Icelanders are generally quite liberal so truly offending someone based on a cultural misunderstanding isn’t very likely. We know our hot water smells like farts and we don’t really expect anyone to enjoy our rotten shark. However, there are a few things worth mentioning that could make your average Icelander uncomfortable, even insulted. ## Ladies and Gentlemen! Never assume traditional gender roles. Odds are they are not as traditional as where you are from and the most powerful person in the room could very well be a young woman, a trans man or a non-binary person.
## Shoes or no shoes? Unless specifically instructed otherwise, take off your shoes before entering a home. Ice in the streets in winter is often combatted with sand or salt, neither of which you want on your floorboards. ## The ultimate faux pas Wash yourself with soap without a swimsuit before entering any pool. This is a big one and just about the only thing that can really piss an Icelander off. ## Road safety Never stop your car in the middle of the road to take pictures. Not even if there’s nobody around for miles and miles. With breath-taking sights at every turn, this can actually be quite challenging, but this is a huge safety issue on our roads. Just drive a little further and you’ll find a safe spot to pull over and gaze peacefully at whatever natural wonder just appeared in front of you. ## This is no pony The Icelandic horse is a rather small breed that puts on a thick winter coat which makes it incredibly fluffy and adorable during the winter months. But it is also a point of pride in Iceland for its unique character, its glorious extra gait, its amazing stamina and ability to cross very rough terrain. To an Icelander it is the best working animal a farmer could have and the most beautiful champion of regal gaits. So don’t call it a pony. ## Respect the lamb While we do understand that our rotten shark is an acquired taste, we might honestly take offense if you insult our lamb. This free-roaming purebred is after all, the best meat in the world. At least that's what we think.
## We’re on a first-name basis here Never address people with their last names. Last names in Iceland are usually the name of a person’s father or mother coupled with “son” or “daughter” and are rarely used except in the bureaucratic context of a person’s full name. This includes our president Guðni by the way. ## Nature rules Treat nature with the utmost respect. The general rule of thumb here is to leave it exactly like you found it. Don’t pick at moss or other plant life that are doing their very hardest to grow here and keep in mind that off-road driving is considered something of a cardinal sin, as well as a criminal offence complete with a hefty fine.

Some of these might be obvious, others odd, but don’t worry too much about it. Icelanders are quite laid back and generally just appreciate the effort of respectfulness.