Ask me anything about Iceland, its history, culture, and modern politics

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Ask me anything about Iceland, its history, culture, and modern politics

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Deceitful Penguin: Feb 16, 2011

Ugh, so busy. I'll post longer during the weekend.

# ? Sep 26, 2014 14:26

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# ? May 15, 2024 23:17

kuddles: Jul 16, 2006; Like a fist wrapped in blood...

Went to Iceland at the beginning of September, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it was the best vacation of my life. What an amazingly gorgeous country. My girlfriend and I already are planning on returning in about 3 years to do everything we missed as we mostly stuck to the South region.

A few quick questions to the OP based on my visit:

- Does the country view tourism as one of their prime industries? We noticed when we were there that there were as many tourists anywhere we went as legitimate Icelanders. There were also a lot of people who were from other countries looking for work, from our horseback riding instructor (Germany), the museum curator on the Westman Islands (Canada), to our servers (Latvia). I'm guessing the tourism is so impressive is scope that they need this outside help. How do residents feel about this constant barrage of tourists, and how so much is catered towards them (especially stores and restaurants)?

- On that note, what is it with the hamburgers? Everywhere we went, hamburgers were quite common. While we mostly stuck to lamb and fish (obviously), we did partake in a few burgers and they were all pretty good too. Is this something Icelanders are really into, or is this an attempt to cater to all the North American tourists coming in? It just struck us as odd, especially since there were a billion sheep everywhere you went, but I rarely saw a cow.

- Do you have any clue how often you hear of tourist injuries occurring? I mean more at the landmarks, I already assume getting dumb tourists out of trouble because their car is in some ditch or stuck in some river somewhere happens quite often. While we really enjoyed how untouched a lot of the natural sites were compared to how much of a tacky spectacle other countries made them, it's really quite daunting to a coddled Canadian like myself when at best you have a sign saying "Try not to die" and a small string fence in between yourself and a super rocky gorge or scalding hot water. There was more than once instance that made me extremely thankful I was wearing my hiking boots.

ookuwagata posted:

Gull and Viking struck me as pretty standard bland industrial lager. I liked Gaedingur's Pale Ale though; I think its of comparable quality to some craft brews here in Northern California.

I'm not a big beer drinker, but I thought the Einstok stuff was pretty damned good, particularly the Toasted Porter.

kuddles fucked around with this message at 19:09 on Sep 26, 2014

# ? Sep 26, 2014 18:58

Cacafuego: Jul 22, 2007

The glacial hike guides were great and they did say "If you don't know what you're doing, don't walk on the glaciers without a guide. You take one wrong step, the ice collapses and you'll die in there." Apparently it happens frequently enough.

# ? Sep 27, 2014 03:56

Basscop: Jun 4, 2010; Lightnin? HA! Thats a good 'un!
Now why dontcha
come o'er here and
GET

IN

MY

BELLY!!!

I know you said OP but i hope you don't mind me answering these

kuddles posted:

A few quick questions to the OP based on my visit:

- Does the country view tourism as one of their prime industries? We noticed when we were there that there were as many tourists anywhere we went as legitimate Icelanders. There were also a lot of people who were from other countries looking for work, from our horseback riding instructor (Germany), the museum curator on the Westman Islands (Canada), to our servers (Latvia). I'm guessing the tourism is so impressive is scope that they need this outside help. How do residents feel about this constant barrage of tourists, and how so much is catered towards them (especially stores and restaurants)?

Tourism is huge. It's absolutely one of the prime industries. It brings in lots of valuable currency and that's good. You'd think that we the locals would get fed up with all the tourists everywhere but they really tend to stay in the tourist spots. Downtown Reykjav�k and on busses. It doesn't really matter though because the only thing an Icelandic person loves more than his country is when a tourist does it.
In general Icelanders just LOVE to ask tourists the classic "How do you like Iceland" and then listen to them blabber on about the "Beautiful nature, friendly people, strange food, disgusting fermented shark etc. etc." I don't really know why but we just do.

kuddles posted:

- On that note, what is it with the hamburgers? Everywhere we went, hamburgers were quite common. While we mostly stuck to lamb and fish (obviously), we did partake in a few burgers and they were all pretty good too. Is this something Icelanders are really into, or is this an attempt to cater to all the North American tourists coming in? It just struck us as odd, especially since there were a billion sheep everywhere you went, but I rarely saw a cow.

I don't think it's an attempt to cater to the USA visitors more than an attempt to cater to the fat locals. We are fat. Really fat. And nobody uses public transportation.
We love lamb meat though. There's sheep everywhere and we loving love our special tasting delicious lamb meat. It's more of a special occasion thing though, to eat lamb. Almost everyone has some kind of tradition where on sundays the family gets together and devours a leg of lamb or two.

kuddles posted:

- Do you have any clue how often you hear of tourist injuries occurring? I mean more at the landmarks, I already assume getting dumb tourists out of trouble because their car is in some ditch or stuck in some river somewhere happens quite often. While we really enjoyed how untouched a lot of the natural sites were compared to how much of a tacky spectacle other countries made them, it's really quite daunting to a coddled Canadian like myself when at best you have a sign saying "Try not to die" and a small string fence in between yourself and a super rocky gorge or scalding hot water. There was more than once instance that made me extremely thankful I was wearing my hiking boots.

kuddles posted:

I'm not a big beer drinker, but I thought the Einstok stuff was pretty damned good, particularly the Toasted Porter.

