Top 10 Challenges of Iceland

Explore the downsides of Iceland to enhance your travel preparations. While Iceland is praised for its stunning landscapes, it’s essential to acknowledge the less favorable aspects of the country. Discover what the locals may criticize or detest about their culture as we delve into the top ten challenges faced in Iceland.

Compiling a list of Iceland’s ten worst features proved to be a challenging task. Despite my profound admiration for this country, my perspective has evolved over time, especially after exploring other nations. This shift in perception has allowed me to recognize and highlight the following difficulties encountered in Iceland.

10. Limited Product Variety

In Iceland, one of the drawbacks that visitors may encounter is the limited product variety available. Due to the country’s relatively small size and remote location, the range of products in stores and supermarkets can be more limited compared to larger, more urbanized countries. This limitation can be especially noticeable for those who are used to a wide selection of goods in their home countries.

Exploring Product Variety in Iceland

One of the notable challenges when visiting Iceland is the limited selection of products available at local stores. Being a small and isolated country located on the edge of the Arctic, Iceland faces unique circumstances due to its volatile weather conditions and scarcity of trees and natural vegetation. As a result, the country heavily relies on the production of lamb, seafood, dairy, and root vegetables, while the majority of other products need to be imported.

From fruits and alcohol to clothing brands, household items, electronics, and luxury goods, Iceland imports a wide range of products to meet the demands of its population. However, the selection can be somewhat limited due to the relatively small number of residents in the country.

Diversity in Reykjavik and Beyond

Reykjavik, as the capital of Iceland, boasts the best variety of products, offering a more extensive selection compared to other regions in the country. Once you venture outside the capital, you may find that the availability of certain goods diminishes significantly.

On a positive note, despite its size, Iceland surprises visitors with a diverse range of international cuisine options. From Indian and Mexican to Chinese and Italian, you can also find restaurants offering Vietnamese, Turkish, Korean, Japanese, and Ethiopian dishes. While the culinary scene in Iceland is continually evolving, some cuisines, like dim sum, are yet to make their mark in the country.

9. Fashion Trends and National Fads

Iceland-based Inklaw Clothing has become a prominent player in the young men’s fashion scene in recent years.

Despite a limited product range, certain items can become incredibly popular, prompting a rush for everyone to acquire the same thing. This leads to a frenzy when the item sells out, resulting in a homogenized look among people who aim to stand out but end up blending in with the crowd.

Over the years, various trends have swept through Iceland, from the widespread adoption of “kraftgalli” dark blue overalls to the ubiquitous presence of Buffalo shoes for both men and women. Different eras have seen must-have items like foot massage machines in the ’80s, SodaStream devices, Omaggio Vases in 2014, and other influential products shaping the fashion landscape.

Small Community, Big Trends

In Welcome To Iceland, trends have a unique way of spreading rapidly throughout the country due to its close-knit and interconnected community. In such a small population, when something becomes popular, it quickly becomes a nationwide phenomenon. The fear of missing out drives people to adopt the latest trends, ensuring that almost everyone is on board.

Conversely, in larger countries with more diverse regional influences, the impact of trends is often diluted, making them less susceptible to the quick and widespread adoption seen in Iceland.

Welcome To Iceland’s Cultural Tours

Experience the vibrant culture of Iceland with our top cultural tours. Immerse yourself in the unique traditions and history of this captivating country while exploring its hidden gems.

From traditional Icelandic music performances to historical walking tours of Reykjavik, our cultural tours offer a diverse range of experiences for every traveler. Discover the ancient sagas that shape Icelandic identity or indulge in delicious local cuisine on a food tour.

Join us on a journey through Iceland’s rich cultural tapestry and create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. Welcome To Iceland invites you to explore the heart and soul of this extraordinary destination through our carefully curated cultural tours.

8. Government-Operated Alcohol Retailers

When in Iceland and seeking to unwind with a cold beer or a bottle of wine after a strenuous day, preparation is key.

However, if it’s only 6 p.m., traditional stores are not permitted to sell alcohol, leaving bars or restaurants as the sole option, albeit at a significantly higher cost than usual.

The Sale of Alcohol in Iceland

Alcohol sales in Iceland are exclusively through the state, available at the state-operated liquor store called ATVr. Taxes significantly increase the prices of alcohol, making the duty-free shop at the airport the most affordable option for stocking up on your favorite drinks when arriving in Iceland.

7. Standing Out in a Small Population

In Iceland, a significant issue arises from its small population. With only 330,000 inhabitants holding permanent residency nationwide, communities, especially outside Reykjavik, are notably compact. Even within the capital, it seems like everyone is connected in some way, making it challenging to go unnoticed.

