Surviving Denmark

Danes in general are a very quiet and patient people. They are seldom loud and self-indulgent (except for the occasional teenager). They keep to themselves out of courtesy and consideration for others. Don´t take their reserved nature as indifference or unkindness, because it is often more due to friendliness and their respect for your privacy. In most countries, we are used to saying and hearing "How are you?" all the time. It's just a typical part of greeting, and you might not necessarily want to know the answer. However, in Denmark, "How are you?" is reserved for people you have a close relationship with, and it's only asked if you truly want to know the answer. Denmark is a country that is very proud of their culture. Respect the Danish while on your trip and keep some basic etiquette in mind. You will find that people in Denmark are very polite, so return the thoughtfulness and be polite back to them! You'll blend in much better and impress those around you. Have a wonderful trip to Denmark.

 

1. Do not discuss business when invited to a Danish home.

2. Never dress sloppily.

3. Don’t be late! Punctuality is important in Denmark. If you're running more than five minutes late, call to explain.

4. Don’t mistake a Dane for being Swedish or Norwegian.

5. Do not begin eating until the host toasts with 'Skol'.

6. Do not waste food, the Danes hate that.

7. Don’t give extravagant gifts. Liquor or flowers is often appreciated it. Also, a book about your hometown makes a nice gift.

8. Don’t give sharp objects as a gift.

9. Do not try to schedule meetings from mid June through mid August as many Danes are on vacation.

10. Do not assume that women are the primary childcare givers, or treat them as such. Danish men are recognized for being more actively involved in childrearing than men in many other European countries, often taking lengthy periods off work to help care for new-born children.

11. Refrain from asking a woman with children whether or not she is married. It is considered socially acceptable in Denmark for men and women to decide to start families without legalizing their partnerships.

12. Do not address a woman by her first name unless she requests it. If you do not know a woman's professional title or she does not have one, replace it with "Fru" if she is married and "Froken" if she is single.

13. Don’t be too touchy feely. It's not appreciated in Denmark.

14. Refrain from abundantly complimenting or commenting on anyone's clothing.