Ten Danish Culture Shocks for Denmark Travelers
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today we’re in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do, we love to share the things that will shock you upon arriving in a new destination. Today we’re sharing the top ten travel shocks for visitors to Copenhagen.
Danish Culture Shock #1: The Silence
As you travel around Denmark, you’ll notice how quiet it is. It’s practically silent on public transportation, and that’s because the Danes don’t really talk a lot out in public. They’re private people, so it seems they save their conversations for once they get home.
Danish Culture Shock #2: Rigid Rule Followers
The Danes are really conforming to rules, especially when it comes to cross walk signs. If there are no cars for miles, they still won’t cross on a red light. In general, it’s a very orderly society. For that reason, you won’t see many police officers around Copenhagen, either.
Danish Culture Shock #3: You Will Almost Be Killed By a Bike
There are bikes everywhere in Denmark, and you will inevitably have some close calls as you walk around town. Jaywalking can be dangerous because you have to look for more than just cars. Be especially careful when stepping out of a taxi or getting off a bus!
Danish Culture Shock #4: Babies Left Outside Shops & Restaurants
As you walk around Copenhagen, visiting restaurants and shops, you may notice baby carriages lined up outside. With babies inside the carriage! Copenhagen is super safe, so parents often leave their babies outside while they enjoy a meal indoors.
Danish Culture Shock #5: How Safe Copenhagen Is
As rule following people, Denmark is super safe. Many people don’t lock their bikes, and at the museums, you just hang your coat up. This is great for travelers, but can also be a shock if you’ve just come from other European capitals, like Paris, Rome or Berlin, where you’re always on high alert for pickpockets.
Danish Culture Shock #6: Outdoor Enjoyment (Even in the Cold!)
People in Denmark really love being outdoors, even in the winter. Whether it’s hiking, swimming, biking or skiing, there are loads of outdoor recreation opportunities. With only a few months of warm, sunny weather, the Danes take advantage of the outdoors year-round rather than waiting until summer to get outside.
Read: The Best & Worst of Europe in Winter
Danish Culture Shock #7: Danish Ambivalence
As you walk down the streets of Copenhagen, you’ll notice that there’s no eye contact. You won’t hear “please, thank you, excuse me” as you might in other countries. You will almost feel invisible sometimes. This applies to service at restaurants, too. Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world, and the Danes are very content, which also means they aren’t going to go out of their way to provide stellar service.
Danish Culture Shock #8: Food Obsessions
You’ll notice an obsession with certain Danish foods. The Danes are obsessed with hot dogs, remoulade and Smørrebrød. Some things are worth the obsession: pastries are fantastic in Denmark, which is why we even have Danish pastries in the U.S. Remoulade is a yellow sauce they put on hot dogs, which is another obsession. Smørrebrød is an open-faced sandwich on rye bread, which everyone loves in Denmark.
Watch: What to Eat in Denmark
Danish Culture Shock #9: Directness of the Danes
The Danes come across as rude initially, but they are really just very direct. You won’t hear a lot of “please” and “thank you’s.” They just don’t waste time on fluffy words and politeness. They are very efficient, and that includes conversation as well.
Danish Culture Shock #10: Credit Cards are King!
In many European countries, cash is still king. Not so in Denmark. Nearly every place you go, you will be paying with a credit card. However, you have to have a PIN for your credit card in order to use it in most places. If you don’t have a PIN, you won’t be able to use your card, and we’ve run into several places that would not take cash, or who claimed not to have change.
We hope these ten tips help you better understand Danish culture, and lessen the shocks you have when arriving in Denmark. Have you been to Denmark? We’d love to hear what shocked you; just leave a comment below! For more Wolters World travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: