Denmark: Communication
March 19, 2019
By GoinGlobal
Communication Styles
In general, Danes are low-key, subdued and inexpressive people in public. They are strongly egalitarian, with a need to seek consensus and attribute status according to competence rather than to class or education. Plain-speaking, directness and frankness are admired qualities. Danes are generally looked upon by other Scandinavians as being very pleasant and easy going by nature.
Danes prefer informal communication; they are quick to move to a first-name basis and use the informal form of ‘you,’ which is du. Even students may call teachers by their first names. On the whole, Danes freely express their feelings and voice their opinions in many situations — about work matters, about what political party they voted for or about what they think of a certain public figure. However, Danes are non-confrontational in both their personal and professional lives.
In everyday life, it is normal to address people by their first name. Professionally, however, you might start with Herr (Mr.), Fru (Mrs.) and Frøken (Miss). Professional titles are not necessarily expected, but it is polite to use them in addressing older people. Eye contact is very important during conversation.
Humor plays a central role in the way Danes interact; people here tell jokes and often employ irony. Unpretentiousness is important in social interactions, and people rarely promote themselves or their own skills. On the contrary, Danes tend to downplay their own roles and qualifications.
Handshakes are the accepted form of greeting and farewell in Denmark. Even children sometimes greet others with a firm handshake. When entering a room full of people, it is customary to go around the room and shake hands with everyone. Handshaking only happens, however, between people who do not know each other from beforehand. There is no physical contact beyond the handshake.
When speaking to a business acquaintance, a distance of two arm lengths is acceptable; any closer is considered uncomfortable. Body language and gesturing tend to be restricted.
Language Skills
Danish, a North Germanic language, is the official language of Denmark and one of the official languages of the European Union. Danish is the main language spoken in Denmark, with English being a close second.
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German is an official language in the area bordering Germany.
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Greenlandic (kalaallisut) is spoken by the people of Greenland.
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In the Faroes, Danish is a co-official language along with Faroese, or Føroyskt (Færøyskt in Danish).
Government employees can generally speak and write in English, and most Danes do not mind conducting business in English, so much so that interpreters are seldom required. However, it is polite to know a few words or phrases in Danish and to know something about the culture.
Vocabulary
Below are a few helpful words and phrases in Danish.
|
English |
Danish |
|---|---|
|
Hello |
Goddag/Hej (formal/informal) |
|
Goodbye |
Farvel |
|
Yes |
Ja |
|
No |
Nej |
|
Thank you |
Tak |
|
Excuse me |
Undskyld |
|
My name is… |
Jeg hedder... |
|
I’m from… |
Jeg kommer fra... |
|
I’m looking for… |
Jeg leder efter... |
|
I don’t understand |
Det forstår jeg ikke |
|
How do you say...in Danish? |
Hvordan siger du...på dansk? |