Xenophobe's Guide to Danes

The Xenophobe's Guide

by Helen Dyrbye, Steven Harris, Thomas Golzen

Highlights the unique character and behavior of the nation. Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

Genres: Nonfiction, Denmark, Travel, Humor, Cultural, History

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Troels · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a Dane and I found it very funny. I'll say that most of what is written is true, but there are things that are wrong. I would have like a better job on Janteloven, and more about how we Danes behave in society. I mean, we're unpolite but there are still things we help each other with. All the sport clubs are mentioned, but not that the coaches are at least partly voluntary.

I've also come to think about how difficult our "dress code" might be, I mean we're very relaxed in our day to day cloth, even at work or school, but we really think about how we dress if it's a family occasion. Then there are our food, what order you eat it, what you eat with what, when you eat it.

Though the book isn't perfect, I would be likely to use it if I were to explain how we Danes are as a people.

[Cwn_annwn_13 · Rating 3 out of 5]

These Xenophobes Guides books are mostly light hearted, playful criticisms of various countries and their cultures. Its hard to appreciate them unless you move to the country in question and have experienced it from the viewpoint of an outsider and even then you might not get it unless you've been there for a long time and only interact with people of this culture. I say this because I run across a lot of people that move to other countries but only interact with other people that are from the same place they are from. People like this are barely more than tourists as far as I am concerned. You also better not show this book to any Dane because they absolutely cannot take even the most light hearted and/or constructive criticism of themselves or Denmark even if its all in fun.

For the most part I thought it was funny and true but to be honest I almost feel like I could have written this book myself and done a better job at it. They totally bungled their description what the "Janteloven" is although its something that has to be experienced to fully understand. They did ok with "Hyggeligt" though that must be experienced also to truly understand. One thing it got wrong was it claimed the Danes are supposed to be very disciplined well behaved dog owners. Dogs always on the leash and they always pick up after their dogs crap on the sidewalk. Ha ha! Nothing could be further from the truth. While you rarely hear about any out and out abuse of animals here my neighborhood is full of morons who let their Pitbulls run wild off the leash and the sidewalks are littered with piles of dog crap. They make the worst choices for dog breeds to own. Most dogs here are either some sort of compensating for having a small phallis by the owner ugly Bull Terrier hybrid or rodentesque little yappers.

There is a lot that should have been put into this. For example the Danish aversion to taking a proper shower. Grandparents rarely if ever take kids off the parents hands for a day or two to give the parents a break or more importantly to bond with their Grandchildren. Not that I mind it but I've also noticed Danes can get away with dressing like complete slobs in the workplace but your expected to dress up for even the most casual social gatherings. Danish women think its perfectly acceptable for them to snap at and verbally rip your head off 24 hours a day but if you commit even the slightest transgression it will not be forgotten nor will you be forgiven for years if ever. I'd also add that Danes are the worst conversationalists I've ever run across.

That being said I love Denmark and the Danish people. I'd take a Dane over an American (who while there are exceptions in general are scum of the planet) any day of the week.

P.S-If I meet another Dane that smokes like a freight train, drinks like a fish, eats fat greasy pork and cooks their skin in the sun during the two months of the year that the sun comes out in Denmark but insists on only eating "ecological" fruit, vegetables and dairy products I am going to lose my mind!

[Lani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite amusing and the perfect size to carry around in my purse and read a little whenever I found myself waiting. I'd be interested in reading what they say about Swedes and Americans.

[Anetq · Rating 3 out of 5]

The zenophobe's guide are always a fun look at cultures, people and customs from the inside and the outside - and having an outside look into the Danes is rather fun - I particularly like the (positive) re-interpretation of the Law of Jante - usually a negative, based on Aksel Sandemoses not very positive twist on Danish society (but evil tongues may suggest that him having to flee the country due to unpaid depts might have been a factor?) Anyway - this little pamphlet has a positive version "You must believe that everyone is somebody" (rather than "You must not believe that you are anybody") - which I've used in teaching previously, and have been told was more accurate.
Otherwise it's just a bit of a laugh - and could really do with an update, if it is to stay relevant.

[كيكه الوزير · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a nation, the Danes have not been a threat to anyone for hundreds of years.

