Just lately there was a characteristic on Oprah exhibiting Denmark having the happiest folks on Earth. I’m a Dane, however looking back I used to be by no means too pleased residing there. I now stay within the US. Clearly, there are some points I desire about Denmark in comparison with the US reminiscent of its well being care system. Nonetheless, general, Denmark is just not the very best place for bold people with a plan to tug off an early retirement or do what Individuals name superior(*) stuff. I think about the probability of me ever returning completely to be small.
(*) Okay, Individuals are inclined to name all the things together with their breakfast “superior” 
First, the Oprah section principally confirmed the higher center class of Copenhagen. What you noticed was not typical—the condominium proven is presently on sale for 1.25 million {dollars}, only a few stay like that(*), however the attitudes offered are typical of the “educated”-segment, that’s, about 40% of the inhabitants —particularly these with protected authorities positions, which is lots.
(*) Your basic suburban home outdoors the capital value someplace between $200k and $400k.
Comparably talking, Danes spend a whole lot of their cash on housing (the homes are very well constructed) and so much less on stuff to fill the homes just because they’ve much less cash left.
To say that everybody is lean from driving bicycles is an exaggeration to say the least. Nonetheless, the physique form that’s thought of common within the US is taken into account chubby in … effectively, just about the remainder of the world. And so forth. Danes could be thought of slighlty chubby on common in comparison with Jap Europeans who appear to eat higher (much less meat and fewer processed meals).
There’s common well being care, common schooling, and common unemployment “insurance coverage”. It’s true that there are only a few homeless (all drug addicts). The streets are protected, however don’t go away an unlocked bicycle wherever(!). The Danes will not be violent however many will not be precisely sincere standup residents both. The precedence is on trip and leisure time, not work time—it is because marginal tax charges are excessive, so why hassle work, and since unions are robust, which signifies that those that do have a job get a whole lot of trip time however conversely that unemployment is excessive. Is that this a superb factor? It’s when you’ve got a job.
Faith could be very weak. This is because of socioeconomics (no person wants to seek out that means in faith) and as a consequence of historic causes. The Danes at all times have been a pagan bunch and expediently “believed” in no matter their king subscribed to. The establishment of marriage has been resigned to custom. Individuals have youngsters manner earlier than they get married, in the event that they get married in any respect. Anybody who lives collectively for 2 years is just about thought of successfully married, that’s, they’ve the identical rights as formally married folks. Denmark was the one of many first if not the primary nation to legalize homosexual marriage. Frankly, no person actually cares. Humanism is pretty excessive; relative to GDP Denmark is likely one of the largest contributors of international help.
What’s to not like? The draw back is a ensuing small-town mentality(*) with its low tolerance for individuality, being totally different or standing out, a low tolerance for ambition, very low ranges of entrepreneurism, a smug perception that it’s the finest nation on the planet (effectively, you see that within the US as effectively, besides within the US it’s not smug ), and few alternatives as it’s a small nation.
(*) That is readily obvious to me having been born there and lived outdoors the nation for 10 years.
Everyone will get the identical common (mediocre?) schooling no matter whether or not they’re proficient or not. In different phrases, if “common” is aim, it is a nice nation as just about all the things will steer you in direction of _average_. In that regard, for example, the varsity system doesn’t give out “awards” for something which is in direct distinction to the US system.
Nonetheless, it may be proven that happiness primarily stems from comparability to the neighbors and so if the neighbor is common and you’re too, it makes you content. This, I consider, is the principle purpose why nearly all of Danes are pleased. There are, nevertheless, a couple of excessive guys there and so they have a tough time being pleased in such an surroundings and they also to migrate.
Find out how to develop into a Dane: You possibly can develop into a citizen by residing there for 7 years. You are able to do that with any EU passport (open borders). I do know you may marry a EUropean, clearly. I have no idea of different methods, however getting a job there can work; I suppose it’s much like the US. Examine your nearest embassy/consulate. If you happen to do need to immigrate I might advocate not bringing any or a lot of your individual tradition with you as that is frowned upon. Verily, the Danes are very tolerant however provided that you’re precisely like them, sure?
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Initially posted 2009-10-23 12:30:23.