Duńczycy. Patent na szczęście

by Patrick Kingsley, Joanna Gładysek (Translator)

Co łączy hygge i Larsa von Triera? Carlsberga i Kierkegaarda? A nawet Szekspira i Metallicę? Odpowiedź znajdziemy w Danii, państwie, które ostatnio zawładnęło naszą wyobraźnią. Okrywamy się ich kocami, oglądamy ich seriale i ustawiamy wieże z ich klocków, ale tak naprawdę ile wiemy o samych Duńczykach?

To reportaż, a zarazem książka podróżnicza, która poszerzy naszą wiedzę na temat Danii i jej mieszkańców. Od serialu Dochodzenie do szefów restauracji Noma, Patrick Kingsley zabiera nas w podróż do serca Danii.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Denmark, Cultural, History, Scandinavian Literature, Danish

200 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Patrick Kingsley is a foreign correspondent for the New York Times, and was previously the Guardian’s inaugural migration correspondent. An award-winning journalist, he has reported from more than twenty-five countries and is the author of THE NEW ODYSSEY and HOW TO BE DANISH.

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having lived in Denmark for some time, I was very eager to read this book. It was not exactly what I imagined it to be but was enjoyable /educational nonetheless.

I did not agree with everything Kingsley professed; I did have to remind myself I have not lived there for 20 years. Yet, the author’s discussion of hyggelig brought so many happy and cozy memories. Was very glad he mentioned it as Danes do take great pride in creating an atmosphere that is warm, cozy, welcoming, hospitable and filled with contentment. Who couldn’t be happy in such surroundings?

Had to laugh about his comments on the language, the view toward alcohol and the typical Danes ability to hold their own in any political discussion. Believe me, I had many of those types of discussions. The most enlightened was one beautiful spring day while out walking in the local park I sat down on a bench to admire the day. A “bum” came up muttered some things to me and I replied, in Danish (with my most practiced enunciation—sounding as if I had potatoes in my mouth), and continued to inform him that my Danish was not that strong. In perfect English he asked me where I was from and plopped down next to me to discuss everything from American politics (the USA had just had an election and he was appalled at the low voter turnout), the Danish social-welfare system, the town’s planning commission and the state of the international situation. He let it be known that the wonder of Denmark allowed him to choose if he wanted to go to college and earn a degree or be a drunk. He had decided on the later course but assured me that in a year or two he would probably go on to college.

As a Catholic, when I moved there I went to city-hall, filled out paperwork and was assured that my tax dollars would then go to the Catholic parish not the Lutheran. Again, it has been 20 years since I was there so things may have changed--it just surprised me that Kinglsey made a point of stating that other denominations were not supported by tax dollars.

When I first lived there, I took Danish lessons. The make-up of my class was almost all Turks, one Israeli, another American and a Vietnamese woman. The Vietnamese had been in Denmark since the late sixties. She knew English and raised her kids in Vietnamese while they learned Danish and English at school. Now her toddler granddaughter was learning only Danish at the state-run daycare and the immigrant had, for the first time, an incentive to learn Danish. Wild. Kingsley was correct that many immigrant women did not go into the work force and thus fell behind in the skills necessary to integrate.

Kingsley’s report on the welfare state was a bit simplified and he did leave out a vast majority of Scandinavian’s viewpoint about taxes. Yes, 54% of their wages go to taxes – this is why they do not need to save for college, medical coverage, day-care, heating bills, transportation (mostly subsidized) and many other large ticket expenses. Yes the remaining 46% of earnings is all theirs--this is why their homes are so hyggelig-- stocked with dishes and utensils of every sort, Bang and Olufsen sound systems, lovely furniture, etc.; and this is why they can take a holiday to the Continent. Is there any wonder that Denmark is the happiest country to live. Danmark er et dejligt land!

[Lena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did this book teach me to be Danish - no, that is just a clickbait title. This book is a gap toothed impression of Denmark today.

Here are some highlights:

“Since 1980, their economy has grown by 70%, while their electricity usage has stayed the same. Copenhagen wants to become the firs carbon-neutral capital...”

