Six things I wish Danes knew about Americans who live in Denmark
Life as an American in Denmark does not always conform to preconceptions.
As an American who has lived in Denmark for a number of years, I still feel there are some things that I just wish Denmark knew about us. The secrets are about to be revealed!
We don’t always want to talk about politics
Now, I know that most Danes love to talk politics. When the US was voting for a president, I felt that the news in Denmark talked about it almost as much as they would in the US. I couldn’t believe it!
Just because that is a hot topic here, please don’t assume that since I’m American, you can talk about American politics (or God forbid, Donald Trump) with me.
My husband once mentioned to me that he doesn’t like Americans discussing Danish politics with him. Go figure! I guess everyone has their ideas of what should be in a casual conversation.
The Local Denmark is introducing Membership: You can join today
There are probably plenty of other Americans out there who would love to have this discussion with you, but assuming that all the Americans you meet are the ones who like it, isn’t a good idea.
There are some of us who stick to the old tradition of never talking about three specific topics with people we don’t know very well. These topics are Religion, Politics and Money.
Maybe I am very old school in saying this, but I feel that it is a good way for me to get to know people without certain beliefs getting in the way. I have seen these topics tear families apart and that is no way to start a new relationship.
File photo: Bax Lindhardt/Ritzau Scanpix
Americans are friendly
Even the most introverted American is still very friendly and wants to be your friend. I know that Danes like to get to know people before they become “friends” with them. This might even take a lifetime for some Danes who are comfortable in their already-formed social circles, and we want you to know that we don’t understand that at all.
We smile at you and say ‘hi’, even if we don’t know you. This isn’t to bother you; it is to make friends. We will invite you over to our homes and share our treats with you. We will laugh when we talk. We will learn the names of your kids and your dogs, and we’ll ask about them and want to be their friends.
We aren’t weird. We are just friendly. We might be standing in line to use the bathroom at a crowded place and start conversations with complete strangers as if we have known them our entire lives. If you are our neighbours, we will treat you like family. We want you to like us. We will love Danish holidays and traditions. We love to have a reason to celebrate and have fun. Have fun with us! What is it, then, that I’m trying to say? Don’t be afraid to become friends with an American. We don’t bite!
The American section of the grocery store needs a bit of work
It would be great if supermarkets actually discussed with local Americans living in their area about what they would like to see on these shelves and what the majority of us actually eat.
I know you can’t please all the people all the time, but can we get real for a moment? I’ve seen pop (soda) brands on these shelves that I have never heard of before.
There are also always McDonald’s condiments on the shelves. I’ve never seen those before in the States! And where in the world did you find that brand of Mac-N-Cheese? Sure, that might have been something we would buy to fill up our college dorm rooms because we were living on a budget, but when we desperately need a reminder of home, we’re thinking more of the good stuff that we know and love (Kraft). We also don’t understand why most of the section is junk food… like candy bars.
Photo: weyo/Depositphotos
Things labelled ‘American’ are not always so
When Americans hear the word ‘Danish’, we often think of a pastry that isn’t actually from Denmark. I’m willing to change if you are!
I know that it isn’t the fault of Denmark that Doritos have an ‘American flavour’. I’m not sure what an American would taste like, actually, but I have a feeling it isn’t ‘cool ranch’, which is what we call the same flavour in the US.
It doesn’t just stop there. I have also seen Christmas decorations that are labelled ‘American decor’. They tend to be decorations that we might have used in the 80’s and are also a bit on the tacky side. I get it.
When Danes live abroad and have a Danish flag on the table for a birthday, another Dane can see it and smile, knowing what it represents. I can guarantee that not one of my family members would see this Santa decoration and internally feel some comfort or connection for the mother country.
Now, If I saw a bandana with an American flag printed on it, I might! You can sell those and label them American scarves. I’m okay with that!
Our driving licenses are real
Denmark allows Americans to exchange their driver’s license for a Danish one. This is wonderful, since it wasn’t always this way. People from other countries have, in the past, had to take a driver’s test to get a license.
Thank you very much, Denmark for being so wonderful in letting me have a Danish driver’s license without taking a test. I live in a fantastic community with wonderful people who saw no problems with exchanging my USA driver’s license for a Danish one.
However, it can sometimes be a complicated process having authorities in Denmark convert American driver’s licenses to Danish ones.
I guess there is a misconception that Americans drive around with fake licenses. I don’t know where this idea comes from, but I think Hollywood really messed it up for us over here. All those movies with teenagers getting fake IDs must have really influenced the Danish authorities.
But we do have occasional difficulty with road signs…
Photo: Lars Helsinghof Bæk/Ritzau Scanpix
This is probably going to get me into trouble, but we can’t avoid the elephant in the room any longer. Though driving in Denmark is very similar to driving in the US, I have to say that one of the most important things Denmark should know about Americans is that we have no idea what the road signs mean! There. I said it.
Perhaps it is just me, but I really think that when Denmark allows the driver’s licenses to be exchanged, they should give us a cheat sheet for what the signs mean along with our Danish driver’s license.
I live in a very small town. The blue sign with the white arrow was pretty much the one I saw most often. I figured that one out right away, but when I had to drive to a bigger city, I have to say that the panic set in when I saw a sign I was very confused by. I didn’t know if it was referring to a one-way or something to do with parking. Needless to say, I just avoided that area.
Maybe I am not a typical American in this regard, and every other American is very well aware of what these signs mean. If that is the case, I apologize for dragging you down in the mud with me!
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Kelly Kristensen moved to Denmark in 2016 and lives in central Jutland. She documents Danish life as a US citizen in her blog, which you can find here.
