Excerpt from the article "The grumpy genius who grimaced in the company of Danes", Copenhagen Post 12-18 November 2010.
Paul Gauguin moved to Copenhagen because of his wife. And he hated it.
In 1873 at the age of 25, he married a Danish woman named Mette Sophie Gad in Paris.
They had five children together.
While working as a highly-paid stockbroker, he began to pursue his artistic interests, carving, drawing and painting in his spare time, and purchasing Impressionist art by artists such as Pissarro and Cézanne.
As Gauguin pursued his artistic ambitions, leaving Mette at home with the children, her material instincts bred material claims. She saw no future in her husband's artistic ambitions.
Under the increased financial pressures, she sailed off to Copenhagen to investigate job opportunities. She then returned with the news that there was great interest in Impressionist works in Denmark, and that she could earn money teaching French.
In Copenhagen, Gauguin secured himself a job as a sales representative, a low-income position that he found humiliating.
When he was not working he was either off painting or writing dolorous letters to his friends in France, in which he denigrated every characteristic of Danish society.
"I deeply loathe Denmark, and the Danish people, and the Danish climate. There are many other things that make me hate Denmark, but they are private reasons which one ought to keep to oneself."
He found the conversation stifling and detected false modesty among the Danes.
"You have to get used to the kind of conversation you hear everyday. They ask me questions like: -Coming from such a great country you must find everything here much behind times. We are so small. What do you think of Copenhagen, our museums, etc.? They are not of much account-. And all of this is said to make you say just the opposite. And you do so, presumably out of sheer politeness. You don't forget your manners."
"The system of getting engaged in Denmark is good, because it does not bind either of the parties. You change your fiancée as you change your shirt".
"They played a curious practical joke on me in Copenhagen. I was pressingly invited by a gentleman to exhibit my works in their gallery. I looked in on the opening day and to my indescribable astonishment was told that the exhibition had been closed by order at noon. It was impossible to get any information; everybody's mouth was shut. The footman received me with the statement that his master had gone to the countryside and would not be back for a long time. As you see, Denmark is a charming country".
Showing posts with label denmark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label denmark. Show all posts
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Impressions of Denmark from 1692
Excerpt from the article "A British take on Denmark from 1692", Copenhagen Post 19-25 March 2010.
That is the way British diplomat Robert Molesworth described Denmark in a notorious 300-year old book, an account of Denmark as it was in the year 1692. It was published anonymously in London in 1694, and though initially banned in Denmark, was a bestseller throughout Europe in its day.
Molesworth's observations derive from a three year stint as British ambassador to Denmark from 1689-1692. A Danish translation of the book did not appear until 1977.
"In Denmark there are no seditions, mutinies or libels against the government, but all people are, or appear to be, lovers of their king, notwithstanding their ill-treatment, and the hardships they groan under. And I suppose one principal reason of this to be the equality of the taxes, and the manner of taxing. It is not to be imagined by those that see it not, what a comfort it is to the sufferers to be ill-used alike".
"The ancient love of liberty seems to be quite extinct in the North; and in its place to have succeeded the conveniences of a dull obedience. A miserable life which jogs on at the same heavy rate, has a mixture of melancholy ease with it".
"I never knew any country where the minds of the people were more of one calibre and pitch than here; you shall meet with none of extraordinary parts or qualifications, or excellent in particular studies or trades; you see no enthusiasts, madmen, natural fools, or fanciful fools, but a certain equality of understanding reigns among them: everyone keeps the ordinary beaten road of sense, which in this country is neither the fairest nor the foulest, without deviating to the right or left; yet I will add this one remark to their praise, that the common people do generally write and read ... there is a great unity in belief ... there are no factions nor disputes about religion; all are of one mind as to the duty they owe their sovereign".
"There is but one university, which is at Copenhagen, and that mean enough in all respects".
"The language is very ungrateful and not unlike the Irish in its whining, complaining tone".
