Should we all just be a little more like Denmark?

Pros:

All the things Rambo Listed in the first post of course.

Free education and health care.

Overall safe and pleasant with a laid-back lifestyle and high standards of living for the large majority.

Beautiful Woman.

People are generally kind-hearted i like to believe.

Green Environment, open spaces, short travel distances.

Cons:

crazy high taxes

The weather (lots of wind and rain)

Boring nature (imo)

We probaly have the worst food culture in the world

Prizes on everything (drinks at bars, fuel, cars etc. etc.)

Alchohol/drinking rules everything around me.

Growing crime rate and gang violence. Not a very know thing about Denmark, but gang violence has exploded over the past few years, mostly in the "big" cities of course (Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, Odense). I was a witness to it a few weeks ago when two of my friends was i attacked by 6 Hells Angels members.

Janteloven: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janteloven

And no. There is no fucking Vikings here anymore.

Denmark

Sweden

Norway

Finland

Iceland

Switzerland

Austria

Luxembourg

prolly da best cuntrays in da world to live in

evil socialist godless Europe FTW (i miss it dearly)

"a doctor at a public hospital makes less than $70,000/year (starting wages) and a garbage collector—or, to use the politically-correct term, “Renovation Technician”—also earns $70,000 on average."

this amazes me. I guess Doctors there are truly in it cause they love the work and loved studying for 8 years?

Yeah I guess you have to be very into medical stuff, before you decides to become a doctor in Denmark (we are in need of doctors btw).

Garbage collector is actually one of the best jobs you can get in Denmark. Less work hours than the average job but still at the same wages.

  On 3/26/2011 at 9:18 PM, kakapo said:

  On 3/26/2011 at 8:57 PM, chenGOD said:

  On 3/26/2011 at 8:54 PM, kakapo said:

They were also quite good in the Nordland and Wiking SS divisions, but their pop music is rubbish.

They have however won the european championships more times than England..

Actually, they have made one awesome contribution to popular music.

  Reveal hidden contents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oaHHrNQVrg

 

My Finnish friend told me that when it comes to Scandinavian pop, the Danish really push the envelope of the annoying catchy aesthetic. On the other hand, your metal scene seems a lot less batshit insane, at least on the surface.

  On 3/26/2011 at 9:54 PM, data said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_pTeDz4Zpk&hd=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un842Z0EnrQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvD6maGRh7c

  On 3/28/2011 at 4:22 PM, Dropp said:

Janteloven: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janteloven

^

Wow, learn something everyday I guess, I can see that being a con since it's from your country. Though honestly, I wish that mindset was prevalent here in the States, much of society can't be content with an average life, especially if they don't work hard. Perhaps it's just folks on tv, but between delusional American Idol contestants, 20-somethings that move out LA wanting to be "an actor/singer/model," the idea that everyone deserves (or needs) to go to college, and every fucking twat who responds to criticism of their personality with bullshit like "they're just jealous," it seems evident that Americans really are self-centered assholes who think they are undeniably special. it probably explains why were so fucking polarized politically.

This should be some kind of standard:

"All I ask is one thing, and I’m asking this particularly of young people: please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism, for the record, it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen." - Conan O'Brien

  On 3/28/2011 at 4:22 PM, Dropp said:

Janteloven: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janteloven

  On 3/28/2011 at 4:50 PM, joshuatxuk said:

it seems evident that Americans really are self-centered assholes who think they are undeniably special.

  On 3/28/2011 at 4:50 PM, joshuatxuk said:

  On 3/26/2011 at 9:18 PM, kakapo said:

  On 3/26/2011 at 8:57 PM, chenGOD said:

  On 3/26/2011 at 8:54 PM, kakapo said:

They were also quite good in the Nordland and Wiking SS divisions, but their pop music is rubbish.

They have however won the european championships more times than England..

Actually, they have made one awesome contribution to popular music.

  Reveal hidden contents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oaHHrNQVrg

 

 

My Finnish friend told me that when it comes to Scandinavian pop, the Danish really push the envelope of the annoying catchy aesthetic. On the other hand, your metal scene seems a lot less batshit insane, at least on the surface.

 

  On 3/26/2011 at 9:54 PM, data said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_pTeDz4Zpk&hd=1

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un842Z0EnrQ

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvD6maGRh7c

 

  On 3/28/2011 at 4:22 PM, Dropp said:

Janteloven: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janteloven

^

Wow, learn something everyday I guess, I can see that being a con since it's from your country. Though honestly, I wish that mindset was prevalent here in the States, much of society can't be content with an average life, especially if they don't work hard. Perhaps it's just folks on tv, but between delusional American Idol contestants, 20-somethings that move out LA wanting to be "an actor/singer/model," the idea that everyone deserves (or needs) to go to college, and every fucking twat who responds to criticism of their personality with bullshit like "they're just jealous," it seems evident that Americans really are self-centered assholes who think they are undeniably special. it probably explains why were so fucking polarized politically.

