Iceland favored on AVEN

I have just finally finished the index for the book "Images of the North," which includes a number of discussions on how foreigners perceive Iceland: wild, empty, natural, supernatural. The scholars generally avoided one of the most prevalent stereotypes I have heard about Iceland, that it is a very sexually-open society. My own experience has not confirmed this stereotype, just as my experiences in Berkeley did not meet any preconceived notions of a free-love hippy town. On neither count was I the least bit disappointed. This could be a bold new tourism add campaign for Iceland, "Come here to be left entirely alone!".  Worth a shot, since certainly the British aren't likely to be coming around next summer.

Comments

Iris said…
You did not have that experience? I remember having to pose as a lesbian couple once to get rid of very persistent suitors. And I was dragged off a dancefloor more than once by an Icelander that said "Mig langar ad rida pér"
I also remember my Icelandic roommate one night declaring that he needed to be laid. Off he went and came back an hour later with a girl he introduced to me the next morning as "This is...um, what was your name again?" The girl did not seem too upset.
And there were the "Porn Star in training" T-Shirts that were incredibly hip with the teenagers while I lived there.
However, I was in my early twenties then. Maybe the Icelanders calm down a little - as we all do - at a certain point?
October 20, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Lissy said…
A definite benefit of living in Reyjanesbaer, instead of Reykavik, I guess! Because it certainly could not be because I am over the hill, unattractive...
October 20, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Iris said…
My dear Liz! Certainly you're quite the opposite of unattractive!!
I was worried you could take it the wrong way once I posted it. No, I think hanging out in student bars age 23 is also a big, big difference!
October 20, 2008 at 9:25 PM
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