...and a little more on Danish culture

Here's the update on what we've been discussing in my class...

Janteloven...Axel Sandemose, a Danish native, published this in his 1933 novel, "A Refugee Crosses His Track" (there's no underline on here....I haven't forgotten my MLA citations to always underline book titles). It represents the Danish mindset but also causes controversy as many don't support what it says. The "10 commandments" of Janteloven are:

• You shall not think that you are special
• You shall not think that you are of the same standing as us
• You shall not think that you are wiser than us
• Don't fancy yourself as being better than us
• You shall not think that you know more than us
• You shall not think that you are more important than us
• You shall not think that anyone cares about you
• You shall not think that you are good at anything
• You shall not laugh at us
• You shall not think that you can teach us anything

This is a bit extreme, but as you already know by reading past posts, the Danes are very modest people. They see everyone as being on the same page and are happy with what they have and regard equality as a very high priority. Therefore, you don't see Denmark becoming a superpower or putting up a tough argument against other countries. The idea of equality is seen in everything from their taxes to their school systems. Unlike the U.S. and their strive toward education and advancing those who are bored with their level in school (like skipping grades or advanced reading/math/science/you-name-it programs), the Danes keep all students of the same grade in the same classroom no matter what level they're at. Their hope is that the more advanced students take the struggling ones under their wing and help them, teaching patience and equality among students. I like their idea of equality in theory, but I still think that if a student is bored with what their class is learning and wants to advance, they should be able to.

Believe it or not, their idea of 'not reaching for the stars' also relates to the Dane's happiness. The equation for happiness is Reality / Expectations. Danes have low expectations (words straight from my teacher's mouth), therefore bumping their happiness up according to the equation. All in all, the Danes strive for a homogenous community in which they're happy with what they have. That was basically all we talked about in my last Danish class.

New Danish word: Hyggelig (pronounced Who-ga-lee). Adjective of hygge, meaning cozy, warm, hospitable, etc. It is a great compliment to give thanks to a Dane for a Hyggelig evening, stay, or party.

And a few other things I've noticed:

1. The stoplights not only turn yellow before turning red to warn drivers to slow down, but also turn yellow before turning green to let drivers know that it is about to turn green. I'm so glad I don't have a car here! Also, they don't really wait to go in reverse...I don't know if I've mentioned this but I've almost been backed over by a bus and a car because they just throw it in reverse and go. Good thing I have cat-like reflexes :)

2. I've noticed that parents don't get too nervous while out and about with their toddlers...so it's not uncommon to see children farther than an arm's reach away from their parents when walking along the street or like the other day in Roskilde there was a toddler walking along the edge of the bridge where a 10-foot drop into the water was a couple inches to one side of the little girl. Yes, children learn by exploring but there have been too many times that I've had to hide my shocked face when seeing children in a potentially dangerous situation....haha, talk about motherly instincts coming out!

3. And talking about kids....they all have snowsuits here! They're so cute! Even though there is no snow anywhere on the ground they are in full body snowsuits and waddle around everywhere! Haha, I'd like to take a picture but I think it may be a little too creepy.