Agreed. Einst�k makes some good rear end beer.

# ? Sep 27, 2014 09:16

ookuwagata: Aug 26, 2007; I love you this much!

kuddles posted:

I'm not a big beer drinker, but I thought the Einstok stuff was pretty damned good, particularly the Toasted Porter.

I didn't have a chance to have any Einstok in Iceland. They were serving it at the cafeteria near Gulfoss, but as I was driving (and goodness, driving in Iceland is a nerve-wracking experience at times) I opted out. I did however get a chance to try their white ale at a local bar, and enjoyed it.

# ? Sep 27, 2014 23:01

Cacafuego: Jul 22, 2007

Basscop posted:

Agreed. Einst�k makes some good rear end beer.

Next time I'm in Iceland, I'm getting the rear end beer

# ? Sep 29, 2014 03:44

Deceitful Penguin: Feb 16, 2011

ookuwagata posted:

To rewind to the trading Icelandic stuff for other stuff topic, does anyone know the specifics on shipping liquor or other alcohol to or from Iceland? Everything on the internet seems to say it's impossible.

Nope, I usually do it through people, know enough air stewardesses that it ain't a problem for me.

Kujaroth posted:

I kept mine, and lost it somewhere on the way home

Unrelated, good to see this thread still going. I spent three weeks in Iceland over July and loved it. I have traveled a lot, and it is by far my favourite place I have ever visited. So much so that I am already planning another trip next year

I'd actually love to live there, but it looks like they make it a gigantic pain in the rear end for non-EU/EEA citizens to migrate there

Yep, it's either: Job (good luck proving you can do a job no-one else in Europe can do!) student (not that expensive but still not a guarantee for later) and marriage (you never know! magic does happen!)

Otherwise you're pretty much up poo poo creek. We're working on some ways to game the system as we speak but it's too early to share those findings. Maybe later.

Paper With Lines posted:

I just saw the documentary about Iceland during the financial collapse called Blueberry Soup and it really sucked dick. Maybe I learned a little bit about the cultural aspects of Iceland but I didn't gather anything real about the political change during and after the financial collapse. It did interview several members of your `constitutional council' though.

Anyway, I've noticed that you've touched on the financial crisis a bit in your answers but can you give us like a really good "Longread" about what happened?

Jesus. The collapse, Icesave, the left-wing government and the right-wing resurgence are all topics I could talk about for ages. Writing about it though, I don't know if I'm up for it right now and I'd have to dig up the good writings on it. Have these three good pieces to start with:
http://grapevine.is/mag/articles/2013/09/27/a-look-in-the-rearview-mirror/

http://grapevine.is/mag/feature/2013/10/01/the-secret-history-of-the-collapse/

http://grapevine.is/mag/editorial/2014/08/01/a-growing-divide/

kuddles posted:

Went to Iceland at the beginning of September, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it was the best vacation of my life. What an amazingly gorgeous country. My girlfriend and I already are planning on returning in about 3 years to do everything we missed as we mostly stuck to the South region.

I need to add like a note in the OP or something saying "Hit me up! I will show you a good time and eat well and maybe even tourist you around if I like the cut of your jib!"

kuddles posted:

A few quick questions to the OP based on my visit:

- Does the country view tourism as one of their prime industries? We noticed when we were there that there were as many tourists anywhere we went as legitimate Icelanders. There were also a lot of people who were from other countries looking for work, from our horseback riding instructor (Germany), the museum curator on the Westman Islands (Canada), to our servers (Latvia). I'm guessing the tourism is so impressive is scope that they need this outside help. How do residents feel about this constant barrage of tourists, and how so much is catered towards them (especially stores and restaurants)?

Prices have gone up, availability for Icelanders down regarding stores and restaurants. There's also that good old xenophobia and annoyance at foreign interlopers or 'tour-ists' as they're known that manifests in all countries. I know that hospitality rakes in beaucoup bucks and I've worked in it in several positions and I can say they were OK jobs, though in some they only followed the gutless union rates which are kept artificially low. I'm mostly hired for my linguistic skills and ability to stay awake though, so I can't tell you much about the deeper workings of hotels, 'cause it's been years since I worked in orders and the last hotel I was at was a bit, different.

kuddles posted:

- On that note, what is it with the hamburgers? Everywhere we went, hamburgers were quite common. While we mostly stuck to lamb and fish (obviously), we did partake in a few burgers and they were all pretty good too. Is this something Icelanders are really into, or is this an attempt to cater to all the North American tourists coming in? It just struck us as odd, especially since there were a billion sheep everywhere you went, but I rarely saw a cow.

