Being foreign in Denmark: first week impressions

Since I did just post recently, I'll actually keep this short, but I do feel the need to warn anyone considering a visit to this beautiful country: it seems incredibly easy for a foreigner to feel alone in Denmark. Be prepared.


Ok, now that sounded foreboding and rather sad, I know, and I'm going to emphasize that it isn't because Danes aren't friendly people- they just don't come off as all that friendly when they don't know you, or if they haven't been made aware of some connection they have to you to validate your relevance, frankly. For instance, my co-workers, landlady, landlady's daughter, etc, are all wonderful, friendly, smiling people; people I see on the street, not so much. Take, for example, my first afternoon in Denmark: while I was walking around town with Karolina, we bumped into a friend of hers and I was quickly introduced, so I smiled, said the typical "nice to meet you," etc. The response? The girl actually looked at me for a second, waited until I stopped talking, and turned back to Karolina without a word, smile, or second glance in my direction... and that's just one example. As much as I hate to say it, the xenophobic reputation (gained for themselves especially following that Muhammad cartoon debacle) is, thus far, coming off as rather more true than I'd hoped. 


...So I continue to battle it not simply by vaguely smiling as I pass someone (whether they like it or not, darn it all, I will smile at them. ha), but also by more markedly seeking out fellow non-Danes- not Americans, but non-Danes. heh... success today in the form of a little Italian pizzeria, where the food was great and relatively cheap and the guy behind the counter actually made a habit of smiling at me; I was on the verge of sighing a grateful "Finally!" and thanking him just for smiling, but that will have to wait until I return at a later point for gelato. In any case, I repeat: the Danes I've had the pleasure of getting to know thus far are wonderfully intelligent, friendly, and welcoming. If, however, you are not Danish and have no obvious connection to them, just be ready to fend for yourself, and don't be afraid to do some solo wandering. In the longer run, it's good for ya.


Ah, yes, and in the process of that solo wandering, this afternoon I officially got the castle out of my system by spending a few hours in the Museum of National History now housed within it, though I'll have to go back at some point to see the chapel (cathedral?). Will likely try this during a Sunday service, as it is still very much in use- proven by the fact that it was off-limits today because there was a wedding taking place while I was there! Later that afternoon, spotted a second wedding party taking photos in the gardens, so it's a matrimonial hot spot.

Rather than posting more photos here, I'll attempt a public link to the Facebook album I already created for the purpose.


"You seem embarrassed by loneliness, by being alone. It's only a place to start." -Sabrina ...and yes, the movie is pretty much as corny as the quote suggests.