Kind of interesting, I wish (and was expecting) it to be more humorous. Some interesting perspective about Danish culture that I wasn't aware of but not much to be taken from it overall. Not sure how I stumbled upon the book, but now that I have I am curious to check out the ones written about my own cultural heritage and to see if the humor improves. The last few chapters I found the most interesting, especially the part on language.

Their language is unlearnable, their cultural identity elusive, but once their occasional childlike lack of tact is forgiven, everyone likes the Danes.

[Ane Cathrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny little book about the Danish way of life, although sometimes (as expected) unaccurate😅 e.g. we do not celebrate P-day (the day when Easter beer is released) as much as we celebrate J-day (the day Christmas beer is released which they mistakenly called ‘snebajer’ or snow beer) 😂 feeling quite offended! (Not really)

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me new insight into myself and my family - and why we do what we do! Readers who know anyone Danish or who have traveled in Denmark will absolutely cackle at this fun and insightful book about all things Danish! This whimsical look how Danes live, what they like (and adhor) and why their approach to live, love,family, the arts, nature and the world will keep you in stitches. The contributing authors have obviously had a grand time making fun of all things Danish. Be sure to check out the the quotes that are scattered throughout the book. If you are planning a trip to Denmark soon, this is a 'must read' - so you will understand Danish do's and don'ts ... and fit right in!

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undoubtedly I would have enjoyed this book more if I knew more than two Danish people relatively well and/or traveled to the nation forming Germany's northern border, but I enjoyed it just the same. It's well-written and offers particularly interesting insights into what makes Denmark similar and dissimilar to the other Scandinavian countries. Most of my in-laws are Swedish and any of the Xenophobe's Guides on Scandinavia, including this one, toy mercilessly with each nation's views of one another.

[Beppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is funny and also useful. My Danish friends find it hilarious even. Myself I was reading it in the metro and burst laughing when I got to the part about national flag. In fact I was commenting the book with a Danish friend. I mentioned that from the book the Danes appeared a bit like the Swiss without the mountains. My friend commented that the Swiss also have a nice flag. So.

I can add a small episode about the Danes. In my friend company, a small one, it is not unusual that before an important meeting, they all stand up and sing together.

[Reenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irreverent is the right word for this book (and, I'm guessing, the rest of the series) - it's funny, even shading to hilarious, without ever being mean. I doubt any Dane reading this would feel particularly put out by any of it. And it actually manages to be informative at the same time, and to explain some of the things I've come across in Denmark, things like comments that seemed to be invested with significance that I knew I was missing. Quite handy!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, sarcastic and yet so strangely true. I read it in a whole sitting, not that it was a huge accomplishment as it is only about 90 pages, but I just couldn't put it down. I read it while in the middle of a shopping center watching the Dane's go by and comparing them to what the book said. Very worth the read.

[Tuuli - Korpimaan lukija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hyvin kiinnostava ja ihanan ironinen, kuten odottaa saattaa. Osuva, tottakai.

[Ape · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keep in mind that these books were written in the 1990s, so things like Scandi Noir and The Killing won't feature at all. But otherwise a little humourous intro to the land of Denmark with mostly accurate facts. The only thing that I thought was rubbish was the last section on the language, where we are told that Danes and Norwegians and Swedes can all understand each other's languages, and out of the three Norwegian and Danish are very different. Rubbish. It's the Swedes that have the hardest time trying to understand Danish, and written Norwegian takes a lot from written Danish, given that Norway was a part of Denmark when they were working out the official national written language. Although the history of the country that far back doesn't get a mention. Neither does the very odd way the Danes have of counting. And on the brief section on art, Einar Wegener, who was one of the first people to get the sex-change op (film The Danish Girl). But aside from minor grumbles, it covers the bases and makes the country come across as a very likeable place. I still need to do a lot more exploring beyond Copenhagen airport there.

[cloudyskye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather amusing, even though I haven't met many Danes in my life, come to think of it. I spent a few days in Copenhagen in 2003 and a few years ago I sat next to a group of very nice Danes on a plane to New York.
By the way: No matter what the book says about Danish as a language, their German usually sounds wonderful. Nicer than my own, I expect. ;)

