First names only
Icelanders use first names exclusively — even for the president and prime minister. Phone books are listed by first name. It's not informal; it's just how Iceland works.
🤝 Etiquette in Iceland
Etiquette in Iceland is mostly invisible until you break it. Greetings, gestures, dining manners and the social cues locals expect are worth learning before you arrive.
In Iceland, etiquette comes down to a few things: first names only, shower before the pool, and don't disrespect nature.
Shower before the pool
Showering naked (without a swimsuit) before entering a pool is mandatory and enforced. Signs show which areas to wash. This is non-negotiable and deeply important to Icelanders.
Don't disrespect nature
Stay on marked trails. Don't drive off-road (it destroys fragile moss that takes decades to grow). Don't stack rocks (it's not art — it damages the landscape). Leave nothing behind.