 

This should be some kind of standard:

 

"All I ask is one thing, and I’m asking this particularly of young people: please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism, for the record, it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen." - Conan O'Brien

I think you kind of have to be from Denmark to fully understand Janteloven and peoples mentality about it. I live in west Jutland (the most underpopulated area of Denmark) where people probaly are the worst about it. I can't find the right word for it in english, but the danish people where i'm from are really "småborgerlige (google translate: bourgeois?)". I guess you can say that alot of Danes are very unambitious and a little boring, also you have to watch out, that you don't stand out too much from the crowd, if that's the chase, people are probaly going to be very cold towards you. And that's the biggest flaw about danish people in my opinion, you always has to be like/act everyone else. Danes are not always as nice as they are perceived to be, alot of Danish can actually be very cold towards eachother and strangers, it feels like. But again, it's kind of hard to explain.

And yes, danish music sucks, i can't think of any danish music-acts i really like.

i can't fucking stand the jante law, and people who abide by it, but it's so damn rooted in our societies that people just accept it as "that's just the way people are in most parts of scandinavia and there's nothing we can do about it". i suppose it's not as bad now as it once was, but it's still there.

How bad is it in Sweden? I actually always thought that, Janteloven was only a danish thing.

Again, I live in West Jutland where janteloven is still going strong and pretty much was originated, nothing is probaly ever going to change it. So i'm pretty much surrounded by it everyday.

But I guess it's probaly not that bad in the bigger cities in Scandinavia, it's more of a countryside/small-town kind of thing?

I just keeps on misspelling everything today. Ignore all the edits i do on my posts.

it's probably much worse out in the countryside etc than in stockholm for example, it's very subtle, but you can still tell it's there, like almost programmed into people since birth (including me every now and then, even though i don't like to admit it). blah, hate it. i always thought of it mainly as a swedish behaviour though, but yeah, guess it's not.

Yeah the jante law is the sickest shit

if it didn't exist doctors would resent garbage men, though

  On 3/28/2011 at 6:21 PM, data said:

it's probably much worse out in the countryside etc than in stockholm for example, it's very subtle, but you can still tell it's there, like almost programmed into people since birth (including me every now and then, even though i don't like to admit it). blah, hate it. i always thought of it mainly as a swedish behaviour though, but yeah, guess it's not.

Yes exactly, i would also describe it like that.

I also tend to follow the jantelaw sometimes, without really thinking about it. Hate it.

  On 3/26/2011 at 8:57 PM, chenGOD said:

  On 3/26/2011 at 8:54 PM, kakapo said:

They were also quite good in the Nordland and Wiking SS divisions, but their pop music is rubbish.

 

 

They have however won the european championships more times than England..

Not hard though right?

Ummm I like their pastries...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpncYhTQcb0

:wub:

Denmark is a lovely country and I've never been in a country's capital before where people recognize you as a tourist and walk up to you asking if you need any help, it was literally an awe inspiring experience.

Only thing that sucked was trying to get a taxi anywhere between 5.30 and 6 pm.

  On 3/28/2011 at 4:57 PM, ezkerraldean said:

most yanks I've come across have fulfilled that stereotype lol

  On 3/28/2011 at 6:21 PM, data said:

it's probably much worse out in the countryside etc than in stockholm for example, it's very subtle, but you can still tell it's there, like almost programmed into people since birth (including me every now and then, even though i don't like to admit it). blah, hate it. i always thought of it mainly as a swedish behaviour though, but yeah, guess it's not.

  On 3/28/2011 at 6:26 PM, chimera slot mom said:

Yeah the jante law is the sickest shit

  On 3/28/2011 at 7:06 PM, Dropp said:

  On 3/28/2011 at 6:21 PM, data said:

it's probably much worse out in the countryside etc than in stockholm for example, it's very subtle, but you can still tell it's there, like almost programmed into people since birth (including me every now and then, even though i don't like to admit it). blah, hate it. i always thought of it mainly as a swedish behaviour though, but yeah, guess it's not.

Yes exactly, i would also describe it like that. I also tend to follow the jantelaw sometimes, without really thinking about it. Hate it.

It could be a rural thing in general, small towns in the U.S. tend to have similar rigidness. My reaction to Janteloven immediate one, I don't want to condone it, I just think it's interesting to compare to American attitudes. I don't judge either, my feelings are similar toward the "shame society" and social hierarchy of Japan as well.

Another question, anyone have experience with the military conscription systems of Scandinavia? Just another aspect I've associated with those countries.

  On 3/28/2011 at 11:15 PM, joshuatxuk said:

Another question, anyone have experience with the military conscription systems of Scandinavia? Just another aspect I've associated with those countries.

There's a mandatory test. If you don't pass the physical test they don't let you go to the military. If you do you still have to go talk to three people about a possible career in the military. Then they tell you to stick your hand in a bowl and grab a piece of paper and the number on this paper will determine whether or not you will have to join the military or not. Even if the number on the paper says that you have to go join the military you can always just tell them, 'fuck no' and that's that.

  On 3/28/2011 at 11:29 PM, Squee said:

  On 3/28/2011 at 11:15 PM, joshuatxuk said:

Another question, anyone have experience with the military conscription systems of Scandinavia? Just another aspect I've associated with those countries.

