An interesting fact about Icelanders:

[Swedish Viking]

I can contest to the validity of this as I have been there and spoken with average people(even young ones my age) whom have confirmed their belief.  One told me about his grandfather who could see them and that 'bad things always happen when you F with their homes."

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,2786922,00.html

[The Showstoppa]

I was stationed in Keflavik for 1.5 yrs.  Didn't see any elves, but at the time I was there Iceland had one of the highest rates of alcoholism, depression and suicide in the world.

I remember one time the base was out of American beer due to the flights being canceled and we started drinking "Viking Beer."  It was terrible, so we moved on to JD and Beam.

[Swedish Viking]

I've travelled all around the arctic north.  Alcoholism is VERY common in the dark countries.  Even here in Sweden they have a different definition of alcoholism compared to Americans.  Here an alcoholic is someone with sores all over his body, purple skin, and lives on the street mumbling to himself.  Until you reach that level, you are not an alcoholic.

[#1 Klaus fan]

I've travelled all around the arctic north.  Alcoholism is VERY common in the dark countries.  Even here in Sweden they have a different definition of alcoholism compared to Americans.  Here an alcoholic is someone with sores all over his body, purple skin, and lives on the street mumbling to himself.  Until you reach that level, you are not an alcoholic.

Hehe, that's so true. Have never though about that.

[The Showstoppa]

I've travelled all around the arctic north.  Alcoholism is VERY common in the dark countries.  Even here in Sweden they have a different definition of alcoholism compared to Americans.  Here an alcoholic is someone with sores all over his body, purple skin, and lives on the street mumbling to himself.  Until you reach that level, you are not an alcoholic.

The Icelandics who taught our class told us that, but I do agree that Americans think anybody who "binge drinks" is an alcoholic. 

[dr.chimps]

The Icelandics who taught our class told us that, but I do agree that Americans think anybody who "binge drinks" is an alcoholic. 

Oh-noes. Hi, my name is dr.chimps and I'm an alcoholic.   

[CT_Muscle]

The Icelandics who taught our class told us that, but I do agree that Americans think anybody who "binge drinks" is an alcoholic. 

Which Americans do you refer to? 

[CalvinH]

Oh-noes. Hi, my name is dr.chimps and I'm an alcoholic.   

x2

[The Showstoppa]

I actually had a lot of fun in Iceland.  The base had great sports, even a TV station to cover it and everybody was into getting hammered on any occasion. 

[Swedish Viking]

I like it too. Nicest people I've ever encountered, that's for sure. Total strangers took me around everywhere.  I was on the Faroe Islands right beforehand, that was cool too, like going back in time.  Iceland, on the other hand, is modern as hell. 

[INSOMNIA]

I've travelled all around the arctic north.  Alcoholism is VERY common in the dark countries.  Even here in Sweden they have a different definition of alcoholism compared to Americans.  Here an alcoholic is someone with sores all over his body, purple skin, and lives on the street mumbling to himself.  Until you reach that level, you are not an alcoholic.

YIKES! 

[ThaRealist]

If you get a little toasted on the weekends in America you are considered to have a problem with alcohol. I remember I got arrested before for an alcohol related offense and had to go to 3 AA meetings per the judge. They try to convince ya that, because you spend a weekend in vegas getting drunk with call girls you have a really bad problem. I called it a good weekend.

[HTexan]

 

[lovemonkey]

I had a bacon and egg sandwich in Iceland, FACT.

[brooklynbruiser]

One thing I can say about Iceland is that they hold their gov't accountable for their hijinks. Never met an Icelander that was an alcoholic. Much.

[Hedgehog]

If you get a little toasted on the weekends in America you are considered to have a problem with alcohol.

Yeah. WTF is that all about?
I get it, getting wasted isn't the best idea. but lets not get throw a hizzy fit about or go all drama queen about it.

[lovemonkey]

Yeah. WTF is that all about?
I get it, getting wasted isn't the best idea. but lets not get throw a hizzy fit about or go all drama queen about it.

haha americans do drink a lot of alcohol, make no mistake.

[INSOMNIA]

Yeah. WTF is that all about?
I get it, getting wasted isn't the best idea. but lets not get throw a hizzy fit about or go all drama queen about it.

I am a drama queen about it.    I've had a lifetime full of dealing with drunks..  but this kinda puts things in perspective..

[theGreatGretzky]

I can contest to the validity of this as I have been there and spoken with average people(even young ones my age) whom have confirmed their belief.  One told me about his grandfather who could see them and that 'bad things always happen when you F with their homes."

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,2786922,00.html

contest?   Personally I think you can "attest"

[The Showstoppa]

I had a bacon and egg sandwich in Iceland, FACT.

They used to serve a fish called ysa in the dining hall almost everyday.  Very good.  Fact.

[proxi]

The average people you spoke to where probably making fun of you, if you believed them that they believe in elves. I spoke to lot of Icelanders when I was there and nobody thought elves were real but they said they always told this story to innocent looking foreigners to keep the tradition going.
Icelanders are great people.
Had the two of the strongest mofos who ever walked this planet r.i.p Jón páll then they also had Magnus Ver not bad for an island of 270 thousand people

[Swedish Viking]

The average people you spoke to where probably making fun of you, if you believed them that they believe in elves. I spoke to lot of Icelanders when I was there and nobody thought elves were real but they said they always told this story to innocent looking foreigners to keep the tradition going.
Icelanders are great people.
Had the two of the strongest mofos who ever walked this planet r.i.p Jón páll then they also had Magnus Ver not bad for an island of 270 thousand people

  I don't know man, the article speaks for itself and the people I spoke with were definitely not kidding.  Maggi was one of my heroes growing up, it wasn't until I went there that I found out he's barely respected at all there.  Jon Pall is the great one, Magnus is a well known criminal and thumb breaker for loan sharks.  Nonetheless, I still think he's cooler.  But now they've got Benny.

[lax]

If you get a little toasted on the weekends in America you are considered to have a problem with alcohol. I remember I got arrested before for an alcohol related offense and had to go to 3 AA meetings per the judge. They try to convince ya that, because you spend a weekend in vegas getting drunk with call girls you have a really bad problem. I called it a good weekend.

yes
maybe we should emulate France
and give IV rum lines to 3 year olds

[ThaRealist]

yes
maybe we should emulate France
and give IV rum lines to 3 year olds

Sounds great.

[rccs]

I've travelled all around the arctic north.  Alcoholism is VERY common in the dark countries.  Even here in Sweden they have a different definition of alcoholism compared to Americans.  Here an alcoholic is someone with sores all over his body, purple skin, and lives on the street mumbling to himself.  Until you reach that level, you are not an alcoholic.

Thats nice  A man must be able handle serious booze!