Five Differences Between Denmark and America: Post #1

One of the things people have asked me about, since I’ve moved to Denmark, are the biggest differences between here and America. I usually have no idea where to start, and I find myself blurting “Uhh… everything!” 🤣 So I’ve decided to start making blog posts listing five at a time until I run out of things to write.

I think these first five are going to be the biggest. They’re things that affect not only daily life, but actual culture in Denmark.

# 1: Universal health care

As Americans we tend to get a little overwhelmed when we start learning about the social programs other countries offer their citizens. It can be depressing to realize how many opportunities we’re comparatively deprived of – but I do have great hopes that one day I’ll live to see the U.S. step into the future.

Universal health care is a key to Denmark’s overall quality of life. It’s honestly amazing to see the people around me taking a direct approach to their health (physical and mental) without worrying that it’s going to cost them their life’s savings. The only real gap in this system is a lack of full dental and vision coverage, but hey – maybe one day! As it is, Danish citizens already enjoy a much safer lifestyle than the one most Americans are forced to live.

Which brings me to item #2 on this list:

#2: Low crime and homelessness rates

Whether because of its many helpful social programs, its small size, or simply the fact that people are able to pursue opportunities here, Denmark is a very safe country to be in. The first indication I noticed of this was the lack of hobo encampments and random syringes everywhere – something I realized within my first few days of being here.

Then I started noticing that major crimes, like gun violence, are seen as such rare things that they always make national headlines. Americans become almost desensitized to the shock (and sorrow) of crime and violence in the world around us. Danes, however, do not live in the same world of tense uncertainty that Americans have come to know and loathe. Danes know a world of security and safety. Therefore, it really freaks them out when something bad happens in Denmark… or when they visit certain parts of America. Though crime rates have risen a little lately, I maintain hope that Denmark will stay safe for a very long time.

#3: Free college for Danish citizens

I think part of its low crime rate comes directly from the fact that Denmark offers its citizens an actual opportunity in life. Casper is benefiting from that right now! In a year he’ll have completed an education in software engineering, paid for by Denmark. The opportunities this gives him in life are… honestly, practically infinite. He was even able to take government loans, deposited into his bank account every month, to help pay the bills while he makes his education his main priority. Coupled with part time work, it’s a perfect tool to help Danes get through the lean years of juggling fledgling adulthood with fulltime school.

#4: No drinking age

Remember sneaking drinks as a teen? Danes don’t have to sneak! Also, they can open a bottle of vodka on the bus and sit there drinking it without a glass if they want to. A person very rarely gets carded when buying alcohol in the store. A typical high school graduation celebration includes a day of copious drinking at the various homes of your classmates (using a rented bus to transport the group from place to place while playing the loudest music possible 🤣). The culture here is just… different.

I’m still getting used to it. The other day I wanted to drink a beer on a bench by the harbor, just because I could, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it – it still felt too scandalous. Like someone would pop out from behind a beech tree and yell “Hey, lady! I saw that! You’re an American, you put that beer down!” 🤣 🤣 But… eventually I might be able to drink in public like a true European. I still have many years left to work on that particular talent.

#5: Long daylight hours in summer and short daylight hours in winter

I’ll end this blog post with a natural phenomenon: in the height of summer, to my deep frustration, the sky never gets fully dark at night. When I get up to go to the bathroom at 2am, I can see a glow of sunlight on the horizon out the kitchen window. The sky is fully light again by 4.

While personally it drives me batshit crazy to spend entire nights without true darkness, it seems like a lot of people are really into it. The long hours give you energy and make your brain feel like the day will never end. Everything is green, since the copious deciduous trees are all in full bloom. Kids are out of school roaming the streets on their bikes and scooters. Farm stands (like the one in the photo) are stocked full of freshly grown tasty treats. The park in the centrum becomes a perpetual concert, a constant Event. In summertime, Denmark becomes one big party.

By contrast, the short daylight hours in wintertime bring a plague of seasonal depression. Christmas becomes a month long celebration – bolstering spirits in the shortest days of the year, and giving people something to look forward to. Sometimes Christmas can linger on into January if that’s what people need it to do. It seems to be primarily used as an excuse to gather together and hang twinkly pretty lights everywhere, regardless of your religious or cultural affiliation. In a time of short hours and cold weather and bare tree branches, Christmas gives people a reason to be happy. And I have to say, even though I love winter myself (and need no coping mechanism to get through it… which I can’t say about summer), I’m really into it! Christmas songs on the radio, gnomes and silver sparkles everywhere, trees covered in lights, long nights and cozy family dinners… yeah, not gonna lie, I love it. 🤣 ❤️

So that’s my top five! But Denmark and America often feel like two different worlds to me, so there are many more blog posts about this topic coming in the future. This actually felt very freeing to write, so I’m looking forward to the next post! Stay tuned! ❤️