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The Xenophobe's Guide to the Danes

by Helen Dyrbye, Steven Harris and Thomas Golzen

A guide to understanding the Danes that highlights their character and behaviour with warmth and wit.

The Xenophobe's Guide to the Danes
is now available on Kindle
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Extracts from the book

Everything in moderation
Denmark is a land of modesty and moderation. This is largely a consequence of the Danes' sense of social responsibility. The touchstone of any activity or point of view is whether it is samfundsrelevant, that is, socially useful.

That's not funny
Danish humour suffers from the handicap of the Danes' literal-mindedness ('Can you play the violin?' 'I don't know, I've never tried.'), and for their need to conform. In a country where all right-thinking people think the right things, no-one is sufficiently different to laugh at.

Combined forces
Danes co-operate. Lego comes from the Danish words leg godt which means 'play well', and this is just what the Danes are good at. They get along well with other people. In any brochure translated for the world market, the word 'co-operation' will appear at least three times per page along with a generous sprinkling of 'joint ventures'.

Frankly speaking
They say what they think about sex, politics, religion, everything. Small talk can assume monstrous proportions. They will tell you frankly how much their mortgage is, how much they earn per hour and whether or not they shave their armpits.

Comments from readers

I laughed till I cried. After two years in Denmark this book still managed to provide insights into the Danes. I find myself quoting it when trying to describe Denmark to others ... and even to my Danish boyfriend .. His constant 'you mean other people don't do that' was only interrupted by his laughter.
Copenhagen, Denmark

Amazing book. The three authors are 100% attuned to the Danes. They get the Danish humor right. We could not have written it better ourselves, really! So, if you are going to Denmark, or need an introduction to the Danes, this is the book to get.
Denmark

I admit to being a Dane, and reading this book my reactions alternated between amused pride and sincere embarrassment as I saw one layer after another of our national character accurately dissected - but most of all I laughed!
This book has a wonderful energetic sense of irony and humour, combined with a deep insight into the Danish culture and mentality. The only objection I have to some of the conclusions and observations is that they are rather obviously made in Copenhagen and apply the best to Danes from the capital. Denmark is a small country, but there is still some regional variance in our culture. For instance, people in Jutland have a better sense of humour than those in Copenhagen. I think a Copenhagen Dane might have laughed less...
If you are going to Denmark, if you have travelled or lived there for a while, if you hate us, love us, or feel puzzled about us, or if you are a Dane yourself, you will almost certainly enjoy this book!
Denmark

Reviews from the Press

...it has been used as a textbook in a Danish Business School's cultural understanding classes and the Danish AIESEC (the world's largest student organisation) offers this series to all students participating in their international traineeship exchange programme. What more recommendation do you need.
Cape Town, South Africa

This is a book written by people who know us well and view us with a mixture of kindness, indulgence, scepticism and quirky humour.
Information, Denmark

Table of Contents
Nationalism and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Happy Families
Manners and Behaviour
Leisure and Pleasure
Drinking and Eating
Custom and Tradition
Sense of Humour
Culture
Systems
Culture
Systems
Business and Commerce
Government
Language

 

Authors: Helen Dyrbye,
Steven Harris and Author: Thomas Golzen
Format: 96 pages, pb
Published: 24/07/2008
NEW EDITION
Price: £4.99
ISBN: 978-1-906042-27-1
Online eBook. Click on button below to sample.
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