May 13, 2005
Icelandic women on Oprah
All right, just kill me right NOW!
Here she is, the useless bimbo who is systematically dismantling my reputation in the eyes of the world.
Once again I am furious over how Icelandic women have been encouraging this negative image the world has of them as slutty. I mean sure there are promiscuous women here, but they are still a minority. And even if they were a majority, if would be unfair to put us all under the same hat. Icelandic men also love doing their best, and basically just say that “Icelandic women are whores”. Normally they don’t have anything at all to compare to, since they’ve never bothered dragging their useless, ignorant Icelandic asses out of Iceland. What also seems to escape their minds is that they base their case on the fact that they “often get laid when going clubbing”, without realising the fact that clubs and such events is where people go when looking for sex. I for one can’t even remember the last time I went to a club.
Oprah found herself two fake blonds, who both seem to be extremely promiscuous, in order to get her talkshow (which is watched by many worldwide) to head in the exact direction that she wanted.
The first one had something like this to say:
“I don't think sex is that big a deal in Iceland. It's probably just because everyone is having it. So it's not something you have to talk about and be ashamed of. If a girl is starting to have sex [at] about 15 years of age, she isn't looked at as promiscuous and the boys aren't looked at that way either. Icelandic women are very independent—they don't wait for someone to ask them out, they just phone them."
What?? Okay so SHE might be having sex all the time.. It is absolutely unacceptable to just “phone someone for sex”. People here are very shy & oppressed, and only flirt while intoxicated. And I don’t know anyone in Iceland who started having sex at 15. I know a couple who were 16, but I still consider that to be too young..
And then she says:
“Asking someone out on a date is easy to do in Iceland because there is one phone book for the entire country—home, work and cell phone numbers for just under 300,000 people! "I guess we're a bit liberal about things because we have a much lower threshold for beginning new relationships," Savhildur says.
Okay you don’t “look someone up in the phonebook to ask them on a date”. You only do it if they gave you their number. I personally have an unlisted number.
"We don't have this kind of a dating thing. You don't have to go on a date number one and two and perhaps on the third date you ask him in. We don't have rules like that."
That’s an insane thing to say. People don’t kiss on the first date, and they wouldn’t have sex for several dates, unless it’s a one night stand..
And what does Svanhildur think of American television? "We have a lot of news coming from America in Iceland," Svanhildur says laughing. "And we often have photos of obese people walking down the street—people that are so fat that you couldn't find a single person in Iceland that would be that fat. Anyway, even though you have really obese people, you've also got the rest [who are] really good-looking
Ehrm. Okay after consulting several people I have found out that it is possible that Icelandic people are indeed more attractive than the average. But that’s just young people, and most people are still quite normal.
Here is what bimbo number 2 had to say:
We soak outside in our natural hot water—even in the winter," Thorunn says. "It's filled with minerals. It's like having a spa right outside your backyard!"
Right. So she’s saying that she drives during the middle of the winter to the countryside to bathe in a hotspring. C’mon.
Iceland is known for its tall, blonde, blue-eyed women, and when it comes to fashion, it's at the top of the world.
There are not so many blond women here, and those who are are usually fake blonds. I’m a brunette, all my best friends are brunettes, so is my sister, my mom… My dad was blond though, but he was from Norway.. The average height for the Icelandic female is 1,67 cm, and Icelandic people are the 3rd fattest nation on earth. So there you have it.
"And we're quite comfortable leaving our children on the sidewalk by themselves while we go in to shop. We also make sure our children sleep outside for at least an hour a day. Even in the winter. The fresh air is very good for them.
Wow, this is actually true! I’m impressed. Yeah I slept outside when I was a baby… I thought it was funny the other day at work when some American tourists forbade their kids to go outside saying “someone might take you”. Like that’ll ever happen in Iceland…
During the winter months, the sun only shines for a few hours a day in Iceland but during the summer, they have 24 hours of sunlight! Reykjavik has the reputation of being the party capital of the world and the nightlife year round makes it the city that never sleeps. "We don't even start to go out until after midnight and we stay out sometimes until 6 a.m. at least
Winter, sunlight, yes.. But why on earth do these party animals figure that because THEY party, everybody else does?
