Open Line

We sought permission this year for our son to temporarily attend Junior High in Norway.  We spoke directly to the principal to explain that Kaleb is otherwise homeschooled but wanted to be back with his old classmates for the few months we were there. 

Not ever having met Kaleb before, the principal said he had enough “trouble makers” and he “didn’t need to import any problems from America.”  He gave Kaleb a three-day trial period, looked him right in the eye and said if there was any funny business from him he would “kick (his) ass right out of school.”  He had been talking Norwegian the whole time, then switched over to English for that last little warning, just to be sure Kaleb understood.

Later, when I retold that story to friends, everyone was shocked.  The idea is that school is supposed to be fun, and to use such scare tactics didn’t seem to go over too well with people we know.  One friend said, “You need to write that to the newspaper.”  I didn’t fully understand what she meant until I asked around and found out about a column on the back page of every newspaper called, “Åpen linje” (Open Line.)  This is how the Norwegians rant and rave about things they don’t like.  It’s kind of like our “Letters to the Editor” but it’s got a broader scope and it’s not edited, since it’s totally “free speech.”  The subject matters brought up may continue for months, with others writing their opinions about the issues. 

Several different approaches were suggested to this encounter with the principal, but all felt he must be “exposed” for his behavior through this newspaper column.  Their reaction to it reminded me of tattling on a sibling when I was a kid.  Some thought his name should be used, others felt it best to keep him anonymous.  Some suggested we write up the event as a rant, and others felt we should put it in the form of a question, wondering if this is the way our children should be spoken to at school.  I thought the reaction to what he said was far more interesting than the words he used to make his point.

This “Open Line” column is yet another way the Norwegian culture keeps people conforming to the norm.  For surely, if a person knows that any inappropriate or outlandish behavior could be written up and printed in the newspaper, it would make one think twice about what they do.   

It reminds me of the “People of Wal-Mart” website where folks post photos of the most absurd looking customers. I check that website periodically just to make sure I’m not in there.  I guess I better do the same in Norway.