The Unwritten Rules: Understanding Icelandic Etiquette (2024)

FAQs

The Unwritten Rules: Understanding Icelandic Etiquette? ›

Hugs and kisses are mostly reserved for close connections and family members. When meeting someone for the first time, address them by their first name, as Icelanders do not typically use formal titles or surnames in social interactions. "Hæ" (hello), "Bless" (goodbye) and "Takk" (thank you).

If you are staying at somebody's home, it is considered rude to give them a gift of thanks. However if you are meeting someone for the first time it is customary to bring a small gift or flowers. If you are entering their house, remove your shoes. There are various delicacies you may be daring to try when dining out.

The general motto is that you should leave only footprints, and take only photos and memories when travelling anywhere. This is standard travel etiquette in Iceland. When travelling in Iceland it's important that you pay attention to signage at all times.

Everyone giggled when Pall, our Intrepid tour guide, burped into the microphone as he spoke, but he wasn't the least bit embarrassed. It was, we soon learned, an Icelandic thing. Burping, sniffing, not saying please, reaching across someone at the dining table — no apology, or even acknowledgement, is required.

For clothes to wear in Reykjavik or a simple walk in the town, jeans are fine, but you may find yourself getting chilly. If you are hiking, jeans can get wet and the strong winds can make them quite dangerous.

Most of the crimes committed in Iceland in 2022 were traffic offenses. Nearly 60,000 traffic violations were committed that year. Thefts was the second highest type of committed violations in 2022. On the bottom of the scale were violations of the Alcohol Act, followed by fraud and forgery.

This small island was actually the first country in Europe to bring in prohibition, and it was one of the longest periods of the law in history. In fact, beer was prohibited for some 75 years!

Prohibition in Iceland went into effect in 1915 and lasted, to some extent, until 1 March 1989 (since celebrated as "Beer Day"). The ban had originally prohibited all alcohol, but from 1922 legalized wine and in 1935 legalized all alcoholic beverages except beer with more than 2.25% alcohol content.

How to respect Icelandic culture? ›

Iceland's dress code, even in restaurants, is generally casual and functional. However, having said that, Icelanders usually can spot tourists since they often wear their hiking gear (as well as bring backpacks) to the restaurant.

When they go out, Icelanders usually use a combination of sturdy shoes, a parka or light insulated jacket, and a fleece jacket or wool sweater. Icelanders do, of course, have their own fashion taste and culture.

The most common greeting heard in Iceland is “Góðan daginn”, which translates to “good day” in English. This phrase is pronounced “go-than-n die-in” and is a polite and friendly way to greet people around Iceland.

In Iceland, a simple handshake along with a smile is the customary greeting for both new acquaintances and familiar friends. Hugs and kisses are mostly reserved for close connections and family members.

Unlike in the US, tipping is not a widespread custom in Iceland. The reason isn't that everything costs so much in Iceland (though it does), and it's not because (contrary to popular belief) it's considered an insult to tip in Iceland. It is simply because the tax and gratuity are already included in your bill.

"Uhm, well - there's not that many of us..." or "I hope I make a good impression then" or "WOW, you're the first (enter nationality) person I've ever met TOO!" Being Icelandic, it just takes up too much energy to summon that much enthusiasm about my nationality. 4. "Oh, that's where Björk's from!".

Now, it's not the cultural faux pas it once was if a foreign visitor opts to tip. In Iceland, do whatever makes you feel comfortable: you won't cause offence if you do or if you don't, so please yourself.

Tipping etiquette varies significantly from country to country. When it comes to Iceland, tipping is appreciated but not expected. You are welcome to tip for good service when visiting Iceland, but it isn't mandatory or even standard practice.