I live in the USA, (Virginia - East Coast). We've had a few television shows on here lately about Demark, and the fact that Denmark has "the happiest people in the world!" Do you agree or disagree? Why? Thanks! (I'm asking because I really would love to visit so any info that you would care to share will be greatly appreciated!!) Again, Thank you! :)
Denmark - 8 Answers
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1 :
I live in Denmark, but I am not a Dane. There has been few analysis about this "happiest country in the world" thingie and one of them (as written in the local newspaper here) that Danes feel generally happy about their lives because they don't want that much in life, they are pretty much satisfied with their lives, unlike the Americans who want bigger and more expensive things in their lives. From what I have seen with my own eyes, I think it is true, because Danes are quite satisfied with thier lives that at some point I think they are lacking ambition, they are pretty much like wherever they are standing right now.
2 :
Hello, I'm a Virginian hehe what a coincidence because I lived in Denmark for a few years. Yes, the Danes are the "happiest" in the world but I think a better word for "happy" in that poll is "content". Denmarks government is democratic/socialist reaping the best out of the 2 ideologies. Citizens get free health care and free college. The taxes are a real B*TCH though but the people don't seem to worry about it, probably because they all get free college lol. The standard of living in Denmark is very high and the houses are built very well unlike here in Virginia. The freedoms people have in Denmark puts America to shame as the "beacon of freedom". For example, you don't have to be a certain age to smoke. Drinking alcohol is okay when your 16. They can't have guns though. The Danish government, unlike ours in my opinion, has an image of "do whatever you want, just dont hurt anybody". As an American, certain things would get on my nerves... Like when I went shopping I'd have to put money into the shopping cart so I can use it and if I didn't bring my own bags to put the food in, I'd have to BUY a bag from the cashier. It costs 5 kroner which is almost a dollar. Anything worth 40 dollars or less is just expendable change to them. Denmark is VERY depressing for a Virginian to live. The sky is a depressing dark grey ALL day, it's rare to see the sun up at all. There is a certain time in the winter where there is no daylight at all. Last summer lasted strangely long though that was really weird but it was nice to see a fade of blue in the sky and on lucky days there were sunsets with color. Danes speak very good english so if you did go there you wouldn't have a problem. Bring lots of money because it's expensive, the cost of living is very high. There are lot's of things to do in Copenhagen, I suggest giong to Tivoli. You can easily blow 700 dollars in one day there lol.
3 :
its horrible go to turkey turkey 4 ever
4 :
Its an interesting country, there are some nice places to see, its a flat country, no mountains, very different to the surrounding countries, the home of H.C Anderson (story writer) things are expensive worth a visit weather is very changeable lots of rain and wind
5 :
I've lived in Denmark for 3 years now, and like others have said, it's not so much 'happiness' as 'contentedness'. They have an excellent public transportation system (and designated bike lanes), so there's not a real 'need' to own your own car (although many do). If the bus/train is late, you won't get chewed out at work because, "these things happen sometimes" - it's understood that they WILL be late on occasion and it's not your fault for coming in late. As far as the individual freedoms - you're not allowed to smoke in any indoor public area in Denmark, or in the buses/trains or taxis. There are specific rules which govern smoking in bars and/or restaurants according to the size of the property. The law on the books is also you MUST be 16 to buy cigarettes. For alcohol/wine, you must be 15 to buy it from a store, and 18 to buy it at a bar/restaurant. You're also not allowed to drink alcohol on the bus/train. Taxes are high - but they receive free medical care (minus vision/dental), free education (they receive a stipend FOR attending college - around 4000 kr a month or nearly 800$ US), both parents are encouraged to take maternity leave for their children (my husband gets 8 months with full pay when ours is born). Again - it's not so much 'happiness' but a feeling of, 'we have enough for what we need, so there's no reason to complain or be upset about it'. Would we like a 5 bedroom house with 2 cars, etc - sure - but we don't need that to be content in our lives.
