Denmark - Culture, Etiquette and Business Practices

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Hej! Welcome to our Guide to the Danes!

Perfect for anyone researching the people, society, manners, etiquette and business culture of Denmark.

 

 

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What will you learn about in this guide?

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You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including:

• Language
• Religion and beliefs
• Culture and society
• Social etiquette and customs
• Business culture and etiquette

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Parading power in Copenhagen. Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash

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Facts and Statistics

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• Location: Northern Europe bordering Germany 68 km
• Capital: Copenhagen
• Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
• Population: 5+million (2019 est.)
• Ethnic Make-up: Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali
• Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2%
• Government: constitutional monarchy
• Business Culture: Ranked 1st in The Business Culture Complexity Index™

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The Danish Language

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Over 98% of the population speak Danish.

• German is recognised as an official regional language in the Nord-Schleswig region that borders Germany, where it is spoken by 23,000 people, about 0.4% of the 5.2m Danish population.
• Greenlandic, an Inuit language, is spoken by 0.1% of the population.

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A graceful dancer from the Royal Danish Ballet. Photo taken in Torvet by Henrik Hansen on Unsplash

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Danish Society & Culture

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Egalitarianism in Danish Society

• Denmark is an egalitarian society.
• Interestingly this is reflected in their language, which employs gender-neutral words.
• Most Danes are modest about their own accomplishments and are more concerned about the group than their own individual needs.
• Maternity and paternity leave provisions are particularly generous in Denmark.
• Men are more actively involved in child-rearing activities than in many countries, although the division of domestic chores is similar to other developed countries.

 

Women in Danish Society

• Women are highly respected in business and generally receive equal pay and have access to senior positions.
• Working mothers can easily arrange flexible hours so that they can maintain both a career and a family.
• Danish women expect to be treated with respect in the office.

 

Proper Public Behaviour

• Danes believe there is one proper way in which to act in any given circumstance.
• If someone is not following the rules, be they written or merely understood, someone will generally speak up and admonish them to obey the accepted protocol.
• They expect courteous behaviour from everyone.
• Talk in moderate tones and do not do anything to call attention to yourself.

 

Danish Family Values

• Most families are small.
• The nuclear family is the centre of the social structure.
• Children are raised to be independent from an early age.
• Most are put in day care centres at about 1 years old.
• Marriage is not a prerequisite to starting a family. Many couples live together without legalizing the arrangement with marriage.

 

Tipping

• Tipping is generally not expected in Denmark, due to a combination of good wages for service staff and laws that govern service billing. 
• Laws in Denmark dictate that restaurant, hotel and taxi bills must include service charges and tips.
• As such, tipping is neither common, nor expected, in Denmark. 
• However, if you feel that you would like to tip waiting staff, then a tip is always appreciated.
• The only exception, in reality, relates to taxis as most people round their bill up as a gesture of thanks.

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Danes are very proud of their national football team. Always a great topic for conversation! Photo by Elin Tabitha on Unsplash

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Etiquette & Manners in Denmark

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Meeting Etiquette

• Greetings are casual, with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a smile.
• Shake hands and say good-bye individually when arriving or departing.
• Shake hands with women first.
• Danes tend to introduce themselves with their first names.

 

Gift Giving Etiquette

• Danes give gifts to family and close friends for birthdays and Christmas.
• If invited to a Danish home for dinner, bring flowers, good quality chocolates or good quality wine. A bouquet of mixed wildflowers makes an excellent gift.
• Flowers should be wrapped.
• If you are invited to dinner or a party, it is polite to send flowers in advance of the event.
• Red wrapping paper is always a good choice.
• Gifts are opened when received.

 

Dining Etiquette

If invited to a Danish home:

• Arrive on time. Danes are punctual in both business and social situations.
• Check to see if you should remove your shoes before entering the house.
• Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish.
• Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.
• Danes enjoy showing off their homes since they have usually done the decorating themselves and are proud of their accomplishments. Therefore, they are happy when you ask for a tour of their house.
• Do not discuss business.

 

Watch your table manners!

• Wait to be told where to sit. There may be a seating plan.
• Table manners are Continental -- hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
• Always keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.
• Try everything.
• Expect to be offered second helpings. You may refuse without offending your hosts.
• Finish everything on your plate. Danes do not like wasting food.
• When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the tines facing up and the handles turned to the right.
• The man seated to the left of the hostess generally offers a toast of thanks during the dessert course.
• Do not begin eating until the host toasts with 'Skol'.
• When toasting, raise your glass about eye level and make eye contact with the people seated closest to you.

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Grabbing a quick bite at a street food market in Copenhagen. Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash

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Business Culture and Etiquette in Denmark

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Meeting Etiquette

• Appointments are necessary.
• Confirm appointments in writing.
• Initial correspondence should be made to the company and not an individual.
• Do not try to schedule meetings from mid June through mid August as many Danes are on vacation.
• You should arrive at meetings on time. The Danes you are meeting will be punctual.
• Telephone immediately if you will be detained more than 5 minutes.
• 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.
• Business cards are exchanged. Your business card should have the physical address of your company and not a post office box.
• Danes use their professional title and their surname.
• If someone does not have a professional title, use Herr (Mister), Fru (Misses) or Froken (Miss).
• Danes move to first names quickly. Nonetheless, wait to be invited before using someone's first name.

 

Business Negotiation

• Send an agenda before the meeting and work from it without deviation.
• Decisions are made after consulting with everyone involved.
• Presentations should be well-organized and factual. Use facts, figures and charts to back up statements and conclusions.
• Maintain eye contact while speaking.
• There will be a minimal amount of small talk. Danes prefer to get down to business quickly.
• Communication is direct.

 

Management Style

• Read about this on our page about the Danish management style.

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