 

There's a mandatory test. If you don't pass the physical test they don't let you go to the military. If you do you still have to go talk to three people about a possible career in the military. Then they tell you to stick your hand in a bowl and grab a piece of paper and the number on this paper will determine whether or not you will have to join the military or not. Even if the number on the paper says that you have to go join the military you can always just tell them, 'fuck no' and that's that.

I didn't even have to do the test.. They just sent me a letter that said that and that was it.

Oh hey, a thread about Denmark, I feel so at home.

Now for a counter response to everything already said in this thread:

Denmark has got "hygge". It's not just a feeling of coziness, it's more alike that of a cozy, soothing and tranquil feeling.

To be honest, I both love and hate Denmark. Now that we're discussing the problematic of being paid to study: being a lad who studies at one of Denmark's many gymnasiums, being over the age of 18 years old and still living at home with my parent having a 'fair' income while taking care of two children, I receive about 2600 DDK (=$490+) from the state. Free. For studying. It sounds pretty fucking far out, doesn't it? The problematic part is that we, the Danish society, can't fucking afford it as of now and it has been suggested that this so-called S.U (The Danish students' Grants and Loans Scheme) would have to be removed for people living at home or/and students who weren't in absolute need of the money... The students freaked out, saying that they had deserved it, some even claimed to be needing it when they obviously weren't in great need.

It has been referred to as being 'café money', money spent on nothing all too important, and most importantly, nothing related to your studies. We are being brought up on the Danish welfare society today, so of course they're going to feel butthurt when someone's trying to take some of it away from them, but I can truthfully say that I would vote for such a suggestion that would take away the SU for those not in great need.

Yes, I would be quite sorry. No, I wouldn't be able to buy as many records nor drink as many beers, but then again... Come on.

As far as the music scene goes, it's pretty much horrible. You have to dig deep to find something worth listening to.

as far as the music scene, i guess efterklang is alright? i haven't heard much of their stuff except from that one time i saw them live, but that was alright.

also

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BedItWUDvE

can I go and live there as a garbage man?

a life where you try not to stand out, quiet, and getting paid a very good sum for doing menial work. i can definitely live with that.

  On 3/28/2011 at 11:43 PM, chimera slot mom said:

  On 3/28/2011 at 11:29 PM, Squee said:

  On 3/28/2011 at 11:15 PM, joshuatxuk said:

Another question, anyone have experience with the military conscription systems of Scandinavia? Just another aspect I've associated with those countries.

There's a mandatory test. If you don't pass the physical test they don't let you go to the military. If you do you still have to go talk to three people about a possible career in the military. Then they tell you to stick your hand in a bowl and grab a piece of paper and the number on this paper will determine whether or not you will have to join the military or not. Even if the number on the paper says that you have to go join the military you can always just tell them, 'fuck no' and that's that.

I didn't even have to do the test.. They just sent me a letter that said that and that was it.

Ah, sounds about right, I forget it's lottery in most countries. Just curious about any WATMMer experiences.

  On 3/29/2011 at 1:15 AM, Hasselbalch said:

Oh hey, a thread about Denmark, I feel so at home. Now for a counter response to everything already said in this thread:Denmark has got "hygge". It's not just a feeling of coziness, it's more alike that of a cozy, soothing and tranquil feeling. To be honest, I both love and hate Denmark. Now that we're discussing the problematic of being paid to study: being a lad who studies at one of Denmark's many gymnasiums, being over the age of 18 years old and still living at home with my parent having a 'fair' income while taking care of two children, I receive about 2600 DDK (=$490+) from the state. Free. For studying. It sounds pretty fucking far out, doesn't it? The problematic part is that we, the Danish society, can't fucking afford it as of now and it has been suggested that this so-called S.U (The Danish students' Grants and Loans Scheme) would have to be removed for people living at home or/and students who weren't in absolute need of the money... The students freaked out, saying that they had deserved it, some even claimed to be needing it when they obviously weren't in great need.It has been referred to as being 'café money', money spent on nothing all too important, and most importantly, nothing related to your studies. We are being brought up on the Danish welfare society today, so of course they're going to feel butthurt when someone's trying to take some of it away from them, but I can truthfully say that I would vote for such a suggestion that would take away the SU for those not in great need.Yes, I would be quite sorry. No, I wouldn't be able to buy as many records nor drink as many beers, but then again... Come on.As far as the music scene goes, it's pretty much horrible. You have to dig deep to find something worth listening to.

Interesting read, I like your take on the Danish welfare system. As a yank it's a bit easy to respond like "WTF!? free study monies!? SHIT!" but quite honestly, it's a lot less fucked up than here, where until recently you could literally take out a student loan and blow the money on whatever you like. Here there's a huge spectrum of people who feel entitled to whatever they want and those who feel that no one is entitled to anything. Is the Danish pension and health-care system in ok shape? Because I'd to hope you're nowhere near as fucked as we are.

Also, I knew at least one decent electronic musician hailed from Denmark, couldn't remember earlier: