Like the rest of Scandinavia, Denmark is known for its high-quality design and architecture. Just think Bang & Olufsen, Arne Jacobsen's Egg chair, Royal Copenhagen porcelain and the Royal Opera House in Sydney – all the work of Danish designers and companies.
Denmark has several leading industries including food processing, tourism and the production of iron, steel and machinery.
Cabbage and root vegetables like beets were an important part of the diet, along with rye bread, fish, and pork. Open-faced sandwiches, known as smørrebrød, are among the best-known examples of traditional Danish cuisine.
Stegt flæsk med persillesovs
This dish is known as the “national dish of Denmark.” It is a simple and tasty combination of crispy pork, potatoes, and parsley sauce.
Denmark's national food dish: Stegt flæsk
And the winning dish, a classic pork recipe 'stegt flæsk med persillesovs', was no surprise. The crispy pork with parsley sauce and potatoes is a very old dish that has won the hearts, and tummies, of Danes for centuries.
Typical Danish breakfast is bread (white or rye bread) with cream or soft cheese, sausage, cured cold meat or jam with coffee or tea. Among popular breakfast dishes are also cereals and porridge.
A typical lunch in Denmark consists of slices of rye bread with different toppings such as chicken salad, roastbeef, paté, or herring. For dinner, traditional Danish dishes often includes potatoes on the side.
Trust is an essential value in Danish culture and society, and a significant factor in Danish happiness. In Denmark, the default is to trust one another when it comes to business, government, or personal relationships. Honesty is expected, and corruption in business or among public servants is very rare.
The people of Denmark are known as Danes. They are Nordic Scandinavians, many of which are blond, blue-eyed, and tall. In the southern part of the country, some people have German ancestry. Danes have one of the highest standards of living in the world.
The Danish welfare society
Denmark's level of taxation is a result of our work-life balance, democracy and high standards for education and healthcare. These are factors that ensure a well-functioning welfare society. You will benefit from a number of common goods, as do all citizens and people working in Denmark.
Dating in Denmark can be tricky for foreigners who aren't familiar with Scandinavian culture. It is said that Danes don't date in a traditional way—they tend to skip the flirting phase and be very direct about their feelings.
The Danes themselves are relaxed, informal, and often ironic. The concept of “hygge” – being cosy and making people feel at home – is an essential part of life in Denmark. Hygge promotes the idea of appreciating the small, simple, things in life - such as spending time with friends.
In Old Norse, the country was called Danmǫrk, referring to the Danish March, viz. the marches of the Danes. The Latin and Greek name is Dania. According to medieval legend, the name Denmark refers to the mythological King Dan.
The evening meal (aftensmad) is eaten anywhere between 5:30pm and 8:30pm but evening time (aften) is 6pm-midnight, preceded by afternoon (eftermiddag) (noon-6pm).
Danish People and Community
The Danes are known for being cosmopolitan, well-educated, and openminded people. Equality is a keyword in Danish culture. The vast majority of people belong to the middle class, and the percentage of poor people is low.
Pølser. This famous snack is often referred to as the rød pølser, and it is the most common fast food eaten in Denmark. In fact, nothing is considered to be more Danish than eating freshly prepared pølser followed by a refreshing bottle of beer.
Shake hands with everyone upon arriving and leaving. Handshakes should be very firm and rather short. Maintain eye contact while being introduced. Always shake hands with women first.
In Danish the most simple way of saying “Thank you” is Tak. Tak is an interjection and is derived from the verb takke.
Main meals. Most Danes have three regular meals a day, usually consisting of a cold breakfast with coffee or tea, a cold lunch at work and a hot dinner at home with the family. Some also have a snack in the middle of the afternoon or in the late evening.
Breakfast is considered by many to be the most important meal of the day.