Danish Etiquette Tips
In America, we are used to saying
and hearing "How are you?" all the time.
It's just a typical part of greeting, and you
might not necessarily want to know the answer.
However, in Denmark,
"How are you?" is reserved for people
you have a close relationship with, and it's only
asked if you truly want to know the answer.
Denmark is a country that is very proud of their
culture. Respect the Danish while on your trip
and keep some basic etiquette in mind.
1. What to wear
- DO dress neatly.
- DO wear jeans for casual
events, but definitely make sure they
are neat and clean.
2. Food/Drinks
- DO rest your wrists
at the edge of the table.
- DO try everything served
to you and accept offers for second helpings.
- DO finish everything
on your plate.
- DO make eye contact
during a toast and raise your glass eye
level.
- DO place your knife
and fork across your plate with the handles
to the right when you are done eating.
- DON'T start eating
until the host says "Skol."
- DON'T expect a meal
to be quick. Sometimes dinner can last
over four hours!
3. Tipping
- DO leave a 10% tip
at a restaurant if the service was good.
4. Gift giving and Accepting Gifts
- DO open a gift immediately.
- DON'T give extravagant
gifts. Liquor or flowers is often appreciated
it. Also, a book about your hometown makes
a nice gift.
- DON'T give sharp objects
as a gift.
- DO wrap flowers if
giving them as a gift.
- DO give roses or wildflowers
if you wish to give flowers. Avoid giving
white roses, however. They are associated
with mourning.
5. Gesturing and Body Language
- DON'T be too touchy
feely. It's not appreciated in Denmark.
6. Greetings
- DO greet with a nice,
firm handshake accompanied by eye contact
and a smile.
- DO shake hands with
everybody present when arriving and again
when departing. Don't forget the children!
Shake hands with them, too.
- DO shake hands with
women first.
- DON'T call someone
by their first name until invited to,
but you'll probably be invited to move
to a first name basis very quickly.
7. Visiting Someone's Home
- DON'T arrive more than
15 minutes late.
- DO take your shoes
off upon entering.
- DO dress well.
- DO help your host with
preparation and clean-up.
- DO bring a dessert
or alcoholic beverage.
8. Business
- DO make an appointment
in advance and have it confirmed in writing.
Avoid scheduling appointments in the summertime
if possible, because many Danes go on
vacation then.
- DON'T be late! Punctuality
is important in Denmark. If you're running
more than five minutes late, call to explain.
- DON'T expect much small
talk.
- DO send an agenda in
advance and follow it at the meeting.
- DON'T bring a gift
to an initial meeting. It's not customary,
but you may send a gift after negotiations
are complete. Small gifts with a company
logo are appropriate.
9. Socializing
- DON'T expect to be
asked "How are you?" as often
as in America. This question is only asked
if you have a personal relationship with
the person and you really want to know
how they are.
- DON'T mistake a Dane
for being Swedish or Norwegian.
- DO say "thank
you" a lot. Danes do it, so be polite
back to them.
You will find that people in Denmark are
very polite, so return the thoughtfulness
and be polite back to them! You'll blend in
much better and impress those around you.
Have a wonderful trip to Denmark!
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