So I guess that there is only one conclusion: These Icelandic women being interviewed are just not that bright. Oh and I’m gonna think of a cool new nationality…
Yeah that's a good suggestion David, but I don't think it would work for the time being cause nobody would buy it. I think I better stick to Swedish. One Icelandic woman was so ashamed when she watched this Oprah show that she said she'd tell everyone she's from Finland.
Posted by: Maria at May 13, 2005 02:05 PM PermalinkI believe that the discourse on Icelandic women and their alleged sexual freedom as been seen from a wrong angle...Svanhildur should have said: "Yes Icelandic women sleep around and they get away with it! Unlike the rest of the world we have true equality of the sexes and not the double standards you Americans have!".....of course that is not entirely true but since the other discourse is also a big fat lie...we should use the lie that suits us better! this is my proposal.
Posted by: Una at May 13, 2005 04:22 PM PermalinkYeah Una I see your point. My personal opinion, however, is that Svanhildur should have even have been invited to the show. I think they should have invited someone with half a brain.
What you wrote made me laugh so hard, with all the "discourse" and "double standards" and "equality of the sexes". You're such a good anthropology student :-)
Posted by: Maria at May 13, 2005 05:19 PM PermalinkI strongly suggest you, Maria, not to use the Swedish (nor Norwegian) nationality in Israel. "Swedish" is a generic term here for every blond North European person. The reputation of "Swedish" women in Israel is just like what you describe of Icelandic women. More precisely, Israeli males are convinced that they are God's gift to Swedish women. The only reason you haven't expericned this is because you are not blond.
In Israel, I say, stick with the Icelandic nationality. You have an opportunity to actually create the reputation of Icelandic women here.
Posted by: Orly at May 13, 2005 06:06 PM PermalinkOrly:
I am actually a natural redhead. The first time I was in Israel I had my natural red color, and Israeli called me "hablondinit". Nobody understood what on I meant when I tried to explain I wasn't blond. The second time I went to Israel I had dyed my hair blond (it looks very natural on me due to my light complexion). The men just went crazy. People were shouting at me on the streets, literally. Every other time I purchased something from a shop, the shop owner would offer to "to give it to me for free, or give me a discount, if I'd only kiss him on the cheek". It was absolutely madness. And those are just the jews. The ARABS, sheesh...
The last time I went I had dyed my hair dark. Nobody gave me any attention. Some religious people gave me flyers about Judaism and shabbat candles, and nobody really looked twice at me.
(except for the police, which constantly harassed me).
But thanks for the tip. I'll take it. But another thing with Israel is that every time I tell someone I am from Iceland they somehow equate it with Finland. Like I say Iceland and they go: So what's Finland like? And they do it again and again and again.
Posted by: Maria at May 13, 2005 08:56 PM PermalinkI don't know why they ask about Finland.
But the more interesting question is: What color will you hair be next time? ;-D
Posted by: Orly at May 13, 2005 09:10 PM PermalinkQuestion:
What on earth makes a purportedly intelligent human being watch Oprah? Was it perchance some kind of anthropology homework assignment? ;)
Theory:
You're a bit jealous of the shagging-like-there's-no-tomorrow, right? You're thinking "Why am I studying biblical Hebrew late nights, when I could be drinking and fornicating like crazy? And with whom will I be able to conversate in biblical Hebrew anyway? Eliyahu Hanavi??"
Warning:
Don't even think of claiming to be Swedish in order to escape the reputation Icelandic women have. Swedish women have an even more extreme reputation, probably for a good reason too.
Gut shabbes
Torbjörn
One more thing regarding Icelandic women...Björk...
Good voice, I admit, but is she for real? To judge from the interviews etc that I've seen, she seems to be a waste of proteins. My impression of her is that she has too high regard for her own work. Someone should tell her that she's just another artist, nothing more, nothing less.
Posted by: Torbjörn Karfunkel at May 13, 2005 10:53 PM PermalinkTorbjörn:
"Question:
What on earth makes a purportedly intelligent human being watch Oprah? Was it perchance some kind of anthropology homework assignment? ;)
Theory:
You're a bit jealous of the shagging-like-there's-no-tomorrow, right? You're thinking "Why am I studying biblical Hebrew late nights, when I could be drinking and fornicating like crazy? And with whom will I be able to conversate in biblical Hebrew anyway? Eliyahu Hanavi??"
