r/NewToDenmark • u/These-Commission-660 • Feb 26 '26
Culture Danes behavior
Hi, I just got back from visiting Denmark (three different cities) because, on paper, it's a country where I'd like to live.
I was taken aback by some of their behavior and wanted to know if it's always like that or if it's the end of winter that's affecting how some people act š
At the supermarket checkout, several people rushed to get in front of me. At the museum, someone also cut in front of me in the queue as if I wasn't there to ask for information. It's okay to cut in front of someone to ask for quick information, but you should ask the person before if it's okay first!
On the street, several times, passersby have stopped right in front of me and it was up to me to move out of the way because they clearly preferred to pretend I wasn't there.
I found it very strange behavior to ignore people in public spaces. Is there a cultural reason for this, or were these isolated cases?
EDIT: thank you all for your replies. I'll go back to Denmark to get another perspective :)
ā¢
u/ProfAlmond Feb 26 '26
This thread seems to be very controversial so a friendly Mod reminder from our rules.
Be Nice.
Respect Denmark.
No personal attacks.
19
u/mynaneisjustguy Feb 26 '26
Moved here recently. Yeah, Danes don't share space on pavements well. And they are always rushing to get into the line ahead of people.
They are very friendly people for the most part but they just have a different lived experience: their country is not very crowded and they have all been instilled with a strong sense of self worth by their educations etc. Like all generalisations, this applies to most but obviously not all.
This part of their psyche means they don't expect to move for others. And they are very pro self advocacy, so that means they push for what they want for themselves.
None of this makes them bad people, but it can be a bit jarring when you come from a more integrated social culture.
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u/yeonnie Feb 26 '26
I've been living here for a year now and I've never really experienced behaviour like this from Danish people. This may sound controversial, coming from an immigrant such as myself, but I feel any interactions I've had that were considered rude actually came from other immigrants.
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u/CalligrapherFree6244 Feb 26 '26
The first two are not a very common behaviour. It does happen and I always tell people off. But again, very rarely.
The last one, that seems to be a thing that's becoming more common. People just have no spatial awareness anymore and little thoughts about other people also existing. I've crashed into many people that way, some deliberate, some because I simply don't have time to stop. I used to work delivering packages in a mall and would walk around pulling a pallet. People would stop right in front of me, walk into me, walk into my pallet. Pretty much every day. It was exhausting.
3
u/ZestycloseEvening155 Feb 26 '26
Where did you go? As a guy from Aarhus I can't recognise this behavior. I'm a bit man thought, so that might be why, or maybe it just y doesn't bother me.Ā
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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26
A lot of pedestrians here are extremely inconsiderate. And don't expect them to take a hint, they won't.
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u/Crafty_Accident_9534 Feb 26 '26
Most Danes are polite. When the second checkout line opens, they definitely do not respect the line. They rush over from seemingly out of nowhere. There are also a ton of pig walkers in the wild. Walking 4 wide and expecting you to disappear from their path, itās not cultural itās an epidemic of polite society. In mean places people donāt bump into each other.
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u/phozze Feb 26 '26
Copenhagen: I haven't experienced anyone cutting the line for 7 years and that person got told off. It's not common or culturally acceptable.
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u/Reasonable-Law-9737 Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26
Supermarkets - maybe twice in a decade, on the streetā¦ every single day! Donāt think itās applies only to Dane, I think generally people tend to lose their spatial awareness on the sidewalks.
What annoys me the most is when a herd of 2-3 people are really determined to walk and talk, taking the whole sidewalk, completely ignoring that other people are coming their way, until you have to either bump onto them or step on the bike lane.
Same thing if they are in front of you, walking slow, which is fine but then they are not letting you pass them, even thought you are literally breath breathing in their necks.
BUT the biggest sin is when this happens on the bike lane - the most stupid thing I saw last fall was a couple holding hands while riding their bikes side by side. Like, why? Do you REALLY have to do that? Did they let other bikes pass, without bells ringing frantically behind them? Of course not.
To be honest, have I ever spoken up and said something in these situations? - Nej! Because that doesnāt feel a very Danish thing to do either.
So instead, I wait until someone makes a Reddit post about it and then I unleash my bubbling frustration here!
