How to Live in Denmark

These are the light times in Denmark. In May and June, it's light until 10 or 11 in the evening, and then the sun is back around 4am. It's a nice contrast to the dark times in winter, although all that light can make you feel a bit jittery and overstimulated. It's also one of the few times a year that the Danes close their curtains. They do that so the first rays of sunshine won't wake them up at a painfully early hour. At other times of the year, the curtains to homes and apartments are often wide open, and visitors to Denmark are sometimes surprised that they can see right into people's homes as they eat dinner or watch TV. Keeping curtains open makes sense for the darker times of the Danish year when you're desperate for as much sunlight as possible. But it's also a sign of confidence in who you are and what you are presenting to the world, that you have nothing to hide. This is me. This is who I am. Authenticity is a basic Danish value, just like trust and transparency and having a sense of humor about yourself. Denmark is not a status culture, it's not a place where you fake it until you make it. It's a place where you're expected to present yourself warts and all.

Watching vintage TV and movies is a great way to survive the long Danish winter—and if you're learning Danish or trying to understand Danish culture, it's even better. Many classic Danish films and TV shows are available online for free. Whatever your taste, there are Danish films for it: Danish film noir from the 1940s if you like crime dramas, the classic Olsen Gang comedies if you prefer something lighter, and Danish children's shows that are actually great for adults learning Danish because the language is so simple. Denmark has been making movies since 1897, and Nordisk Film, founded in 1906, is still the world's oldest continuously operating film studio. You've probably seen their logo if you've been to the cinema in Denmark. In this episode, I'll tell you about Danish cinema classics you should know about, from Mads Mikkelsen movies like Another Round (which won an Oscar) to vintage Danish TV series like Matador that every Dane has seen. Want to know where to actually watch Danish movies online? I'll tell you about Filmstriben (free with your CPR number), DR.DK with its treasure trove of classic Danish television, and how Netflix has even started making new Danish-language TV series. Plus, I'll explain how all this Danish movie production is funded by our giant Danish taxes—and why the government makes Netflix contribute too. It's all part of keeping Danish film and TV alive in an increasingly English-speaking world. Perfect for: Expats in Denmark, anyone learning Danish, fans of Scandinavian films and Nordic cinema

There's a lovely May tradition in Denmark of setting a candle in the window on the evening of May 4. This is to commemorate the surrender of the Germans and the end of the Nazi occupation in 1945. The Nazis imposed a blackout on Denmark to confuse the Allied air forces, so now that they were defeated, a candle in a window became a small symbol of rebellious light. I intend to participate every year on May 4, but I often forget, and to be honest I see very few candles in windows these days. A rememberance ceremony, forgotten You'd have to be aged 85 or older now to remember the war, and Germany is one of Denmark's greatest friends and Allies. In addition, the elderly who do remember the occupation and the blackout generally do not live with their families in Denmark, families to whom they might pass on the tradition. Old people in Denmark primarily live alone, and municipal employees come to their house once or twice a week to help with cleaning and make sure they take their medicine. When they can no longer take care of themselves, they're moved to a publicly-funded care home or a hospice, but this is generally only for the last few months of life. Living cooperatives against loneliness The elderly in Denmark are often lonely. In India or the Middle East, older people usually live with their families; in the US, where I come from, they join "active adult" communities where they can golf and have affairs. The Danish policy that encourages old people to remain in their homes as long as they can isolates them, in my opinion. That's why the Danish government, mindful of the fact that the average age in Denmark is advancing quickly, is encouraging the idea of bofæelleskab, or living cooperatives. That's when a number of older people live together in a house or large apartment, a bit like university students, with a shared kitchen and laundry facilities. This gives them a bit of company and, not coincidentally, frees up a lot of individual houses for younger families to move in when the old people move out. You're not the hip new designer or management trainee Now, when I say old people, I'm talking about people over 67, which is the current Danish pension age. That will crawl up to age 70 for kids born today. The problem for many people is that it's hard to get a job after age 60. No one wants to hire you as a hip new designer or innovative pharma developer or management trainee. Older people at the very top of the success ladder often spend this time on various Boards of Directors, leveraging their years of business experience. Below that I meet a lot of older people who have tossed their career and their specialized educations aside and become office managers, or work in retail, or work in kindergartens. They're done climbing the career ladder and want something people-focused that is, and I quote, "something to do until I retire." A word to honor the old in Denmark Old people don't get any special respect in Danish culture. I taught a group of Nepali students in Denmark once, and after the presentation in the Q&A period, they wanted to know if there were some special Danish word they could use to honor the elderly, an important part of their culture in Nepal. But there's no specific word in Denmark to honor the elderly. Especially these days, when the people who are old now are the former 1960s hippies who got rid of honorifics like Herr Hansen and Fru Jensen. The elderly today in Denmark are called by their first names, just like everyone else. Read more at howtoliveindenmark.com.

