jon Gnarr, we encourage you to do so. In this post, you can discover everything you need to know about seeing the aurora borealis in the land of fire and ice. Chocolate, luxury chocolate, caramel, licorice, and one for almost every fruit are the most popular choices. Discover the best beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. Avoid the confusion of who gives way to who with one of our guided South shore tours in Iceland. Translation goes as follows: "A woman goes to the magistrate and asks for divorce from her husband. It could cost you 50 - and the money for the price of the ticket would be lost, too. This practice may seem neglectful and unsafe to people from countries with higher crime rates or more sensational media. If you think government interference is high now, imagine if youd not be allowed to watch TV or go online for one day a week. It's just as common to see babies left outside in open gardens or on porches. Yikes. As recently as 2017, child marriage was legal in all 50 states, but a movement to ban them has emerged, and six states now . That way, the baby can sleep in the fresh air, and the parents can get on with what they want without waking them. They are relics from decades ago when cars were so few and far between that making two-way bridges seemed extravagant. Sick of images of breastfeeding and innocent nudity being censored and of female nipples only appearing in the media in gratuitously sexual or violent situations, thousands of women walked through the streets and took to social media with their chests bare. It relies solely on NATO for its defence. The new law requires that both partners submit a certificate of marital status issued by the relevant authority in their country, state or region. Iceland is said to be one of the worlds oldest democracies as our ancient parliament, the Althing, dates back to 930 AD and is considered one of the first parliaments. Avoid the confusion of who gives way to who with one of our guided South shore tours in Iceland. To diminish the spread of the tapeworm, that caused horrible symptoms and blindness, dogs were banned in Reykjavk in 1921. While some of these funny laws about marriage are arcane relics leftover from centuries ago (such as the requirement that men in a small Cape Cod town kill six blackbirds before marrying), and others quirks of history or circumstance, others are incredibly restrictive, dangerous, and harmful to women. Women also do not change their name when they get married (because they don't become the "son" of their husband's father). BACK IN THE DAY, YOU COULDNT WATCH TV ON THURSDAYS, OR IN THE WHOLE MONTH OF JULY! Until 1986, Iceland only had one TV channel, run by The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. When "The TV" (as our first TV channel was called) first aired, it only broadcast on Wednesdays and Saturdays. How long ago did Icelanders live in turf houses? In the case of Salem, MA, it's still against the law for married couples to sleep naked in a rented room, though it remains a mystery as to how this is enforced. The roads of the south coast have quite a few single-lane bridges. But Reykjavik has remained culturally a cat city, with felines prowling the streets, pawing at doors and winding around the legs of tourists asking for a scrap of fish. If you count all Icelanders that have ever lived since the settlement of Iceland in the late 9th century, the population does not reach one million. It was formed between the lava fields and rocky ravines of ingvellir, where the two continental plates meet. Icelandic people have specific sauces for pizza, pitas, fries, chips, vegetables, hamburgers, hot dogs, and different sauces for fish, meat, and poultry. There are also laws about what married people can do, even if they're legally wed. Weird Marriage Laws You May Be Breaking Without Knowing. As a result, in winter youve got a good chance of spotting the Northern Lights if you head just outside the city limits away from the light pollution. Photo from Excellent 12 Hour Super Jeep Tour of Landmannalaugar & Hekla Volcano with Transfer from Reykjavik. Its objective is to protect the Icelandic name tradition but many people find it too strict and sometimes unfair. There is a belief that building roads through elf territory can result in terrible consequences, and the Icelandic belief in elves is so strong that the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration department has a five-page standard reply for queries and complaints about elves. Until 1986, Iceland only had one TV channel, run by The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. We all leave our shoes by the front door. Individuals own many Super Jeeps, but tour operators own more. Let us know in the comments below! Of course, it's not only the size of the cars around Iceland that visitors notice; it's also the fact that people seem to park anywhere and everywhere. All flats and houses have a designated area by the front door where you take off your coat, hats, scarves, gloves and shoes. Iceland is not just peaceful in terms of population and quiet wilderness, it also doesnt have an army, air force or navy. Do not get offended if an Icelander doesn't know your last name or continues to call you by your first name even if they do know it; we're just not used to anything else. Experience the purity of Icelandic horses first-hand on a tour that includes horseriding. Legislators decided that since beer is cheaper than wine and liquor, Icelanders could not be trusted with it and it would cause more drinking problems. We find it perplexing when people wear their boots indoors, but this might also have something to do with our weather. