Lately there was a characteristic on Oprah exhibiting Denmark having the happiest folks on Earth. I’m a Dane, however on reflection I used to be by no means too completely satisfied dwelling there. I now stay within the US. Clearly, there are some elements I desire about Denmark in comparison with the US reminiscent of its well being care system. Nonetheless, total, Denmark isn’t the very best place for formidable people with a plan to tug off an early retirement or do what People name superior(*) stuff. I think about the chance of me ever returning completely to be small.
(*) Okay, People are likely to name every little thing together with their breakfast “superior” 
First, the Oprah section principally confirmed the higher center class of Copenhagen. What you noticed was not typical—the residence proven is presently on sale for 1.25 million {dollars}, only a few stay like that(*), however the attitudes offered are typical of the “educated”-segment, that’s, about 40% of the inhabitants —particularly these with secure authorities positions, which is lots.
(*) Your basic suburban home exterior the capital price someplace between $200k and $400k.
Comparably talking, Danes spend quite a lot of their cash on housing (the homes are rather well constructed) and so much less on stuff to fill the homes just because they’ve much less cash left.
To say that everybody is lean from driving bicycles is an exaggeration to say the least. Nonetheless, the physique form that’s thought of common within the US is taken into account chubby in … nicely, just about the remainder of the world. And so forth. Danes can be thought of slighlty chubby on common in comparison with Jap Europeans who appear to eat higher (much less meat and fewer processed meals).
There may be common well being care, common schooling, and common unemployment “insurance coverage”. It’s true that there are only a few homeless (all drug addicts). The streets are secure, however don’t depart an unlocked bicycle wherever(!). The Danes aren’t violent however many aren’t precisely trustworthy standup residents both. The precedence is on trip and leisure time, not work time—it is because marginal tax charges are excessive, so why trouble work, and since unions are sturdy, which implies that those that do have a job get quite a lot of trip time however conversely that unemployment is excessive. Is that this an excellent factor? It’s when you have a job.
Faith could be very weak. This is because of socioeconomics (no person wants to seek out which means in faith) and as a consequence of historic causes. The Danes all the time have been a pagan bunch and expediently “believed” in no matter their king subscribed to. The establishment of marriage has been resigned to custom. Individuals have kids means earlier than they get married, in the event that they get married in any respect. Anybody who lives collectively for 2 years is just about thought of successfully married, that’s, they’ve the identical rights as formally married folks. Denmark was the one of many first if not the primary nation to legalize homosexual marriage. Frankly, no person actually cares. Humanism is pretty excessive; relative to GDP Denmark is among the largest contributors of international help.
What’s to not like? The draw back is a ensuing small-town mentality(*) with its low tolerance for individuality, being totally different or standing out, a low tolerance for ambition, very low ranges of entrepreneurism, a smug perception that it’s the greatest nation on this planet (nicely, you see that within the US as nicely, besides within the US it’s not smug ), and few alternatives as it’s a small nation.
(*) That is readily obvious to me having been born there and lived exterior the nation for 10 years.
All people will get the identical common (mediocre?) schooling no matter whether or not they’re gifted or not. In different phrases, if “common” is objective, this can be a nice nation as just about every little thing will steer you in direction of _average_. In that regard, as an illustration, the varsity system doesn’t give out “awards” for something which is in direct distinction to the US system.
Nonetheless, it may be proven that happiness primarily stems from comparability to the neighbors and so if the neighbor is common and you might be too, it makes you content. This, I consider, is the primary cause why nearly all of Danes are completely satisfied. There are, nevertheless, a couple of excessive guys there they usually have a tough time being completely satisfied in such an atmosphere and they also to migrate.
How one can turn into a Dane: You may turn into a citizen by dwelling there for 7 years. You are able to do that with any EU passport (open borders). I do know you may marry a EUropean, clearly. I have no idea of different methods, however getting a job there can work; I suppose it’s just like the US. Test your nearest embassy/consulate. Should you do wish to immigrate I’d advocate not bringing any or a lot of your individual tradition with you as that is frowned upon. Verily, the Danes are very tolerant however provided that you’re precisely like them, sure?
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Initially posted 2009-10-23 12:30:23.