I'm from Denmark, ask me anything you might be curious about

[ScandinavianSummer]

Hello everyone! I'm a (very) long time lurker of Mumsnet, particularly the AMA-section - I thought I'd start a thread of my own in case anyone is curious about my country, Denmark, or anything Danish! I'm happy to answer any question!

Well, some of our most internationally famous authors are of course Hans Christian Andersen, Karen Blixen and Tove Ditlevsen. But I would definitely check out the likes of Peter Høeg, Jussi Adler-Olsen, Dan Turèll and Suzanne Brøgger.

In your opinion, if you compare Danish with British societal structures/norms etc (I’m assuming you’ve got experience of living in the UK!) what do you think Denmark does better? And is there anything you think the UK does better than Denmark? I’m interested in everything from tax and welfare (which in my opinion seems far superior across Scandinavia) to gender equality, diversity, social attitudes.

I know a few Danes, and they’ve all told me that one of the downsides of the society there is it’s so conformist - their opinion is that things work so well and the standard of living in generally good, so there isn’t such a desire or feeling to rebel or challenge the status quo. Do you agree? Does it mean that if you’re outside the mainstream you face prejudice (and racism if you’re not white?)

My own opinions of Denmark from my limited experience of being there are positive, btw.

My family are Danish and breakfast alcohol was definitely a big thing in their world.

Do you think the toll for the Storebælt Bridge is too expensive?
Interestingly my DH remembers it being built, he is 46, German, but often travels to Copenhagen for work. You can still see the walls where the ferry terminal used to be.

Haha! I think a lot of us Danes aren't aware that raising our nation's flag at special occasions is not a thing other countries do! But yes, when it's a special occasions, like someone's birthday, wedding anniversary, graduation, etc. - the most common party decoration is...the Danish flag! It's customary to put flags on the table, put them up in front of your house (so when you see a house with little flags outside of it, you know it's because that house is celebrating something special!). In restaurants, when you book a table for, say, a birthday, it's very common to ask to have a flag placed on the table for the birthday boy / girl.

Yes, I do! But in Sweden, not here.

I think I can answer this. I'm guessing it might have been Gammel Dansk, a herbal bitters. Back in the day it was had with breakfast. The bakery was probably harking back to a more traditional life.

👋to @ScandinavianSummer (fellow Dane here but have lived in the UK forever).

We lived in Copenhagen for 20 months from oct 20 to May 2022- many things I really miss!! The lovely coast from Copenhagen up to Elsinore - the 'soft ice' in Dragor, Espresso house , Bakken and the lovely winter lights festivals etc. the lovely blue sea!

I also think overall there was more sun and a bit less rain and wind-

DH's (German) parents have recently bought a summer house in Nyborg, it's next to the sea with a view of the bridge, it looks amazing at night with the lights flashing on the towers.

Sure! In short, children start børnehave (kindergarten) at age 5-6, then go to primary school from grade 1 to grade 9. Pupils graduate from primary school at age 15-16. Then the pupils can choose if they want to go to gymnasium (high school), technical school, or any other kind of school to continue their education. As a rule of thumb, you can only attend university if you have graduated from gymnasium / high school, however, there are means to apply for Uni through a '2nd quota' system, where things like work experience, travel experience, etc. are taken into consideration.

Also, university is entirely free here - you don't pay anything to attend uni. All students also receive a monthly grant from the government for as long as they are studying or up 6 years (I think). The grant is to help them pay for lodgings, books, etc. The amount students get differs, but I believe you can get up to around £700-800 / month. If this grant is not enough to cover costs, students can also get interest free student loans.

And yes, we have free healthcare here. We also get our medication costs subsided so it's usually rather affordable to buy medicine.

Can we talk about food please! What would you say is Denmark's national dish and do you eat traditional food at home or is it things like spag bol/chilli etc just like Britain.

It's not my experience that Danes are inflexible. In fact, it's usually part of the culture here to work together as a group, and find solutions together. It's something children are taught to do from an early age in school. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience, though!

And yes, Georg Jensen still has the decorated display at Christmas as far as I'm aware. Though, I haven't been to Strøget in AGES!

Yes, I do. Danes absolutely can't stand arrogance and bragging, and we have no tolerance for anyone's sense of superiority as we generally believe everyone is equal, and no one is better than others.

I was in Copenhagen a few years back with my DH and 2 DC. Something happened that I’ve never forgotten.

We were at the food market having a drink after a long day travelling and DS was nasty to his younger sister DD. He was told off but she cried and cried, quite quietly. I tried to comfort her but I was shattered as I was recovering from chemotherapy. We must have looked a bit of a sad sight.

One of the barmen/waiters came over and very quietly offered DD a yoghurt. No charge. No fuss.

I held back my tears of gratitude. I can’t imagine anyone in England doing this. It was done with such a light touch but meant so much in that moment.

That’s what I now associate Denmark with. People that are kind to foreign strangers.

What’s something you love about Denmark? Or your favourite Danish city?

Our state pension is okay, not amazing. But yes, you get a state pension and you have a private work pension, which most work places automatically pay into. A lot of people then also save up privately, but that's a matter of personal choice.

As for parental leave, one is entitled to a year's leave with full salary. It used to be up to the mum and dad to divide the leave between them as they like, but I think fathers are now obliged by law to take at least 2 weeks, and up to 9 weeks, paternal leave. Which means the mother automatically gets 2 weeks less of maternity leave than she did a few years ago.

I think it's because alcohol is such an integral part of Danish culture. All aspects of it. And at any occasion. But I actually don't drink myself, at all, and I don't find it difficult to socialise privately or professionally as a non-drinker. With that said, I do tend to go home when people become tipsy.

I have to go now, but I will be responding to everyone when I have the chance! Thanks for your interest, everyone.

How do your teachers and school staff get treated?
(Is it better than the U.K.?)

are you addicted to salmiak licorice?

Are a lot of Danes shocked and/or angry at the very low welfare standards that pigs are often (presumably legally?) subjected to - or is it just accepted, or not thought about?

It seems so incongruous with what you'd assume for a wealthy western country - especially one that is known for its enviably high standards of living and advanced societal functioning for humans.

Ooo whereabouts (from a half swede who is determined to own her own one day)

Thank you for your response. A couple of my Danish colleagues have suggested it may be due to pressure both from peers and from society in general so it's interesting to hear your view. 😊

Thanks for your language help, @ScandinavianSummer !