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Looks like you havent picked any tours yet! Instead of one omnipotent Santa Claus, Icelandic kids have to contend with thirteen Yule Lads who visit one by one on the thirteen days leading up to Christmas. If they have been bad, theyll awake to a shoeful of rotten potatoes. Brennivin is an Icelandic liquor distilled from grain mash and flavored with Icelandic herbs. So there you have the fun facts about Iceland sausage-stealing santas, elves, beer bans and ancient democracies. Fun facts about Iceland - Strange customs, weird laws and interesting facts. It's surprisingly challenging for people who have never spoken this way, although that is hardly unusual for the Icelandic language. One of the fun facts about Iceland is that, once they leave the country, Icelandic horses are not allowed to return. Before the INBS started broadcasting in 1966, we had "Kana-sjnvarpi" or "The American TV" from the American army base in Keflavk. There are only two countries in Europe that dont have McDonalds (ok, three if you include the Vatican) and Iceland is one of them. Icelanders Have Barbecues All Year Round, 6. While beer was still banned in Iceland between 1935 and 1989, Icelanders could still buy as much wine and spirits as they wanted. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Each year, Christmas Eve sees most of the country curl up with a mug of something hot and a new book. Between 1910 and 1977, the only place in Iceland you could buy milk was from one of the state-owned Milk stores. Explore the oddest things about the people in Iceland and Icelandic culture. Between 2000 and 2018, nearly 300,000 children under the age of 18 were married in the U.S. Iceland is theonly remaining Nordic countryto forbid boxing, clinging to a 1956 ban even in the face of changes of heart from Norway and Sweden, which also long opposed the sport. In 1985, after complaints about the uncleanliness of bars serving this fake beer concoction, the government decided to ban imitation beer as well. You can see the result here above. In 1924, a complete ban on dogs was enforced in Reykjavk. 8. While many locals would like to blame the worst of this on tourists, it's a problem that comes from all corners. When was Guide to Iceland founded and why? As cinemas make most of their profit during intermission, it's unlikely that this custom will be abandoned in the foreseeable future. Their Identity and Stereotypes, The Ultimate Guide to Stand-Up Comedy in Iceland. New names must conform to Icelandic pronunciation and grammatic rules. In 1915, a complete prohibition was in place across Iceland. After the Second World War, paper was one of the few things that was not rationed and since then, the gifting of books at Christmas became ingrained in Icelandic festive culture. In fact, one of the most popular figures in MMA is from Iceland: Undefeated Gunnar Nelson from Reykjavik, the sports poster child, hasspawned the launchof several Icelandic MMA clubs. Now Iceland celebrates beer day on March 1st every year. 15. gst 2022. Look at stunning photos a See a selection of wonderful photographs that capture the magic of the Northern Lights throughout Iceland. Weird Laws In Iceland Posted on July 9, 2019 by Roshan UNTIL 1989, BEER WAS ILLEGAL IN ICELAND This one is at the very top of any list of weird laws and rules in any country. Hugleikur Dagsson is arguably the country's greatest comedic artist and one of the most famous Icelanders outside of the country. People in Iceland Have a Lot of Monster Trucks, 2. Known for longevity, happiness, and well-being, Icelanders rank amongst the healthiest peoples in the world. It might sound odd but it's a way to acknowledge that we did really enjoy the last time we spent time together. The toppings for a mere hot dog in Iceland include three different sauces: ketchup, hot dog mustard (which is different from other mustard), and "remuladi" (remoulade), a mayonnaise-based sauce that is almost exclusively used for this tasty treat. McDonalds had always struggled to win over the Icelandic public anyway, with locals favouring the Hambrgarabllan restaurant (Tommis Burger Joint) instead. It wasnt until 1983, that The TV aired in July. For most people in Iceland, their last name is patronymic; in other words, it's composed of their father's first name with the suffix of -dottir (-daughter) or -son attached. Photo fromWikimedia, Creative Commons, by Max Naylor. Before the INBS started broadcasting in 1966, we had "Kana-sjnvarpi" or "The American TV" from the American army base in Keflavk. The inhibitions of locals are not only absent in the changing rooms. Nudity is normal in Icelandic culture, and this routine nakedness may not surprise other Northern Europeans, particularly Nordic, Baltic, or German readers. There's nothing sexual or perverse about it. Of course, not every Icelander believes in elves, and there are varying degrees of belief with some hardcore believers and some more on the fence. This isn't strictly a law, but Icelanders do not take well to people barging into their houses in shoes. Its a chance to go to the toilet