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Original poster

Hygge rage!

123 replies

ilovethewinter · 11/11/2016 14:43

Thought this was the best place to write this as am with like minded people.Is anybody else fed up with people's interpretation of Hygge.I had been reading about the Danish lifestyle and how their levels of happiness and contentment were high compared to ours,and decided to look into how to achieve this.However people I have spoken to just seem to see it as another consumer spending Opportunity! I know creating the right relaxing atmosphere is important,but just spending loads on fluffy socks,candles and throws is to me defeating the object.They seem to think it's just another reason to get stressed about looking the perfect part and image.Whereas really this couldn't be further from the truth as it's about feelings of wellbeing and simplicity. What are you,re thoughts?

OP posts:

taxworries · 22/11/2016 22:14

Omg so timely, I was inwardly ranting about stylist today with the editor'/ letter thing banging on about hygge and light a fire/candles/put blankets out. How is any of this new and unique to Denmark? And it does seem to lead to a spend, spend, spend piece...

Butteredpars1ps · 22/11/2016 22:17

So....

Light the fire and toast things; make a pot of tea and Watch a good film.

Hyyge English style. Just add tracky bottoms.

MrsFilthPacket · 22/11/2016 22:22

It's called Hygge because Gezelligheid is too long and Cwtch has no vowels.

What's wrong with being Cosy?

Follyfoot · 22/11/2016 22:28

Our next door neighbour is Danish. She shakes her head at all the hygge-hype nonsense in the UK. As she says while rolling her eyes: ' just spend time with family and light a candle'.

If someone needs to buy a book to do that, then best of luck to them

KindDogsTail · 22/11/2016 22:29

I have only recently heard of this. If anyone speaks Danish and English here, cosy does not mean quite the same does it? I have the impression the feeling deep content and completion suggested by hygge is not conveyed by it.(I'm asking: I don't know.)

It's interesting our language does not seem to have a word to encompass the concept properly.

KindDogsTail · 22/11/2016 22:32

It might be linked to our word 'hug'. Hugged by what is around. No, you cannot buy that!
hug (v.) Look up hug at Dictionary.com
1560s, hugge "to embrace, clasp with the arms," of unknown origin; perhaps from Old Norse hugga "to comfort," from hugr "courage, mood," from Proto-Germanic *hugjan, related to Old English hycgan "to think, consider," Gothic hugs "mind, soul, thought," and the proper name Hugh. Others have noted the similarity in some senses to German hegen "to foster, cherish," originally "to enclose with a hedge." Related: Hugged; hugging.

PacificDogwod · 22/11/2016 22:39

There are many words that are not directly translatable and I love that about different languages.

It seems logical that 'hug' and 'hygge' share some a root, doesn't it?
The aforementioned German 'Gemütlichkeit' means cosy, but more than that, also involved togetherness and being with those you love, but is less associated with warmth/winter.
'Sophistication' as no direct equivalent in German

pennycarbonara · 22/11/2016 22:47

I was aware of the hygge concept before the recent hype (that makes me an obsessive Scandophile according to that journalist), not read entire books on it though. From what I've seen it's always emphasised that it's communal.
A PP hinted that it isn't necessarily. Do those of you who've lived in Denmark or other Scandinavian countries know if there are people who who feel most hygge alone? Is that really as incredibly weird there as some sources make it out to be? It stands to reason that there are people who don't get on with their extended family, and people who just like their own company, but of course bringing that into the average advertorial wouldn't be very hygge, when the entire thing is painted as the opposite of the traditional British Christmas family row.

MrsFionaCharming · 22/11/2016 23:01

When I was in Sweden this summer, I was told about 'Fredagsmys' or 'Cosy Fridays' which is my favourite version on this. It involves all the family staying home, and spending the evening eating junk food and watching TV together.

We even found a Fredagsmys shop in Karlstaad, which had the biggest pic'n'mix I've ever seen, and loads of DVDs.

Enkopkaffetak · 22/11/2016 23:02

If anyone speaks Danish and English here, cosy does not mean quite the same does it?

I am bilingual Danish and English. No cosy doesnt mean the same (not even quite the same they are simply not the same thing) Cosy however is great in its own so why try to make it something it is not? I love being cosy/ toasty/snug they are great concepts and IMO should be celebrated for what they are.

Like I said in my post earlier it is more about a state of mind.