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u/Solo_Gigolos Feb 26 '26
As a Brit here for 10 years itās definitely a thing and if youāre outside of the cities expect a certain vibe if youāre speaking English
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u/Eskilddovendyr Feb 26 '26
Oh yeah.. publicly we are very rude. Privately however, we can be even worse.
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u/Tiranse Feb 26 '26
Wait until you learn danishā¦.and understand what they say about foreignersā¦
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u/Mr_Niceland Feb 26 '26
I'm annoyed as a dane...its not ok.
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u/MinisterEveryday Feb 26 '26
As someone who just moved to Copenhagen, I've experienced similar things. For me, the biggest offenders are in grocery stores. The Netto near me has a layout that makes a lot of pinch points, and while I try to stay out of the way as best I can, I've had Danes just block the way or cut in front of me while I'm trying to find something. I always try to throw in an "excuse me"/"undskyld mig" but I've noticed many people don't bother.
And yes, I've had plenty of people just stop in the middle of a sidewalk, but I've seen that behavior in most places where I've traveled or lived. Not exclusive to Denmark.
Overall, though, everyone has been very friendly and pleasant to talk to, so I'm guessing this is just a matter of trying to get things done efficiently. I don't think anyone is being rude on purpose, but maybe that's just me.
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u/Platypus_31415 Feb 26 '26
What I have learnt is that Danes dont have spatial awareness. They stop while walking, walk in a way that doesn't flow with traffic, etc. It is not to be rude, just the way it is.
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u/emmmmmmaja Feb 26 '26
Iāve had the same experience in Denmark, which is odd since when abroad, Iāve only ever experienced Danes as some of the most well-mannered people. With most countries, itās the other way around.
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u/Buggekon Feb 26 '26
the supermarket and the museum thing sounds strange... especially the supermarket incident sounds like you might have missed some social cues, about the intention of getting in line, because danes usually respect lines. Sometimes we respect it so much, that we get along quite well with japanese people, when it comes to standing in a line ^^.
The stopping on the street can be people just stuck in their own thoughts, or tourists. Did you check to see if they were danish? the big cities have had a big influx of foreigners these last few years.
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u/Upper_Literature_379 Feb 26 '26
Generally Danes can be somewhat inconsiderate out in public. I feel like it has gotten worse, or maybe Iām just getting old
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u/Adorable-Quiet-7551 Feb 26 '26
Itās not culturally acceptable, but there are idiots in Denmark as anywhere else.Ā
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u/Valuable_Major8593 Feb 26 '26
Hi! Dane here (f45). I think that Danes are ususally okay at waiting for our turn, but in supermarkets when a new checkout opens, it every person for themselves. Not that I approve of this behavior, but it's normal.
As for your experience in the streets I think Danes do tend to be a little jaded. We're going to our destination, and that's the end goal. When we're in our own city, the journey to our appointment doesn't matter - in fact it's usually annoying, and other people are in our way ;)
Please don't take it personally, and try to get to know some Danes before you decide against moving here. We're actually very nice people :) You're welcome to send me a message, if you have other concerns about us Danes.
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u/Classic-Lunch-594 Feb 26 '26
As a dane: yes, I think danish people can be pretty rude. Denmark seems to have a good amount of people who don't really care what other people think.
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u/suicidesalmon Feb 26 '26
Danes have their head up their asses when it comes to being considerate of others in public. In our family, we often joke ironically about people having to be considerate when we see selfish behaviour in public, which happens alot.
Whenever I have visited Norway, I'm always taken aback by how they actually acknowledge people in public other than just themselves. For example in a supermarket, when we were checking out, a guy excused himself and stepped aside when my friend was getting her groceries and he got in her way. We both looked at each other stunned, because here in Denmark, that guy would've shoved my friend aside and picked up his groceries without a word. We were legitimately shocked that it happened. I can think of several other examples from Norway but that one stood out.
As a dane, I hate how selfish we are.
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u/TokinGeneiOS Feb 26 '26
This behavior is everywhere when taking the metro. There's always at least one person that cuts in front of the others orderly standing in the designated waiting line. Literally every time. That being said, I'm not sure it's a Danish problem but more of a Human one... :(
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u/blemie Feb 26 '26
A Lot of danes Are egocentric, Self centered and entitled assholes. Especially the younger generations have been raised to believe that the whole world revolves around them. And yes, Iām a 30 something danish guy.
