How others see us!

[Viking]

I joined my 'local' ''Sailing Club'' here in Norway.
I was introduced last night to the clubs Presdent. On finding out that I was English. His first words to me in a polite and friendly manners was "You understand that this is a 'Sailing Club' not a 'Yacht Club' has you have in England. Here we 'sail' and not walk around in club ties"
I had to assure him that not all British Yacht Clubs because they are called 'Yacht Clubs' were so 'grand'
On the plus side he did call the UK yacht clubs 'professional'

PS This Norwegian 'Sailing Club' has a thing or two to teach even the loftlist UK Yacht clubs, which 'Royal YC' owns its own marina or owns the Club House and the Island it sits on? <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Viking on 30/10/2002 08:51 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Mirelle]

Er, well, the Norwegians are considerably wealthier than we are - it seems that any middle class Norwegian will, at the least, own a flat or house in town, a "hut" (more of a chalet) for skiing in winter and a summer house close to the water with at least one sizeable boat.

 

[Cornishman]

I belong to Saltash Sailing Club, and across the water is the Tamar River Sailing Club both of which are very active yacht and sailing clubs i.e. they race yachts in IRC, PY and dinghies of all sorts. They both have active cruising sections whose members go all over the place! Come and learn to row a pilot gig.
A bit further down the river is the Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club with similarly enthusiastic groups.
Come West for the club of your choice, we even have a couple of Royal YCs within the Port of Plymouth.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have a little experience of "Royal" yacht clubs, as a visitor or competitor. Thre three in particular are Anglesey, Ulster and Tay. None of them has anything like the snooty attitude that fits the reputation of such establishments. We have been made welcome in all three, by people who generally seemed just as down-to-earth as ourselves.

On your final point, I doubt that many clubs have premises as grand as Royal Ulster YC - like visiting a stately home.

 

[Viking]

I dont think so. Wage levels seem lower then the UK. Most Norwegians I know, do have a house or flat but prices are a third that of the UK. The mountain 'Hut' is usually a 'family' hut in the widest sense of the word, which has been handed down over the years and it is a 'hut' not a 'chalet'. Boat sizes are on average much smaller over here. Skiing cheap, you step outside and go. But the cost of living is high. A Tescos shopping bill would be two thirds more expense here. VAT rate is 24% and general taxes are very high. The 'Cosy Club' (the goverment) does like to have its hand in your pocket. Sweden discribled Norway as 'the last communist state in Europe' But Norwegains do like to 'own things'- I 'brought' my berth in the Marina, for 'less' then use to rented one for a year in the UK.

 

[ccscott49]

Wage levels in Norway are higher than the uk, this is a fact. You can find out what everybody in Norway is earning, because once a year, they have to publish in the papers what everybody, by name is earning and I mean everybody!

 

[Viking]

I agree, I still belong to Chichester Yacht Club which maybe on of the largest clubs in area but the members are very 'down to earth' We (CYC) have a club tie but ware it to special events only. Its just the image 'johnny foreigner' seem to have of us. Perhaps its the way we go on and on about 'flag etiquette' and all that?

 

[Viking]

I know of other Brits' and yanks, that including myself, work here for much less then I did in the UK.
Yes. top peoples 'money', head of companys usually, are publised in the local Newspaper. The guy two offices down from me here, Had his name in the paper 're-earnings' and he runs a charterboat (turist) company. The big housing developer in the office next to mine was not in the paper. My name was not in it. Nor anyone easy I know. Nor 98% of the people who live here. Your name is publised if you by a house including how much you paid for it.
And remember I know because I LIVE HERE full time and have done for six years.

 

[ccscott49]

Whoa! Down boy! I'm aware you live here! I've only been working here for 10 years so what would I know, sorry to ruffle your feathers!! If you work here for less than you were earning in the UK, then why are you working here, I don't understand the point of telling me that. I get the same money wherever I work in the world.

 

[hillyarder]

how we see each other

steady on chaps you'll be telling eachother my boat is bigger than yours next

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Re: how we see each other

Oh we already know the answer to that

Come on brain.get this over and i can go back to killing you with beer

 

[Viking]

No offence taken. I was just telling it as I see it from here. Someone made the comment that Norwegians were more weathly then Brits. Thats all

 

[BoatlessinOslo]

You can go to this site and do a search by name (only surname is obligatory) to see who earned what, how much tax they paid and how much they are "worth" (although if you own property it is calculated differently) in 2001.

http://www.bt.no/skatt/

Why's that smoke coming out the hatch ?

 

[tome]

Couldn't find any of my Norske relatives on this site

 

[BoatlessinOslo]

Maybe they are getting away with not paying taxes

If you find out how they are doing it pleeeease let me know!!!



Why's that smoke coming out the hatch ?

 

[tome]

I'm sure they'd love to if they could, but hard to believe - they worked for Statoil, SAS, NSB, Nortel etc in 2001 so a hell of a scam if true!

There's a bunch coming over at Christmas so I'll quiz them further...

 

[Violetta]

Hmmm

The gentleman is both ill-informed and ill-mannered. Opinions based on stereotypes are empty. Thinking based on stereotypes is lazy and pointless. Comments to individuals based on stereotypes are insulting.

I would have told him where to get off - and, as my husband assures me, I have Maggie beaten into a cocked hat in the handbagging department (he is wrong, of course, for I am as meek and mild as a little lamb, unless, of course, I am crossed in any way)

Hope the blighter was joking.............

 

[Viking]

Re: Stereotypes

Its was this stereotype impression of a 'British Yacht Club' that worried me. He was very polite and was making sure that I understand that his club was an active sailing club not a, shall was say a, 'drinking, name-dropping, posing round the bar' type club.
I wonder how far this impression has spread?

 

[Sinbad1]

Hmmm...sounds pretty accurate to me tho coming from a Norwegian who aren't exactly known for having a highly developed sense of humour, then perhaps he meant it.

I guess you have to take life/self seriously when the only fun thing to do is to drive 200 miles to a government run booze shop and stock up. Thats why there are so many dead volvos on bends. The Norwegians are ok on the straight bits after the grog shop visit...its just those bloody bends. And if you get knicked for drink/drive you just do the 'time' at the weekends. Very sensible.

Trouble is everything costs so much....so what do the smart Noggies do, well they wait until their local shop/supermarket produce/products reach the sell by date and slap a big 'TILBUD' (reduced) sticker on the food, then they stock up. So here we have a country which is totally dark 8 months of the year and where all the people eat 'off' food and drink....and now they are telling the poms the way things should be.

C'mon poms, don't stand for it!!!!

 

[ghostwriter]

Re: Hmmm

(he is wrong, of course, for I am as meek and mild as a little lamb, unless, of course, I am crossed in any way)

yup , that's right , and those who don't agree with that one are in for a slap in da face , or a lawyer at the door , or god beware a day on a smack !