Penny Hygge can be both together and alone. you are right. I think for most it is about half half.

FunkinEll · 22/11/2016 23:05

A cwtch is a cuddle/ hug. Cwtching in would be more similar to hygge.

Enkopkaffetak · 22/11/2016 23:10

I love this article 10 foreign words that cannot be translated into English.. I learnt I am a Tsundoku

KindDogsTail · 22/11/2016 23:13

Enko do you know an English word that comes close to the HYGGE meaning?

KindDogsTail · 22/11/2016 23:16

Lovely article Enko, thank you.

VoodooPeople · 22/11/2016 23:22

A cwtch is a cuddle/ hug

Yes, but it's so much more than that in everyday language.

Limited space on the sofa when someone else needs a seat? Cue cries of "Cwtch up so that X can sit down"

I bloody loves it I do

Enkopkaffetak · 22/11/2016 23:26

Kinddogs no there is no word.

On the flip side though there is no word in Danish for " please"

You do express the sentiment of please but not with 1 specific word.

I think that is the case in almost all languages.

Confusednotcom · 22/11/2016 23:32

I'd translate hygge as comfort and joy (maybe cos it's nearly Christmas!). I wonder if everyone is fed up with the stark and smart grey interiors of late and missing the cosines of their childhood/grandparents homes? My life was pretty hygge before I read the definition... encouraging people to look for happy ways to spend their time is healthy, and if a shop sells a few socks and blankets to this end, all to the good.

KindDogsTail · 22/11/2016 23:37

I can understand what you mean by 'comfort and joy', just as we sing it in the carol. Thank you.

Confusednotcom · 22/11/2016 23:52

Kinddogstail, yes that's how it feels to me..! How do you describe how good it feels to swim in the sea, or hear your favourite song as you're driving down a beautiful road with the sun setting, or see your children hugging each other? I'll make do with hygge :)

Tardigrade001 · 23/11/2016 05:42

I think The Moomin books have a lot of it as a general mood.
The current trend is just marketing.

FunkinEll · 23/11/2016 07:05

VoodooPeople I agree but it does have to have an 'up' or an 'in' to make it that way I think. Cwtch alone isn't enough but cwtching up/ in is special, I totally agree.

VanillaSugarAndChristmasSpice · 23/11/2016 07:12

The Bridge.

Dead bodies are not very Hygge. Or is that because of the Swedes?

Enkopkaffetak · 23/11/2016 08:43

I can see why you go with " comfort and joy" Confused. However it is not a direct translation. for example hygge can also be done if your cold and wet out on a fishing trip with good friends.

It simply doesn't translate to anything English as it is a feeling that differs from person to person.

Lndnmummy · 23/11/2016 09:41

I am Swedish and our hygge is referred to as mysig and it is the same concept. It is not about consumerism but it is about prioritising enjoying and spending time together/or on your own and to treasure that time and making the most of it. It has an element of mindfulness to it I guess.

So when we have relatives over for a coffee we make an effort. Candles, perhaps put on a nicer jumper, a quick tidy up and perhaps a nice cake.
I often talk to my dh about this because he sees it as a "fuss" whereas I guess, us Scandinavians see it as "making an effort". With making that effort we are saying "hey, you are important. I value this time with you."
Taking the time to make it mysigt/hygge is a way of respect to our guests and ourselves and our way of showing hospitality and that the time together is precious and valued.

I hope that makes sense.

Lndnmummy · 23/11/2016 09:49

Forgot to say that this applies to ourselves as well. If my dh is working away and I have a night on my own I will eat my leftovers or microwave meal on my nicest plates. I will still light some candles (this is because it is so dark in Scandinavia, not about consumerism) and I will have made the surrondings as mysigt/hygge as possible. So that I can enjoy and savour that meal. It can be pasta and ketchup it doesn't matter.

Sweden has a concept of Fredagsmys, which basically means that every Friday night you make an extra effort with your family. Cook a nice meal, watch a film together, play some board games etc. After a long working week this is almost a holy ritual for most Swedes. My husband thinks its bonkers and almost despises this need to "conform".

When I first came over here to study we ordered some take away pizza at my student house. My flatmates laughed their heads off when I had set up the lounge with candles, nice plates, napkins, cutlery and wine glasses. They thought the room was too dark, and the plates, cutlery and glasses were adding unnecessary washing up! Apparently half the point with ordering a take away is to save on the washing up! Who knew!

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