#law of jante

[young-royals-confessions]

Alexander Skarsgård explains the Jante Law: https://youtu.be/FhdcWYmFdX4?feature=shared

[thelawofjante]

Follow the blog.

[takjamrotsne]

Double homicide behind the failed shopping center - City 2

In the 1960’s many believed that the future of Denmark would be shopping in large shopping malls outside the city centers. In Taastrup just vest of Copenhagen, they planned “City 2”, which is a massive shopping center which for many years were the largest in Denmark. Planned as a shopping center with almost no customers who should arrive by train, bike or on foot which is the norm in large parts…

[wordgoods]

Law of Jante

It is used generally in colloquial speech in the Nordic countries as a sociological term to denote a social attitude of disapproval towards expressions of individuality and personal success.

There are ten rules in the law as defined by Sandemose, all expressive of variations on a single theme and usually referred to as a homogeneous unit: You are not to think you're anyone special, or that you're better than us.

The ten rules state:

You're not to think you are anything special.

You're not to think you are as good as we are.

You're not to think you are smarter than we are.

You're not to imagine yourself better than we are.

You're not to think you know more than we do.

You're not to think you are more important than we are.

You're not to think you are good at anything.

You're not to laugh at us.

You're not to think anyone cares about you.

You're not to think you can teach us anything.

The Janters who transgress this unwritten "law" are regarded with suspicion and some hostility, as it goes against the town's communal desire to preserve harmony, social stability and uniformity.

An eleventh rule recognized in the novel as "the penal code of Jante" is:

Perhaps you don't think we know a few things about you?

From the chapter "Maybe you don't think I know something about you":

That one sentence (the eleventh rule), which acts as the penal code of Jante, as such was rich in content. It was a charge of all sorts of things, and that it also had to be, because absolutely nothing was allowed. It was also an elaborate indictment, with all kinds of unspecified penalties given to be expected. Furthermore it was useful, depending fully on tone of voice, in financial extortion and enticement into criminal acts, and it could also be the best means of defense.

Sandemose's novel described working-class life in the fictional town of Jante. He wrote in 1955, a bit mischievously, that "Many people have recognized [in Jante] their own hometown – this has happened regularly to people from Arendal [Norway], Tromsø [Norway] and Viborg [Denmark]". Sandemose made no claim to having invented the rules; he simply sought to formulate social norms that had stamped the Danish and Norwegian psyches for centuries.

Sociological effects

Although intended as criticism of society in general, some critics in the 1990s argued that the Law of Jante had shifted to refer to personal criticism of people who want to break out of their social groups and reach a higher position.

It is common in Scandinavia to claim the Law of Jante as something quintessentially Danish, Norwegian or Swedish. The rules are treated as a way of behaving in order to fit in and results in dressing similarly and the types of cars that people buy and buying similar products for their homes. It is commonly stated that Jante Law is for people in the provinces, but commentators have suggested that metropolitan areas are also affected.

[tropylium]

There's several incredibly easy criticisms, but I feel the concept of "corporate greed" becomes particularly incoherent when used to explain the prices of something having only just now gone up

you think corporations only invented greed last week and simply had not thought to raise prices anytime earlier?

[frootyrooties]

🎶✨ when u get this, list 5 songs u like to listen to, publish. then, send this ask to 10 of your favorite followers (positivity is cool) 🎶✨

i’m gonna be honest, i’ve been brainrotting over that graham gouldman lately (he has really nice eyes/smile irl 🥰🥰):

1. I Hate To Eat Alone - 10cc

2. For Your Love - Graham Gouldman

3. Channel Swimmer - 10cc

4. Honeymoon With B Troop - 10cc

5. I Wanna Rule The World (don’t know why this has been stuck in my head a lot lately) - 10cc

thanks for the ask!

[nordickies]

what's your headcanon human names for all 5 of them? :0

I think the Nordics have used various names throughout history! But they're probably all just variations of the same "base name," which has just changed with culture and current trends to keep up with the times.

