How to Live in Denmark - podcast cover

How to Live in Denmark

Kay Xander Mellishhowtoliveindenmark.com
Quick takes on life in Denmark, in 10 minutes or less. Life as an international in Denmark, one of the world's most homogenous countries, isn't always easy. In Denmark’s longest-running English-language podcast, Kay Xander Mellish, an American who has lived in Denmark for more than a decade, offers tips for enjoying your time in “the world’s happiest country” plus insights on Danish culture and Danish working culture. Whether you're living in Denmark, thinking about moving to Denmark, or interested in a job in Denmark and want to understand Danish business culture, this podcast will offer insights and guidance. Each episode of How to Live in Denmark is less than 10 minutes long—perfect for your coffee break or commute. Join Kay Xander Mellish as she shares quick, witty, and useful insights on Danish culture and Danish working life in this short-form podcast series. "How to Live in Denmark" tackles topics that will help you understand the Danish way of living, emphasizing work-life balance, the unique Danish workplace culture, and the social norms that define Danish society. With Denmark's renowned flat hierarchy, workplace flexibility, and emphasis on equality, understanding the subtleties of Danish work etiquette is essential for anyone working in Denmark or engaging with Danish businesses. Our discussions also delve into Denmark's flexicurity system, a distinctive approach to labor market regulation that blends flexibility with security, providing insights on how this model supports a dynamic and adaptive work environment. Listeners considering entrepreneurship in Denmark or business ventures in Denmark will find strategic advice on navigating the Danish labor market and leveraging business opportunities in a society known for its innovation and egalitarian corporate culture. (Is Denmark socialist? No, it's more free-market than the US or UK.) Expats in Denmark will particularly benefit from episodes focusing on cultural integration, socializing in Danish workplaces, and the crucial role of professional networking in Denmark. Learn how to navigate Denmark's informal communication styles, engage with the Danish sense of humor in the workplace, and appreciate the significant autonomy given to employees in Danish companies. Kay's short episodes about her experiences in Denmark illuminate the practicalities of living in Denmark and pleasures of Danish life. From understanding Danish employment law to embracing the social trust that is so basic to Danish society, "How to Live in Denmark" equips you with the knowledge to survive and thrive in Denmark. Whether it's deciphering Danish management style, exploring how to maintain work-life balance, or understanding the egalitarian mindset that pervades Danish workplaces, this podcast is your companion in mastering the art of living Danishly. Subscribe to "How to Live in Denmark" start your journey to a deeper understanding of Denmark, ensuring your Danish experience is both successful and enjoyable. Whether you're in Denmark for a new job, a safer home protected by the Danish welfare state, or new business opportunities, let's explore together what it means to live and work in Denmark, raise your family in Denmark, and advance your career in Denmark.

Episodes

Gossip and Scandal in Denmark

While French or American politicians have sex scandals, Danish politicians have tax scandals. Only the Royal Family is permitted to be the subject of really juicy gossip and scandal in Denmark. The post Gossip and Scandal in Denmark - Podcast #22 appeared first on How to Live in Denmark .

Dec 15, 20136 min

Sex and Denmark

Even though Denmark is very open about sex, it isn’t very…sexy. Everything’s so accepted, out in the open, so practical, that sex in Denmark is a bit dull. The post Sex and Denmark - Podcast #21 appeared first on How to Live in Denmark .

Dec 08, 20135 min

Christmas in Denmark Part 2: Get Yourself an Elf Hat

Wearing an elf hat at Christmas time is a way to show you’ve got a sense of humor about yourself. You’re likely to see an elf hat on your boss, your professor or somebody else you’re supposed to respect. The post Christmas in Denmark Part 2: Get Yourself an Elf Hat - Podcast #19 appeared first on How to Live in Denmark .

Nov 16, 20136 min

Ørestad, Ørested and Øresund: Why I still get lost in Denmark

I still get confused about Danish place names. A lot of names sound so similar that I am constantly getting lost in Denmark. People's names are tricky, too. The post Ørestad, Ørested and Øresund: Why I still get lost in Denmark - Podcast #18 appeared first on How to Live in Denmark .

Nov 09, 20134 min

Voting at McDonald’s: Danish politics, and the posters that will last until spring

Last week, political posters went up all over Copenhagen, on streetlights, on bridges, and on train platforms. The posters are for the local elections this autumn, and even though the candidates are supposed to take them down afterwards, they usually don’t. So, the candidates will keep smiling and making promises through Christmas, and through the winter snow and ice. Come spring, you’ll see a faded, battered photo of somebody who failed to win anything at all hanging from a light pole near you....

Nov 02, 20136 min

Just buy more insurance: Crime and Punishment in Denmark

Traditionally, there has been little crime in Denmark, which is a society based on trust. But when that trust is broken, Danes get confused about what to do. They don't like the idea of punishment. The post Just buy more insurance: Crime and Punishment in Denmark - Podcast #15 appeared first on How to Live in Denmark .

