Culture Clash

Some differences I've noticed between the Danes and Americans (note: some of these things may apply to my host family):

1. Danes don't believe in curtains. This is probably explains why it is so cold in their houses during the winter. When I tried to explain to Michael that curtains keep the cold out and the heat in, his response was, "but then we wouldn't be able to look out the window". Okay, but do you need to look out the window during the day when you're not even home? No. Of course I didn't say that to him, but it's what I was thinking. For a country that seems to be so environmentally friendly, they are wasting a lot of heat and energy by not using curtains. Thus, it can get very cold in my house. Thankfully, my room has curtains, which I keep shut almost all the time so that my room is nice and warm and cozy!

2. They're a pretty green country. Random factoid: 20% of Denmark's energy comes from windmills. They also have two buttons on their toilet so that when you go "#1" you press the button for less water and when you go "#2" you press the button for more water. They try to take 5 minute showers because water is so expensive here. When they asked me how long of a shower I take at home and I replied by saying anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes long, their mouths dropped. Though they were warned during their host family orientation that young Americans take long showers. So I've been trying to take 5 minute showers here but its stressful rather than relaxing (I have to worry about washing my hair (shampoo and conditioner!), my body, and shaving all in 5 minutes?! It's a little difficult). So when they're home I take 5 minute showers and when they're gone I take a little longer... okay, not that much longer just 10 minutes!

3.Being green is more apart of their everyday lives than it is in America. For example, all toilets (public ones and ones in private homes) have the two button flush. Public restrooms might have signs remind you to be conscious of how much toilet paper you use. Their washers and dryers are smaller than ours so they use less energy.

4.Everyone in Copenhagen and the surrounding suburbs bikes. Everywhere. There is a separate bike lane on the road and when crossing the street you have to look out for bikes too. You're probably more likely to get run over by a bike than a car. This probably explains why everyone here is so damn skinny. So their not fat and they're pretty green. Not only do the Danes bike everywhere, but they look so prim and proper while doing so. They sit up nice and tall on their bikes, and woman bike in all sorts of outfits: mink coats, stilettos, boots, dresses, you name it. Many Danes also don't wear helmets when they're biking. I've seen this a lot in the city, which is surprising, because with so many cars you think you would want to be safe. They also don't seem to sweat while riding their bikes. Then there's me, the American, who hasn't biked in 10 years, sweating and heaving by the time I get to the train station, while a young Danish woman casually gets off her bike without a glimpse of sweat on her face or a crinkle in her outfit.

5. They have a socialized welfare system. This means that going to the hospital and the doctor is free, child care/day care is free, after school programs and leisure activities (clubs) are free, assistance for the elderly and those with special needs are free.

6. However, to pay for all the wonderful free services, Danes pay anywhere from 50-70% in income tax. That's 50-70% of their income being given over to the government!

7. They believe in egalitarianism: equal opportunities and equal services for all no matter what background you have. Yet this seems to be more in terms of economic or social background, they need to work on equality for all regardless of ethnic background (will talk about this more later). This is especially seen in their education system where education is free (including day care!) and childcare starts at the age of 1. This occurs so that all families have the ability to send their child to school no matter their financial situation. In addition, families receive child support, 10,000 DKK (about $2,000) a year from the government for each child! If you have a child with special needs, the municipality (the local government of the region you live in) may give you additional help. For example, our teacher's nephew has special needs, so the parents received a car for transportation from the municipality, and diapers.

8. Danes don't jaywalk. Though I don't know how hard and fast this rule is because I've definitely seen some people do it! It's a little strang, actually its more just annoying and inpatient, waiting on the corner at a red light when there are absolutely no cars in sight. Usually I'll cross if there aren't other people around.

9. The fashion is pretty much the same, though they do more of the leggings and tights as pants or tights with a t-shirt dress. In the dead of winter. While riding a bike.

10. They're obviously the creator of the pastry, which means that bakeries sell about a dozen different types of pastries called wiennerbrod, and they're all delicious. It doesn't help that it's one of the cheapest things you can find to eat in Copenhagen.

11. Copenhagen is ridiculously expensive. Now, I come from NYC which is one of the most expensive cities in the world (yeah yeah yeah) but honestly, I think that mainly has to do with the cost of living. While its expensive to live in NYC, you can find cheap places to eat and shop. In Copenhagen, a coffee and a bagel is $ 6 USD and a coffee in a shop is about $4-6 USD. Now for some that may be normal because they buy Starbucks everyday, but even in the 7-11 (yes, they have 7-11's here and they're EVERYWHERE) a coffee is 4 bucks.