Hej! Welcome to our Guide to the Danes!
Perfect for anyone researching the people, society, manners, etiquette and business culture of Denmark˳
What will you learn about in this guide?
You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including:
• Language• Religion and beliefs• Culture and society• Social etiquette and customs• Business culture and etiquette
Parading power in Copenhagen˳ Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash
Facts and Statistics
- Location: Northern Europe bordering Germany 68 km
- Capital: Copenhagen
- Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
- Population: 5+million (2019 est˳)
- Ethnic Make-up: Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali
- Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2%
- Government: constitutional monarchy
- Business Culture: Ranked 1st in The Business Culture Complexity Index™
The Danish Language
Over 98% of the population speak Danish˳
- German is recognised as an official regional language in the Nord-Schleswig region that borders Germany, where it is spoken by 23,000 people, about 0˳4% of the 5˳2m Danish population˳
- Greenlandic, an Inuit language, is spoken by 0˳1% of the population˳
A graceful dancer from the Royal Danish Ballet˳ Photo taken in Torvet by Henrik Hansen on Unsplash
Danish Society & Culture
Egalitarianism in Danish Society
- Denmark is an egalitarian society˳
- Interestingly this is reflected in their language, which employs gender-neutral words˳
- Most Danes are modest about their own accomplishments and are more concerned about the group than their own individual needs˳
- Maternity and paternity leave provisions are particularly generous in Denmark˳
- Men are more actively involved in child-rearing activities than in many countries, although the division of domestic chores is similar to other developed countries˳
Women in Danish Society
- Women are highly respected in business and generally receive equal pay and have access to senior positions˳
- Working mothers can easily arrange flexible hours so that they can maintain both a career and a family˳
- Danish women expect to be treated with respect in the office˳
Proper Public Behaviour
- Danes believe there is one proper way in which to act in any given circumstance˳
- If someone is not following the rules, be they written or merely understood, someone will generally speak up and admonish them to obey the accepted protocol˳
- They expect courteous behaviour from everyone˳
- Talk in moderate tones and do not do anything to call attention to yourself˳
Danish Family Values
- Most families are small˳
- The nuclear family is the centre of the social structure˳
- Children are raised to be independent from an early age˳
- Most are put in day care centres at about 1 years old˳
- Marriage is not a prerequisite to starting a family˳ Many couples live together without legalizing the arrangement with marriage˳
Tipping
- Tipping is generally not expected in Denmark, due to a combination of good wages for service staff and laws that govern service billing˳
- Laws in Denmark dictate that restaurant, hotel and taxi bills must include service charges and tips˳
- As such, tipping is neither common, nor expected, in Denmark˳
- However, if you feel that you would like to tip waiting staff, then a tip is always appreciated˳
- The only exception, in reality, relates to taxis as most people round their bill up as a gesture of thanks˳
Danes are very proud of their national football team˳ Always a great topic for conversation! Photo by Elin Tabitha on Unsplash
Etiquette & Manners in Denmark
Meeting Etiquette
- Greetings are casual, with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a smile˳
- Shake hands and say good-bye individually when arriving or departing˳
- Shake hands with women first˳
- Danes tend to introduce themselves with their first names˳
Gift Giving Etiquette
- Danes give gifts to family and close friends for birthdays and Christmas˳
- If invited to a Danish home for dinner, bring flowers, good quality chocolates or good quality wine˳ A bouquet of mixed wildflowers makes an excellent gift˳
- Flowers should be wrapped˳
- If you are invited to dinner or a party, it is polite to send flowers in advance of the event˳
- Red wrapping paper is always a good choice˳
- Gifts are opened when received˳
Dining Etiquette
If invited to a Danish home:
- Arrive on time˳ Danes are punctual in both business and social situations˳
- Check to see if you should remove your shoes before entering the house˳
- Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish˳
- Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served˳
- Danes enjoy showing off their homes since they have usually done the decorating themselves and are proud of their accomplishments˳ Therefore, they are happy when you ask for a tour of their house˳
- Do not discuss business˳
Watch your table manners!
- Wait to be told where to sit˳ There may be a seating plan˳
- Table manners are Continental – hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating˳
- Always keep your hands visible when eating˳ Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table˳
- Try everything˳
- Expect to be offered second helpings˳ You may refuse without offending your hosts˳
- Finish everything on your plate˳ Danes do not like wasting food˳
- When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the tines facing up and the handles turned to the right˳
- The man seated to the left of the hostess generally offers a toast of thanks during the dessert course˳
- Do not begin eating until the host toasts with ‘Skol’˳
- When toasting, raise your glass about eye level and make eye contact with the people seated closest to you˳
Grabbing a quick bite at a street food market in Copenhagen˳ Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash
Business Culture and Etiquette in Denmark
Meeting Etiquette
- Appointments are necessary˳
- Confirm appointments in writing˳
- Initial correspondence should be made to the company and not an individual˳
- Do not try to schedule meetings from mid June through mid August as many Danes are on vacation˳
- You should arrive at meetings on time˳ The Danes you are meeting will be punctual˳
- Telephone immediately if you will be detained more than 5 minutes˳
- Shake hands with everyone upon arriving and leaving˳ Handshakes should be very firm and rather short˳
- Maintain eye contact while being introduced˳
- Always shake hands with women first˳
- Business cards are exchanged˳ Your business card should have the physical address of your company and not a post office box˳
- Danes use their professional title and their surname˳
- If someone does not have a professional title, use Herr (Mister), Fru (Misses) or Froken (Miss)˳
- Danes move to first names quickly˳ Nonetheless, wait to be invited before using someone’s first name˳
Business Negotiation
- Send an agenda before the meeting and work from it without deviation˳
- Decisions are made after consulting with everyone involved˳
- Presentations should be well-organized and factual˳ Use facts, figures and charts to back up statements and conclusions˳
- Maintain eye contact while speaking˳
- There will be a minimal amount of small talk˳ Danes prefer to get down to business quickly˳
- Communication is direct˳
Management Style
- Read about this on our page about the Danish management style˳