“To smooth the way, the state government has introduced a 180% tax on car sales. An integrated public transport system also helps, as does cycling infrastructure.”

“74% of Danish mothers work.”

“According to the Gini index, which measures income disparity, the gap between rich and poor in Denmark is currently the lowest in the world.”

“It’s a different mentality. Students aren’t seen as a burden on the state, but as people whose skills will one day support it. They’re future participants in Danish life, and they’re treated as such.”

“In 1989 it was the first country to legalize same-sex partnership.”

“People from Yugoslavia and Bosnia generally want to integrate. And Danish people like it when they see people trying to integrate. If you’re trying, there’s no problem... Certainly, the attendance at the Danish-Bosnian Community Centre suggests he’s right. It’s bingo night, and it’s not just Bosnians writing down numbers - around a third of the club’s members are ethic Danes.”

“Look at my family. My father’s a Muslim immigrant. My wife, Nadine, is Jewish.” Redzepi (chef of Noma) told the New Yorker. “If the supremacists took over, we’d be out of here.”

What I was shocked was left out about Denmark:

Happiest country in the world 2016-2017 and second happiest thereafter.
- United Nations World Happiness Report

“The King of Denmark told his prime minister that if the Nazis made Jews wear yellow stars then he would wear one too, forcing the occupiers to scrap their plan... Partly as a result of such actions around 1% of the Jews in Denmark fell victim to the Nazis, compared to around 75 percent in the Netherlands.”
- The Dutch Are Different.

The author also tries to make enjoying hanging out with your family and decorating things with your flag seem racist/nationalistic. This is ridiculous. At least in The Almost Nearly Perfect People Booth takes the trouble to mention it doesn’t trouble the Danes if you burn their flag. Burning a flag would get you lynched in the US and not for nothing but British people decorate everything with their pretty symmetrical flag too.

And here is a lie:
“...in Copenhagen [Bjarke Ingels] tried (unsuccessfully) to plonk a large skislope on top of a power station.”
Seems like it worked to me: https://youtu.be/DCw6s_4sfX8

Now for some pure truth:
Oprah ❤️ Denmark: https://youtu.be/NCN8FG2NUIg

[Frk. Hyms · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the things I love is hearing people from other countries and cultures talk about Denmark – my small, but lovely country. The different opinions, the general assumptions and the (mainly) nice things people say make me happy, make me laugh and they make me proud. I knew, I had to read Patrick Kingsley’s book – if for no other reason than to see how much I could recognize.

Unfortunately (for me), I know less about Denmark than he does and I actually find that kind of embarrassing. But I don’t watch Danish TV, I know nothing about Danish architecture and my knowledge about Noma? Let’s not even go there! In the end, I actually learned a whole lot about my country by reading a book about it written by a British guy – I would never have guessed that in a million years!

Patrick Kingsley is a great writer and even though the book is short, it contains so much information. It is funny, interesting and it showed me a country that I can (and am) very proud to be living in. If you have any interest in reading about Denmark, this is the book to go for!

[Hannah Kitakule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Might renounce my American citizenship idk

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

You should probably just watch Anthony Bourdain's Copenhagen episode of Parts Unknown or read Being Danish.

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

B O R I N G.

[Christine Spoors · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really interesting to read about Denmark and the Danish from the POV of someone from the UK, as previously I’ve read about Denmark from the POV of Danes.

This was a very interesting book covering a variety of topics from the Nordic food revolution to the issues of immigration. I liked that this book showed both the good and the bad sides to the country and attempted to explain both throughout.

I definitely recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about Denmark, I recently got back from a trip there so it was interesting to learn things and see if I noticed them whilst there!

[Hakan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Başlığı yanıltıcı olsa da Danimarka toplumu ve kültürü hakkında derli toplu bilgi edinebileceğiniz, gayet iyi yazılmış, somut verilerle desteklenmiş, kolay ve keyifle okunan bir kitap. On yıl önce basılmış olmasına karşın - bazı istatistik veriler dışında - güncelliğini pek yitirmediği de söylenebilir.