and fill up on your drink/popcorn. Ensure you never leave the road or path you are driving on, lest you take a massive hit to your wallet and have to endure a thorough shaming from any Icelandic people who see you. The Yule Lads used to be a lot more terrifying, but in 1746 parents were officially banned from winding their children up with scary tales of monsters. It did not take long for the practice to fade out all over the world but it did not entirely stop in Iceland. Boxing was originally banned because residentsdirectly attributedan increase in violent crimes to the sports rise in popularity during the 1930s and 1940s. The people of Iceland are pretty proud of this. In a survey in 1998, 54.4% of Icelanders said they believed in elves in some form. No edits made. If you watch films from the early days of Hollywood, you see that they have overture, intermission and exit music. The other mammals you might see in Iceland the cows, sheep, reindeer and horses were all brought by settlers. There's no need to act surprised if you hear it; it's just a way of the tongue, not an offended gasp. Discover the history and myths of the country with our guided tours in Iceland. Iceland is said to be one of the worlds oldest democracies as our ancient parliament, the Althing, dates back to 930 AD and is considered one of the first parliaments. Iceland's "Beer Day," Bjordagur, is celebrated annually on March 1 when it seems everyone in Iceland hits the town for a few pints of liquid gold. Try to accept this aspect of Icelandic culture and know that you may witness an exposed breast or two. Nudity in Iceland also has a political bent. In 1985, after complaints about the uncleanliness of bars serving this fake beer concoction, the government decided to ban imitation beer as well. Ask any Icelander what the national drink is, and you'll unanimously receive the same answer: Brennivin. Learn how your comment data is processed. We all leave our shoes by the front door. Jon had no political background when he became mayor; however, that didn't stop him from winning hearts while in office and after that. And, in summer, you can catch the Midnight Sun around the 21st June the summer solstice. One of the fun facts about Iceland is that, once they leave the country, Icelandic horses are not allowed to return. The original bottles featured a white skull on a black label, resulting in a nickname that has stuck ever since: Black Death. From legends of elves to a decades-long ban on beer, the Christmas Book Flood to state-owned milk stores, there are loads of quirks and weird facts about Icelands history. Photo from Crystal Blue Ice Cave | Super Jeep from Jokulsarlon. Many Icelanders still believe in elves, or the huldufolk (the hidden people). This tradition of outdoor babies originates from when Icelandic people lived in turf houses, which were mainly buried beneath the earth. Those out in the countryside could own working dogs for farming, but in the city, it was illegal to keep a dog as a pet due to increased cases of fatal tapeworms passed on from dogs. This requirement is because most of the pools in Iceland are not chlorinated, so fellow bathers and swimmers need to be confident that the waters they will be entering are clean. Icelanders have the most beautiful women in the world per capita because we won the Miss World competition four times (afact that Icelandic men love to boast about.). Believe it or not, there's a unique sauce for everything in Iceland. Therefore, it may be best to leave any excess modesty at home when coming to Iceland. Don't worry if you see it happening; no doubt, the infant is still under the watchful eye of a nearby parent. Sometimes the stores would simply run out of milk. Book your complete trip with the best companies only. Iceland is not just peaceful in terms of population and quiet wilderness, it also doesnt have an army, air force or navy. Often you'll see mothers or fathers meeting up with their friends in cafes and catching up on the latest gossip while leaving their baby in the pram outside, completely unattended. This movement wanted to earn the same social standards held by men because men could show their respective parts almost anywhere at any time. Between 1910 and 1977, the only place in Iceland you could buy milk was from one of the state-owned Milk stores. In 1915, alcohol was banned in Iceland. In the case of Salem, MA, it's still against the law for married couples to sleep naked in a rented room, though it remains a mystery as to how this is enforced. In case neither person to be married has legal residence in Iceland, the examination shall be performed in the administrative district where either is staying. Kids leave their shoes out on the window ledge and if they have been good, the shoe will be filled with sweets. All countries have their set of weird customs and laws and Iceland is no exception. Did you know its considered one of the worlds first democracies? Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, byHjortur Hjartarson. And, in summer, you can catch the Midnight Sun around the 21st June the summer solstice. "Per capita" is one of the most used phrases in Iceland. They may not cause children embarrassment, girls must be named girl names and boys boy names. Foreigners that come to Iceland seem to be very perplexed by the scale of many of the vehicles. 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