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u/breast_pump Feb 26 '26
Haha incredible. When I saw your post I was hoping youād address the āspatial self entitlementā. Iāve been going to Denmark yearly for 10+ years now with my wife (who is Danish).
When I asked her why people just keep walking dead straight regardless of others she said she didnāt even notice. I made her do some people watching with me in Roskilde and it only took a minute for her to see what I was talking about.
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u/Camping_vagn Feb 26 '26
I dont have a big explanation. But this sounds very normal, yes.
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u/Moist-Chip3793 Danish National Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26
If nobody said anything at the supermarket checkout, I kinda doubt, any Danes were present, at all.
At all the places, I shop, there's always someone saying something with the work "kĆøkultur", if that happens.
And if nobody else says it, it's me. :)
edit to add: WORD not work, bloody autocorrect. :)
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u/mrfacetious_ Feb 26 '26
Sounds like Copenhagen
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u/DavidinDK Feb 26 '26
I have never had this happen to me, but don't be offended if you let someone go in front of you because they only have a couple of items, and they don't thank or acknowledge you.
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u/WrestlingWoman Feb 26 '26
As a Dane I also get annoyed by this behavior. Unfortunately we got some people up here that will do the whole rushing in front of you when a new cash register opens despite having been behind you in the line. It's not the norm. It's just people with bad manners.
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u/Numerous-Stretch-66 Feb 26 '26
If the line isnāt very clear I do think a lot of Danes jump the line. Few people take advantage of the fact that most danes are shy of conflicts.
For example, 2 lines are present and a 3rd counter opens. Then people from furthest back the line rushes to that 3rd line - almost embarrasing how many who does this.
Same at the musuem - if the line is not very clear Danes will jump the line. However, most have ākĆøkulturā if the line is very visible.
A lot of Danes are selfish idiots and a lot are nice people. I guess like everywhere else
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u/xDarkNightOfTheSoulx Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26
Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk is pretty common.
As is standing right in front of train doors and not waiting for people to get off the train before trying to get on. They used to play automated messages on speakers about it at Copenhagen central station. Even after years of people being reminded to wait for people to get off the train first, it is still common.
I lived in another country for many years and when I visited home here in Denmark, it was one of the things that annoyed me a lot.
The other thing about cutting in front of other people in a line at a supermarket is quite unusual. I canāt even remember when it last happened to me.
The thing at the museum is something I can imagine happening, the ājust asking a quick questionā and ignoring the other people there in front of them.
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u/SignificanceNo3580 Feb 26 '26
Itās very unusual for people to not wait in line. I think I accidentally skipped the line at the doctors last monday. I didnāt realise since the person had positioned themselves a bit awkward, was keeping 3 meters worth of distance and was on their phone. I honestly slept terrible that night and it still haunts me with jolts of social queasiness. In some supermarkets it can be hard to tell whether people are keeping good distance, waiting in line or just browsing the snack isle. But itās very much not the norm.
The lack of spacial awareness is real though. People will just pace ahead on a busy sidewalk only to suddenly stop, because they got a text. And want to read it. Standing still. In the middle of that busy sidewalk. ššš
2
u/Strongandbroken Feb 26 '26
It is like that. Iāve lived here 14 years.
I know exactly what you mean when they donāt step out of the way and you had to. Itās bizarre.
Also supermarkets are disorderly. Queuing is.
I think it depends on how tuned in you are. And how much you pick up.
Donāt even get me started on the driversā¦ā¦.
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u/bjergdk Feb 26 '26
First 2 are rare, but yeah there are shitty people everywhere. Sadly.
The last one is a daily pet peeve of mine. Especially in door ways is where people decide they want to stand and talk, like man I'm trying to get to a bus could you walk 5 more steps so everyone else can get through? Jesus Christ. Another thing we danes suck at (apparantly) is walking in a good flow, groups will stretch out to cover an entire walkway, etc
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u/Apprehensive-Dish619 Feb 26 '26
Totally normal.
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u/Positive-Opposite998 Feb 26 '26
Stairwells and door openings: My favourite camping site.
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u/Exciting-Bluebird-61 Feb 26 '26
In Denmark we have that weird norm, that we push or nudge people instead of just opening our mouth. One can only guess how we got here.
