CultureShock! Denmark

Morten Strange

Description

CultureShock! Denmark is the only guide you will need to live and work in this land where the people come across as being homogeneous and which has its own distinct set of rules and regulations. Find out how the Danes' reserved nature and the walfare system affect their views on life and why they strongly believe in the ideas of equality. The spirit of do-it-yourself thrives abd you will learn tips on how to manage chores and other maintenance work without the assistance of trademen. Discover also what it is like to live in an andelsbolger, to get around by cycling and why Danish children become independent from an early age. Let CultureShock! Denmark initiate you into this beautiful land where nature thrives so you can make the most out of your stay in the country.

Sujets

• Dinamarca
• Denmark

Informations

• Publié par: MarshallCavendishM
• Date de parution: 15 février 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789814435888
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

This 5th edition published in 2009. Reprinted 2010.
Published by Marshall Cavendish Corporation
99 White Plains Road
Tarrytown NY 10591-9001
www.marshallcavendish.us
First published in 1996 by Times Editions Pte Ltd, reprinted 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999; 2nd edition published in 2000, reprinted 2000; 3rd edition published in 2003, reprinted 2003; 4th edition published in 2006. 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: [phone], fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]
The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, and shall in no events be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Other Marshall Cavendish Offices:
Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Pte Ltd. 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196 Marshall Cavendish International. PO Box 65829, London EC1P 1NY, UK Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited
eISBN: 978 981 4435 88 8
Please contact the publisher for the Library of Congress catalogue number
Printed in Singapore by Times Printers Pte Ltd
Photo Credits:
All black and white photos from the author except pages 77, 152, 159 (Danish Tourist Board); page 141 (Empics/Hulton Deutsch); pages 27, 65, 74, 125 (Jens Henriksen); pages 55, 146 (Lone Eg Nissen); pages xi, 15, 20 (both), 21, 151, 241 (Adam Strange); pages 148, 162 (Fyn Tour); pages 61, 129. 137 (Getty Images). All colour images from Photolibrary.
Cover photo: Photolibrary
All illustrations by TRIGG
ABOUT THE SERIES
Culture shock is a state of disorientation that can come over anyone who has been thrust into unknown surroundings, away from one s comfort zone. CultureShock! is a series of trusted and reputed guides which has, for decades, been helping expatriates and long-term visitors to cushion the impact of culture shock whenever they move to a new country.
Written by people who have lived in the country and experienced culture shock themselves, the authors share all the information necessary for anyone to cope with these feelings of disorientation more effectively. The guides are written in a style that is easy to read and covers a range of topics that will arm readers with enough advice, hints and tips to make their lives as normal as possible again.
Each book is structured in the same manner. It begins with the first impressions that visitors will have of that city or country. To understand a culture, one must first understand the people-where they came from, who they are, the values and traditions they live by, as well as their customs and etiquette. This is covered in the first half of the book.
Then on with the practical aspects-how to settle in with the greatest of ease. Authors walk readers through topics such as how to find accommodation, get the utilities and telecommunications up and running, enrol the children in school and keep in the pink of health. But that s not all. Once the essentials are out of the way, venture out and try the food, enjoy more of the culture and travel to other areas. Then be immersed in the language of the country before discovering more about the business side of things.
To round off, snippets of basic information are offered before readers are tested on customs and etiquette of the country. Useful words and phrases, a comprehensive resource guide and list of books for further research are also included for easy reference.
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgements
Note
Map of Denmark
Chapter 1
First Impressions
Getting to Know the Place
Arriving
Who Can Stay in Denmark?
How Many Foreigners are There?
Chapter 2
Overview of the Land and History
A Country of Islands
Physical Features
Wildlife
The Danes
The Weather and the Seasons
A Bit of History
The Nordic Mythology
Danish Colonies
A Remarkable Transformation
Media and Politics
The Political System
Chapter 3
People
Some Subjective Generalisations