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty hilarious. I'm Austrian but lived in Danmark for half a year when I was still in high school, so by second nature I go for things related to Danmark, those things being Danish products at the supermarket, newspaper articles treating Danmark or, in this case, "The Xenophobe's Guide to the Danes".
The first few paragraphs convinced me. This was going to be witty.
I was right, although the first part was the funniest with a middle section that kind of drags. Of course, experiencing a country and a culture first hand will give everyone different memories. I had plenty of "madpakke", "wienerbrød" and "hygge" but failed to experience everything related to christmas and many adult matters since they don't really appeal to 15-year-olds. Some things I had already thought plenty about, some things came back to me when reading about them and others were entirely new. Many more stories could be told of course, about how Danish kings and queens are always named Frederik or Christian and Margrethe, about the curious habit of ice swimming and the desserts that are so good it's devilish. A thorough encyclopedia would, however, consist of at least 50 volumes and bore the average reader to death so I do recommend the "guide". The only thing I do not agree with is the supposed calm of Danish football fans. If my boyfriend is to be believed, the fans of the Esbjerg team can be pretty nasty. It's probably hard to believe but... football can also be a matter of life and death for Danes.

[Henriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable, though I don't think these books will have the same effect on those who does not live in the particular country one reads about.
Many of the things mentioned in the book, such as the answers from a Jutlander (such as myself) are things I have never even begun to consider. Somehow, I actually learned how I never notice how we do things here in Denmark. Oh well. Dane, and proud!

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty funny and a nice overview of the Danes.

[Nick Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, fun little book that I wish I'd read before I went to Denmark, however it did go quite some way to reinforcing my own observations and that is always a good thing. :)

[Laura]

Enjoyable and informative

[Wilmington · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read most of the books in the Xenophobes' Guide series, and was a bit disappointed by this one. It's not that there are mistakes in the descriptions, but I found the content a bit boring and repetitive, and not digging deeply enough into the national psyche.

Nearly a quarter of the book is dedicated to the arts, entertainment and leisure, which makes me wonder if the authors have not misunderstood the meaning of culture for its artistic sense rather than for the intended meaning of mindset, values, and social practices.

There is also too much rambling about the Danes being proud of being Danish and pitying others for not being Danish. On the other hand, there is too little about the education system, manners, etiquette, the national character, attitudes in business, and the like.

[José Ignacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy reading, the book covers in just about 91 pages topics such as nationalism & identity, character, attitudes & values, happines, manners & behaviour, leisure & pleasure, culinary habits, customs & traditions, humour, work environment and methods, bussiness, government & language.
A well explained essence of what one needs to know about the Danes, as one discovers simultaneously the culture in situ.
A pleasure to read.
Thanks to Helen Dyrbye, Steven Harris and Thomas Golzen for your common work 🙏🏾

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and wittily true overview of the Danes, their society and different aspects of life. Having lived for some time in Denmark I can only confirm how true most of the aspects described are. I enjoyed the book very much and learned those things I haven't manage to learn on my own. Recommended for a short read that will make you smile, especially if you have personally observed the Danes and their lifestyle and traditions!

[Karan · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the Xenophobe Guides are fun little books with a generous layer of British humor. All good for answering the age-old (typically American) question, “Are they all so unfriendly or is it just me?” It’s just you. These little books can help you understand what you’re doing wrong. (Read the one about Americans, too! It’s all true.)

[Fasih Sayin · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an outsider who recently moved to Denmark, I have to say I enjoyed this book a lot. It's a good humorous introduction to the Danish culture and is surprisingly accurate.
It loses a bit of steam after the half way mark but is still a cute little guide to the country and its people.

[Magda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it from the first to the last page. The forth cover quotes The European: «...good natured, witty and useful». In the current times of raising xenophobia, such books which provide a positive spin to clichés, should be be a mandatory read.

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing light read, and pretty accurate. I really hated the layout though. I don’t know if it’s just because I read it on Kindle, but it has heading every few paragraphs that are just sections of the book in bold, so I felt like I was reading everything twice and it was really frustrating.

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the title (I'm more xenophilic than xenophobic), this one was actually quite entertaining and informative, but with sense of humor.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little treasure trove of cultural tidbits delivered with Xenophobe's Guides' trademark affectionately wry humour. A pleasure to read.

[Timothy Taravella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty funny take on a great country and people.

Enjoyed this quick read. Would have been nice to include the Danish words in parts to allow non speakers to get a better sense of the language.

[Aleksandra Szranko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Samo mięso, surówka i gołe fakty nt. Danii i Duńczyków. Idealne jako uzupełnienie Życie po duńsku. Rok w najszczęśliwszym kraju na świecie Helen Russell.