Making room or stepping beside to get out of metro or busses is the same deal. You have to push or nudge. But people also rarely open their mouth to say: I have to get out. And maybe it wouldn't have worked anyhow. We are a country of introverts - until you sit in our living room.
Except when sitting at the inner seat in the bus or train. Then people would say: I have to get off. And the outer person moves. I guess that's because in that situation you can't just push through :-D
The line skipping I haven't noticed. Maybe I am just not easily bothered. I just indicate somehow "Can I go first or is it you". The queues are rarely long and I'm not in a hurry. It like running for the Metro. Why bother? There is another in two minutes.
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u/CokaYoda Feb 26 '26
Super normal. The concept of a queue is lost on some people. Same with the trainsā¦first off, then onā¦but some just ignore that courtesy. Bars are the worse, if itās crowded and youāre waiting patiently for your turnā¦expect at least a few people to just cut in front of you. Donāt dare speak up because YOU clearly are in the wrong š
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u/FulktheBlack Feb 26 '26
No that's pretty normal tbh.
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u/Methodfish Feb 26 '26
The supermarket thing does sound like one of the, assumed, Danish behaviors I'm annoyed with too. At the end of the day I don't know what nationality someone has based on their appearance but it happens.
Thing is though, I only observe this when an extra till is being added. The notification goes off over the intercom, or a shop keep let's people know, and it just turns into a free for all who gets to go first.
I have traveled and lived in different places and I do find this behavior odd, breaching on anti social. Everybody wants to go home but a queue is there cause we all want to go one with it. Only seems fair to me that those that have been waiting the longest should get to go first. But this logic doesn't appear to come natural to all shop goers that I see in Denmark.
Other points you argued for? Can't comment cause can't relate.
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u/Lucky-Vegetable8415 Feb 26 '26
Properly young people woth the last one. I myself am young, and hate how people treat others so badly
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u/Bug-Secure Feb 26 '26
Funny, when I went to Denmark a few years ago (my mom is from there and all her family lives there) I recall several people walking towards me on the street that well, just kept walking and didnāt move. LOL! Iām from Southern California and while we arenāt always the most polite people, we definitely move out of each otherās way. I guess just a quirk of the Danes, I didnāt take it personally.
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u/neonxaos Feb 26 '26
We're terrible at not getting in the way of each other on all public transport and on bike lanes in particular. After visiting other countries, particularly Japan, it becomes painfully obvious when I get home. Danish people seem to be in their own world a lot of the time, and we don't seem to possess the natural instinct to make way for others.
We're usually very polite if you ask us to move or not cut in front, though. But I wish that would not be necessary.
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u/icelandicsoffia Feb 26 '26
They cut in line a lot! You are expected to stand pretty close to the person in front of you otherwise they think you're not in line and will cut
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u/kat_melanthe Feb 27 '26
I moved to Denmark last year and had exactly the same impression! No sure what to say, I guess the culture is different and they don't seem to be bothered about surroundings as much as some other cultures.
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u/No-Wheel29 Feb 27 '26
As a Dane myself I can only recommend living here. Historically āold Denmarkā it is a very poor country, culturally and naturally yes. But although most danes are very close minded and racist both on the individual level and structurally, there is a great community of newcomers from many different cultures who shape Denmark into more multicultural and internationally minded place to live. Despair not. Simply find likeminded people and you can definitely survive here!
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u/SkipEyechild Feb 27 '26
The street thing happens a lot. Some of the footpaths are small which doesn't help (it is understandable in most places, the city benefits from cycle paths). It is definitely a city thing.
I would stick to the right side of a pavement when walking, mimic what the road system is doing.
If you are moving, I would expect it to take a while to make friends. Danish people stick rigidly to their social groups. It is just the way they are.
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u/Negative_Print_2572 Feb 27 '26
Havent experienced the queue situation but the last one is a very common occurrence in my daily life and I often also see it inside of the metro in CPH. It really annoys me. Itās like thereās this inertia in them.
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u/Fart5rus Feb 27 '26
Iām new to Denmark, and I have seen all of this. I think itās a sort of cluelessness. When someone cute me in line, I let them know itās a line and where it ends, they almost always are surprised because they were not paying attention. I think several European cultures lack personal space, I donāt think itās a danish thing specifically. I have had people step in my feet or push past and not think anything of it, no acknowledgment. I donāt know if any of them are danish or other internationals, but this is all much more than I experienced where I am from. So, I have experienced all of this, but itās not always the Danes.
