I grew up in a more latin society
My mother wanted her young boy to become a gentleman
She taught me many things
To open doors for women
To leave my seat for women
To carry bags for women
I was told that if a woman carries anything else than a purse
To take it without asking and continue walking together with her
So that this gentle gesture of gallantry goes almost unnoticed
This is the art of being a gentleman in many cultures
When I tried to take bags from Norwegian women
It was not appreciated the same way
Norwegian women are independent
And the Norwegian culture idealises the idea that no difference exist between genders
And their respective roles
When you come from a place where men and women
Have more defined roles
Where gallantry is central to gender interactions
Where men are raised in a masculine role to care and protect
Where women expect these behaviours from men
Adaptation to Norway may not be easy
Norwegians expectations may be confusing
For both foreign women and foreign men
In most societies in the world men and women have more defined roles than in Norway
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