So, is Denmark a Scandinavian country or a Nordic one? The answer is...both. In this episode of Denmark 101 I run through the relationship between the Nordic countries, Denmark, and the Scandinavian countries. Want more of a deep dive? Read my blog post about the differences here: http://virtualwayfarer.com/what-is-the-difference-between-scandinavia-and-the-nordics/ If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series interesting, a bit informative, and not too outlandishly offensive. If you're a ...
Apr 13, 2017•6 min
Denmark has become famous for it's less than stellar service culture. While it's not as bad as what you'll find in some countries, apathy and a mild sense of buyer-be-ware is definitely quite often the case. This doesn't apply to service support and warranties, as these have been regulated by the government. If you're at a bar, restaurant, or shop though? Good luck. You're likely to find friendly but generally apathetic employees and a service culture that almost rarely goes out of its way to he...
Apr 02, 2017•4 min
A key part of many Danish workplaces is their unusual approach to lunch. While many larger workplaces offer Canteens smaller companies also often offer catered lunch. This is done through interesting lunch services that allow you to pay one fee and then pick and choose between 30 or 40 different restaurants at will. While some work places charge on a per-meal basis, the vast majority of Danish workplaces offer a subsidized lunch that usually costs about 360 DKK/month ($60 USD). It's worth noting...
Mar 15, 2017•5 min
Recycling cans and bottles is a huge issue in most countries. While major progress has been made, the vast majority of cans and bottles in countries around the world, particularly in the US, still end up in the trash. Denmark's solution? Make it financially worthwhile to recycle, and it's not just working - it's a stunning success. if you've ever seen locals leave bottles on the ground next to trash cans in Denmark, here's the reason why. If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series intere...
Mar 09, 2017•5 min
A look at how Danes celebrate their birthdays (part 2 of 2) and their use of the Danish flag. If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series interesting, a bit informative, and not too outlandishly offensive. If you're a foreigner coming to Denmark, I hope this helps you build upon observations and insights the rest of us had to find out the hard way. Topics that will be covered include the Danish approach to nudity, how to make Danish friends, how to meet Danes, Danish manners, and even a l...
Feb 26, 2017•5 min
A look at how Danes celebrate their birthdays (part 1 of 2) and their use of the Danish flag. If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series interesting, a bit informative, and not too outlandishly offensive. If you're a foreigner coming to Denmark, I hope this helps you build upon observations and insights the rest of us had to find out the hard way. Topics that will be covered include the Danish approach to nudity, how to make Danish friends, how to meet Danes, Danish manners, and even a l...
Feb 19, 2017•3 min
Every culture has its interesting linguistic quirks. For the Danes, an expression similar to "uh-huh", "yes", and "yup" is of particular interest. In this video I delve into their use of the word yeps/yips and how they manage to express it while simultaneously in-haling. Watch the video for an in-depth look at it and a few examples. If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series interesting, a bit informative, and not too outlandishly offensive. If you're a foreigner coming to Denmark, I hop...
Feb 08, 2017•3 min
If you're from the US, you've grown up with a College and University system where sports are fully integrated into the University system. Each school has a variety of school teams spread across a mixture of sports. In many cases some of the students also likely are attending the University explicitly because they have received University scholarships to play in these sports programs. If you're not from the US - this may seem like a pretty crazy concept. As an American moving abroad, I was surpri...
Jan 30, 2017•4 min
Most Danish workplaces have a half hour set aside every week where everyone gets cake. Sounds delicious, right? Tune in to learn more about this long-standing Danish tradition and what it means for the Danish workplace. Feeling inspired? Let's see if we can't help this tradition catch on outside of Denmark. If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series interesting, a bit informative, and not too outlandishly offensive. If you're a foreigner coming to Denmark, I hope this helps you build upo...
Jan 24, 2017•3 min
Danish (and European Universities in general) take a very different approach to education, specialization, and curriculum than those in the US, UK and various other countries that fall more in line with the US/UK approach to education. If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series interesting, a bit informative, and not too outlandishly offensive. If you're a foreigner coming to Denmark, I hope this helps you build upon observations and insights the rest of us had to find out the hard way. ...
Jan 18, 2017•6 min
Denmark, dating, and Danish women are always a popular topic. While this isn't a deep dive, in it I quickly try and share some of my observations, experiences, and the conclusions that have come from dating in Denmark, conversations with peers (Dane and International alike), as well as information accrued from reading up on a collection of blogs and articles all of which attempt to explain what makes dating in Denmark so distinctly a-typical. If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series in...
Jan 02, 2017•10 min
I did my BA at Arizona State University. In addition the the US' nonsensical drinking age, which is set at 21 our campus was also a "dry campus" which meant that even after turning 21 drinking on campus or in the dorm rooms was prohibited. I did my MA at University of Copenhagen, one of Scandinavia's largest, oldest, and most prestigious Universities. The difference in drinking culture and these "wet" campuses was significant. While the topic of on-campus bars and drinking is controversial every...
Dec 31, 2016•5 min
They may be neighbors, but just how similar are Danes and Germans actually? If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series interesting, a bit informative, and not too outlandishly offensive. If you're a foreigner coming to Denmark, I hope this helps you build upon observations and insights the rest of us had to find out the hard way. Topics that will be covered include the Danish approach to nudity, how to make Danish friends, how to meet Danes, Danish manners, and even a look at Janteloven....
Nov 29, 2016•3 min
Danes are famous for their directness and their open-mindedness. But, how does that translate into how easily (or difficult) Danes are to offend? When navigating the pitfalls of cross-cultural communication this is a highly relevant topic to be aware of. Enjoy =) If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series interesting, a bit informative, and not too outlandishly offensive. If you're a foreigner coming to Denmark, I hope this helps you build upon observations and insights the rest of us ha...