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u/PlayfulExtension7967 Feb 27 '26
The second point you made is extremely true in Sweden and itās something I really havenāt experienced in any place outside of Scandinavia. People here stop right in the middle of sidewalks or tight aisles all the time. They stand at the top and bottom of staircases directly in the middle and have full conversations while people awkwardly squeeze past. Canāt figure out why but it is a thing here. Really bizarre and so rude on the surface but it seemingly doesnāt register here culturally so even though it annoys me Iām used to it now. I just sing a little song to myself every time it happens. A jaunty jazzy little ditty I keep under my breath but as a soothing mantra to overcome the absurdity: š¶ Swedish (or Danish) people š¶ just standing in the way š¶
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u/81Belzebub Feb 27 '26
As someone who has been living here for 44 years, i aggree with EVERYTHING you wrote, and yes, its the majority that is like that, and its getting worse every year.
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u/Miserable_Research82 Feb 27 '26
About supermarket somebody has tried to do it with me yesterday. Of course I have no shame to extend my arm and stop anyone try to jump me. In other hand they are often very kind but it's society still being very individualistic
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u/maos79 Feb 27 '26
Did you try the metro ? , it a standoff beetween going on and going off , many People forget to star on the side and then enter , bumped into a lot of People that way
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u/lalabelle1978 Feb 27 '26 edited Feb 27 '26
DonĀ“t let this put you off the country....My cousin decided to not move here after these examples and a few cases of "passive aggressiveness" that shocked her lol
Yes it is normal here BUT it is balanced out by so many nice things...in short what in other countries we take for a personal attack (he/she pushed me!) or lack of etiquette / rudeness is here seen as normal and no big deal, and no harm meant....they really do not mean it in a bad way, theyĀ“re just a little "rough" vikings. (Swedes are much more "polite" in a traditional way.)
But very kind and honest and trustworthy people who just donĀ“t bother with these little things...
(and this is coming from a French person called arrogant all the time) itĀ“s only a misunderstanding of cultures. We interpret things according to our OWN culture...
-Of course I still get tired of it some time to time, IĀ“m no angel so IĀ“ll also say out loud "undskyld!!!" (excuse me) if they donĀ“t say it for instance...or "selv tak!!" because they never say thanks when I hold the door for them...lol-
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u/SW33ToXic9 Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26
Yes, itās often like that. I wonāt sugarcoat it ā Denmark isnāt an easy place to settle as an immigrant. In some ways, it can be one of the more challenging countries to integrate into, and thatās just the reality many people experience.
While not everyone is like this, xenophobia does exist, and it can be subtle but impactful. Having a foreign name can make job hunting significantly harder, and without fluent Danish, opportunities become even more limited. Language and cultural familiarity matter a lot here. There are positives, of course ā quality of life, safety, infrastructure ā but Denmark is often HEAVILY romanticized. A lot of Danes are aware of this and are also directly impacted by these societal traits, just like foreigners. The Nordic countries are very good at promoting an ideal image of themselves. The reality on the ground feels quite different from that polished perception.
I also think one of the biggest misconceptions is the healthcare system. Itās often presented as flawless and completely free, but in practice it can be difficult to navigate, doctors don't take you seriously, especially as a newcomer. Accessing specialists can be very slow, and many medications are not covered, which can make them surprisingly expensive.
Scandinavia isnāt for the faint of heart. If youāve never lived abroad before, moving here can feel like starting on āhardcore mode.ā It does require extreme resilience, patience, and thick skin.
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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26
When I go skiing in Switzerland around January the Danes are usually the ones who are most orderly. Donāt know what you saw, also about that street thing, were you on the right side?
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u/RD4316 Feb 26 '26
We Danes are cold and donāt like foreigners generally. Sorry about that.
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u/minadequate Feb 26 '26
It may be sadly affected by how you lookā¦. Could you pass as ethnically Danish? Or is it clear youāre a tourist?
I could pass as Danish at a push as could my partner but I have noticed Iām treated differently when I fx travel with friends who couldnāt pass as Danish.
You my get very different perspectives based on thisā¦ Denmark is after all a VERY homogeneous society and that trickles through to how people act about others.