Yea, like Basscop says Icelanders just like hamburgers. I'd trace this back to the fact that the post-war construction, while built on Nordic grounds always looked towards America culturally. American music, American TV and American food were all super popular and remain so; in many ways Iceland is perhaps the most Americanized European country, for better or worse.

kuddles posted:

- Do you have any clue how often you hear of tourist injuries occurring? I mean more at the landmarks, I already assume getting dumb tourists out of trouble because their car is in some ditch or stuck in some river somewhere happens quite often. While we really enjoyed how untouched a lot of the natural sites were compared to how much of a tacky spectacle other countries made them, it's really quite daunting to a coddled Canadian like myself when at best you have a sign saying "Try not to die" and a small string fence in between yourself and a super rocky gorge or scalding hot water. There was more than once instance that made me extremely thankful I was wearing my hiking boots.

Haha, if you do decide to come back, I look forward to hearing how you experience the roads outside the capital area, which were as my girlfriend put it: "Picturesque deathtraps".

But yea, shitloads of tourists are injured, so much that it usually isn't covered in the media. Plenty die, usually glacier or traffic related. Not to many broiled recently though, from what I remember.

kuddles posted:

I'm not a big beer drinker, but I thought the Einstok stuff was pretty damned good, particularly the Toasted Porter.

I prefer vodka myself, so I'll take y'alls word on that.

Cacafuego posted:

The glacial hike guides were great and they did say "If you don't know what you're doing, don't walk on the glaciers without a guide. You take one wrong step, the ice collapses and you'll die in there." Apparently it happens frequently enough.

Yea, it's always sad when we have to ship their corpsicles back home. People just underestimate the dangers of the country because most of them come from places where danger comes in very different forms.

Basscop posted:

I know you said OP but i hope you don't mind me answering these

I certainly don't, it's very in the Icelandic spirit to jump in and answer. :iceland:

# ? Sep 30, 2014 03:01

Paper With Lines: Aug 21, 2013; The snozzberries taste like snozzberries!

Thanks man. I wasn't expecting you to write about it, just give me some stuff on it. These look great!

You should watch the trailer for the doc and see if my intuition is correct. The director interviewed only people on the constitutional council who talked about how awesome socialism is. She ended with saying how the parliament didn't vote for the new constitution. That was the last scene in the movie. Pretty loving jarring if you ask me, especially considering she refused to interview any elected members of parliament.

Here is the link

edit: which of those bad boys should I read first?

Paper With Lines fucked around with this message at 06:04 on Sep 30, 2014

# ? Sep 30, 2014 05:24

Noctis Horrendae: Nov 1, 2013

Hey OP, do you know any of the guys from S�lstafir? Are any of them your cousins, uncles, parents, brothers, or in-laws? Are they as goony and socially awkward and depressing as I envision them?

I really hope the answer is yes to all of these questions.

# ? Oct 1, 2014 04:29

kuddles: Jul 16, 2006; Like a fist wrapped in blood...

Basscop posted:

We love lamb meat though. There's sheep everywhere and we loving love our special tasting delicious lamb meat. It's more of a special occasion thing though, to eat lamb. Almost everyone has some kind of tradition where on sundays the family gets together and devours a leg of lamb or two.

We ate a lot of fish but the traditional meat soup was probably one of our favourite meals, so I can believe it. (The absolute best meal we had, though, was that lobster place in Stokkseyri. Christ almighty, I would kill to eat there again right now.)

Deceitful Penguin posted:

Jesus. The collapse, Icesave, the left-wing government and the right-wing resurgence are all topics I could talk about for ages. Writing about it though, I don't know if I'm up for it right now and I'd have to dig up the good writings on it.

You know, I'm sure it's a very nuanced and complex subject, but from the outside looking in, it felt like the government that miraculously saved Iceland from the brink of complete economic devastation was tossed out and replaced by the type of people that helped cause the loving problem in the first place.

quote:

Haha, if you do decide to come back, I look forward to hearing how you experience the roads outside the capital area, which were as my girlfriend put it: "Picturesque deathtraps".

Yeah, we met up with a couple girls from our country who were at the end of the ring road tour, they described everything cool they saw in every part of Iceland, but when it came to the East, they basically said "it's six hours on the road wondering if you were about to die on every turn." We never went further than Jokulsarlon before heading back in the other direction so it was pretty tame for us on the road. As I said, though, even major tourist spots like walking behind Seljandsfoss or being on the black sand beach had a close call trying to watch ourselves.

And we definitely will come back. Spending 10 days in the South region was so amazing that we already are planning on going in 2017 to check out the Westfjords and the Northern region, perhaps as a stopover to a city in Europe due to that Icelandair deal.

kuddles fucked around with this message at 20:44 on Oct 1, 2014

# ? Oct 1, 2014 20:36

ookuwagata: Aug 26, 2007; I love you this much!

Deceitful Penguin posted:

Haha, if you do decide to come back, I look forward to hearing how you experience the roads outside the capital area, which were as my girlfriend put it: "Picturesque deathtraps".

I remember driving down the road, and then 50 feet in front of me at 110 KM/H a car pulled out into my lane to try to pass the slow truck in the other lane. This was the same day I was hiking in Thingvellir and the trail appeared to come to a dead stop in front one of numerous deep rifts. I was puzzled and looked around for a bridge for a few moments before realized they expected me to jump across it to a rocky island in the middle, and from there to jump to the other side.

# ? Oct 1, 2014 23:42

Deceitful Penguin: Feb 16, 2011

Paper With Lines posted:

Thanks man. I wasn't expecting you to write about it, just give me some stuff on it. These look great!

You should watch the trailer for the doc and see if my intuition is correct. The director interviewed only people on the constitutional council who talked about how awesome socialism is. She ended with saying how the parliament didn't vote for the new constitution. That was the last scene in the movie. Pretty loving jarring if you ask me, especially considering she refused to interview any elected members of parliament.

Here is the link

edit: which of those bad boys should I read first?

Any one is fine, though I ordered by time written. I'll try and catch that one later, super busy right now, but it isn't super wrong, just you know, exaggerating a bit how big a deal it was. Also drat do I know a lot of those people. And of all the people to interview, they had to do Svavar Kn�t? Like drat.

Heh, I actually received an invitation to join the drafting council, from what I remember. I remember being deeply ambivalent, because the problems of Iceland aren't in the constitution but our institutions of privilege, nepotism and political corruption that rule our neoliberal order. Just recently the monied powers tried to gently caress over the last major independent newspaper in Iceland and whether they succeded or not is anyones guess. (Sorry Grapevine and Akureyrar Vikubla�, you are also nice)

Noctis Horrendae posted:

Hey OP, do you know any of the guys from S�lstafir? Are any of them your cousins, uncles, parents, brothers, or in-laws? Are they as goony and socially awkward and depressing as I envision them?

I really hope the answer is yes to all of these questions.

Nah, I don't listen to metal. We may be related but that's not close. One of my kinsmen is in Sk�lm�ld though. I'm always a bit leery about revealing too much personal info online though.

kuddles posted:

We ate a lot of fish but the traditional meat soup was probably one of our favourite meals, so I can believe it. (The absolute best meal we had, though, was that lobster place in Stokkseyri. Christ almighty, I would kill to eat there again right now.)

It is pretty drat good, innit? And I'd like to defend Icelandic diversity by pointing out that while such traditions were common earlier, they've certainly declined with the loss of the nuclear family unit and the rise of vegetarianism of course. I can't stand most meat myself.

kuddles posted:

You know, I'm sure it's a very nuanced and complex subject, but from the outside looking in, it felt like the government that miraculously saved Iceland from the brink of complete economic devastation was tossed out and replaced by the type of people that helped cause the loving problem in the first place.

Nope, that's pretty much it. The whys of how it happened are more complex but the realities of it are that Icelanders are no more intelligent than any other group on the planet and sometimes feel much dumber. They were promised taxbreaks, that their loans would be made lesser or repaid or anulled or whatever, with a big fat finger to the foreign money interests and they'd ~solve the economy~
Forget Satan, the greatest lie ever told was that right-wing politicans know gently caress all about the economy or how to run it. "Let's increase funding to the Church and give the richest Icelanders and the fishing barons tax breaks!"

kuddles posted:

Yeah, we met up with a couple girls from our country who were at the end of the ring road tour, they described everything cool they saw in every part of Iceland, but when it came to the East, they basically said "it's six hours on the road wondering if you were about to die on every turn." We never went further than Jokulsarlon before heading back in the other direction so it was pretty tame for us on the road. As I said, though, even major tourist spots like walking behind Seljandsfoss or being on the black sand beach had a close call trying to watch ourselves.

I have a lot of family in the east and the north. I try to never, ever visit both at once because I swear to loving got I would rather ride loving mountain goats than drive through those roads. The north has improved a shitload but still is bad, the east and especially the way between them is like returning back to the time when death was a constant companion on Icelandic roads. So uhh, the 1960s basically.

kuddles posted:

And we definitely will come back. Spending 10 days in the South region was so amazing that we already are planning on going in 2017 to check out the Westfjords and the Northern region, perhaps as a stopover to a city in Europe due to that Icelandair deal.

If I haven't been banned again for some light trolling, hit me up. I always enjoy giving folks a good time and I haven't let folks down yet.

ookuwagata posted:

I remember driving down the road, and then 50 feet in front of me at 110 KM/H a car pulled out into my lane to try to pass the slow truck in the other lane. This was the same day I was hiking in Thingvellir and the trail appeared to come to a dead stop in front one of numerous deep rifts. I was puzzled and looked around for a bridge for a few moments before realized they expected me to jump across it to a rocky island in the middle, and from there to jump to the other side.