Gækkebrev are a great Danish tradition, but like many other Danish traditions, they are fighting to survive amid the country's ambitious digital agenda. What is a gækkebrev, or gække letter? A single piece of paper, cut into a lace-like design somewhat like a snowflake, sent anonymously in the days before Easter. A poem is handwritten on the letter, but it is unsigned...except for a number of dots that correspond to the number of letters in the sender's name. If you can guess who sent the letter, that person owes you a chocolate Easter egg. If you can't guess, you owe them a chocolate Easter Egg whenever they reveal themselves. Needless to say, gækkebrev are very popular with small children looking for candy. (The "gække" refers to a vintergække flower that used to accompany the letter back in the day) But the tradition is slowly dying out, thanks to Denmark's widespread digitalization. Paper letters have almost disappeared; it's quite possible to go for months without receiving any physical mail at all. Stamps and coins are also dying out. While Denmark got a new king more than a year ago, I've yet to see his image on any stamps or coins...because I so rarely see stamps or coins. Read more at howtoliveindenmark.com.

If you're one of the bottom 80% of Danish earners, you'll probably spend most of your dark January evenings and weekends at home, hoping your bank account can recover from Christmas excesses. Restaurants have a lot of empty tables this time of year. Shops mostly process the return of unwanted Christmas presents. Now, this can and often is packaged as hygge. Candles, TV, sweaters, warm slippers, hot tea. But it's often just being broke and not being able to go anywhere. Yet if you're part of the top 20% of earners in Denmark, however, maybe even the top 10%, you go skiing. Not in Denmark, which doesn't have any mountains for downhill skiing, or enough snow for cross-country skiing. You go to Sweden for cheap skiing, Norway for slightly more expensive skiing, or to France or Switzerland for luxury skiing where you can show off your Rolex Explorer wristwatch on the slopes. Two different types of Januaries The two different types of Januaries illustrate how the gap between the rich and poor in Denmark has widened in recent decades. Denmark is still, culturally, an egalitarian culture, and it's still considered bad taste to show off your Rolex watch here in Denmark, but there's no debating that as the country has become prosperous over the past 30 years, the gap between rich and poor has widened. Read more at howtoliveindenmark.com.

