5 STRANGE FACTS ABOUT DENMARK PART 3

Hej Everyone!

I know, that the upcoming posts were supposed to be about my apartment stories, however I think you are not that much interested in those.. Are you? Let me know! Today though, I have for you 5 Strange Facts about Denmark part 3. I know you love these series! Write a comment below and share your thoughts of Denmark too!:)

5 Strange Facts About Denmark Part 1
5 Strange Facts About Denmark Part 2

As always, a little disclaimer - these facts are not as strange to me as they were before. Those are the things that surprised me about Denmark and might surprise you! I am not writing these posts to offend Danes or show my huge love to them. These are just the things that I observed over 5 years in Denmark :)

1. Rich Students

In Poland (where I come from) students going to universities, in order to pay their rent and/or their expenses, they need to have a part time job. Unless you have rich parents of course! There are also some schools that you need to pay for. The people who did not get into public universities, are often enrolled into these private ones and they need to pay there money for each semester. Well, in Denmark all students are receiving their monthly pay from the government and trust me, they can afford to live well and party for that, without having to find any job! ;)

2. Black Prams

When my mother came to visit me here in Denmark she told me about this and I started noticing that. In my country there is plenty of colorful baby prams / strollers ! The bluest or the yellowest - the better. In Denmark though EVERY stroller is BLACK! When I said about that on my polish website, people commented that it is because, there is not that much sun here, therefore black brings a bit of warmth into the pram and the baby. Is that true, or is it just fashion? :) You let me know!:)

3. The Teacher May Be Your Friend!

I was so surprised when I came here and all the teachers wanted me to speak to them by name! Does not really matter if the teacher is young or older. They don't really like to be called mr. mrs. or Professor. Sometimes they can even sit down in a friday bar with you and have a beer together! It was a huge challenge for me because I come from a country where the power relation is kind of big and you talk to everyone calling them Mr., Mrs. or Professor and you keep a distance!

4. Clean Up After Your Dog (REALLY!)

When you see signs with "Clean up after your dog" you don't really pay attention to that, do you? At least I know me, and all my friends. However when they say so in Denmark, DO IT. Otherwise you will have people looking at you like killers or screaming from the window to clean the poop up! #neighbourpolice

5. Naked People Around Me!

One day I decided to go to the swimming pool here in Denmark, and what? And I was shocked! I had no idea that being naked is not a big issue here at all. In Poland everyone hide themselves in locker-rooms, or behind the towels, because you can't even see a knee of a child! (joke, or not..  but you know what I mean) Here nobody cares. Young and older women are going around with EVERYTHING on the view, either in the public changing-rooms or in the shower area. After a couple of times, I stopped caring as well, but until now it's a pretty strange view to me:)

Well, I hope you liked all of the observations and I am not the only one noticing them! Let me know what you think about it and if you have anything else that really surprised you?:) I am waiting for your comments!:)

Aleks

5 Strange Facts About Denmark Part I

Hej guys!

Today I decided to write you about 5 things that still amaze me here in Denmark.. And trust me.. there is much more to it!

I hope I am not a weirdo, so please, let me know, these things surprise you as well! If you have any others, please add them in the comment section, I'll be sure to include them in a part II ;)

1. Danes and a red light. OMG!! How long can you stand and wait for this green light? I was in CPH last weekend, and you know.. Big city,more people, bigger mess. Well, I thought so. But NO ladies and gentlemen. Even though the road was close from one site, plenty of people stood there and waited for a green light to come across, even though there was no car or bicycle going..
I know it's a good and safe thing, but sometimes.. you need to break the rules, or.. ?

2. Put some clothes on! Remember the story about Denmark and the vikings? Well.. Here is one example of that.. Eventhough it may be so cold outside, that I am wearing winter jacket, some of the Danes put jeans and tshirt and are ready to go. Brrrr! Ahm, almost forgot - why some of them are going on the streets with a bare feets? Please tell me something about that...

3. Do you know "Please"? In a danish dictionary, there is no such a word as 'please'..

4. Babies in front of the houses. Imagine you have e.g. 2 months old baby. You are coming back from a long and a cold walk outside - the baby in a stroller. What do you do? Well I guess come home and warm yourself and your baby up. But NO! In Denmark, they leave their babies outside for a sleep. Remember I was telling you about the vikings? Well.. :)
Ps. I think its great, but looking at the fact that in Poland parents would not go out with their small babies for a long walk when its cold.. then it may be strange for me.

5. Are you this girl I met yesterday? Most of the Danes look alike..or are trying to do so.. E.g. Girls -
Blond, long hair
Black outfit - usually something baggy on top and skinny jeans
Sneakers - in most cases from New Balance
Really, really 'mini' make-up (foundation, pink cheeks, LOTS of mascara)

Disclaimer: I am not trying to offend the Danes : the facts may be strange - doesn't mean they're bad. This is how I see it, from immigrant eyes. ;)

Guys! That's it! I am very curious your opinion. What do you think of these? Did you also notice some of these facts?

Until wednsday then, cheers! Aleksandra