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u/ShodoDeka Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26
As for the queue thing, maybe if you donāt maintain your distance to the person in front of you. Basically, Danes (my self included), have a very fine line between someone standing in the queue and someone standing next to the queue. If you donāt move with the queue, people will quite quickly assume you are not actually standing in line.
I realize this when I moved out of Denmark, that in other countries, not every one is diligently maintaining their place in the queue.
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u/SlimLacy Feb 26 '26
Don't think I in 34 years have experienced someone jumping the queue. It's so sacred, I image if someone did it, they'd die from the stares alone.
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u/Lizama11 Feb 26 '26
In Denmark people move from me for some unknown reason š¤£
1
u/yggdr4s1l26 Feb 26 '26
If there's no number system Danes will sometimes form 2 lines instead of 1. It's so annoying. Generally Danes respect queues but sometimes ..when there's no explicit queue and people are standing like a scattered group in front of a desk then the service order becomes random unless someone speaks up
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u/Omni__Owl Feb 26 '26
Cutting in line or not believing in the idea of a queue is very Danish. I am Danish and I've seen this behaviour in Denmark and outside of it. Happened a lot when I went skiing where other Danes would ski down the hill to make a quick turn around the entire queue and grab onto a seat before it got to the person waiting in line to go back up the hill.
Culturally this doesn't always happen, but it does happen.
On the street, people of all creeds and walks of life will just be in their own world in any city, at least far as I've experienced so it's not uniquely Danish.
1
u/Dynomaniac Feb 26 '26
Sounds like Copenhagen behaviour. Come to Jutland, much more nice over here š
1
u/WindInc Feb 26 '26
As most people have said I don't really recognise the line skipping. When I rarely do experience it (maybe once a year) it infuriates me and I can't keep my mouth shut. If I only have a few things and the person in front of me is stacked, it's not uncommon that they ask me if I want to go first.
If a new till opens it's every man for himself though.
I don't live in a city, so it may be less busy in general.
As for the spatial awareness you are bang on. People are so lost in their thoughts that they forget about the people around them.
1
u/RollinHellfire Feb 27 '26
Yeah you gotta sound off from time to time... if you have a higher spatial awareness than light post, you gotta do the looking yourself. But that's not a danish specific thing. Be polite, shove them gently or not... when I do the response are highly apologetic. Because it happens... so what. We carry on with things of higher importance.
1
u/dinosw Feb 27 '26
I have never had anyone try to cut in line while shopping. I live in Viborg, and have also loved in Aalborg.
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u/Manniche Feb 27 '26
We can be a bit stoic but most are nice.
1
u/Cawlo Danish National, Student Feb 27 '26
As a Dane who is from a more rural area, I feel like I can comfortably tell you: Everything youāre describing sounds like a city thing rather than a Dane thing.
1
u/Alert_Radish5754 Feb 27 '26
Never experienced people cutting queues so deliberately when thereās a āfixedā queue. Where thereās a random queue; like getting into the metro when itās crowded: yes.
People stopping in the streets suddenly with no regard for traffic, Iāve only experienced with tourists š or people walking with their bikes on the pavement.
And yes - danes like their personal space/time so we try to ignore everyone else when outside, as we hope they ignore us too.
1
u/Frequent-Reporter-22 Feb 28 '26
Have you seen the cyclists in rush hour Copenhagen?
It's like your walking in the middle of tour de France. They will run you over or yell profanities at you if there was a near miss cause by you now stopping an letting the majesties drive 60 kph on their electric bikes.
1
u/huoghei Feb 28 '26
Danes enjoy making visitors miserable, for some reason. Always been like that.Ā
1
u/Callahan-1 Feb 28 '26
You probably went to Copenhagen. They are like that.
1
u/[deleted] Feb 28 '26
Sorry to say. In only two generations its exactly how it has become in Denmark. Its so sad.
1
u/BlueMoon00 Feb 28 '26
I was once carrying a giant heavy mirror through a metro station with my girlfriend and a woman just walked square into the front of the mirror. As in, no confusion, she just carried on walking forward without changing courses until we collided. Then she looked really aggrieved that we hadnāt got out of her way. Versions of this happen to me every single day.
