5 ways to piss off a danish person 

How to REALLY piss off a Dane: 1. Say "Sweden does it better" Done!

Stranger: "How are you?" Me: *screaming internally in panic*

I am French who moved to the U.S. I am getting so used to the “Hey, how are you?!” I think this is such a great way to connect to people. I am even afraid to go back to France for holiday and seeing how unfriendly people are in supermarkets... Thanks for the explanation tho! Take care.

I'm a German living in Ireland for 3 months now and I still can't get used to the 'How are you'- thing. Because sometimes people do expect an answer from you and sometimes they just ask it because it's in their routine of welcoming people.

I always mean it when I ask how someone is, I feel like it opens it up to describe what's going on in their life.

i work in a supermarket in the states and i wish being decent and respectful while shopping and to your cashier was important here like that. people are terrible in grocery stores

I am 25% Danish. My Mother's father was from Denmark. He passed away before I was born unfortunately. I am proud to tell people I am 25% Danish and where my Grandfather was from and tell them about what I was told about Denmark. I look forward to visiting Denmark one day with my husband and our two daughters. We have gone to Solvang, Ca several times and have been told it really does resemble a Danish town. Hopefully we get to Denmark soon!

I am not Danish, my parents were and as such I was somehow raised into Danish ways. I now live in Italy and found funny that I follow a few of the things you mentioned in this video; I will always let a one item person go ahead and skip me in the supermarket. I might be the only person in Italy who actually signals before making a turn on my bike, I got used to hear people bragging about themselves but I still find it extremely annoying and sometimes can't avoid making a snarly remark.

"how are you?" is so strange to me too! I'm Italian and everytime someone speaking English asks me "how are you?", I have to force my self to not go deep...XD

what really piss me off as a Dane, is another Danish people telling me how Danish people are.....

den "how are you"-ting minder mig lidt om folk der siger "hva så?".... Jeg mener, hvad fanden skal man svare?

Safe to bike in Denmark except if you are in Copenhagen. They drive like crazy there...

That is so weird, as here in Australia, we always say..'how are you' when we talk or greet someone, even people randomly in shops, supermarkets, cafes, etc....and we actually mean it. It's just our way of being polite when we converse with each other. Generally we are fairly polite here, & we also let people through in the supermarket line with only a few items, but we also have 12 items or less express checkout lanes, so that can also solve the one item dilemma. And, we also have the separate bike lanes, so cars & bikes don't collide all the time. Alot of people bike here, (Melbourne). We are fairly easy going people here, so we tend to be polite & chilled.

In America when we ask someone, "how are you," it's really a way of breaking the ice between you and that person. its an introductory greetings.

I say "how are you?" all of the time 😂. For me I do mean it but it just comes out naturally when I see someone

I am teaching foreigners in Danish as a second language here in Denmark, and I was wondering if I should show them this video - until I got to no. 1 - maybe that's a bad idea xD

I’m danish... Here’s what I think. -1, I don’t really care... I do think it’s really cool and impressive if you try to learn our language. I don’t get mad if you don’t tho. -2, I agree!.... yea I have nothing other than that to say. -3, Well... I think it’s healthy for everyone to brag a little. I don’t care if you brag unless you take yourself too seriously. -4, ... Uhm... So i break the bike rules ALL THE TIME! I don’t really care. -5, I don’t understand this. I always say “hvordan har du det?”(how are you?) after saying hi. I don’t answer anything complicated, but if I say “i’m not feeling well actually” the other person often says “why? What’s wrong?” And then i explain why unless I don’t feel like it.

What pisses me of as Dane is when people say we are a shitty country... I could name a 100 other countries that are worse. We have a pretty high standard yes. We expect foreigners who moves to our country to integrate and learn the language and our values. If they do then we will look at them as we look at ourselves... And we will be impressed... We hate if people only move to our country in order to live of our welfare... Because when too many does that then we can’t help the old. And we look angry at fellow Danes who exploit the system the same way... We find it strange if you have lived here for 20 years and can’t even say hello in danish. We find that weak and lacking. And we loose respect for that person. Cause it shows that the person don’t care.

As a dane, this is so accurate. Well spoken!

how are you well im standing im sitting im horizontal or just can i have a couble of hours to evolve my answer?