Oct 17, 20136 min

Here come the dark times: Winter in Denmark

The dark days of winter in Denmark last from October to March. The sky is dark when you get up in the morning, and it’s dark when you leave work. If you are moving to Denmark and want your friends and relatives to visit you, don’t invite them to come during the dark times. They’ll get a bad impression of the place. The post Here come the dark times: Winter in Denmark - Podcast #12 appeared first on How to Live in Denmark ....

Sep 28, 20135 min

A thatched roof over your head: How to find a place to live in Denmark

If you want to live in a thatched cottage in rural Denmark, you'll find a lot to choose from. Finding an apartment in downtown Copenhagen is harder. The post A thatched roof over your head: How to find a place to live in Denmark - Podcast #11 appeared first on How to Live in Denmark .

Sep 22, 20135 min

No food, only stuff to make food: My culture shock in Denmark

At every Danish dinner party, I'm asked a standard set of questions: How did you come to Denmark? Why did you come to Denmark? What type of culture shock did you experience once you got here? In part 1 of what is sure to become a multi-part series, I discuss one major cultural difference: In Denmark, people make their own food. This is the seventh episode of the "How to Live in Denmark podcast", and originally ran in 2013. Get all of Kay Xander Mellish's books about Denmark at http://books.howto...

Aug 31, 20135 min

Public nudity and the passion for privacy: Why I Google my Danish neighbors to find out who they are

They may appear nude on public beaches and in daily newspapers, but the Danes have a passion for privacy. And they may be respecting YOUR privacy by not talking to you. This is the sixth episode of the "How to Live in Denmark podcast", and originally ran in 2013. Get all of Kay Xander Mellish's books about Denmark at http://books.howtoliveindenmark.com. Book Kay for a talk to your group or organization at http://events.howtoliveindenmark.com.

Aug 24, 20138 min

Danish, Dutch, Deutschland: Confusing Denmark with its neighbors

It's a common mistake to confuse the Danish and the Dutch - all those healthy blond people on bicycles! - but if you really want to understand Denmark, look at Germany instead. This is the fifth episode of the "How to Live in Denmark podcast", and originally ran in 2013. Get all of Kay Xander Mellish's books about Denmark at http://books.howtoliveindenmark.com. Book Kay for a talk to your group or organization at http://events.howtoliveindenmark.com.

Aug 15, 20138 min

Painful hugs and Poison Gifts: When the same words mean different things in Danish and English

Danish words and English words can look similar, but some of the similarities are deceiving. A Danish hug is not comforting. And slut is not a slut. This is the fifth episode of the "How to Live in Denmark podcast", and originally ran in 2013. Get all of Kay Xander Mellish's books about Denmark at http://books.howtoliveindenmark.com. Book Kay for a talk to your group or organization at http://events.howtoliveindenmark.com.

Aug 09, 20134 min

Danish sports: Big handballs and lonely ping-pong players

Denmark is a small country. It needs sports it can win. Team handball, team badminton, and team ping-pong are where Danish sports men and women shine. This is the fourth episode of the "How to Live in Denmark podcast", and originally ran in 2013. Get all of Kay Xander Mellish's books about Denmark at http://books.howtoliveindenmark.com. Book Kay for a talk to your group or organization at http://events.howtoliveindenmark.com.

Aug 02, 20135 min

White Socks and the Danish Tax Burden

The price of white cotton socks in Denmark is about five times as high as in the USA. I explain how the price of socks has a lot to say about the Danish economic system. This is the third episode of the "How to Live in Denmark podcast", and originally ran in 2013. Get all of Kay Xander Mellish's books about Denmark at http://books.howtoliveindenmark.com. Book Kay for a talk to your group or organization at http://events.howtoliveindenmark.com.

Jul 25, 20134 min

The Deeper Meaning of Pigs

Hear about the role of significant cultural role of pigs - and we mean real pigs, not just people with bad manners - in Danish public life. This is the second episode of the "How to Live in Denmark podcast", and originally ran in 2013. Get all of Kay Xander Mellish's books about Denmark at http://books.howtoliveindenmark.com. Book Kay for a talk to your group or organization at http://events.howtoliveindenmark.com.

Jul 18, 20134 min

Summer in Denmark

Hear about summer in Denmark (or what there is of it) and why 'summer herring' sometimes wears a bikini, and sometimes nothing at all. This is the first episode of the "How to Live in Denmark podcast", and originally ran in 2013. Get all of Kay Xander Mellish's books about Denmark at http://books.howtoliveindenmark.com. Book Kay for a talk to your group or organization at http://events.howtoliveindenmark.com.

Jun 26, 20135 min
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