[Velvetmartini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breezy, but pithy. Fascinating snapshot of modern Denmark, in all its hygge glory. Good, thought-provoking insights on the travails of community-minded Danes' coming to grips with multiculturalism, being exceptional, and maintaining their core cultural values in this rapidly globalized new era.

[Troels Leth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book on Danish history and contemporary issues.

Great for Danes and a perfect quick intro for visitors who want to be in the know.

[Beth Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish I could give this book a 3.5 but alas!

It was an interesting read and I’m obsessed with anything Danish related. However I felt like the enthusiasm just fell a bit flat sometimes and I wanted more excitement!

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This review is based on an ARC received for free from NetGalley. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. Below is the scale I use in rating books.

brief
Provides a highly informative and easily read introduction to life in modern Denmark, from the culinary trends and green living to immigration and the welfare state.

full review
Author Patrick Kingsley certainly seems to know what he's talking about when it comes to modern Denmark. In his informal narrative, Kingsley provides a quick read describing many aspects of daily life in the country, focusing on things which will be of genuine interest to people who are curious about Denmark post-Viking Age (because, I assure you, Denmark continued to exist even after its people stopped going a-viking). In fact, Kingsley does not mention those excursions at all, which makes this book fairly unique in that it does not begin by trying to explain the national character as a result of events that occurred more than a thousand years ago (although it does mention events that occurred in the 19th century and how those contributed to the modern Danish attitude). Generally, Kingsley writes with the assumption that most people reading the book will do so because they have watched either The Bridge or The Killing, which is quite possibly true for many readers, but I am not among them, so the book was full of interesting information.

Throughout the text Kingsley makes it clear that he is not merely working from statistics and guidebooks, but from actual interaction with real Danes. There are quotations from students, restauranteurs, immigrants, and many other people from all walks of life, all of which contribute glimpses into what it is actually like to live in Denmark, and sometimes their words are surprising in that they are not always complimentary. The fact that Kingsley does not shy away from portraying the bad with the good is refreshing because it is a realistic look that tourists and potential immigrants alike will find useful.

For example, it is apparently difficult to be an immigrant in Denmark, it appears, for the cultural differences are radical and the nation itself seems somewhat hostile toward integrating outside influences, instead preferring immigrants to conform to the Danish way of life, sometimes even to the extent of imposing legal restrictions on how long an immigrant must have lived in the country before marrying someone else (a piece of legislation drafted to prevent women from being forced into marriage which Muslim immigrants feel is one of many attacks on their religion).

The difficulties of immigration and integration aside, Kingsley makes it clear that Denmark is a conscientious country that is trying to do the best it can by its citizenry as well as be a productive member of the EU and the global community as a whole. The information about the green measures taken throughout the country, from the cycling community to the wind turbines, is just fascinating, as are the optimistic projections of how reduced the carbon footprint might be within the next fifty years. The enthusiasm and hope shown by the Danish people in this respect is encouraging.

Note: There is a typo on page 48 where it reads "decreey" instead of "decree." There are also formatting issues on page 174.

rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - I liked it. It was interesting.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - OMG I WANT TO STALK THIS AUTHOR!

[Sleepless Dreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really short read. It took me about an hour to get through the whole thing. Totally slaying the reading challenge this year.

I had hoped to read a book about each city/ country I'd visit during my trip in Europe so this is my read for Denmark, although I read The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well not too long ago.

Anyway, there's something about countries and their cultures that strike me as entirely laughable, as fake and made up. Like yeah, as an Israeli, I'll joke about our laid back culture and our sass and sunshine but you know, that's not it. And so books like this always make me roll my eyes a little bit ("but Roni, why would you read a book if you know you're not going to like it?" is a very good question to ask).

There were really solid chapters here. I enjoyed learning more about the welfare state and the issues with migrants. I think the best bit of knowledge from here is this idea that Danish, compared to its Nordic neighbors, is changing faster as a language because children speak it to each other instead of children speaking mostly to adults who raise them in secluded space. What an interesting theory.