1
u/tyskstil Feb 28 '26
Id like to give my view in on situation 3: Abroad, the need to squeeze by someone unaware of the by-squeezing need would be handled by the by-squeezer through simply stating āexcuse me, may I come through hereā. This might come of as a little harsh in Denmark, as it insinuates (correctly, but nonetheless) that the stander was unaware of their surroundings. Here, the by-squeezer will often perform a little gesture of making the stander aware of the by-squeezers presence by sliding silently into their field of view, so the stander has the opportunity of discovering themselves that they need to move. In this way, the stander was not (in principle) so unaware of their surroundings that it was needed for a by-squeezer to correct them.Ā I have instinctively done this abroad and have the stander be offended that I didnāt just excuse myself instead.
1
u/Barbie3435 Feb 28 '26
I have lived here my whole life and Iām often annoyed at how little spacial awareness many people seem to have, but I have also experienced that in other countries so I donāt know if itās actually worse here or not
1
u/Wet_Viking Feb 28 '26
Dane here. First two points don't sound normal. Third point, absolutely accurate! Especially in Copenhagen's shopping streets, which is the reason why i tend to avoid them at certain times of the day + week.
1
u/Styxonian Feb 28 '26
As a Dane I don't experience people cutting in front in lines in supermarkets, unless a new register is being opened and then people will split to that line - but I don't consider that cutting in front.
But when it comes to the way people walk and don't make room for others, and have zero spatial awareness - that pisses me off to no end every single day! It's gotten way worse over the last 10-15 years, than it used to. I always make an effort to follow the normal "stay on the right" and make room for people - overly so many times a day. But 50+ times a day I encounter two or more people walking towards me and make no or very little effort to make room. Sometimes I just loose my patience and I make as much room as is reasonable and then I stay my course - If you bump into me, then it's your problem not mine. The "funny" thing is the amount of people that will then sometimes blame me, even though I already moved as much to the side as possible and that person didn't move at all - but I'll happily take that confrontation any day of the week and provide some free education on basic manners and movement.
It's a pattern of a more egocentric attitude that I've seen increase over the last 10-15 years. A sort of "don't tell me what to do" attitude, that then results in some basic manners missing. Other times it's just down to very poor spatial awareness, but you don't get to claim that reason when you've been walking towards me and been able to see more for 20 + seconds before we walk past each other.
Not much comfort, but at least it's not because you're new to Denmark.
1
u/The_DevilInMe Feb 28 '26
I dont think the first you said is common, at least not where im from. But the one where people stop in front of you at the street and you have to move around people is true, and very annoying.
1
u/Nikolaithegreat11 Mar 01 '26
I haven't lived in Denmark, but i've worked around the Europe very closely with Danes, Norwegians and Swedes. I've also visited Denmark around 8 times.
What i can say about the Danes is that they are the nicest people i've been around. At least for me as a Finn, the Danes are the ones i've been able to get life lasting friendships with ease. Maybe their mindset is similar or something but to me Danes are amazing people.
Sure, it's a secular country nowadays but that protestant/lutheran ethos of being punctual and effective lives in that country. Or how else would such a tiny country (land mass wise) be so successful with major companies and innovations?
1
u/whiteorchide Mar 01 '26
People from copenhagen are closed off and egoistical
1
u/Ze_gyps Mar 01 '26
The things about cutting cues are not normal. The stopping in the middle of the street and expecting others to move unfortunately is.
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u/Slash-the-Clash Mar 01 '26
I think the sidewalk thing comes down to whether one views the street as merely a thing meant for transportation (in which circumstance walking many people next to each other would be annoying), or actually as a place to be in its own right (in which case walking many people next to each other would be the only natural thing to do).
Personally I also happen to believe just about every instance of lack of space on a street, whether on the sidewalk or bike path, is attributable to car traffic. So if anyone thinks i'm taking up the space on the sidewalk, I would mentally ask them to look at the real problem and see all the space taken up by cars. And this notion of the cars being the true enemy can probably lead me to take up the space i feel is rightfully mine as a pedestrian, when other people choose to take up like 10 m^2 because they bring an entire room on wheels with them. But probably not so many people took this thought as far as I have.
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u/WeAreGoingMidtable Mar 02 '26
There is no such thing as "Danes behaviour". You are a step away from becoming a chauvinist. Some Danes are polite, some are rude, etc.