Haha, the first time I went mountaineering in Germany I was pretty amused at how incredibly coddled they were. There were paths and everything, and railings! Railings on a mountain! And the folks with me got really scared at just a little bit of climbing or leaning around rocks when it was barely sheer at all.

Roads though, gently caress them. I trust and know my own two feet but cars are deathtraps at the best of times and I drive like an old lady on those half the time. No loving way am I dying just 'cause the gov wants to spend more money on godbotherers and their bros in the Party.

# ? Oct 3, 2014 04:21

Noctis Horrendae: Nov 1, 2013

Oh man, I was hoping the goony gently caress that plays the drums and has dreadlocks was your uncle or something. God, that'd own.

# ? Oct 3, 2014 04:41

ookuwagata: Aug 26, 2007; I love you this much!

When I return to Iceland, I sure as hell ain't driving next time. I'm going to ride on one of them fancy tour buses and awkwardly hit on some German backpacker while being ferried up to the more remote parts I didn't have a chance to go to this time.

# ? Oct 3, 2014 06:27

Paper With Lines: Aug 21, 2013; The snozzberries taste like snozzberries!

Great post!!!!!!

# ? Oct 3, 2014 07:40

Deceitful Penguin: Feb 16, 2011

Noctis Horrendae posted:

Oh man, I was hoping the goony gently caress that plays the drums and has dreadlocks was your uncle or something. God, that'd own.

Alas, if their complexion looks like someone bleached out a real human being, chances are I ain't related.

ookuwagata posted:

When I return to Iceland, I sure as hell ain't driving next time. I'm going to ride on one of them fancy tour buses and awkwardly hit on some German backpacker while being ferried up to the more remote parts I didn't have a chance to go to this time.

This is not only a superb plan, but one way cheaper and that often lets you get into some nice deals on the side if you talk to your company in person like.

Paper With Lines posted:

Great post!!!!!!

I, uhh, thanks?

# ? Oct 7, 2014 01:03

Kujaroth: Jul 26, 2006

Deceitful Penguin posted:

Yep, it's either: Job (good luck proving you can do a job no-one else in Europe can do!) student (not that expensive but still not a guarantee for later) and marriage (you never know! magic does happen!)

Otherwise you're pretty much up poo poo creek. We're working on some ways to game the system as we speak but it's too early to share those findings. Maybe later.

What's the deal with work permits for operating your own business? From what I've been able to find on Google, they exist, but not a lot more info beyond that (eligibility criteria, capital/investment requirements if any etc.) Not that I expect you to really know all the answers to that, but in general are these also pretty tough to get?

Deceitful Penguin posted:

I have a lot of family in the east and the north. I try to never, ever visit both at once because I swear to loving got I would rather ride loving mountain goats than drive through those roads. The north has improved a shitload but still is bad, the east and especially the way between them is like returning back to the time when death was a constant companion on Icelandic roads. So uhh, the 1960s basically.

I never had an issue with the roads, really. I was there in Summer so didn't have to contend with snow/ice on the roads admittedly, but did have to contend with summer tourist traffic volumes. Maybe I was just too absorbed in the scenery while driving through the East Fjords to notice the death trap roads? :ohdear:

I did a fair bit of driving in those three weeks, covering 9100km, and aside from the occasional annoyance at getting stuck behind a slow vehicle, I had no issues.

# ? Oct 7, 2014 11:45

Deceitful Penguin: Feb 16, 2011

Kujaroth posted:

What's the deal with work permits for operating your own business? From what I've been able to find on Google, they exist, but not a lot more info beyond that (eligibility criteria, capital/investment requirements if any etc.) Not that I expect you to really know all the answers to that, but in general are these also pretty tough to get?

No good idea, could ask about it I guess. Not exactly the entrepreneurial type, but I'm guessing like in most of the first world if you got the money you get the citizenship. The rich take care of their own after all.

Kujaroth posted:

I never had an issue with the roads, really. I was there in Summer so didn't have to contend with snow/ice on the roads admittedly, but did have to contend with summer tourist traffic volumes. Maybe I was just too absorbed in the scenery while driving through the East Fjords to notice the death trap roads? I did a fair bit of driving in those three weeks, covering 9100km, and aside from the occasional annoyance at getting stuck behind a slow vehicle, I had no issues.

Well, the ring-road is mostly ok. If you were straying far off it towards the inner parts you get to see some pretty magnificent places, often from vantage points that are far from comfortable!

# ? Oct 12, 2014 21:49

dor1: Jun 5, 2011

Kujaroth posted:

What's the deal with work permits for operating your own business? From what I've been able to find on Google, they exist, but not a lot more info beyond that (eligibility criteria, capital/investment requirements if any etc.) Not that I expect you to really know all the answers to that, but in general are these also pretty tough to get?

I can't find it in english on the site but https://www.rsk.is/fyrirtaekjaskra/stofnun-felaga/einkahlutafelog/ is about the registration of a 'Limited Company' or 'Einkahlutaf�lag'(Ehf.).