One of the tips I often give to newcomers in Denmark is to learn Danish through song lyrics. Find a Danish lyricist whose music you enjoy listening to on repeat. The repetition will help you get a feel for how the Danish language flows, and you'll have something to dance to during those long, dark winter months. I did this myself when I first arrived in Denmark, and learned a great deal of Danish from the witty, self-mocking songs of Carsten Lykke. Here are a few suggestions for your own Danish lyrics journey. While comparing musical artists is tricky, here are a few suggestions to get you started. (I've put them all together in a Spotify Playlist and a YouTube Playlist for you.) 🎵 Hans Philip: Formerly a rapper, now a talented singer-songwriter. If you like artists like Dominic Fike, Hans Philip is worth a listen. 🎵 Medina: If you enjoy female dance artists like Lady Gaga or Chappell Roan, give Medina a try. She has a long line of dance hits and some interesting collaborations. Fun fact: Lady Gaga's hit "Born This Way" was co-written by Danish percussionist Jeppe Laursen. 🎵 Marie Key: Are you a Swiftie? Marie Key, with her witty, introspective lyrics and focus on personal relationships, might be a good fit. 🎵 The Minds of 99: This popular band regularly sells out stadiums in Denmark. They have a sound similar to The Killers or Arcade Fire. Listen. 🎵 Kim Larsen: For classic rock fans, Kim Larsen is a Danish legend, holding a place in Denmark's national consciousness similar to Bruce Springsteen in the USA or Elton John in the UK. (Sanne Salomonsen Listen and Anne Linnet Listen are iconic female musicians from the same era.) 🎵 Thomas Helmig: Another Danish icon, with a bit of a Motown vibe. 🎵 Gasolin': If you like 60s groups like The Animals or Small Faces, try Gasolin'. They've been compared to the early Rolling Stones. 🎵 Rasmus Seebach: Fans of Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes would probably like Rasmus Seebach. He's a big star in Denmark, and Danes have watched him grow from a confused young man to the family man and father he is today. Focus on Danish-Language Artists Here, I'm focusing on Danish artists who sing in Danish. While many Danish musicians sing in English to reach a broader international audience—especially in Asia (like Christopher, a blond, muscular singer who's a massive star in China and Korea)—for language learning, you'll get the most benefit from songs entirely in Danish. Music has a way of sticking with you. I bet you can still recall advertising jingles from when you were very young. So listen to the music, look up the lyrics online, and you'll be on your way to better understanding both the Danish language and culture. Danish through song lyrics is an engaging and effective way to immerse yourself in the language. Music has a unique ability to make words and phrases stick in your mind, thanks to its rhythm, repetition, and emotional connection. By listening to Danish songs, you can improve your vocabulary, pronunciation, and overall understanding of how the language flows, all while enjoying catchy tunes. ----- One of the great benefits of learning Danish through music is the opportunity to hear everyday language in a natural context. Lyrics often reflect colloquial speech, offering insights into how Danes express themselves in informal settings. As you listen repeatedly to your favorite songs, you'll begin to recognize common phrases, idioms, and sentence structures. You can look up the lyrics online to follow along, helping you connect the written and spoken forms of Danish. Songs can also give you a deeper understanding of Danish culture. Many Danish lyrics reflect the country's values, history, and social themes, allowing you to gain a more nuanced perspective on life in Denmark. Artists like Kim Larsen, The Minds of 99, or Marie Key not only provide a fun listening experience but also open the door to cultural insights. Another advantage is the fun, relaxed environment music creates for learning. Instead of sitting down with a textbook, you can pop on your headphones, dance around, or hum along as you pick up the language. Whether you prefer pop, rock, folk, or hip-hop, there are plenty of Danish-language artists to explore. So, start by finding a few Danish songs you enjoy, look up the lyrics, and sing along. Over time, you'll notice improvements in your language skills—and maybe even discover a few favorite Danish artists along the way!

Did you know that Copenhagen has its own color? It's called Copenhagen Green, and it's a dark emerald green, mixed with a fair amount of black. A little like the dark green we see on the leaves of trees here late in August. Pantone 3435C, for you designer types. You'll notice that all Copenhagen benches are this color, an you will see Copenhagen Green on many wooden doors and window frames in the old city, as well as lamp posts, railings, even small bridges in the beautiful Ørestedsparken. This was a conscious decision by city leaders in the early 1900s. They felt the combination of green and black blended well with both natural and urban settings, and that using it widely would create a sense of harmony. Plus almost everybody likes green. Learn more about the design quirks of Copenhagen in this podcast, and find out how to take my self-guided audio tour of Danish Design in Copenhagen at voicemap.me/DanishDesign. --------------------------