I was in Copenhagen for 5 days so I am absolutely an expert. My biggest impression was that it's hard to get to know Danes. That within Israel, people will tell their life story in 10 minutes, that in Germany, if the chemistry is good, people will be friendly and yet, in Copenhagen, the only positive experiences I had were with a Thai woman and a Palestinian (descendant, so idk, she considered herself a Palestinian Dane).

Every non-Danish person I'd spoken to seemed some shade of sad. It was a little heartbreaking that the expat community is so unhappy there.

I didn't bring up the "happiest people in the world" thing at all and yet, at least 4 different people brought it up and made fun of it. Which caught me off guard. They all seemed to say that Danes are content yet not happy. I felt like that made sense, that you can't really judge happiness (although I'm fond of their scale, it does seem to be considerate and well thought out).

I feel like I can continue like this, speaking of my trip and entirely ignoring the book. So this was a nice read. On to finding something nice about London!

What I'm Taking with Me
- I think I'll always have a soft spot for Copenhagen as the first city I traveled to alone, quit my first real job and learned that I got accepted to my dream degree in the university I wanted. Also, I'm still suffering from the cold I got there.
- Denmark is the most majestic country I've ever experienced.
- The cycling culture is awesome and I love how practical the history around it is.

[Jeffrey Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kingsley is an international journalist writing this book primarily for a British audience. It's an easy read with 8 chapters which dip into several key aspects of the Danish culture. It's the first book for the young journalist, but it reads like something from a more seasoned writer. It was well-researched, witty, and insightful.

Denmark, like its Nordic siblings, is en vogue. From its bike-centered cities, folk high schools, New Nordic Cuisine, to tv/film exports--and of course, the hoopla about it being the 'Happiest Country on Earth'. Kingsley pops a few bubbles surrounding the mythic utopia of Denmark's welfare state: he cites one Danish researcher who says "the welfare state we have is excellent in most ways...we only have this little problem. We can't afford it." He equally highlights the wonderful things Denmark is doing with green energy, and gender and economic equality.

Kingsley begins the book placing Denmark in the context of the challenges most countries face in a globalizing world: "Most countries are impenetrable to outsiders, but some--like, perhaps, America--have a national identity that is at least semi-permeable to newcomers. Denmark is not yet one of them." Appropriately he finished the book with a challenge for Denmark. "For the last 150 years, Denmark has--with several notable exceptions--hidden itself away. But in the past two decades, the country has increasingly found that this coping mechanism no longer works in a globalised world. Denmark is and can no longer be a monoculture."

[Alys Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick Kingsley offers up a little for everyone in "How to Be Danish." While Danish architecture and design aren't my milieu, I particularly enjoyed the chapters on education, immigration, energy, and transportation (read: cycling). He also includes all sorts of interesting tidbits; I found his exploration of Danish knitting (by way of Danish television exports) surprisingly engaging.

Kingsley isn't Danish and as such his perspective may be expected to differ in meaningful ways from that of a Dane. However, his background in journalism seems to enable him to effectively draw out information from the the varied individuals he met with while gathering source materials. Kingsley's use of British to Danish reference points may be confusing for non-British readers but if they weren't interested in expanding their horizons, they wouldn't be reading this book. If his focus on Danish television shows seems a bit too much, it builds on the reality that that's where many of his British readers have likely drawn their information on the Danish.

All in all, "How to Be Danish" is brief, highly approachable and entertaining. I appreciated Kingsley's inclusion of a delightful collection of figures on Danish living and a handy index for research purposes.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something is cool in the state of Denmark

[Through my ratings, reviews and edits I'm providing intellectual property and labor to Amazon.com Inc., listed on Nasdaq, which fully owns Goodreads.com and in 2013 posted revenues for $74 billion and $274 million profits. Intellectual property and labor require compensation. Amazon.com Inc. is also requested to provide assurance that its employees and contractors' work conditions meet the highest health and safety standards at all the company's sites].

