Iceland Local Customs

Local Customs

Most Icelanders are friendly and helpful however many tourists (including Europeans) find them a little gruff and unapproachable. This is generally just a first impression, Icelanders may tend to be a little cool towards foreign visitors but at the same time will be very interested in your visit and in your country of origin. They are intelligent, literate and proud of their heritage and technological and economic achievements. Overall they are friendly and polite people who will open up in conversations.

Everyone is on first name basis and surnames and titles such as Mr and Mrs are not used. The usual greeting is to shake hands on meeting and leaving and to offer a toast raise your glass and say ‘Skal’. Always remove your shoes when entering their homes and always say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’. Tipping is not required or expected in restaurants, bars, taxi or anywhere else but if you feel that you have had exceptional service it will be gratefully accepted.

Punctuality is quite relaxed and you may find people may often be late to meetings or social gatherings. One word of advice do not discuss the 2008 riots concerning the global economic crisis as this is a sensitive issue. The predominant religion in Iceland is Lutheran however Baptist, Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Bahai, Neopagan, Mormon, Muslim and other faiths also exist.