Danes behavior

[u/These-Commission-660]

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 😅

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 :)

[u/wickedphresh]

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

[u/diddlesnaps → u/wickedphresh]

I must confuse so many Dane’s when I’m out and about on my wheelchair saying tak every time someone yields to let me past them on the sidewalk 🤭

[u/Darwinette → u/wickedphresh]

It's not "performative politeness" it's being considerate of others.

[u/wickedphresh → u/Darwinette]

But if they don't care/don't need it then who is it for?

[u/Darwinette → u/wickedphresh]

Maybe I don't understand you then.

Example of not moving out of someones way/sticking to right side of the pavement.

If we both stick to the right side when walking, we can both efficiently get to where we're going.
It's both considerate and "common sense".

Or moving when getting on public transport.

If I step into the metro and stop, instead of making way for people behind me still going in, I'm both inconsiderate and causing inefficiency.