The habit of asking people how they are comes from upper class British (and European) society and is very useful at promoting and facilitating smooth social interaction and behavior. The aristocrats needed to get along and get things done. Also, faking it encouraged the genuine sentiments. Its polite as well as correct behavior that benefits and empowers the individual and sets a pleasant tone. It makes no sense if seen only as a measure of "authenticity."

"It ain't bragging if you can back it up." Frank Gambale. Hej fra Aarhus.

The grocery checkout thing bothers anyone brought up with proper manners and common courtesy.

Omg I'm from the UK and even I hate the "how are you?", why can't people here just say hello..because that's what "how are you?" here means, no one really wants an actual answer xD

First let me say I was married to a Danish woman for over thirty years before she died so I know how to to piss off a Dane and all her friends and relatives efficiently and with very little effort. That being said, do you really not understand the social meaning of an English speaker saying "How are you"? Really. OK then, Hvordan har du det? :-)

Well. I’m danish and American and one person cant define a whole country. We have high standards but we still are still a happy and welcoming country to foreigners

what if I go straight ahead when I'm on a bicycle, do I still have to signal to the drivers my direction ? I was recently in Vejle , and I tried to obey the rules as best as I could .

I'm going to explain the "How are you?" statement that Americans and English are so fond of. I call it casual concern. The idea is, you ask "How are you?" and the person has the option of telling you their mood or situation without too much detail so you get a quick update on the person's life so you can have a friendly interaction. It shows that you care fore the person's wellbeing a little and want to know the person a little without it being a big deal. It's a friendly way to show mild interest in a stranger or anyone you talk to. I hope this helps

Really enjoyed this video because its valuable information for those who plan to travel and visit or possibly move :) and i agree if you are living in another country you must learn the language :)

Very nice video :) There is one thing I would like to know about danish people. I'm from Germany and I speak Swedish, so I do understand Danish when it's written. Some years ago I used to have a pen pal from Denmark and she wrote to me in Danish, I answered her in Swedish and it worked fine that way. So if I were in Denmark and would try to speak to people in Swedish, would they consider it rude or would they actually try to understand?

Thank you Elise for this playlist. I'm from Syria and gunna visit Denmark for few days and I wanted to get known to Danish language and culture beforehand. Thumbs up 👍

Jeg kan godt følge dig i de 4 første men den sidste forstår jeg ikke helt. I min omgangskreds siger vi stort set hver gang vi ser hinanden "hvordan går det" eller "hvordan har du det". Så det tror jeg ikke jeg eller dem jeg omgås med kan forstå?

I don't understand the "how are you?" thing either. And I'm from Poland :D And btw I love your attitude and character. I think it's very nice and polite :)

These are fitting for Norwegians as well! We don't have a lot of bike lanes tho, but some places have.

I would love to live in Denmark. I feel like life would be so much easier there because of my personality. We would be so compatible! I would actually love to learn the language, too. Do you think I would have to know the language to work as a barber in Copenhagen or would it be ok to go there first without knowing the language and then learn it while I'm living there?

#4 makes sense. We have issues here in America not so much with bicycle signalling but with using your turn signal/blinker with your car. Not everyone does it when they should and sometimes they use it either when not necessary, or too early or too late.

Wow, all of these point to one and only thing, Danish are very genuine and good people, you dont like small talk but appreciate real care, which according to me is really precious. Love from India. 💓😊

I also understand the 3rd about bragging, but at the same time, Danish people brag ALL the time. Like, we hate hearing other people brag, but we still do it ourself. xD

I think one of the reasons why Danes don't like when people ask "how are you?", is because it's a private question and we don't always feel comfortable sharing it with just anyone, because it's also a personal and a bit long answer.

Your 5th fact was so interesting! I live in England and at work every morning everyone will ask 'how are you doing today?'😂 how funny!

I feel like a part of me is Danish. I am moving there in a year, to study(hopefully!). Even if I don’t, I hope I move there..and now I’m looking forward to it even more!!!!

I've come to the conclusion, that "How are you" is the same as saying "Hey what's up" - you don't answer either in depth, though they are quite inviting questions XD

hej!! hvem af jer danskere troede at hun var engelsk i starten?? ps jeg er dask... og jeg troede at hun var engelsk først

I used to have a copy of jantelovn...could you post them??