READ ALSO: Five things to bring with you if you are moving to Denmark
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As an American who has lived in Denmark for a number of years, I still feel there are some things that I just wish Denmark knew about us. The secrets are about to be revealed!
We don’t always want to talk about politics
Now, I know that most Danes love to talk politics. When the US was voting for a president, I felt that the news in Denmark talked about it almost as much as they would in the US. I couldn’t believe it!
Just because that is a hot topic here, please don’t assume that since I’m American, you can talk about American politics (or God forbid, Donald Trump) with me.
My husband once mentioned to me that he doesn’t like Americans discussing Danish politics with him. Go figure! I guess everyone has their ideas of what should be in a casual conversation.
The Local Denmark is introducing Membership: You can join today
There are probably plenty of other Americans out there who would love to have this discussion with you, but assuming that all the Americans you meet are the ones who like it, isn’t a good idea.
There are some of us who stick to the old tradition of never talking about three specific topics with people we don’t know very well. These topics are Religion, Politics and Money.
Maybe I am very old school in saying this, but I feel that it is a good way for me to get to know people without certain beliefs getting in the way. I have seen these topics tear families apart and that is no way to start a new relationship.
File photo: Bax Lindhardt/Ritzau Scanpix
Americans are friendly
Even the most introverted American is still very friendly and wants to be your friend. I know that Danes like to get to know people before they become “friends” with them. This might even take a lifetime for some Danes who are comfortable in their already-formed social circles, and we want you to know that we don’t understand that at all.
We smile at you and say ‘hi’, even if we don’t know you. This isn’t to bother you; it is to make friends. We will invite you over to our homes and share our treats with you. We will laugh when we talk. We will learn the names of your kids and your dogs, and we’ll ask about them and want to be their friends.
We aren’t weird. We are just friendly. We might be standing in line to use the bathroom at a crowded place and start conversations with complete strangers as if we have known them our entire lives. If you are our neighbours, we will treat you like family. We want you to like us. We will love Danish holidays and traditions. We love to have a reason to celebrate and have fun. Have fun with us! What is it, then, that I’m trying to say? Don’t be afraid to become friends with an American. We don’t bite!
The American section of the grocery store needs a bit of work
It would be great if supermarkets actually discussed with local Americans living in their area about what they would like to see on these shelves and what the majority of us actually eat.
I know you can’t please all the people all the time, but can we get real for a moment? I’ve seen pop (soda) brands on these shelves that I have never heard of before.
There are also always McDonald’s condiments on the shelves. I’ve never seen those before in the States! And where in the world did you find that brand of Mac-N-Cheese? Sure, that might have been something we would buy to fill up our college dorm rooms because we were living on a budget, but when we desperately need a reminder of home, we’re thinking more of the good stuff that we know and love (Kraft). We also don’t understand why most of the section is junk food… like candy bars.
Photo: weyo/Depositphotos
Things labelled ‘American’ are not always so
When Americans hear the word ‘Danish’, we often think of a pastry that isn’t actually from Denmark. I’m willing to change if you are!
I know that it isn’t the fault of Denmark that Doritos have an ‘American flavour’. I’m not sure what an American would taste like, actually, but I have a feeling it isn’t ‘cool ranch’, which is what we call the same flavour in the US.
It doesn’t just stop there. I have also seen Christmas decorations that are labelled ‘American decor’. They tend to be decorations that we might have used in the 80’s and are also a bit on the tacky side. I get it.
When Danes live abroad and have a Danish flag on the table for a birthday, another Dane can see it and smile, knowing what it represents. I can guarantee that not one of my family members would see this Santa decoration and internally feel some comfort or connection for the mother country.
Now, If I saw a bandana with an American flag printed on it, I might! You can sell those and label them American scarves. I’m okay with that!
Our driving licenses are real
Denmark allows Americans to exchange their driver’s license for a Danish one. This is wonderful, since it wasn’t always this way. People from other countries have, in the past, had to take a driver’s test to get a license.
Thank you very much, Denmark for being so wonderful in letting me have a Danish driver’s license without taking a test. I live in a fantastic community with wonderful people who saw no problems with exchanging my USA driver’s license for a Danish one.
However, it can sometimes be a complicated process having authorities in Denmark convert American driver’s licenses to Danish ones.
I guess there is a misconception that Americans drive around with fake licenses. I don’t know where this idea comes from, but I think Hollywood really messed it up for us over here. All those movies with teenagers getting fake IDs must have really influenced the Danish authorities.
But we do have occasional difficulty with road signs…
Photo: Lars Helsinghof Bæk/Ritzau Scanpix
This is probably going to get me into trouble, but we can’t avoid the elephant in the room any longer. Though driving in Denmark is very similar to driving in the US, I have to say that one of the most important things Denmark should know about Americans is that we have no idea what the road signs mean! There. I said it.
Perhaps it is just me, but I really think that when Denmark allows the driver’s licenses to be exchanged, they should give us a cheat sheet for what the signs mean along with our Danish driver’s license.
I live in a very small town. The blue sign with the white arrow was pretty much the one I saw most often. I figured that one out right away, but when I had to drive to a bigger city, I have to say that the panic set in when I saw a sign I was very confused by. I didn’t know if it was referring to a one-way or something to do with parking. Needless to say, I just avoided that area.
Maybe I am not a typical American in this regard, and every other American is very well aware of what these signs mean. If that is the case, I apologize for dragging you down in the mud with me!
Kelly Kristensen moved to Denmark in 2016 and lives in central Jutland. She documents Danish life as a US citizen in her blog, which you can find here.
READ ALSO: Five things to bring with you if you are moving to Denmark
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