Okay I have never watched Oprah in my life. I read about this on a newssite.
As to your remark on me being jealous about drinking and fornicating I have this to say..
Okay I *could* answer the question and go on about how I want more from life than hangovers, sex and bad grades, sure, but instead I'll go:
Are you having a bad evening, or were you just an asshole?
"gut shabbos" back at you
Jag menar, vad fan är det egentligen för en slags fråga?
And you know what else sickens me, Torbjörn? Your double standards when it comes to first talking about how promiscuous Swedish women are, and then attempting to belittle me for being the opposite. That is such a sick, arrogant, male chauvinist view.
Posted by: Maria at May 14, 2005 02:10 AM PermalinkSettle down, Maria!
I'm not the one who's criticizing Savhildur & Co...you are!
You're in your right to criticize them for telling a bunch of lies about how things are done in Iceland, of course, but you go on to call them 'slutty', and that's where you went too far.
I understand now that I should have added one more smiley after my theory, since you obviously misinterpreted my meaning. There's nothing wrong in studying and keeping sober. Some people prefer that kind of life. But is that the only 'right way' to lead your life? Who says? Why shouldn't people be allowed to drink and fuck if they want to? Obviously you disagree with this 'slutty' lifestyle. With my 'theory' I attempted to picture the way these 'sluts' probably think of people like you (and me), namely as dull people wasting our time on useless knowledge. Get my point?
Regarding Swedish vs. Icelandic women...observe that I *never* said that Swedish women have a *bad* reputation, since I don't assign a good/bad value to promiscuity, I just said that Swedish women have a more extreme reputation when it comes to promiscuity.
To summarize:
1) I'm sorry if I offended you. That wansn't my purpose.
2) You shouldn't call people slutty just because they prefer partying instead of studying. Different people have different preferences, and that's the way it'll always be.
3) No, my evening wasn't that bad. I spent most of it in front of the TV, and the rest studying mathematics.
Noch amol...gut shabbes
Posted by: Torbjörn Karfunkel at May 14, 2005 07:17 AM PermalinkTorbjörn I called nobody slutty for preferring to party. I called them slutty for going on international television and telling the whole world that "all Icelandic women" (which includes myself) have the kind of lifestyle that they have, when it is untrue, and the image of the Icelandic woman is bad enough as it is.
Posted by: Maria at May 14, 2005 10:50 AM PermalinkI'm with Dave, I think you should be an Israelit :) Lol, and this explains why Israeli boys are always so very helpful when I'm there. C'mon and emigrate already, I need another Heidi look-a-like to hang out with and feel at home!
Posted by: katie-yael at May 16, 2005 06:18 AM PermalinkOnce when I was in Israel, this American (Jewish) girl called Leah told me "you look like your name would be Heidi", lol. No but seriously, we should hang out. We could get lost together and stuff, and then have half a dozen Israeli men offer to help us (yeah that happens to me too, surprise surprise).
Posted by: Maria at May 16, 2005 10:03 AM PermalinkI tried to warn you about this episode in a comment section a few weeks back. I guess Oprah is shown a few weeks behind in Iceland. I found the women to be really obnoxious and insipid.
And of course all of the tired stereotypes were dragged out. Oprah: "Tell me the truth. Do you guys think American women are fat?" Me: "Oprah, stop projecting your own weight issues onto me. Please!" And here's a tip for you O., I can't stand Europeans who talk about how shallow Americans are and then berate us for being chubby, so don't encourage them.
And with regards to how much women sleep around anywhere on the planet... please let us never even think about such matters again. Pure stupidity.
What did you think about her comment with regards to it being illegal to make discriminatory remarks in Iceland? "In Iceland, you could go to jail for that!" I was so wishing Oprah would slap up a picture of that building with the swastika on it.
Hi,
Am visiting Iceland and have been reading about this everywhere! What a fuss! Bear in mind that most viewers of that program are the ignorant Americans who will never visit Iceland to see what people are really like. I'm told you have a saying here that means it takes a visitor to make an informed judgement. I made mine here -
http://www.ontheruntur.com/2005/06/iceland-on-oprah.html