If you ever feel like unwinding or having a bit of fun, there’s a slim chance of escaping notice. Your actions could easily reach acquaintances through various social connections, leading to a lack of anonymity. Whether it’s publishing a book, creating a play, or releasing a song that receives negative feedback, the close-knit society ensures that news travels fast, and you can’t simply sweep it under the rug.

Unique Dating Challenges in Iceland

When it comes to dating in Iceland, there are some unique challenges to consider. For instance, if you end up on a blind date, there is a high likelihood that your date could turn out to be a distant relative. Moreover, you might discover that your date is a neighbor, leading to potentially awkward encounters in the building if things don’t work out. Additionally, there is a possibility that your date could be someone from your past, like that peculiar individual from school who had a crush on you back in 8th grade. In Iceland, what occurs on a date tends to be known by just about everyone in the country. It’s no surprise that many people prefer to take their vacations overseas!

6. Embracing the Close-Knit Community

One interesting aspect of Iceland’s tight-knit community is that individuals never truly vanish from your surroundings. This can be both a positive and negative experience, as running into familiar faces while out and about can be pleasant.

Conversely, it can become bothersome when encountering past colleagues who terminated your employment, former partners accompanied by their new families (while you never seem to look your best during these encounters), or distant relatives who incessantly discuss their latest entrepreneurial endeavors. The interconnectedness of Icelandic society ensures that no one truly disappears from your social circle.

Unique Social Norms in Iceland

In Iceland, traditional unwritten rules about relationships, such as not dating your best friend’s ex or someone from your sister’s class, do not hold the same weight as in other places. Due to the country’s small population, everything and everyone are shared in Iceland, leading to a unique social dynamic. While this may lead to occasional awkward situations, Icelanders have learned to accept and move on from such incidents.

This distinctive aspect of Icelandic social life highlights the adaptability and resilience of its people when faced with unconventional relationship scenarios. Embracing these differences adds to the charm and intrigue of Icelandic culture, making it a fascinating and dynamic society to explore.

5. The Remote Location

Residents in this small and remote country often have the urge to escape occasionally due to its isolated nature. However, being an island situated in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, far from mainland Europe, it is not as simple as taking a train or embarking on a road trip to leave your homeland behind.

A common option for departure is either to sail from Seydisfjordur in the East to Scotland or Denmark, or opt for the more conventional choice of booking a flight overseas.

4. Sun Remorse

When the sun makes a rare appearance in Iceland, the locals have a unique way of embracing it. They take full advantage by spending time outdoors, meeting friends, indulging in ice cream, exploring hiking trails, swimming with the kids, cleaning cars, hosting BBQs, going for bike rides, and capturing smiling selfies in their summer attire—all at once if possible. If you happen to be working when the sun shines, good luck!

If you don’t manage to partake in these sunny activities, you may experience what is commonly known as sun remorse. Others will recount their productive day in the sun, saying, “The weather was amazing yesterday, sunny, no wind, and 46°F (8°C). I cleaned my entire garden, planted new herbs, and hosted a dinner party for 12 people on my balcony in the evening sunlight. What did you do?”

Unique Blessings in Iceland

Conversely, in Iceland, this behavior is seen as a fortunate problem to have. Icelanders rarely waste the favorable weather conditions they are blessed with.

3. Addressing Complaints in Iceland

In this section, numerous aspects like currency, politics, taxes, and more could have been highlighted. However, the prevalent culture of complaining in Iceland has become more irksome than the actual issues.

While acknowledging that certain challenges exist and improvements are necessary, it seems that the Icelandic population tends to gravitate towards complaining about various aspects of life. Weather complaints, in particular, are common, despite the fact that nothing can be done to change them. Adjusting to the unpredictable Icelandic weather is just one of the many challenges residents face.

2. The Political Scenario in Iceland

If we could voice a grievance, Icelandic politics seem to be draining the energy of the locals. The country witnessed a significant financial crisis in 2008, leading to riots and the downfall of the ruling political party. Subsequently, a new party emerged (showing promise), only to see the re-election of the previous party accountable for the economic collapse a few years later.

Despite efforts to draft a new constitution through an official assembly, the government failed to ratify it, with proposed reforms often being pushed aside repeatedly.

The mention of the Panama Papers further underscores the prevalence of corruption within Icelandic politics, with nepotism and cronyism being common practices. This state of affairs has desensitized the populace, creating a sense of resignation and fostering a culture of ongoing complaints.

The most disheartening aspect among all the challenges facing Iceland is that this particular issue is within the realm of change, or at least one would hope it to be.

1. Weather Challenges in Iceland

The challenging weather conditions in Iceland are a significant concern for its residents. Despite other issues like politics, housing, or finances, Icelanders often express more frustration with the weather.

While snowstorms can be enjoyable when staying indoors with a warm beverage and a film, the frequent occurrence of these storms during some winters can become bothersome.