"Although the bacon and butter is excellent, sea fish is scarce. In general, their way of cookery would hardly be pleasing to an English man. The Danes are much addicted to drinking. Persons of condition drink Rhenish and French wines as well as cherry brandy, while the poor people indulge themselves in bad beer".
"To speak of the Danish laws, I must needs begin with this good character of them in general: that for justice, brevity and perspicuity, they exceed all that I know in the world ... good laws enable them to bear their other hardships with more ease and patience".
"Their warm stoves, with the plenty and pureness of their firing (which is beechwood) contributes to their freedom from maladies ... the feather beds are better, and in greater plenty, than in any place I ever saw; and which are made use of, not only to lie upon, but also to cover with instead of blankets".
That is the way British diplomat Robert Molesworth described Denmark in a notorious 300-year old book, an account of Denmark as it was in the year 1692. It was published anonymously in London in 1694, and though initially banned in Denmark, was a bestseller throughout Europe in its day.
Molesworth's observations derive from a three year stint as British ambassador to Denmark from 1689-1692. A Danish translation of the book did not appear until 1977.
"In Denmark there are no seditions, mutinies or libels against the government, but all people are, or appear to be, lovers of their king, notwithstanding their ill-treatment, and the hardships they groan under. And I suppose one principal reason of this to be the equality of the taxes, and the manner of taxing. It is not to be imagined by those that see it not, what a comfort it is to the sufferers to be ill-used alike".
"The ancient love of liberty seems to be quite extinct in the North; and in its place to have succeeded the conveniences of a dull obedience. A miserable life which jogs on at the same heavy rate, has a mixture of melancholy ease with it".
"I never knew any country where the minds of the people were more of one calibre and pitch than here; you shall meet with none of extraordinary parts or qualifications, or excellent in particular studies or trades; you see no enthusiasts, madmen, natural fools, or fanciful fools, but a certain equality of understanding reigns among them: everyone keeps the ordinary beaten road of sense, which in this country is neither the fairest nor the foulest, without deviating to the right or left; yet I will add this one remark to their praise, that the common people do generally write and read ... there is a great unity in belief ... there are no factions nor disputes about religion; all are of one mind as to the duty they owe their sovereign".
"There is but one university, which is at Copenhagen, and that mean enough in all respects".
"The language is very ungrateful and not unlike the Irish in its whining, complaining tone".
"Although the bacon and butter is excellent, sea fish is scarce. In general, their way of cookery would hardly be pleasing to an English man. The Danes are much addicted to drinking. Persons of condition drink Rhenish and French wines as well as cherry brandy, while the poor people indulge themselves in bad beer".
"To speak of the Danish laws, I must needs begin with this good character of them in general: that for justice, brevity and perspicuity, they exceed all that I know in the world ... good laws enable them to bear their other hardships with more ease and patience".
"Their warm stoves, with the plenty and pureness of their firing (which is beechwood) contributes to their freedom from maladies ... the feather beds are better, and in greater plenty, than in any place I ever saw; and which are made use of, not only to lie upon, but also to cover with instead of blankets".
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Literature in danish
Besides Hans Christian Andersen, there are many talented author, both historical and contemporary.
Piet Hein, famous for his "grooks"
Peter Høeg, "Frøken Smillas fornemmelse for sne"
Karen Blixen, "Den Afrikanske farm" and "Babettes gæstebud"
A. J. Kazinski (alias Jacob Weinreich e Anders Rønnow Klarlund)
Piet Hein, famous for his "grooks"
Peter Høeg, "Frøken Smillas fornemmelse for sne"
Karen Blixen, "Den Afrikanske farm" and "Babettes gæstebud"
A. J. Kazinski (alias Jacob Weinreich e Anders Rønnow Klarlund)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Bicycle culture in Denmark
In Europe the bicycle for some odd reasons is more popular in the northern countries where it is freezing cold most of the year than in warm climate countries, down south. It has certainly something to do with the flatness of the land in the northern part of Europe, but this cannot explain it all. It has much more to do with culture, habits and customs. Denmark is no exception. In particular in Copenhagen the bicycle is incredibly popular ... even in winter time.