In order to create an Ehf. you need 500.000kr, in either assets or money (which will go into the company), although from what i hear, going with money is way easier. And then you need to pay an additional 130.500kr as a registration fee. ( There are probably more fees).

I don't know if you need a kennitala (basically a SSN) in order to register an Ehf., but it wouldn't surprise me.

# ? Oct 13, 2014 09:32

nm: Jan 28, 2008; "I saw Minos the Space Judge holding a golden sceptre and passing sentence upon the Martians. There he presided, and around him the noble Space Prosecutors sought the firm justice of space law."

dor1 posted:

I can't find it in english on the site but https://www.rsk.is/fyrirtaekjaskra/stofnun-felaga/einkahlutafelog/ is about the registration of a 'Limited Company' or 'Einkahlutaf�lag'(Ehf.).

In order to create an Ehf. you need 500.000kr, in either assets or money (which will go into the company), although from what i hear, going with money is way easier. And then you need to pay an additional 130.500kr as a registration fee. ( There are probably more fees).

I don't know if you need a kennitala (basically a SSN) in order to register an Ehf., but it wouldn't surprise me.

That's not a lot of money for a business. Like 5 grand.

# ? Oct 13, 2014 20:56

Dr. Quarex: Apr 18, 2003; I'M A BIG DORK WHO POSTS TOO MUCH ABOUT CONVENTIONS LOOK AT THIS

TOVA TOVA TOVA

Yeah that is kind of mind-blowing actually. Like, we have a system like that in the USA... But it requires $500,000 invested. Maybe they liked the number more than the value. Must be time to invest in Icelandic Lamb Futures!

# ? Oct 14, 2014 21:32

Noctis Horrendae: Nov 1, 2013

I'm going to move to Iceland and start a company that will develop the most successful sci-fi MMORPG in the world.

# ? Oct 15, 2014 00:53

Deceitful Penguin: Feb 16, 2011

I hate reading forms. I hate y'all for making me reading that (I hate dor1 least for finding teh needed thing for me though).

But yea, for a private stockholder company you still need an Icelandic Identity Number, which you forn types would have difficulty getting if you aren't Nordic. Maybe if you're European it is easier, don't know. If you're 3rd World (This is anything non-EU/EEA btw), well, uhhh, I guess there's always marriage.

# ? Oct 16, 2014 21:27

Noctis Horrendae: Nov 1, 2013

Deceitful Penguin posted:

I hate reading forms. I hate y'all for making me reading that (I hate dor1 least for finding teh needed thing for me though).

But yea, for a private stockholder company you still need an Icelandic Identity Number, which you forn types would have difficulty getting if you aren't Nordic. Maybe if you're European it is easier, don't know. If you're 3rd World (This is anything non-EU/EEA btw), well, uhhh, I guess there's always marriage.

On that note, what do Icelanders tend to think of (trigger warning) white foreigners?

# ? Oct 16, 2014 21:29

Deceitful Penguin: Feb 16, 2011

Noctis Horrendae posted:

On that note, what do Icelanders tend to think of (trigger warning) white foreigners?

If they're Scandinavian; mostly ok. E-European, possible prejudice, possibly not, with the latter more common. Americans are 33% Ok/adore them, 33% hate them and 33% don't care over much. No-one hates Canadians. If you're muslim but don't show it you're unlikely to get poo poo, if you do look it then there's a vocal minority that dislikes you but are too chickenshit to do much outside online comments. We don't have the more serious racists of the mainlands but we do have racist as gently caress dudes online writing under their own names.

If you're Japanese you're white, pretty much. If you're South-East asian you get microagressions and casual racism but not much overt. If you're black you get to go through the wonders of institutional racism where people don't even understand what that word means, with people defending you getting cut up by policemen.

If you mean tourists, then benign Icelanders consider you a guest out to enjoy our country but most wanna fleece you if they in the hospitality business but many are getting annoyed at how crowded the city is getting, with hotels and tourists always increasing in number. As well as raising prices and hurting the rental market thanks to poo poo like airbnb.

# ? Oct 17, 2014 03:26

Noctis Horrendae: Nov 1, 2013

Thanks for the extensive response. Very interesting - I always thought of Iceland as being a lot more open to foreigners than what you just described.

# ? Oct 17, 2014 03:57

Dr. Quarex: Apr 18, 2003; I'M A BIG DORK WHO POSTS TOO MUCH ABOUT CONVENTIONS LOOK AT THIS

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Noctis Horrendae posted:

Thanks for the extensive response. Very interesting - I always thought of Iceland as being a lot more open to foreigners than what you just described.

