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Cultural Etiquette
Cultural Dos and Taboos
1. Customarily, men and women rise when being introduced, and the handshake is the standard greeting for men and women. Note that Danish children are taught to greet people formally and will likely greet you with a firm handshake, direct eye contact and a small bow. People generally shake hands upon arrival and departure.
2. One should use the formal form of address such as Mr. or Mrs. followed by a surname, unless invited to move to a first name basis. Among men, it is common for last names alone to be used in forms of address. Outside the personal sphere, however, it is advisable that professional and governmental titles be used. In business, titles are used more rarely in verbal communication although they are customarily used in written communications.
3. Common gestures in North America, such as the okay gesture (thumb and forefinger forming a circle) is considered vulgar, and talking to someone with hands in the pocket is regarded as improper.
4. Punctuality is the norm in this culture, so be sure to be consistently punctual for both business meetings and social occasions.
5. Note that most Scandinavians, including Danes, tend to have fairly quiet dispositions. As such, one should avoid speaking loudly or indulging in any overt and flamboyant behavior. Note also that Danes are retrained people who are not accustomed to striking up conversation with strangers. One should not be surprised to find that Danes are unresponsive to attempts to make "small talk." (Naturally, this is a generalization and one should expect to find many exceptions.)
6. In conversation, sports, sightseeing, travel and politics are considered to be good topics of conversation. Note, however, especially in regard to matters of political or social import that Danes appreciate tolerance and will rarely be impressed by narrow-minded or fundamental beliefs. In this regard, while many political and social topics are open for discussion, one should avoid criticism of other peoples or systems. Inappropriate topics of conversation include anything remotely personal in nature.
7. Toasting at homes or dinners is considered part of tradition, but there is a protocol involved that should be adhered to. For example, one should never toast one's host or anyone senior in rank or age until he or she has toasted you first. Note also that one should never taste one's drink until the host has said the traditional toasting word, Skoal.
8. If you are invited to a Danish home, it has been suggested that you should stand quietly outside the doorway to the entrance of the abode and wait to be asked in; once you are inside the home, wait again until you are asked to sit down; and when you are sitting at the table, wait for the host's invitation to begin eating.
9. Dining is typically continental-style with the fork steadfastly held in the left hand and the knife in the right hand.
10. Initiate your own departure (usually around 10 p.m. during winter and 11 pm in the summer months), as your hosts will rarely do so.
11. In general, if one is invited for dinner, taking a gift is regarded as an appropriate gesture. Generally, most gifts should be wrapped. Suggested gifts include flowers (excluding lilies, carnations, white flowers or wreaths, all of which are associated with funerals), liquers, wine, liquor, or fine chocolates.
12. Dress is generally casual and should conform to the temperate climate. Business wear is more conservative; suits are the norm for both men and women. Women generally to be more restrained in regard to makeup and jewelry, opting for a more natural look than other parts of Europe.
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