You Might Danish if...

(note: I didn't take a single of these photos)

1. You look like this:

 

Or this....

 

Danish people are gorgeous. Mostly (but not exclusively) tall, blonde, and perfect in every way. And even the short brunette one’s are perfect looking. I don’t know if it’s the crisp air but there is some Nordic predisposition to gorgeousness and the Danish have it in spades. It is shocking to me to see some of them just walking down the street going to work at a café when they are so lovely to behold. I wonder if Tyra Banks has traveled here? She would go ham…

2. You dress/wear your hair like this:

Danish style is very plain but extremely trendy. Lots of black and solid colors. But most important beyond the clothes is…THE TOP KNOT.

It is way populr here and almost all girls are rockin’ the top knot. My true American comes out as I am just incapable of make my top knots presentable ever. There might be no hope for me...*sigh.

　

3. You travel everywhere by bicycle.

The Danes (especially in Copenhagen) are very green and love to bike! They of course bike in their chic black ensembles and do not usually wear helmets, quite possibly because it is so hard to wear a helmet with a top knot and still look attractive so obviously the helmet has to go.

Have kids? NO WORRIES, they can ride in “front car” type contraption like this:

 

Something as silly as parenthood isn't going to prevent a Dane from getting on that bike! And neither is the weather, the Danish bike in all weather short of the apocalypse. Rain? Snow? Sleet? All is no match for the machine that is the bicycle.

 

4. Your children are as beautiful as you are.

Danish children are adorable, well behaved, and have styles on par with that of their parents. I’m so surprised there aren’t more kidnappings here solely based on the cuteness factor of these little tykes. Not to mention the totally normal child rearing practice discussed earlier (refer to previous post "Welp Denmark is Different") of letting your child chill, or nap, outside and on the street.

5. You push your gorgeous children around in a bassinette.

These are so popular it’s not even funny. And they are nice and spacious so if you borrow (or kidnap) another child they will fit in the bassinette too!!



6. You find it socially unacceptable to talk to people you don‘t know.

Whether you’re at the grocery store, the Tivoli (an amusement park), the pharmacy, what have you, you do not talk to people in line just to exchange pleasantries. If you don’t know someone you don’t talk to them. The Danes find it weird.

BUT

7. You find it totally socially acceptable to stand right up against someone on public transportation.

You would never talk to this person but it’s entirely possible their armpit will be in your face on the metro.

8. You bake your own bread.

 

All my hallmates bake their own bread. It's cheaper and healthier and makes the entire floor smell delicious.

9. You refer to any sort of string-like accessory as a "strap".

Be it a belt, headband, garter, purse handle, shoe lace, draw string, tie, string like collar, chain, necklace, hair tie, sandal back, resistance bands, ribbon, or clothing-fastening type lace--it's a strap.

10. (and last but not least) You're obsessed with 90s American Television.

Friends, Fresh Prince, Beverly Hills 90210, Days of Our Lives, Sex and the City--all fan favs and still popular over here. I have Danish friends that quote Friends episodes as if they were yesterday's newest episode of True Blood. Anyone who said the 90s died needs to come to Copenhagen.


Well I would say I fulfill more than have of these pre-requisites to Dane-dom. Think I could get partial recognition as a Dane? I was mistaken for a Dane once at a candied almond stand--perhaps I'm becoming more Euro/cosmopolitan as I live here. One can only hope!! I hope you enjoyed my quirky interpretation of the Danish. The bottom line is of course that I am ridiculously jealous of the Danish people and getting mistaken for being Danish (even if it was just once at the nut-stand) has been the highlight of my month!