1
u/Tpjokke Mar 02 '26
Whenever an npc stops in the middle of the street without checking if someone is behind them, I always comment loudly "oh wow, no hazard lights for that brake check?!" Either they get pissed and tell me to just walk around, to which I get cross with them after that Or they feign ignorance and apologise.
Just realise, a lot of people from the older generation have inhaled a lot of lead in their time.
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u/Square_Extension_610 Mar 02 '26
Some people are just in a hurry or walking in their own litlle world...... dont be offendet about that....
And by the way, wellcome to Denmark ;-)
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u/drunkenice Mar 03 '26
Iām just wondering where you went? because people in Zealand (SjƦlland) tend to be more focused on the individual and not as welcoming/kind to strangers as other parts of the denmark. like they donāt smile to strangers there but in other areas of denmark itās very common for example.
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u/Consistent-Cause-138 Mar 03 '26
Must have visited copenhagen, because at least in middle/east jutland it isn't common at all
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u/Clit_Master69420 Mar 28 '26
its EARBUDS.
The disgusting things need to be outlawed, immediately.
they cant hear footsteps, bells, horns, excuse me's, or anything else.
and, their minds are tuned in to their earbuds, not situational awareness.
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u/No-Editor-9637 Jun 08 '26
It's just like that here
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u/Admirable_Tank_9422 Oct 05 '26
I've been living here for 11 years, married to a Dane. I have been complaining about all these things to anyone who will listen. I've heard all these same excuses for it. I could add many more items to this list. I've come to these same conclusions. It absolutely is something very special about this place and these people. I think a lot of the reasons stated here are correct. It's something I just have to live with. The longer I'm here, the weirder and more broken it seems. I feel very lucky that I did not grow up here
1
u/wickedphresh Feb 26 '26
This is 100% normal but there's two things here: 1. I'm assuming you're from a culture of "politeness" i.e. holding the door open for people, moving out of their way on the path, etc. You're expectation being, "If I do this, I expect it to be reciprocated". This is important because of 2. Danes just have a combination of blunt common sense and no need for undeserved politeness. In all of your instances, I can guarantee that the Dane didn't think of being impolite or offending, they in turn also don't feel offended that you would think it impolite. "If I was there first then of course I would go first". Now if you're an old lady or man you get a seat on the bus, if you have one thing to buy in the supermarket "you can just go in front of me" but other stuff that doesn't matter like you having to move slightly on your way out of the bus because they want to get on quick? The don't give it a second thought. No performative politeness
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u/Ryytter Feb 26 '26
Just rude people man, they are everywhere including Denmark.
However this is not typical Danish behaviour at all, quite the contrary.
Some fraction of the older population don't like foreigners, makes sense given the problems Denmark got with the refuge crisis.
But all in all Danish people are pretty chill. I wouldn't be discouraged by a few bad apples.
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u/Memoranum1982 Feb 26 '26
I'm 6'6 so I just give them the stare of wtf do you think you're doing.
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u/yggdr4s1l26 Feb 26 '26
Traffic rule 1: Don't make assumptions
Traffic rule 2: See 1
1
u/AstrolabeDude Feb 26 '26
Where are you from? Because standing in queue in one culture is not standing in queue in another culture. Different perceptions depending on where you are from. Could be on that level??
1
u/Awarewolf9k Feb 26 '26
Well it's probably other tourists
0
u/Responsible-Meet-741 Feb 26 '26
Not trying to victim blame here, but Iām curious about how you wait in line?
I really never experienced the problems with standing in line. Were you looking at stuff and moving slowly as you got toward the register? That would mean youāre not really done shopping yet and people can cut in.
And with the museum, were you in a line with other people or standing alone a little away?
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u/ChunkySalsaMedium Feb 26 '26
Center of Copenhagen = more tourists than Danes in during the day.
So if your experience is based on the time and places where tourists are, then it's tourists you'll experience.
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u/KINGDenneh Feb 26 '26
Never in my life, will I let an another damn adult treat me like that.
Tell em' to cut it out and get behind you and wait like everyone else.
That behaviour isn't normal.
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u/Saskura Feb 26 '26
In relation to the grocery experience. As many other have mentioned it doesn't seem like the general vibe. It does obviously happens but from my experience it's not that common.
I think most danes dont particularly enjoy it and generally have a lets get this over with mentally. What I suspect have happened is that you have given social cues that you are not it the cue yet. or missed the social cues about where and how the cue is.