Some Universal Values
A Culture Undergoing Change
A Royal Complaint
The Humanitarian Tradition
The Protection of Nature
Caring for the Environment
Law and Order
A Constant Fear of Crime
Helping the Weak
Workers Rights
International Humanitarianism
Celebrity Worshipping
Chapter 4
Socialising
How the Danes Will View You
Finding the Real Denmark
The Danish Home
Socialising with the Danes
Occasions to Celebrate
Danes and Religion
Chapter 5
Settling In
Setting Up Residence
Utilities
Getting Around
Spending Money
Currency
Banks
Salaries and Taxes
Your Family in Denmark
In Sickness and in Health
Starting School
Defending the Country
Surviving Culture Shock
Chapter 6
Food Inglorious Food
Party Games
Visiting Friends
Chapter 7
Enjoying Denmark
Free Time in Denmark
The Great Outdoors
Where to Go
How to Get There
Cultural Activities
Festivals
The Danish Social Year
Tourism in Denmark
Chapter 8
Language and Communication
Communicating With The Danes
Different languages
The Scandinavian Brotherhood
Danish Names
Names of Places
Picking Up Danish
The Alphabet and Pronunciations
Chapter 9
Working (and not Working) Life
The True Unemployment
Farming the Danish Way
Agriculture and the European Union
The Gainfully Employed
Employment Opportunities
Large Corporations
Smaller Companies
Finding a Job
Employment Matters
In the Workplace
Out of Work
Starting Your Own Business
Work and Play
Let s Not Do Lunch
Chapter 10
DIY Denmark
Government Structure
Important Events and Concepts
World Famous Danes
Name Dropping
Acronyms
Culture Quiz
Do s and Don ts
Glossary
Resource Guide
Further Reading
About the Author
Index
PREFACE
I was born in Denmark. I was raised there. I went to school there. And yet when I grew up I didn t feel that Denmark offered me the opportunities I was seeking. So at 20 years of age, I went abroad to work. I was 40 when I moved back.
By then I had spent almost all my adult life abroad. I had to start in Denmark from scratch, setting up a home, a business, a career and a social life in a culture in many ways alien to what I had become used to. I had the advantage though, that unlike most other strangers, I spoke the language-although not always quite as fluently as a native.
I have met many foreigners who love Denmark, who come back here year after year to visit Copenhagen and to walk on the wide, open beaches of Jutland. The people are so friendly they say, the landscape is so pretty and neat. But I know for a fact that not all outsiders feel that way. Many have difficulties coping with Danish society and some end up in conflict with their peers and with the authorities-the ultimate case of culture shock.
It has been said that the Danes are not a nation, they are a tribe and there is some truth in that. Like all tribes they have a culture of their own, a set of norms and rules and regulations, different from all others. Some norms are written down and can easily be explained but others are more hazy. They make up a protocol of expectations and behaviour not obviously understood by somebody from another culture. So the foreigner, on top of the practical difficulties of travelling and settling in a new country, has to deal with a cultural transformation and inevitably some degree of culture shock.
This book covers most aspects of Danish life. Some of it is strictly factual, some is based on personal experiences. I have tried to distinguish quite clearly between the two.
It is my hope that by sharing some of my experiences and a bit of general knowledge of the country with other newcomers, I can help to make their stay in Denmark enjoyable and successful.
After the book first came out in 1996, some reviewers scolded me for criticising the welfare state and accused me of carrying a chip on my shoulder. Maybe. But I also received heart-warming letters and e-mails from readers who said that my observations and information were spot on and helped them cope with life in Denmark.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
For making this book possible, I would like to thank Simon Kolbe Strange and Daniel Kolbe Strange, my sons who were both 7 years old when this book was written. I wouldn t have done this without them, and also Adam Kolbe Strange, then a wonderful three-year-old, and also my son, born on the darkest day of the year but the sunshine of my life.
I thank my relatives in Denmark and Norway, especially my mother, former member of parliament Ebba Strange, whose great humanitarian ideals I cannot always agree with but always sympathise with and respect.
I thank my hard working former colleagues and fellow volunteers at the Danish Ornithological Society, DOF/Bird Life-Denmark, especially Director Arne Jensen, who believed in me when I started out as an employee. And I thank all my associates within the Bird Life Internationale Secretariat in Cambridge who have enabled me to maintain an international perspective on things.
I would like to thank the many friends I have in Asia, especially