I’ll begin this post by sneaking in some really huge news: we’re moving back to America!! We’re not sure when yet, but we’re trying to make it happen as soon as possible. Eventually I’ll make a more detailed post about it. In the meantime, here’s a follow up to my last post with five more differences between Denmark and America.
#1: The Danish language
Danish is SO different from English! It has complexities that irritate even its native speakers. Sometimes it sounds elegant, sometimes it sounds silly. And it’s also turning out to be incredibly difficult to learn, though I’ll get there someday. I have years to figure it out!
One of my main difficulties (though not the only one) is the sounds themselves. There are some noises in Danish that just straight up don’t exist in English (as well as characters that don’t exist in our alphabet), and my mouth isn’t used to forming them. Practice helps, though. I feel like I’ll have a far better grasp of it in a few years if I just keep trying.
#2: Clothes dryers (or a lack thereof)
Although dryers are slowly gaining popularity in Denmark, a lot of danes just don’t seem to think they’re necessary. They do have washers, of course, but the common alternative to a dryer is just… a rack where you hang your wet clothes. I am not in love with the rack, because it doesn’t get our fabrics as soft and fluffy as a dryer, but it does get the job done… eventually. 🤣
#3: Crows
I know it seems like a weird and tiny difference, but the crows in Denmark are gray and black instead of just black! They’re basically regular crows wearing little gray tuxedos. And they’re adorable. Their caw is a little higher pitched than the crows I’m familiar with, but they form the same social bonds and seem just as opportunistic when it comes to foraging. I have really come to love them!!
#4: Chain stores and retail culture in general
Almost all the chain stores here are different than the ones I know, which of course I expected. But I wasn’t prepared for how small they would be! I’d never realized how large an American grocery store is. And there aren’t big drugstores here like the ones in America (my joke was “But where do you go when you need to fill a prescription, and buy a pair of river shoes, and some Pokemon cards, and some shampoo, and an Arizona tea, and a pack of Sharpies, and a pint of ice cream, and a pool noodle, and a crossword puzzle book?”) There’s no Walmart, no Target, and very very limited Amazon deliveries. If I hadn’t lived in Friday Harbor, this would have been total culture shock!
Retail here is just… different. Cashiers get to sit on stools. No one tips service workers, because their employers are expected to pay them a living wage (though, to be fair, not everyone is actually making a living wage). Most stores are closed by 10pm. Also… I have had to get used to seeing prices in danish kroner, which are 7 to one USD. So… yeah, in many ways, danish retail often becomes a glaring reminder that I’m in a foreign country. 🤣
#5: Bricks and roof tiles
And that subject brings me to my conclusion: roof tiles on brick houses! They’re another huge reminder that I’m far from home, but I love them. They’re absolutely gorgeous – I think they’re prettier than shingles, especially paired with brick (which seems to be the most common building material here). Especially now with a little bit of snow on them. If it actually snows, like it did last year, the houses will look like the Christmas village in a train set. I kinda desperately hope that happens soon. We had a lovely walk around town today, and it’s already looking extremely festive. A little more snow would make it perfect.
So that’s my next five! And I’m already planning more. Also – at some point soon I’ll be posting a detailed announcement about our move to America, so keep an eye out if you’re curious. 😉