Denmark, terutama masyarakatnya, memiliki karakter dan kebiasaan yg cukup “ga biasa” ato mungkin bisa dibilang aneh, bahkan untuk kalangan beberapa negara eropa sendiri, apalagi orang Indonesia kaya kita. Berikut ini list beberapa hal yg bakal jadi pemandangan umum saat tinggal di Denmark. Tulisannya sendiri dalam bahasa Inggris, diambil dari “culture shock course” yg pernah diikuti salah satu temen PPI Denmark.

You’ve been too long in Denmark and you’ve forgotten that you’re not a Danish if

1. You always prepare to catch the closing door if following too closely behind somebody.
2. You think there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
3. The first thing you do on entering a bank/post office/pharmacy etc. is to look for the queue number machine.
4. You accept that you will have to queue to take a queue number.
5. When a stranger on the street smiles at you, you assume that: a) he’s drunk, b) he’s insane, c) he’s American, d) he’s all of the above a-c
6. It no longer seems excessive to spend 800 kr. on alcohol in a single night.
7. You know that “religious holiday” means “let’s get pissed”
8. You use “Mmmm” as conversation filler.
9. The word “yes” is an intake of breath.
10. You only have 2 facial expression: smiling or blank.
11. You buy your own drink at the bar even when you are with a group of people.
12. Can’t remember when to say “please” and “excuse me”
13. You will leave a pub if you can’t find a seat.
14. Your wardrobe no longer has suits but blue shirts and mustard colored sports jackets and lots of denim.
15. You don’t mind paying the same for a 200-metre bus ride as you do for going 10 km.
16. You don’t look twice at businessmen in dark suits wearing white sport socks.
17. You start to believe that if it weren’t for Denmark’s efforts, the world would probably collapse pretty soon.
18. You find yourself speaking half Swedish with Swedes.
19. You find yourself more interested in the alcohol content than the name of the wine.
20. It feels natural to wear sport clothes and a backpack everywhere.
21. You know the meaning of life has something to do with the word “hyggelig”
22. You are very surprised when you receive compliments about ANYTHING – including your appearance/clothing! In fact, when you do, you find it suspicious and start thinking they might have ulterior motives.
23. You’ve completely forgotten what a “date” is.
24. No one ever comes to pick you up and unexpected gifts are VERY unexpected.
25. You don’t think it’s strange that no one ever comes by to visit without being invited and you never show up at anyone’s place unannounced either.
26. You find yourself lighting candles when you have guests – even if it’s brightly sunny outside and 20 degrees.
27. You offer people strange-tasting brown alcoholic liquids with their coffee in the MORNING!