The Danes are, overwhelmingly, a happy bunch. In fact, if you believe those contentment surveys that come out every couple of years, Denmark is one of the happiest nations on earth with some of the best quality of life.
Remember how your parents used to tell you to keep your elbows off the table during meals? Or that it’s rude to slurp your soup? Well there’s good news guys, these American cultures and customs don’t always translate to other countries! While the local people you meet won’t expect you to be fluent in their language, culture and customs, it is important to familiarize yourself with them.
Do you know how kissing, snoring and other things sound in other languages? That’s right, even sound effects can be translated!
The most important thing to remember while you’re abroad is that things will be different. But, different doesn’t mean wrong. Be open, be curious, and read more about the culture you will be stepping into. Get excited about LIVING the life you’ve only dreamt and read about until now!
#CISabroadtip: Do some more research into the Danish customs you’ll experience while abroad.
People and Culture in Denmark
Official name: Kingdom of Denmark
Population: 5.6 million
Capital City: Copenhagen
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2%
Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Culture in Denmark:
- Men are more actively involved in child-rearing activities than in many countries, although the division of domestic chores is similar to other developed countries.
- If someone is not following the rules, be they written or merely understood, someone will generally speak up and admonish them to obey the accepted protocol.
- Talk in moderate tones and do not do anything to call attention to yourself.
- Greetings are casual, with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a smile.
Table Manners:
- Wait to be told where to sit. There may be a seating plan.
- Table manners are Continental — hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
- Always keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.
- Finish everything on your plate. Danes do not like wasting food.
- Do not begin eating until the host toasts with ‘Skol’.
Phrases to know before you go:
Greetings
Hello: Goddag/Hej (pol/inf)
Goodbye: Farvel
Yes: Ja
No: Nej
Thank you: Tak
Excuse me: Undskyld
May I/Do you mind?: Ma jeg/Tillader De?
Small Talk
What’s your name?: Hvad hedder du?
My name is …: Jeg hedder …
Where are you from?: Hvorfra kommer du?
I’m from …: Jeg kommer fra …
How old are you?: Hvor gammel er du?
Signs
Entrance: Indgang
Exit: Udgang
Open: Ten
Closed: Lukket
Information: Information
Police Station: Politistation
Toilets: Toiletter
Men: Herrer
Women: Damer
Around Town
I’m looking for …: Jeg leder efter …
A bank: en bank
The city centre: centrum
The … embassy: den … ambassade
My hotel: mit hotel
The market: markedet
The museum: museet
The police: politiet
The post office: postkontoret
A public toilet: et offentligt toilet
The telephone centre: telefoncentralen
The tourist office: turist-informationen
Cathedral: katedral/domkirke
Church: kirke
Main square: hovedtorv/torvet
Old city: den gamle bydel
Palace: palads
Shopping
How much is it?: Hvor meget koster
Bookshop: boghandel
Camera shop: fotohandel
Delicatessen: delikatesse
Laundry: vaskeri
Market: marked
News agency: aviskiosk
Stationers: papirhandel
Times & Dates
What time is it?: Hvad er klokken?
It’s ? o’clock.: Klokken er ?
Today: i dag
Tomorrow: i morgen
Day after tomorrow: i overmorgen
In the morning: om morgenen
In the afternoon: om eftermiddagen
In the evening: om aftenen
Early: tidlig
Numbers
Zero: nul
One: en
Two: to
Three: tre
Four: fire
Five: fem
Six: seks
Seven: syv
Eight: otte
Nine: ni
Ten: ti
Other Resources: