Reykjavík Grapevine - 28.05.2004, Side 14

14 the reykjavík grapevineMEN IN UNIFORM
Boy scouts
Baden Powell´s boy scout movement was formed
in 1907, and first came to Iceland four years later
via Denmark. A girl scout movement was formed
here in 1922. Boyscouts here are particularly taught
respect for and handling of the national flag, and
the Boy scout honour guard carrying the flag is a
staple of Independence Day and First Day of Sum-
mer celebrations. Not quite as menacing as marines,
perhaps, but probably nicer.
Parking Ticket Attendants
Walking the streets in marked with their distinctive
P´s, rarely smiling but having an uncanny ability to
show up just as you run into the store, parking at-
tendants, along with lawyers and politicians, are one
of those professions everyone loves to hate. Icelandic
parking attendants currently have 54 hate entries on
Google. Unlike politicians and lawyers, however,
they are people just like you and me, doing their
jobs for an undecent wage.
Customs officials
Apart from airhostesses, these will probably be the
first locals you meet on your trip to Iceland. They
might look intimidating, but as long as you have
white skin, blonde hair and blue eyes, you should
get along with them just fine. If it weren´t for these,
Iceland would be overflowing with cheap alcohol,
which would probably mean a lot of drunk people
here in the weekends. No, wait...
Bus drivers
They don´t give change, so there´s no use arguing.
These days they usually wear fleece sweaters on
the job, but the older uniforms are affectionately
remembered by a generation of Icelanders who
recall begging for a ride home without have the
exact amount.
Police officers
The Reykjavik police was formed in 1768 and
their uniform at the time consisted of cape, casket
and mace. In 1801, the officer was supplied with
a pair of boots as well. Two years later, the force
was expanded to two. It wasn´t until 1879 that the
force got its own uniforms, modelled on the Danish
police. When Iceland became a republic in 1944,
the crown was removed from the belt buckle. The
uniform has remained unchanged since 1958.