In Copenhagen last week. Advertising is very limited. For the benefit of the tourist, being in English, there was this Carlsberg sign: "Success is temporary, loyalty is forever". In Denmark, maybe. For our British author, a TV addict, Denmark exists only through its most recent and coolest export products: TV series, star chefs, wind farms, the UN-sanctioned "happiest country in the world" reputation, and - why not - the Mohammed vignettes crisis. The rest is edited out.

If the Lonely Planet guides' style does not make you queasy.

[Reza Amiri Praramadhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like other scandinavian countries, Denmark has been seen as a welfare state utopia, with its generous entitlements from cradle to grave. However, Denmark is more than that. With the world become more integrated, Denmark faces many contradictions. While its politics are centrists for most of the time, the third largest political party is a far-right party, which without its support, the ruling party would face a hard time governing. It is remarkably liberal, with legalization of same-sex marriage and marijuana, yet it possessed one of the harshest immigration law in the world. Even the caricature lampooning Prophet Muhammad came from Denmark. Its largely homogenous people is facing the wave of immigrants with an integrationist policy, making the danes tolerant while being intolerant at the same time.

[Carol]

Patrick Kingsley is a young British journalist whose short study of Danish society today has the advantage of being written by an outsider. He observations about key issues in Denmark today -- immigration, the welfare state's economy, internationally Danish TV shows, New Nordic Cuisine among them -- are well researched and presented in an engaging manner. I'm not sure everyone in Denmark will agree with all of his conclusions, but in typical Danish fashion I'm certain there will be lively discussions about any points that are controversial.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

well. I slogged through this, then skimmed a bunch. The beginning of the book made me think it was going to a fun quick read, but the chapters on politics and the killing were so slow going for me I ended up skimming. This book was more a highlight of current topics in Denmark than a "how to be danish". Not bad, but not what I expected.

I found it interesting that just like other countries, Denmark has a problem accepting immagrants and has a problem with racism. Although, they don't like to admit it or call it that.

[Aidan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like (I imagine) many of the readers of this book I was inspired to learn more about Denmark by a combination of glowing international reports on its commitment to egalitarianism and the sombre and complex brilliance of 'The Killing'. More a collection of extended magazine articles than a book which must be read from page 1 to page 180, this thoroughly entertaining book is superb for those looking for an introduction to several key aspects of modern Danish society. Highly recommended.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief overview of what outsiders would consider 'Danish' - design, the welfare state, a closely-held monoculture, dark crime shows - that whets the appetite for more serious reading.

The book doesn't claim to have all the answers, or anywhere near a complete portrait, but it's remarkable to read a little about approaches that seem to have succeeded where our own systems may falter.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading books in preparation for my trip to Denmark. This is eclectic and I have no sense of it as a scholarly book, but the ad box observations (based on the author’s travels and popular culture) gave me fun “hooks” for bits of pop culture knowledge on my own trip.

[Sarah Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

History, travel tips, pop-culture references - This books covers it all.

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Denmark is the country of the moment. This book explains why and how to be Danish.

[Patrícia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, easy to read, well written. The past and the present of Denmark in less than 200 pages. I totally recommend it!

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to be Danish is a fun and interesting read for anyone interested in Denmark's people and culture.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short book on various aspects of living in Denmark.

[Rasmus Raspel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick overview nothing top special but simple to read and presents the general idea about the Danish mentality and culture

[Jolien ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Idk why I even gave this 2 stars before looking back this is more of a 1'er

[Samuel Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While published ten years ago, this book offers a glimpse to the modern society, culture, and attitudes of Denmark and the Danish people. It is a pity that much of the book only focuses on a select portion of Denmark, particularly around Copenhagen and some of the surrounding islands, as well as certain popular topics of discussion, but as someone who is interested in his ancestral Scandinavia, it provides a good deal of information. The author originates from England, which makes it even more interesting as I'm learning British slang, words, and popular culture alongside Danish information and culture. I only wish that I can find a book that is a bit more comprehensive and looks into Danish history of the last fifty or a hundred years rather than the last decade or two.