Denmark: Magnus / Magni, Mange, Magne Magnus ("great") is a latinised version of the Old Norse name Magni ("mighty"). Various Scandinavian kings have been named Magnus, so the name has long been associated with the region. Mange is a Swedish nickname for Magnus, and Magne could be Denmark's alternative alias if he needs one Sweden: Björn / Bernwald Björn ("bear") is an Old Norse name still popular in Sweden. Perhaps in the Middle Ages, he may have used the name Bernwald ("bear" + "ruler") to fit in better with the German-speaking estates of society and have more of an international reach. Because his name means "bear," he can be teasingly referred to as Nalle, Bamse, or Baddi, all meaning "teddy bear" Norway: Sigurd / Sigurðr, Siward, Sjur Sigurd is a younger form of the Old Norse name Sigurðr ("victory"+ "guardian"), perhaps most notably associated with the Germanic legend of the dragon slayer. Siward is the English equivalent of the name. Sjur is the shortened form of the name Sigurd, so it may be his alternative alias Finland: Timo / Väinö, Väinämö Timo is a Finnish version of the name Timotheos ("honoring God") and perhaps a name he had to pick for himself after the introduction of Christianity. I like the idea of Väinö ("calmly flowing river") being his former first name and present middle name since it has the same origin as his canon surname Iceland: Eiríkur / Eiríkr, Erik Eiríkur is an Icelandic name, the younger form of the Old Norse name Eiríkr ("forever rich/powerful"). When in contact with outsiders, his name probably got simplified as Erik

Their surnames are not set in stone, and I rarely find myself needing them anyway. I don't think the Nordics would feel quite as attached to their surnames, as surnames in Nordic countries have traditionally been patronyms (and these guys don't have families in the traditional sense). Perhaps back in the olden days, the "surnames" they introduced themselves with were based on what was the most fitting and useful in a given situation - making up family associations, basing it off of their profession, or picking a surname based on where they lived (southern farm, northern bay, etc). But nowadays, they probably have preferred surnames they use for symbolic reasons; like Iceland going by "Ingólfsson" (based on Ingólfur Arnarson, the assumed first permanent settler of Iceland) or Denmark preferring the name "Andersen" to be associated with the most famous Danish author

Plus, I feel like their country names are actually more like honorary titles, and they don't really use them between each other (unless it's a nickname, like Sve, etc.). It's very much their culture. Nordic people tend to call their bosses, teachers, doctors, etc., by their first names, too. It's probably based on the cultural belief that this makes people more equal and cancels social hierarchy (Jante Law effect), so I have a hard time seeing the Nordic using honorary titles between friends and family

[therealvinelle]

In the spirit of the Carnivorous Muffin's post about how Twilight wouldn't change meaningfully if it was in another country, how would Norwegian!Twilight go ? Who would Norwigian!Edward be ?

Well, Edward is intrinsically American, can't remove that from him and only partially because infusing Edward with the Law of Jante (a set of egalitarian norms where Scandinavians do not believe we are special, better, worse, nor extraordinary in any way) would break him, it would simply break him.

So, it has to be American, canon, Edward, moving to Norway to pretend to be a high schooler there.

In a country where you can only get your license at 18, and once you do you still don't drive to school unless your parent is dropping you off.

Edward takes one look at this school, then back at his beloved Volvo, then back at the school where he'd have to start in the final year of ungdomsskolen (middle school) or the first year of high school if he wants to be fifteen, and he tries out Norwegian commuting only to feel like a monster among men, an obvious horror to our human instincts even if we don't recognise it on a conscious level, because people sit as far away from him as they can get away with and refuse to make eye contact.

Edward votes against Norway at the family meeting.

(And honestly, consider how the Cullens never left the States, I'm joking but I'm not joking, they clearly never found a place outside the States they wanted to live in. Europe is beautiful, but vacation only.)

[young-royals-confessions]

Genuine curiosity: the Jante law? Has omar been boasting abt his accomplishments or smthn? I'm a bit confused.

Also I agree, dont send hate mail BUT I still think what the journalist said abt English was not right

.

