Pencil Me In | Making Friends in Denmark

On February 5, 2019February 6, 2019 By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn American Expat, Denmark18 Comments

How to Make Friends Denmark When it Feels Like Every Danes’ Dance Card is Full

Happiness rankings do not always equal friendliness rankings

You’ve probably heard. Seen the news. Read the reports. Denmark, and the rest of the Scandinavia siblings often take top ranks on World Happiness Reports year after year. We could debate all day about what happiness means to you? While the Nordics just keep winning. No matter what. 2018 saw Denmark’s Nordic neighbor, Finland, atop the charts while Denmark came in at number three behind Norway. But really – what does make a country “happy?” Ask a Dane and it quickly becomes quite clear. In addition to a prevalence of personal freedoms – those social democratic benefits like universal free healthcare and free higher education are big when it comes to feeling satisfied, comfortable and content with where you live.

Besides being just so darn content, Denmark consistently gets high marks in worldwide quality of life appraisals as well. Sustainable city planning, clean harbors, faith in leadership, relative income equality, economic stability and an overall family-friendly atmosphere are just some of the reasons life is good here in Scandinavia. And can be for you too. Move to Denmark and you’ll see. But happy, high-quality living doesn’t always equal friendly locals. Don’t expect a welcome mat. Or an invite. Just yet.

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Walking the Path of a Life Lived Abroad

On September 21, 2018September 21, 2018 By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn American Expat, Copenhagen14 Comments

When you Step Away From a Life You Had Planned

There is a path that you are supposed to follow. For a well-led life. A path that takes you from the boisterous enthusiasm of your sometimes pimply faced youth through high school and on. To the expectation and rah-rah of those determined and dedicated university years. A path that is supposed to launch you into the world, on newly emergent adult type wings still wet and unfurling, fluttering and trying to fly. On your own.

The path may take you through first jobs and first apartments and first loves and second loves and third dates and devastating breakups and then when the time is right, the path proposes marriage. Then maybe a first home. A small white saltbox outside Cincinnati, Ohio. You didn’t know when you started on this path where the house might be, but you knew there would be a house. Or two. Or more. In another place.

This same path potentially brings a dog. Then a family. The 2.5 kids. The path is stable and secure and laid out for you. For the most part. If you walk it. If you want it. Follow the path. Work hard, raise your kids, buy a house, save for retirement, send them to college and launch them on their own paths. Work some more. Retire. Happy. Fulfilled. Knowing you followed the path. It is what you were supposed to do. It’s what you are supposed to do. Continue reading “Walking the Path of a Life Lived Abroad” →

A Sweet Slice of Nostalgia at The American Pie Company in Copenhagen

On January 31, 2018February 1, 2018 By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn American Expat, Copenhagen, Food39 Comments

Authentic Americana and Apple Pie in the heart of Copenhagen

ALMOST TASTES LIKE HOME

Care to share a sweet slice of authentic Americana right in the middle of Copenhagen? It’s as easy as pie. Except that I had yet to try. Until yesterday, when I finally succumbed to step inside The American Pie Company in the center of the city, which has been charming locals and garnering nominations for the City’s Best (Byens Bedste) Awards since it flung open its button-cute café in 2015. What took me so long you might ask? Wouldn’t a nice piece of pumpkin, pecan or key lime pie be the perfect palliative for any potential bout of pining for home? Yer darn tootin’ it could be. However, I’ve resisted. Until now. Continue reading “A Sweet Slice of Nostalgia at The American Pie Company in Copenhagen” →

How to Invite Danes to a Party

On May 26, 2017January 22, 2019 By oregongirlaroundtheworldIn American Expat, Danish, Denmark4 Comments

Tillykke med fødselsdagen! Happy Birthday!

How to Celebrate in Denmark | Etiquette and Cultural Misunderstandings

Tillykke med fødselsdagen! Congratulations with your birthday! That’s how you say “Happy Birthday” in Denmark. And there are certain ways to celebrate it here. Like most everything you encounter when moving abroad, no matter where that may be, you quickly find there are distinct rituals and customs about how to do things. Those little, unspoken rules that are blanketly accepted by that society. The “rules” that no one tells you about until you do something incorrectly. Didn’t you know? That’s how we do it here. We all knew. Why don’t you? It was in the manual. Continue reading “How to Invite Danes to a Party” →