Customer Reviews

The Xenophobe's Guide to the Danes (Xenophobe's Guides - Oval Books)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After 2 years in Denmark this book still managed to provide insights into the Danes. I find myself quoting it when trying to discribe Denmark to others ... and even gave it to my Danish boyfriend to give him perspectives on what others see as 'Danish'. His constant 'you mean other people dont do that' where only interupted by his laughter.

What is more it has been used as a textbook in a Danish Business School's cultural understanding classes (not my classes :-) and the Danish AIESEC (the worlds largest student organisation) offers this series to all the students participating in their international traineeship exchange programme - both those arriving in Denmark and those traveling to a 'Xenophobe' country.. what more recomendation do you need...

This book - as many of the others in this series - covers a large range of cultural "specialities" in a very humorous yet fitting way. Great, fun, and quick read for those who want to understand what characterizes the Danes.

While it did reflect Danish culture there was no depth to the insights. It was disappointingly skimpy - little more then a pamphlet.

After some time I realized that the author was British. Some descriptions he uses in the book to show a certain point about the Danes, I could not for the life of me figure out what he is trying to say. I am American, so I believe that it is the reason I can't understand what the author is trying to say. I did live for 9 years in England, but still have trouble with this man's words.

Some bits were alright. Glad I got this book at half price. I plan on spending some time in Denmark in the future, so I will find out for myself. I have know a few Danes for a short time. Upon meeting them find them a very friendly people. They know American-English and speak it like one of us. They seem highly intelligent. Some can carry on a conversation well, while others say one or two words only. This is a lot like American's are.
I look forward to my visit to Denmark.

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!