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‘Embarrassed’ by local dress code

June 13, 2011  

Newcomers to Norway might note that Norwegians tend to dress down for work, and dress up for play. Monday through Friday in worn jeans and wooly sweaters or even T-shirts, most Norwegians just want to be comfortable at the office. The relaxed dress code does not sit well with all.

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (left) and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg are among the few who pass muster for their style of dress, according to one business consultant. PHOTO: Arbeiderpartiet

“A good many Norwegians do not know how to dress in a professional setting,” Benedicte Finnema, former commercial director for the Oslo Chamber of Commerce, told newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN). Finnema has lately been conducting corporate seminars in style and etiquette and is highly critical of how Norwegians represent themselves at the office, warning that it can have a dire effect on international cooperation. In her eyes it is all about presentation.

According to Finnema, badly-dressed Norwegians can be spotted instantly at conferences abroad. “I am often embarrassed on Norway’s behalf,” she told DN, warning that the consequences of under-dressing in an international business setting could be more than just the worst-dressed title. “You can’t show up to a contract negotiation in London, Singapore, Bangkok or China in a pair of jeans and an all-weather parka,” she says. “All your credibility, reliability and respect go out the window with a sloppy style.”

Finnema does list some exceptions to the poor Norwegian standard, such as lawyers, people in the shipping and finance industry, and the odd politician. She praises Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, whose style she characterizes as an appropriate mix of boring and discreet. On the female side, Conservative leader Erna Solberg and Minister of Education Kristin Halvorsen have impressed her of late.

Implementing a stricter, more professional dress code must start from the top down, with management being the first to leave their tired jeans at home, Finnema argues. While style can be more casual in a creative environment, she recommends and longs for a stricter dress code in the Norwegian workplace: “You can be as talented as you like, achieve the very best, but remember that the way you dress is also a part of your presentation.”

Views and News from Norway/Liv Buli
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  • Lee Craig

    Whilst I am in agreement that for business abroad it is important to adjust according to local dress codes (notably the understanding that some old brown blazer does not constitute a business suit!) it is equally important for foreign visitors to Norwegian offices to realise that if everyone else is dressed casually, a business suit is inappropriate. What is very positive about the Norwegian dress code is a focus on business and technical expertise, and that people are regarded for their skill, rather than the quality of their shirt. Norway is leading the way here, and is thankfully not like the UK or US where image is more important than knowledge, skill and experience.

    • Geir

      I have to agree with Lee. When Norwegians go abroad for business, they should consider the need to dress up. But when on their home turf, there is no reason to criticize casual dress. As a Norwegian working in the US, I echo Lee’s observation regarding competence vs. dress. It seems quite easy here to cover up poor work skills with nice clothes.

  • Bjørn14

    Totally disagree with both of you. Dressing appropriately in the office conveys a sense of seriousness which your outside partners want. No matter how good your technical skills if you don’t come across competent and being able to deliver you’ll lose face. Our CEO used to dress the worst dressed until we lost a major deal because of it (and we are the world leader in our field)

  • Neal

    I agree with Bjørn, sloppy dress leads to sloppy work standards, it’s been proven that peoples productivity takes a dive when companies move to casual dress, I’ve been in a company when the change was made, after 6 months casual dress was dropped for formal dress. Norwegians are already lazy, why make it worse, a little bit more respect for people in positions above you also wouldn’t go amiss. Personally I think Norway is on the slippery slope downwards, people here are lazy, they have a poor work ethic, they have no respect or manners, Norwegians can easily be calssified as arrogant and rude.

  • Rebekah

    Coming from a country where for 12 years I worked in office where wearing a suit or even a uniform was the norm, I feel over dressed at work if I wear a skirt/dress and high heels. So I tend to dress down which then makes me feel daggy and since I work in an educational institution I also sometimes feel like if I am a student not a member of staff.

    And it is not a case of comptence vs. dress it is a case of being a representative for your company/business and what you wear reflects that.