6 :
I lived in Denmark for 2 years mbut now Im here in Norway still closed and part of Scandinavian....I have a sister who is marri to ed to Danish guy.....I will visit to them for 2 weeks this march.... I loved Dk so much specially Copenhagen more than my home country "sad but true"... I want to spend the rest of my life in Copenhagen..... Copenhagen is very nice place very flat area convenient to public transport like busses,bikes,cars,trains,metro.... Lots of tourists visits every year.....months,days.... There are many tourists spots and hotels,niced restaurants.... peaceful,no traffic,not much crime..... Danish people are very cool,down to earth,friendly,helpful and giver. They have a lot of freedom...the treatment are equal no poor no rich.... Omg!100%.I love Denmark....Im sure you didinitely love as well....
7 :
As someone else has already pointed out, it's not so much that Danes are "happy" in the way Americans define the word, but more that they are "content" or "satisfied" with their lives. That's an important distinction. To understand the Danish mindset, keep in mind that Denmark is a very heavily socialist country, and that the people there generally want to keep it that way. What does that mean? For starters, it means that Danes generally would rather have a GOOD life if everyone else can have one too, as opposed to pursuing a GREAT life if that would deprive others of their good one. For Americans, it can be hard to really grasp that Danes really, truly would rather see everyone, including themselves, be "average" instead of trying to "beat the Joneses". Most financially successful Danes feel at least a little guilty about their success, because they're sure that it has, somehow, in some way, hurt someone else. Danes are industrious and hard-working, but they are not great individualists in the American "work hard to get ahead" sense of the word. The fact is, a lot of middle-class Danes could quite easily afford to "upgrade" their lives by buying e.g. a bigger home or a second car -- but to them that would feel uncomfortably like they were bragging about their success, and they choose to live modestly instead of doing things that to them feel ostentatious. Danes care about the environment, about each other, and (at least a little) about making sure everyone sees how much they care. So they make a big show of taking the train instead of driving, of recycling their bottles, bringing their own grocery bags to the supermarket, and ride their bicycles to work in the rain. Given half a chance, they'll gladly spend an hour telling you (over a beer or four) about all the ways in which the Danish way of doing things are best. (They'll also complain endlessly about their taxes, but never seriously suggest lowering them.) The cost of living is high, especially for Americans today -- the dollar-to-krone exchange rate today is at a historical low, so Denmark today will feel much more expensive to an American than it does to a Dane. Also, bear in mind that Danes generally live comparably "simple" lives compared to Americans -- and living in Denmark like an American tourist is much more expensive than living there like a Dane. The beer is excellent. By American standards, all Danish bakeries are amazing, and the bread and pastries are outstanding. The nasty pastry called a "Danish" in America is insulting to Danes everywhere, and you ought to go try the real thing if you go there. :-)
8 :
It's alright in Denmark. I miss Canada though. In my experience, I find living in Denmark very frustrating. Yes, the Danes are very content. They have enough to keep them satisfied. In most cases, no more, no less and NO DIFFERENT than any one else. There is little choice in pretty much everything and often I feel that to have different taste than the Danes (or to do things differently) is sometimes seen as an insult. Maybe it's my homesick experience speaking or problems with "the in-laws" but I feel this constant pressure to conform conform conform... The Danes, in my experience, are very proud of what they have and think, why shouldn't they be? If you want anything different, it's a big deal... I don't know, maybe it's my in-laws but I feel they are extremely materialistic and their whole circle of friends are all concerned with what each other has so God forbid you get anything different. Speaking to other non-Danes living here, I often get the same viewpoint from them. I really miss Canada and CHOICES! That being said, despite the high taxes, we are managing to build ourselves a nice little life here and I love the Danes and their light heartedness and sense of humour. Not only that but I feel so safe raising my daughter here and am fortunate knowing that her education will be paid for (Canada has free health care and many of the other perks you would appreciate in Denmark). The opportunity to travel to the rest of Europe is a nice thing to consider too. So, as time goes on, I am learning to appreciate the many things that make the Danes consider themselves "happy".
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