In America a lot of people live her for decades without ever learning English

I'm Danish and I always start every conversation with, "hvordan har du det?". It is true that some people find it strange, but I don't give a fuck how you feel I want to know how you feel, okay?!

Hold kæft du er nice! Det her er den første video jeg har set af dig og jeg er helt vildt med din vibe! Og jeg er heeelt enig med dit syn på janteloven! Og det er syyyyygt irriterende når cykelister ikke giver signal! hahah ;)

Expect that some if not all danish will not be friends with you unless another danish introduce you to them.

Hi Elise. I'm English. I always ask "How are you?" because I do give a damn about how my friends and acquaintances actually are, and I like to give them an opportunity to speak up straight away if they're struggling. Life here is not the same as in Denmark, even though we're so close. Our government doesn't give a damn about people in difficulty, and a few people I've known over the years have been homeless but would never say so, have been hungry but wouldn't make a point of it, and have been stressed out by their situation. They know that when I ask how they are, they better say something otherwise I'm going to stand there till they do, and if I can help at all, that's what we're doing first. Then we can talk about the footy afterwards :-) I make a point of it because on occasions that has been me struggling, and when just one person takes that time to help or even listen, it's like heaven has come early. So, instead of Danish people getting pissed of about it, perhaps they can just give a little mental prayer of thanks that they're OK, and maybe just smile and reply "I'm fine, thanks for asking. Good to see you again". Note, particularly to Yanks but also to anyone else that way inclined, one never responds with "I'm good, thanks", since no-one's asking if you've been naughty.

Sounds like I was meant to be born THERE!! :-/ Hope I can at least visit one day. :)

“I had a visitor here from Great Britain called Harry.” Of course his name was Harry!

I have studied and worked in Denmark for 5 years and only in the last 2 Years I started to understand and speak simple Danish. This is after 3 modules in language school and hearing the language every day at work... Not everyone is a language person, therefore the most annoying question from Danes ( which comes right after "Where are you from?" Is "are you learning Danish?", usually comes with a judgy look :D

I’m danish and i know that some of these facts isn’t really true haha :) I’m like, everyone have their own opinions and their own personalities so that’s not how danes are, like were different all together ❤️

Can you do a Danish halloween and Holiday Traditions videos? Or special Danish recipes you all have for holidays?

Could you do a video on how to sing the Danish birthday song? I’m hosting a Dane exchange student and wanted to give her a Danish birthday? Is there an English version?

I’m danish but live in the U.S. since I was 12, so I get both sides and this is very on point. When my sister was here she also said it was weird when people asked her how she’s doing, I told her too- it’s just a greeting. True we’re not REALLY asking you, it’s just to say hope all’s well with you or hope you’re having a nice day.

'Danes don't brag'...and then immediately starts bragging about how fantastic Danes are for using bikes...so Danish! ...bless!

1:58 "He came from a Spanish country". That's weird, here I was thinking Spain WAS a country..

Har lige set men er du også kendt i Danmark eller England?

I'm Italian and i live in Germany and something i noticed is that when i ask people "how are you" the answer is "must" like "it must be all well" even if it's not...i don't understand it at all, if I ask you something is because I'm interested and not because i want to hear "all is well" even if it's not....in Italy people use other words " how are you? " "all is well" most of the time....They don't tell you how they really are..... And that is something I don't understand....beautiful video Elise, so happy to see you post more videos instead of the long weeklyvlogs, I like the way you post now more than when I could watch a single long video and wait for it the all week 🤓😘😘😘😘

Seems like Denmark is so politically and socially correct! I thought about it also when you talked about Danish people reacting to your dreads. N° 2, 3 and 5 are awesome! You got me thinking about moving there! I would love to learn the language. :) And anyway N°5, Asking "how are you" has become a cliché and no one really cares about the answer. And that's so bad! I ask that only if I really want to hear what the other has to say. And when people ask that to me, I just say "fine" because I know it is a cliché-question.

Im Danish and i dont get pissed OFF by that

I am teaching myself Danish, any tips? Thank you!

