Comments for speakdanish.dk

Comment on Hygge by Christopher

Christopher — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:58:11 +0000

Haha funny story. I come from Denmark myself and “hygger” much.

Comment on Culture shock by Mark

Mark — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:54:38 +0000

Hi John. It’s more like The Borg in Star Trek. “Resistance is futile”

Yes, acceptance is not a wake-up-one-morning-and-love-everything-about-Denmark experience. It’s a long and rocky road (as you well know). It is easy to resign oneself to a certain notion (e.g. my favorite: the Danes are all the same); one has to be open to and enjoy those moments when they prove you wrong.

Comment on Culture shock by John

John — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:39:20 +0000

Mark! They’ve gotten to you too? You’ve become assimilated! It’s like that moment in “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” when you discover Donald Sutherland is one of THEM! Come back to us Mark; you can be de-programmed!

OK, in all seriousness, this is a good (and well-written!) summary of culture shock as specifically applied to the expat in DK experience. As you know, I’m the worst integrated foreigner in DK, but I do recognize a lot of the final acceptance in what you’ve written that it’s not them, it’s me that has to adjust. As for going ‘home’, yes: that is not really an option anymore.

On the other hand, you are fortunate to have lived in DK’s nr. 1 or nr. 2 city the whole time where Danes are a good deal more embracing of outsiders. Rural DK is much like rural anywhere when it comes to keeping outsiders at arm’s length, including “skide københavnere”. But in many ways you’ve also grabbed the bull by the horns with your website (as I did with Wednesday Night Danish Club; remember that?), and you’ve taken that final, ultimate step to seal your commitment to the country (a step I’d never take). So it’s mostly about maintaining a positive attitude and not falling into the ‘me vs. them’ trap, which your article illustrates nicely!

Comment on Interview with Norman Berdichevsky by Mark

Mark — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:06:21 +0000

Thanks, Jesper. I’ll have a word with my old brain and see what he has to say

I’ve been a bit busy with having a child and a new job, so I haven’t written in over a year, but I’d like to continue my observations of the Danes and their ways.

Comment on Interview with Norman Berdichevsky by Jesper Bech

Jesper Bech — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:59:20 +0000

Hi, won’t you please write some more posts on your experiences withg danish culture? I’ve read and laughed (in af positive danish way) at all you experiences, and I want more. You should write a book!

Cheers from a dane

Comment on Peter Andreas by Shariananda

Shariananda — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:34:37 +0000

I am an African American who has fallen in love with a Danish woman. I did not know the language or the country in any meaningful way. I felt I needed to learn the language and to know more about her culture and defining characteristics. I have been learning Danish using the speakdanish.dk site and the content included cultural notes that have totally opened my eyes to some conflicts she and I were having–or rather I was having. She is Danish and always right–if I read the overall impression of the author of the Danes. It is very very good set of essays and I am learning much from the Danish grammar and pronunciation lessons. I also found some good tips on how to improve once I am in Denmark, and I have been told not to worry if I do not master the language in six months. It may take two years. This is very helpful and I feel more confident and informed now.

Comment on Hygge by Casper

Casper — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:20:28 +0000

Funny to read the explanation og Hygge. I have never thought about, there where no translation for hygge in other languages. When i use a dictionary i got cozy atmosphere and comfort.

Comment on Danish attitudes to sex and nudity by Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:21:25 +0000

Ok, I am from denmark but I do not accept sexuality as a normal thing for young teens. Seriously I only think its natural when ur at a right age for example 19 – 21. I mean 15 come on for gods sake are u that stupid 13, 14 , 15! thats still a baby. I understand danes being very open but there has to be some boundaries. And the U.S has a right to be shocked bcus it is definitly young TEENS and is illegal/molestation. Dont u understand what that means, ur son/daughter just turns 15 and he still not mature to understand wtf sex is, ppl at this age think its fun to go have sex. Thats just stupidity it’s like saying Hi and Bye to a person, is that what sex is all about, getting to know ur self by being sexually active at a young age and ur friends saying its the best thing and u shud try it what kind of utter nonsense is that. You may think im old fashioned or whatever bull ur thinking. But i’m not i just dont accept very young teens going in that direction they shud wait, its the same thing with alcohol/smoking. Sex isn’t suppose to be for young teens It’s meant for adults for serious relationships not just one night stands it’s like ur giving ur f*ing self for what!? Are u a piece of trash that u just spread urself to the world. Ppl shud be more careful and concerned. And u cant just say oh its ok to have sex when ur 15 its just like 14 yrs old, Sex shud be legal when ur legal to drink, drive or w/e and that is at least 20-21. Because ur more responsible, u start taking care of urself more and knowing what u really want in ur future. If u think what i sed is nonsense i dont care bcus this is my point of view and im just sharing.

Comment on Danish attitudes to sex and nudity by Jacqueline Beck

Jacqueline Beck — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:58:06 +0000

This side is so 1 sided.. to say we take the fun/mystery out of sex? and to say we get drunk and go score and decide if we wanna keep the person the next day? I am very sorry that you talk with wrong ppl and put that inhere.. This is so far from the truth as it can be..
Yes we are very open about sex as that is what makes sure there are still ppl around.. But we do not just go have sex with whom ever when we are drunk.. There are of course groups of ppl who do that .. They are called nymphos.. a word every country know.. We do love to flirt wherever we are but flirting is harmless but do give ppl a better self-esteem as they were noticed…. The states as in USA started the Porn but react in shock when its mentioned.. Why? We Danes do not understand that at all.. Sex is natural.. and it is a lot better to learn about sex from your parents in a young age than hearing the lies in the locker room after gym at school or even online… I must say I feel offended by your way to describe us, as the groups you talk about makes about 3% of the danish public.
Because we are so open we have a lot of problems with muslims from the middle-east, who think we are all prostitutes, and your words here really don’t help their thinking. I will suggest, that you make very sure you got the right info before you make posts that can hurt a whole population.. Thank you!
Greetings from a proud Dane

Comment on A brief history of Denmark by Maya

Maya — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:28:07 +0000

Samuel: Yes we did, and something we were very proud of – we just forget to mention that we only forbid it in Denmark, and that we had slavery on our islands in Caribbean a lot longer xD
Also, Douglas: Same-sex marriages are still not possible in Denmark. You can get something that’s very close to being a marriage, but it is not quite the same (I, however, am not completely sure of the differences). But they are trying to allow it now.