If you have been there, this can be easy to understand, given that the people who love foreigners seem to self-select into the occupations where you encounter them. I mean, you would be hard-pressed to convince any of the dozens of Americans I have been in Iceland with (really, I came with a choir of ~30 the first time, and had a dozen come for my wedding) that Icelanders have any negative feelings whatsoever towards Americans. I have had some of the most amazingly friendly experiences with strangers of my entire life while in Iceland, and while yes I have only been there for about a month total, I think the "shine" comes off being in a foreign country on about day three in most places and you start to see people's real feelings ... but drat, man, that just never happened to me there. THEY ARE SO GOOD AT TOURISM

# ? Oct 17, 2014 04:03

sharktamer: Oct 30, 2011; Shark tamer ridiculous

I'm visiting Iceland in December with a couple of friends, is there a lot we won't be able to do in the middle of the winter in an already cold country? I know for one we won't be able to do any of the whale tours, but the northern lights should make up for it. Hopefully we can still see the geysers and the other must dos.

# ? Oct 19, 2014 22:02

Deceitful Penguin: Feb 16, 2011

In the settings that tourists meet Icelanders, you are very unlikely to have negative experiences so long as do not meet the very obnoxious of every country, but it will probs be there. You hit against it when you try and move and find out that most people make friends in their childhood and then don't; breaking into Icelandic society is hard as balls. The friendlyness may be real but it is not deep, usually. There are of course always exceptions.

How was it again, uh, we're fine with you visiting but please don't stick around, is the polite way I've seen it phrased. Personally I like to make most folks comfortable if they decide they wanna settle on our dreary isle but alas the folks at Immigration seem to think different.

sharktamer posted:

I'm visiting Iceland in December with a couple of friends, is there a lot we won't be able to do in the middle of the winter in an already cold country? I know for one we won't be able to do any of the whale tours, but the northern lights should make up for it. Hopefully we can still see the geysers and the other must dos.

See the presidents house, visit a smoking hot pool/tub while it is snowing, museum and art stuff? Mostly folks are here for the nature but I feel when it all white it does lost some of its colour.

# ? Oct 20, 2014 19:51

Doctor Malaver: May 23, 2007; Ce qui s'est pass� t'a rendu plus fort

I'm coming to Reykjavik on Tuesday and staying a week. Is there anything specific going on these days? I know I barely missed a music festival. Also, is there a significant difference between exchange rates on the airport vs in town? I don't know whether to buy all the Krona (with euros) right of the airplane or try to get a better rate somewhere else.

I'm sure I'll have more touristy questions but I'm still working through the thread.

# ? Nov 10, 2014 02:39

nm: Jan 28, 2008; "I saw Minos the Space Judge holding a golden sceptre and passing sentence upon the Martians. There he presided, and around him the noble Space Prosecutors sought the firm justice of space law."

Doctor Malaver posted:

I'm coming to Reykjavik on Tuesday and staying a week. Is there anything specific going on these days? I know I barely missed a music festival. Also, is there a significant difference between exchange rates on the airport vs in town? I don't know whether to buy all the Krona (with euros) right of the airplane or try to get a better rate somewhere else.

I'm sure I'll have more touristy questions but I'm still working through the thread.

Use a credit card, no one seemed to use cash in Iceland.

# ? Nov 10, 2014 07:04

Accretionist: Nov 7, 2012; I BELIEVE IN STUPID CONSPIRACY THEORIES

I've read that greenhousing is A Thing in Iceland, but is there any sentiment about it in public consciousness? Do people care? Does political discussion feature talk of ag production capacity and hydroponic tomatoes and aquaponic tilapia?

# ? Nov 10, 2014 09:54

Kitsch!: Jul 27, 2006; God made Adam and Eve, not Fluffy and Eve.

nm posted:

Use a credit card, no one seemed to use cash in Iceland.

I never got cash for the three times I've been in Iceland. Just check if your credit card has a foreign transaction fee, which I neglected to do the first time around.

# ? Nov 10, 2014 18:10

Noctis Horrendae: Nov 1, 2013

What's religion like in Iceland? The majority of the population is Christian, correct? What denomination, and how big of a role does it play? Icelanders don't seem like the kind of people that would staunchly adhere to religion, somehow.

# ? Nov 11, 2014 04:47

nm: Jan 28, 2008; "I saw Minos the Space Judge holding a golden sceptre and passing sentence upon the Martians. There he presided, and around him the noble Space Prosecutors sought the firm justice of space law."

Noctis Horrendae posted:

What's religion like in Iceland? The majority of the population is Christian, correct? What denomination, and how big of a role does it play? Icelanders don't seem like the kind of people that would staunchly adhere to religion, somehow.

The country did seem to have 12 billion churches everywhere.

# ? Nov 11, 2014 07:41

MisterOblivious: Mar 17, 2010; by sebmojo

Deceitful Penguin posted:

In the settings that tourists meet Icelanders, you are very unlikely to have negative experiences so long as do not meet the very obnoxious of every country, but it will probs be there. You hit against it when you try and move and find out that most people make friends in their childhood and then don't; breaking into Icelandic society is hard as balls. The friendlyness may be real but it is not deep, usually. There are of course always exceptions.