It's true that "how are you" is impolite, but not just because we think you don't care, but because we consider it a very personal question and privacy is very important to us.

That's awesome you shun narcissism in Denmark, that's the opposite of AMerican society

As an American with a Danish surname I take a great interest in this video. It appears that nothing from Scandinavia has overtly survived in Anglo American culture. However, there must be a biological reason for some of these behaviors i.e. an aversion towards overt displays of accomplishments or distinctions. The other thing that seems to be hardwired is the need and desire to follow traffic rules regardless of the circumstances. That's exactly how I think. I appreciate the tasteful approach. Your appearance reminds me of my late aunt. Does red hair occur in Denmark?

Just visited Danmark for 9 days (Esbjerg)...this is all true! Yes! I apologise for not signaling all the time I hadn't ridden a bike in so long so it was either try signaling, crash, and die or just hope I biked quick enough and safely to get out the way. Danmark has a special place in my heart. ♥️

Hvor bor du Jutland eller København?

Nice lipstick

Seems like the Danes really like to share themselves more than one would think.

I have a question. If you don't say "how are you?" what do we have to say after: Hello; Good morning, etc...? Thank you.

Are you from denmark?

Det irritere ikke mig

You look gorgeous in this video!

Elise, you are a sun! your spontaneity kills me.. what a beautiful soul you are

Elise! I know you've already given some Danish lessons, but could you do one specifically for travelers on phrases they might use? Like, "How do I find (insert location here)," or "The dinner was amazing," or even just "I am lost," or "Thank you." I know most Danish people speak English, but as a traveler it might be nice to learn things like that as a bonus.

I completely agree with everything you said...I wish the United States would be this way.

Don't be buyest here guys. Not all danes agrees with this ;) at all

Hey elise, pretty nice video :) I love Denmark with it's lovely nature. I'm from Germany and I Was there 3 times when I was a child. Could you maybe do an update on your partial dreads or show where all the loose hair take place? I also have partial dreads but they don't look as pretty on me as on you and I try to figure out where I should brush out some more to get a nice appearance of the loose ones. Since now the loose ones look to less to look great :(

This vid was so great! I went to Copenhagen for the first time last year. I think of it as my happy place now. Such a beautiful way of life there.

Norge har Janteloven også!

No, Denmark is not a socialist country. If you want to draw socialism into our political ideology, you can see that we are socio-liberal. Our current government is liberal. Obviously, our government has certain socialist values but we are definitely not a socialist country. Every political party here have both socialist and liberal elements in their politics though

How do you show people where you're going on your bike? Lol never heard of that

How's it hanging?

British accent or Danish choose dont switch in the video

Denmark sounds like France, haha!

Thank you this explains a lot I told a Danish Roblox player that I was having a conversation that you know if English is not your first language because I don’t know if it is you speak English really good and they got offended

You can always spot a foreigner at a supermarket by them not putting the divider stick thingy on the register line after themselves.😂

"Denmark is very socialistic" lol

Undskyld, men du har ikke retten til at tale for alle danskere, de fleste af de her gælder i hele verden, ikke kun i Danmark

How are you is the same as when dane say "hvordan går det?". Dane often ask me how I am (in English) so thats seems like an odd point to me in this video

I just got a job in Copenhagen for 3 years and this helps me a lot. Thank you!

lerning danish is boring not hard take it form an icelandic

To anyone who wonder = Jantelov is a BAD thing! its not so much about bragging, as holding people back and hinder personal progress! Yes its a way we used to live and raise our children by, but basically it just means "dont think youre better than us" wich in turn is a damper on free thinking and personal developement! But still, we dont wanna hear you brag about that big promotion or your new BMW just as everyone else! Basic human psycology. thumbs up great vid

Really enjoyed the video. My interest in Danish culture make these videos very enjoyable for me to watch

What if we ask someone how he/she is because we really care him/her?

Shiit du er god til englisk

JAN TE LOV EN!!! xD det er så sandt!

Good to know. Being of Danish descent myself, I was hoping to eventually visit the country, namely to meet any kin I may have there and find out about my ancestry, namely if there were any notable Danes I'm descended from.

Currently I've been working with danish company, Whenever there's big problems i notice they've so reserved and aloft and there's nothing that can be done unless someone else knows how to do it.