Norway makes shithouses great again

Commenters read Norway’s scenic, architect-designed toilets as a witty answer to President Trump calling Norway a “shithouse country” after he did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Some praised the response as an effective tourism promotion, saying the facilities and surrounding landscapes made them want to visit. Others enjoyed the insult’s reversal but worried that celebrating such political exchanges reflected a degrading public culture; one commenter called the episode evidence of civilizational decline. Several also praised Norway’s decision to answer with humor rather than argue online.

Commenters disagreed over what makes Norway able to build such public works. Some credited its oil wealth and sovereign fund, while others emphasized taxing resource companies, sound management, design talent, or a broader willingness to share prosperity. One commenter argued that oil-rich countries elsewhere show that natural resources alone do not explain quality of life; another likened Norway’s inherited resource wealth to being born rich. Comparisons with Japan’s plentiful toilets, London’s limited public facilities, and North America’s vulnerability to vandalism raised questions about availability and upkeep. Others noted practical drawbacks: Norwegian travel can be expensive, and the facilities may not suit older or disabled visitors.