Nov 27, 2016•4 min
The Danes are famous for their Nordic beauty. They also have a reputation for being quite liberal in their approach to nudity and sex. The genders in Denmark enjoy a level of equality that is, perhaps, the most equal in all of the world. One expat, married to and living with a Dane, remarked that Denmark is the most shameless country in the world.To support this she referenced a report from 2014 which backed up the claim. Impressive! While I suspect it may may be a bit of a stretch, it definitel...
Nov 17, 2016•4 min
Coming from the west coast of the US "How are you doing?", "How's it going?" and other similar questions are used less as questions and more as alternatives to hello. For internationals in Denmark these types of questions can cause problems leading to all sorts of confusion. I delve into the impact of these questions and cultural miscommunication in today's video. Denmark and its residents are a fascinating group. In this video series I'll be leveraging my observations and research to share with...
Oct 31, 2016•3 min
I'm a huge fan of hamburgers. In truth, I could eat a different type of hamburger for lunch and dinner non-stop for a week and be completely happy with my meal selection. So, it is with a not-insignificant amount of passion that I weigh in on how hamburgers are eaten in Denmark. Is this the grand cultural epiphany you've been waiting for? I doubt it. But, perhaps you'll join me in my cause never the less. Denmark and its residents are a fascinating group. In this video series I'll be leveraging ...
Oct 24, 2016•3 min
The Law of Jante defines the Nordic societies and is particularly prevalent in Denmark. To understand Danes and the Danish society it is essential that you understand the Law of Jante. What is it? In this episode I explore the topic, my observations, and share a bit about what you can expect when running into Janteloven. Denmark and its residents are a fascinating group. In this video series I'll be leveraging my observations and research to share with you insights into how to get the most of yo...
Oct 18, 2016•6 min
There are rumors that I am constantly terrorizing Danes throughout Copenhagen - from the metro to the line at the super market. What am I doing you ask? Breaking the social norms and talking to strangers. Luckily, I'm American which gives me a get-out-of-jail free card ... and of course, I'm not-so-secretly convinced that the Danes actually love my gregarious antics. Denmark and its residents are a fascinating group. In this video series I'll be leveraging my observations and research to share w...
Oct 12, 2016•3 min
Danish design and fashion is famous the world over...yet, it isn't exactly what you'd expect... I'm far from a fashionista, but in this video I discuss some of the characteristics that shape the Danish fashion sense with a particular focus on 20-30 something Danes. Denmark and its residents are a fascinating group. In this video series I'll be leveraging my observations and research to share with you insights into how to get the most of your interactions with the Danes and time in Denmark regard...
Oct 06, 2016•4 min
Perhaps THE most common question among recently arrived internationals in Denmark is, "How do I make Danish friends!?". In this video I delve into the topic, offer suggestions and a few comments that should ease you in the process and help you better understand why building Danish friendships can, at times, require an entirely different approach than you may be familiar with in your home culture. Don't miss Episode 6. where I talked more specifically about the process of meeting Danes. Denmark a...
Sep 26, 2016•3 min
Perhaps THE most common question among recently arrived internationals in Denmark is, "How do I meet Danes?". In this episode I delve into the topic, offer suggestions and a few comments that should ease you in the process and help you better understand why building Danish friendships can, at times, require an entirely different approach than you may be familiar with in your home culture. Don't miss Episode 7 which builds on this Episode (I reference "video" in the audio) with specific advice on...
Sep 20, 2016•4 min
A common complaint from tourists and recently arrived expats is Danish rudeness when it comes to navigating city streets. More specifically, that Danes will bump into you in passing but fail to apologize or comment. While this obviously depends on the severity of the accidental bump, it is something I've heard commented on repeatedly. But, is it actually due to rudeness or a cultural difference? In this video I explore the Danish approach to efficiency and how that shapes the need to (or not to)...
Sep 17, 2016•3 min
You've no doubt heard about Danish bike culture. At least about how more than half of all Copenhageners bike every day (many to work or school) and how Danes across the country are inseparable from their bikes. But...there's a darker, red-eyed, steam bursting from the ears, bells of hell ringing side to Danish bike culture. In this episode I delve into the topic, poke some fun, and enjoy a few good laughs. Danes are famous for their adherence to stoplight laws (unless they're biking of course). ...
Sep 07, 2016•3 min
Danes are famous for their adherence to stoplight laws (unless they're biking of course). Jaywalking isn't something you see often. And yet, there is a strange cognitive dissonance that sets in, particularly after Danes have had a few drinks. I delve into the topic and its comical nature in this episode. Denmark and its residents are a fascinating group. In this video series I'll be leveraging my observations and research to share with you insights into how to get the most of your interactions w...
Sep 07, 2016•4 min
In today's episode I explore Danish cultural norms and protocol using the supermarket example (and confirm it) which has gone viral around the web. What's one surefire way to piss off Danes? Watch give this episode a listen and find out. Denmark and its residents are a fascinating group. In this video series I'll be leveraging my observations and research to share with you insights into how to get the most of your interactions with the Danes and time in Denmark regardless the duration of your vi...
Sep 07, 2016•5 min
Denmark and its residents are a fascinating group. In this video series I'll be leveraging my observations and research to share with you insights into how to get the most of your interactions with the Danes and time in Denmark regardless the duration of your visit. One day or ten years - my goal is to share observations I've made from 5+ years living, studying, and working among the Danes. If you're Danish hopefully you'll find this series interesting, a bit informative, and not too outlandishl...
Sep 07, 2016•3 min
