....Folks, we have begun our descent to Copenhagen, Denmark, where the current weather is a lovely 8 degrees outside and raining. we will be at the gate in about twenty minutes, We'd like the flight attendants to prepare the cabin for arrival.and we want to thank you for flying with us today....
maybe you're thinking how can I fit in? what Danish customs should I comply to?
well here's some hints:
What do Danes wear? - Black on black on black… there is very little color in the Dane's wardrobe and the more hipster a Dane is the more black they will wear as well as the tighter the pants will be and the bigger the scarf. Also feel free to wear sneakers with jeans, with a skirt, with a dress, with just about anything -totally acceptable to even show up to the bar in your running shoes.
What about dining? - prepare for potatoes, that’s a staple. and mind your table manners, keep both your fork and knife in your hands at the same time. Also Danish people eat slow… don't wolf down your whole plate in 3 minutes. You should also thank your host for the food in Danish that's "tak for mad". Saying thanks is super important to Danish culture!
Are Danes nice? they seem stand off-ish. - the Danes are a sweet peoples but very quiet. they will not make small talk on the bus and if they need to get by to get off that bus they won't say excuse me they will just clear their throat or stand up and just wait for you to get the hint. Actually Danes don't even use the words "excuse me" you could say sorry - "unskyld" but more often Danes will just say nothing and this doesn't mean they are being rude, though it does seem like they are just making it more difficult for themselves. Basically communication is not their strong suit but if you initiate a conversation, say asking for directions most Danes will be happy to help and very friendly!
Okay now here’s an important question will people understand me? - YES most Danes speak English, well . Because Denmark is so small and the only country that speaks Danish they know they must pick up another language to function globally and English is a key choice. Signs/menus may not be in English often but you can order in English no problem . If you want to say I don't speak Danish in Danish you say "jeg taler ikke dansk" but people will probably understand you better if you just say it in English
How will I get around? - Danes don't use cars too often, it's all about public transportation and BIKES. we will ride the metro (metroen), bus (bussen) and the train (toget). If you choose not to use a bike (cykle) try to just take note of the really interesting bike culture. They are everywhere and the bike lanes function like regular street traffic. Watch out to not get into the bike lane because they will take you out, cyclists are fierce.
I'm thinking of checking out the bar scene what will that be like? - Copenhagen has a variety of bars from small intimate hyggelig bars to bumping discoteks where you can dance all night. You will find that if you show up much before 10 the bars will be empty. Danes find midnight to be a reasonable hour to start the party and will probably keep going until 4 or 5 in the AM. Also if you appreciate healthy pulmonary function you may not be able to stay in certain bars for too long because many bars still allowe smoking indoors. On a more technical note keep in mind that buses stop running on the weekends at midnight so you may end up walking half hour with your roommate or calling your host brother to pick you up at the train station at 3am (sorry Morty). One more fun fact about nightlife: you will most definitely see a man peeing on a building at some point during your night,
What's the money situation, will I have fat stacks of cash when I convert my American money?? - NO. Scandinavia is one of the most expensive places to like in the world. The Danish Kroner is worth 5.5 USD but don't think you're getting 5 times your money this is reflected in the prices. You'll probably suffer mild sticker shock when you have to pay 30kr for a coffee (30 dollars for a coffee?! stay calm it's only 6 dollars which is still highway robbery for en lille kaffe latte)
Now you should be a little more prepared for your upcoming visit, we hope you enjoy your staying in lovely Copenhagen.
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