[hiraethwrote]

you are genuinely such an amazing writer, i’m on a road trip right now and i was reading one of your stories and it took me like 30 minutes to finsih because it was just so amazing. you are so so SO talented it is shocking. you should start writing books and publishing them because i would be your #1 reader!!

you’re going to have me in tears 😭😭 this truly means so much to me 🩷🩷

i have dreamed of becoming an author, but like every other norwegian, the law of jante is deeply rooted in me lol. therefore i have always been scared to pursue it, but after starting this blog, and having people be so kind and supportive, it has given me the courage to at least give it a shot

so when whenever someone compliments my writing and encourages me, i take it to heart and know i’ll carry it with me forever 🫶🏻

[takjamrotsne]

The law of Jante or lack situational awareness ?

The law of Jante or lack situational awareness ?

Denmark is not the same Denmark if you leave the cities. People lives like a word apart. Large parts of Denmark are called “The Rotten Banana”. It is areas with no firms, villages where shops have closed and worn-down roads and buildings. In some areas they remove the asphalt so the roads can be dirt-roads which requires less maintenance. The problems the resent years have been that even rich…

[eggmeralda]

rules: list your five all time favorite films and have people vote on which one matches your vibe

thanks for tagging me @imyselfamstrange!! <3

tagging: @tammyoshanter @law-of-jante @atlasllm @fishtish @keldrikakand @failfemme @rasalhanout @stxrks @skelkankaos @partyshark @nicholasvanryn @straycalamities @lifesbeencrazy

(no pressure to do it though)

[luminarai]

growing up with a school teacher mom who in turn was raised by my grew-up-during-the-war-with-6-younger-siblings German nanny grandma and an nth generation Nordic-Lutheran-meets-law-of-Jante farmer dad means that taking a sick day where I’m Sick But Not Actively Dying is the singular most guilt inducing thing I’m capable of doing

[thevagueambition]

me: *makes literally any claim*

me: damn.... what if I'm decorating myself with borrowed feathers*... cringe

*Translator's note: This is the Danish version of the idiom "to adorn oneself in borrowed plumes." The idiom originates in Aesop's fable "The Bird in Borrowed Feathers."

and people say janteloven* is dead lol

*Translator's note: "The Law of Jante" is a cultural reference point to describe certain social attitudes similar to "Tall Poppy Syndrome." Descriptions of Janteloven in English will often emphasise its literary origins and focus on it as an attitude weaponised against successful people, however in a modern context, it is better understood as a form of social propriety which members of the culture feel uncomfortable violating. This social propriety is violated by being immodest or self-aggrandising.

[troll-star]

i also dreamed that @law-of-jante had started a blog called "i love my haters" where she reblogged posts from people who had her blocked?? Lol!!

[dorasdiary]

#21 let them theory.

aka. law of detachment

based on simple truth, the fastest way to take control of your life is to stop controlling everyone around you.

if you find out your friends are talking about you. let them. if someone you like doesn't put any effort. you let them. if people never support you how you support them. you just let them.

you can't control anything outside of your own narrative. you should not cause yourself unnecessary sadness.

when should you use the let them theory?

the let them theory is used in a moment where you feel yourself being focused on other peoples actions. for example, not being invited out or a person being in your city and not calling you or someone travelling without you when you made plans to travel etc.

why should you use the let them theory?

• to let people be themselves

• the let them theory helps you address your own anxiety about uncertainty

• to redirect your focus (you are no longer in their business & you can now focus on yourself)

• emotional peace / peace of mind

when should you NOT use the let them theory?

🌟 if you have expressed and defined your boundaries, do NOT let someone continuously or repeatedly cross those boundaries

🌟 when using this will cause any sort of harm & danger or discrimination.

tips when using the theory

when you have expectations, the let them theory becomes harder to use and may hurt you.

the let them theory requires practice. don’t just go ahead and jump into using it. if it’s not used properly, then you will hurt yourself & feel more sad.

how to work on your expectations:

🫧 focus on the present moment: instead of continuously thinking about future outcomes or past experiences, try to live in the present and enjoy each moment as it comes.

🫧 the jante law: if you find yourself in a situation where your mind is overpowering the reality of an aspect. there are various rules you should use to overcome this.

🫧 believe that you have no right to have expectations from others. lowering expectations lowers the chances of disappointment.

thank you for reading :)