How was it again, uh, we're fine with you visiting but please don't stick around, is the polite way I've seen it phrased.

That's called "Minnesota Nice" here in Minnesota. Same deal: we made all of our friends and connections early on and there aren't really any slots open for new folks. I generally tell folks moving here from out of state to find other folks who moved here from out of state as that's their only real chance at more than superficial friendliness.

# ? Nov 11, 2014 08:01

Doctor Malaver: May 23, 2007; Ce qui s'est pass� t'a rendu plus fort

Kitsch! posted:

I never got cash for the three times I've been in Iceland. Just check if your credit card has a foreign transaction fee, which I neglected to do the first time around.

OK, I checked. There are no special fees when buying stuff directly (there are fees when withdrawing from ATMs) but of course the conversion rate is not that great. On the other hand I'm not sure if the exchange offices would give me a significantly better rate...

# ? Nov 11, 2014 10:27

Doctor Malaver: May 23, 2007; Ce qui s'est pass� t'a rendu plus fort

I'm staying in Iceland for a week, with friends who live in Reykjavik. On Saturday we are renting a car and doing the Golden Circle and sleeping in a cabin in Stafafel. I'm worried it will be a stretch, seeing the Geysir and the Myrdals glacier and all the interesting stuff in so little daylight, plus getting to the cabin in time to eat and rest.
Other plans include doing the Reykjavik by Food tour, the Free Walking Tour (if it's available, there's conflicting information) and we already visited the Blue Lagoon.

Any comments or suggestions for museums or one-day trips? I like activities that are interactive (not just being driven around to see stuff) but not too expensive or physical (I can't rock climb and I'm not sure I could ride a horse).

ps
Why is the international airport so far away from Reykjavik? With barren plains everywhere, they could've built it much closer.

# ? Nov 13, 2014 12:17

dor1: Jun 5, 2011

RE: churches, god,etc
About 75% of the country belongs to the National Church of Iceland, but i doubt a lot of people go to church on a regular basis. Churches are everywhere because people couldn't really travel anywhere in the old days, so you simply had to have a church nearby.

MisterOblivious posted:

That's called "Minnesota Nice" here in Minnesota. Same deal: we made all of our friends and connections early on and there aren't really any slots open for new folks. I generally tell folks moving here from out of state to find other folks who moved here from out of state as that's their only real chance at more than superficial friendliness.

I don't know about other people in Iceland but i really like meeting foreigners, and personally i don't give a drat if people want to move here.

Doctor Malaver posted:

I'm staying in Iceland for a week, with friends who live in Reykjavik. On Saturday we are renting a car and doing the Golden Circle and sleeping in a cabin in Stafafel. I'm worried it will be a stretch, seeing the Geysir and the Myrdals glacier and all the interesting stuff in so little daylight, plus getting to the cabin in time to eat and rest.
Other plans include doing the Reykjavik by Food tour, the Free Walking Tour (if it's available, there's conflicting information) and we already visited the Blue Lagoon.

Any comments or suggestions for museums or one-day trips? I like activities that are interactive (not just being driven around to see stuff) but not too expensive or physical (I can't rock climb and I'm not sure I could ride a horse).

ps
Why is the international airport so far away from Reykjavik? With barren plains everywhere, they could've built it much closer.

The daylight ~should~ be enough, but you might have to set off nice and early in order to be able to seen everything.
You could take an ATV tour, but i'm not sure how expensive they are. There is also a 4x4 rental that where you can drive a modified Land Rover Defender with a guide on some mountain roads, but i'm almost certain it's expensive.
You could also check out the penis museum.

The airport isn't really far away from Reykjav�k, only about 50km, besides, the Airport is where the US built it, blame them.

# ? Nov 13, 2014 12:36

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# ? May 15, 2024 23:17

Doctor Malaver: May 23, 2007; Ce qui s'est pass� t'a rendu plus fort

dor1 posted:

The daylight ~should~ be enough, but you might have to set off nice and early in order to be able to seen everything.
You could take an ATV tour, but i'm not sure how expensive they are. There is also a 4x4 rental that where you can drive a modified Land Rover Defender with a guide on some mountain roads, but i'm almost certain it's expensive.
You could also check out the penis museum.

The airport isn't really far away from Reykjav�k, only about 50km, besides, the Airport is where the US built it, blame them.

Thanks. Would you maybe care to suggest the itinerary (like, spend an hour here, eat there, drive past that because it's not interesting, etc)? I'll check the penis museum. What museum would you recommend for history/vikings/ships?

The ATVs and snowmobiles are too expensive I'm afraid. The good news is that I added 2 and 2 together and figured out that the food walking tour is also ridiculously expensive because for that price you can have two three-course dinners. So we'll go to the Sea Baron instead and eat more and save money.

BTW whoever suggested no cash apparently never rode a local bus. They don't take plastic and they don't even return money if you don't have exact change.

# ? Nov 14, 2014 13:08

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Ask me anything about Iceland, its history, culture, and modern politics

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