Cutting corners

[ubervamp]

It had to happen. After 20 years of ordering stuff online it was just a matter of time before something got lost in the mail. Unfortunately it wasn't the £2 battery charger from China, or the £3 fake leather iphone wallet from Thailand, but a £50+ badge batch from the UK. An excellent Manchester, a perfect w/m Artists Rifles and a pristine Black Watch.
Due to custom restrictions in Norway, anything over £20 needs to be declared and slapped with a 20% import tax (VAT) and an additional handling fee.
So, in effect, a £50 badge ordered form the UK would cost me £50 + shipping and insurance, £10, and 20% VAT, £10, and handling charges to cover the labour effort of the kind people at the customs office, £20.
Thus a £50 badge becomes a £90 badge. Hey ho.
To limit this barrage on my bank account, I usually risk an uninsured shipment.

The seller has sent the packet, has proof of shipment, but it hasn't arrived.
I asked for a non - insured shipment, so there's nothing to be had from the postal service. He's obviously not going to reimburse me. And somewhere, someone is enjoying 3 badges that should have been here. Or listing them on eBay. (Hey - maybe I can buy them again?)

I've decided to embrace the restrictive guidelines of the Norwegian government, come to terms with the fact that it's all for my own good, banish the thought of ever wanting to own anything that's not produced in Norway, and start a collection of Norwegian infantry badges of the last century. The good news is that there are only 4 variations, they are all very easy to come by, and I can complete my collection over a single cup of tea.

Oh, by the way, we have a new Chess world champion.

And in further news, Norway has just denied the applications of 27 Afghanistans who worked as interpretors for the Norwegian Army, wore the uniform, saw active combat (and by definition are to be considered veterans of the Norwegian force) and are now left to their own devices and death threats. Sigh.

Colin

[John L]

And in further news, Norway has just denied the applications of 27 Afghanistans who worked as interpretors for the Norwegian Army, wore the uniform, saw active combat (and by definition are to be considered veterans of the Norwegian force) and are now left to their own devices and death threats. Sigh.

Colin

They probably doomed.

John

[ubervamp]

Norway has a lot going for it. It has arguably the best health care system in the world, unemployment is low, education is good, violent crime is pretty much non existent.The welfare system is probably the best in the world.
The standard of living ranks among the highest in the world. It boasts breath taking scenery.

I was born in Plymouth, and my family ties lie in Stoke On Trent.
I refused to relinquish my British citizenship even though that has led to all sorts of odd situations with the Norwegian immigrants office.

That said, Norwegians have a certain smugness I find it difficult to relate to. Without the oil in the 70's Norway would be a 2 class economy, fraught with many of the issues other countries are facing. We elected a new government because we were "bored". We throw the Nobel peace prize at whoever is happening at the moment (read: Obama) and seriously think we are taking a stake in world politics.

But at the same time are perfectly happy to wash our hands of anything that might cause embarrassment. History shows this. We deported Trotskji to his death in South America.
We rejoice in hunting whales. We have some of the most exploitative international companies in the world.

And the worst crime of all; I can't buy a £20 badge without getting fleeced

Colin

[Hussar100]

Funny but I went to college with a guy who married a Noggie. His name (funny enough) was Eric and we nicknamed him Eric the Viking even though he was Scots. Ex RAF he was and I managed to get him some help from RAFA with money for his stay in the UK whilst at college. He often used to discuss the way of life in Norway and the differences between our two cultures.

[ubervamp]

Originally Posted by Hussar100

Funny but I went to college with a guy who married a Noggie. His name (funny enough) was Eric and we nicknamed him Eric the Viking even though he was Scots. Ex RAF he was and I managed to get him some help from RAFA with money for his stay in the UK whilst at college. He often used to discuss the way of life in Norway and the differences between our two cultures.

Yeah, I didn't really mean for this post to become a Norway-basher, I was really just venting my frustration on the current situation.
Norway has been very, very good to me on the whole, and probably one of the safest places to live, both in terms of financial security, healthcare, education and crime. I still don't feel 100% Norwegian, though, even after so many years.
The things that do bother me sometimes though are the smugness and taken-for-granted attitude you find amongst many people here in regards to how fortunate they are to live in such a rich country.

Secondly, their is a lot of archaic practices still in use, like the custom barrier I mentioned. It was set in the 1970's and hasn't changed since.

Anyhow - to achieve karmic balance I will proceed to mention 3 great things about Norway;

1) They have, hands down, the best ice cream in the world (sorry Italy)

2) Free higher education for everyone

3) They're still in the running for qualifying for the European Cup 2016

Peace out

Colin

[2747andy]

Colin,
is it true they take every Friday off so that every weekend is a long one? If so that's not a bad thing!

Andy

[ubervamp]

Originally Posted by 2747andy

Colin,
is it true they take every Friday off so that every weekend is a long one? If so that's not a bad thing!

Andy

Andy

Actually, that's not far from the truth

Colin

[Peter Brydon]

Colin,

My question is are Norwegian nationals in the top jobs in Norway or, like in this country, are the top jobs in major companies, NGO`s, Chartities , Sports/football teams etc, etc given to people from other countries ?

Peter

[ubervamp]

Originally Posted by Peter Brydon

Colin,

My question is are Norwegian nationals in the top jobs in Norway or, like in this country, are the top jobs in major companies, NGO`s, Chartities , Sports/football teams etc, etc given to people from other countries ?

Peter

Hi Peter

I would say most, if not all (perhaps with the exception of the odd Swede or Dane) of the top jobs are held by Norwegian nationals.

Colin

[Peter Brydon]

Thanks Colin,

The news here today concerned the Parliamentary Committee questioning the Chief executive of Royal Mail and I didn't know ( but I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised ) that it turns out she is a Canadian.

Peter

[Hussar100]

They're certainly the best at making moonshine.

[ubervamp]

Originally Posted by Hussar100

They're certainly the best at making moonshine.

AKA Norwegian Magic