Nice profile, sir; I am always in awe at the talent of other Free Republicans.
Well, if Norway separating from Sweden could be compared with a "divorce," I assume it must have been a case where Norway was in an abusive relationship, and finally got the sense to cut itself away.
You know, most Americans think of this large entity "Scandinavia," without examining its separate parts (Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland), and tend to lump all of them together.
A bad mistake, as I have recently learned. There are considerable differences among them; the Swedes being war-like and domineering, the Norwegians being of a feisty, independent nature, the Danes being mellow and laid-back, and the Icelandics--well, no one knows much about the Icelandics, the Nebraska of the North Atlantic.
"...There are considerable differences among them; the Swedes being war-like and domineering, the Norwegians being of a feisty, independent nature, the Danes being mellow and laid-back, and the Icelandics--well, no one knows much about the Icelandics, the Nebraska of the North Atlantic."
True generalizations.
The Swedes I know seek the high ground, seem aloof until you know them. Once you know them you realize they are not aloof just condescending. Swedish humor is a jaded and sarcastic. Being Irish, I can handle their humor. But what strikes me about their humor is that I'm left waiting for the punchline, or the wry smile to know they were just playing. They never play. Swedes are probably the best carpenters and mechanics out there. Anyone that can make a race car (original Saab rally cars) out of a lawnmower engine has got to be a genius!
The Norwegians I know are independent in a flighty way, like a brother that runs naked in the snow but the brother is 60 years old. The Norges also watch your every move, studying you. Yet, they usually use the information they've gleaned for diplomacy, a good-natured joke, or to help you.
Just a question you might know the answer to. You mention the Danes and the Icelanders but what about the Finlandians, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, and the Baltic Russians (think they're called white russians). Are they not Scandanavians? I know a few Baltics and they seem more like Swedes, only with darker hair.
The only thing I know about Icelandians is the Bjork is the ugliest woman on the island.