It is a statistical fact that many who come to live in Norway as foreigners, leave again. Norwegians are actually one of the most introvert people there are, and we make friends in kindergarten - after that, not so much. Not even to other Norwegians. It is called by the foreigners as a joke, "single night friendship", because if we meet you friendly it is combined with alcohol.

Some years ago a young journalist cycled along Sognefjorden, the longest fjord there is, and she stated that she hated every inch of that bike ride. She had several arguments on why, but one of them was that it was so hard to meet people, and talk, socialize. Even if she was young, even if she was biking, even if she was Norwegian. And curious as a journalist.

All this to say, if you come to live here, be ready for a very solitary life.

I recognize all this, and as a Norwegian, it is part of my nature too.

But then people like S. appear and surprise us all.

I was waiting in line to get into the telephone booth for book hunting. He came out, and we talked for almost an hour. About driving in Norway, cycle locks and thieving, books, camping vans and cars in general, his wife (I know everything about his wife now!), and winter cycling in Stavanger ... among things. Okay, he might be considered a "single night friendship" too (without the alcohol part), but at least we agreed on cheering each other when passing by cycle.

And btw, I have met some really nice people in general, on cycle here in Stavanger, but not asked to photograph them. Usually it is only take a quiet question. Not making friendship, but meeting kind people.
Which is enough for me.
As a Norwegian.

#syklingistavanger #cycling #sykkel #sykling #norge #norway #sykkeltur #bike #stavanger #cykla #winter #vintersykling #sykkeltut #singlenightfriend

Based on this article: https://www.aftenposten.no/trender/i/6qzeOr/hoert-om-one-night-friendships-et-litt-saernorsk-fenomen-tror-forsker