University of Copenhagen

Understanding Danish Culture

Dr Vijay Jain (VJ) - TDT International

Vijay P. Jain (VJ)

adm.dir. & senior partner, T.D.T./ ITIM international

intercultural management consultants

teaching : York Uni.,Canada, Danish Export Institute, rhus Uni.

studies in India, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Canada :

Diplom Kaufmann, M.B.A., PhD.

in Denmark since 1972

Contact : vijay@jain.dk

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How do you perceive the role of a mentor?

- the crossed entries are definitely NO !

1.substitute parent 7.employee of university

2.friend 8.social worker
3.professional counselor 9.volunteer who uses his free time
4.cultural/social guide to ease your settling in DK
5.romantic partner 10.substitute teacher
6.motivator

Culture Shock process

1.Honeymoon phase

freedom (from parents)

adventure
intro. parties
friendly mentors

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2.Culture Shock (CRITICAL)
What am I doing here ?

!
-academic/language demands
(term papers)
-food & housing issues
-missing family & friends
-weather
-not so friendly Danes/mentors
-cultural misuderstandings
Your job is to cooperate with
your mentor to reduce the
duration of this phase !

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3.Adjustment & Adaption

I really like it here !

I will miss Denmark and my

Danish friends when I go home !

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 As a foreign student trying to integrate will be confronted with

- lack of knowledge of the customs of Denmark

&
- perceptions based on your own cultural programming

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Perception and stereotyping

X culture iceberg culture iceberg

Practices Practices
Behaviour Behaviour

Values Values
History History
Society Society
Religion etc Religion etc

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examples : top of iceberg Dos & Donts
DENMARK :
-Greetings : not formal ..Hej
But when asked How are you? You can be more detailed

- Non verbal Communication:

personal space : not too close (arms length)
touch : not much
eye contact :direct but be careful not to stare
body sounds : silence perferred

Other Danish specialities :

- Bicycling culture : stick to rules eg. Signalling when turning
- Eating/drinking habits esp.alcohol culture) : freedom
- Danish humor : can be personal & sarcastic
-
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Dos & Donts

Dos & Donts
:

VALUES related to
1. Hierarchy
2.Individualism
3.Gender roles
4.Uncertainty/risk

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 1. Acceptance of hierarchy

Low Acceptance High acceptance

equality (s/t)
hierarchy (t >s)
student can disagree with
teacher to be respected
teacher
not contradicted
own initiative/responsibility in
learning thru teacher input
learning
& control

0---------------25-----------------50--------------75-------------100
LOW HI
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DK U.S. S.E.,S.A.,Asia

Impact of LOW Power

Distance on Danes

High acceptance of equality in society:

parents-children, bosses-subordinates, men-women,
blue collar - white collar, professors (first name)-students
Danes learn to be independent & responsible from childhood
Easy access to professors but you take the initiative
How to show respect to your professor/superior ?
two-way communication & disagreement o.k.

Basically a D.I.Y. society !

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 2.Individualism
WE SELF
dependence on in-group independence & privacy
friendship/emotional bonding task focus/hobby based
indirect communication, interaction/impersonal study groups
direct communication

0---------------25-----------------50--------------75-------------100
LOW HI
Asia, S.A. S.E. GER,DK, U.S.
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Impact of Individualism on Danes

Time consciousness ! How late is late ?
A YES is a YES must stick to your promise
Communication very direct ( Rude ? )
Express your personal opinion even if different from groups opinion
Differentiation work/study-life relations vs. private-life relations
Danish specialty : Private in public; Humor
social freedom (drining culture, Unmarried living
together + kids, hi divorce rate, open homosexuality)

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 3. Gender Roles
Feminine Masculine
overlapping gender roles distinct roles for men & women
(same rules of behaviour) (different rules of behaviour)
Teamwork(input from all expected)
Downplay personal success Need to show personal success

0---------------25-----------------50--------------75-------------100
LOW HI
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DK S.Asia,S.A.,S.E.,U.S.

Impact of feminineculture on Danes

Gender equality
Modesty & hygge (cosiness)
No open praise/reward even if you perform well
Law of Jante,help for the weak &
unemployed (welfare society)
Consensus-seeking good team players
ex. purpose of primary education in DK
Prepare pupils for participative decision making, responsibility,
rights and obligations in society
No real exams in primary school !!!
Purpose of primary education in your country ?
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 4. Avoidance of Uncertainty/Risk

Low High
Less structured learning situation Structured learning situation
- broad assignments - precise instructions
- guidelines - detailed assignments
It is ok for the person responsible Person responsible should have
to say I dont know all answers

0---------------25-----------------50--------------75-------------100
LOW HI
DK U.S Asia, S.A. S.E.
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Dealing with the unknown is not stressful to Danes!

Relaxed / informal dress/behaviour,

titles not important, first name used
A competent professor might not have the right answer!
simple and practical solutions preferred to complex/academic ones
Take risk of trying a innovative approach & make mistakes
low church attendance, low use of religious rituals
lot of humor ( even in serious situations)but it can be biting !
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 Guidelines for a successful integration !

Clarify mentor-mentee roles,responsibities,expectations

Learn/ask about the Danish culture iceberg (dos & donts / values)
- extremely low hierarchy ( = high equality)
- very individualistic (speak up, hi freedom & personal responsibility,
appointments)
- extremely high gender equality (m/k)
- extremely comfortable with the unknown ( guidelines ok, not all will
be written down)
Share your culture iceberg with your mentor/fellow students
Take initiative to mix with Danes ( dont wait for them to do so !)

WISH YOU ALL THE BEST !!!

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