The City of Copenhagen has fostered and promoted the cycling culture over the years with extraordinary foresight and effort. The cycling culture goes a long way in Danish history and it will play an even more important role in the future. In 1995 Copenhagen was the first city in the world to introduce a modern, public and free bike-share system: the City Bike. While 55% of Copenhageners use a bike at least once a day for varied purposes, 37% of the population choose to bike regularly and everyday from home to their place of work or educational institution. This data prompted the City of Copenhagen in 2007 to allocate 33 million dollars over a four-year period to improve conditions for cyclists which include broader, safer, greener and better-connected bicycle routes.
By 2009 this strategy has been proven so successful that it has been necessary to launch a series of competitions for 7 new bridges (of which only one also for cars) over and around the harbour, plus a competition to update the design of the City Bike to new standards of sustainability, comfort and way of use.
The new bridges, which follow the success and the idea behind Bryggebroen, will reshape the city traffic flow completely and fill the gaps in the current network over and around the central harbour. While only one is currently being built, the construction of all of them is planned to be concluded by 2015.
Because of the massive bike use, people have adapted their bikes to more than just their own transportation: cargo bikes (both freight bicycles and cargo trailers) to transport either goods or passengers (children in particular) have become very popular. In 2008 6% of all Copenhagen households had a cargo bike. Of these 22% use their cargo bike as a car replacement.
The network of bicycle links and promenades in the city has become a crucial part within the greening city strategy which includes a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions. Cyclists already contribute to holding down CO2 emissions from traffic and the goal by 2015 is to increase the number of regular and daily cyclist to 50%. This will reduce CO2 emissions by a further 80000 tonnes per year in traffic.
References
1. In 2008 the British magazine "Monocle" declared Copenhagen number one in the list of "The World's Top 25 Most Liveable Cities". Before and after that date Copenhagen has always held a spot among the top three.
2. Source: Eco-Metropole: Our Vision for Copenhagen 2015, 2007, Copenhagen
3. Source: Copenhagen City of Cyclists: Bicycle Account 2008, 2008, Copenhagen
Links
Copenhagenize - bicycle culture in Cph
Bycyklen
Study: Cycle like the Danes and cut emissions, article on Cph Post
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Danish Film Industry
One of the greatest export of Denmark, after beer of course, is movies ... surprisingly!
Denmark is a tiny country with a solid film industry which produces brilliant and internationally acclaimed movies. The danish film industry easily spawns new talents in acting, directing and related technical roles.
Apparently the cinema tradition goes way back to the early 1900s when: "Despite the small size of its native market and its relatively limited resources, Denmark reigned supreme for several years (1909-14) as Europe's most prosperous film center. Its films rivaled those of Hollywood, for popularity on the screens of Paris, London, Berlin and New York." Efraim Katz, Film Encyclopedia, 1998, Collins
In the 1970s the cinema drifted towards more sexually oriented pictures and around the same time, the Danske Filminstitut (DFI) was created.
Since the 1980s the Danish filmmaking is essentially subsidized, funded and controlled by the state. Also around the same time one of their most successful and controversial star, Lars von Trier, came out of school and began making movies.
At the end of the 1980s Denmark won two Academy Awards and got one more nomination for Best Foreign Film: in 1987 the Oscar went to Babettes Gæstebud (Babette's Feast) by Gabriel Axel and in 1988 the Oscar went to Pelle Erobreren (Pelle the Conqueror) by Bille August, while in 1989 Dansen med Regitze (Memories of a Marriage) received a nomination.
In the 1990s the Danish industry made international news again with a small group of directors which formed the Dogme 95 movement (Lars von Trier, Kristian Levring, Søren Kragh-Jacobs and Thomas Vinterberg).
By the end of the 1990s Lars von Trier dominated the scene not only in Denmark, but all over the world with its second trilogy, the Golden Heart Trilogy, which includes Breaking the Waves, The Idiots, and Dancer in the Dark. They were very well received internationally, collecting a series of accolades and awards.
The beginning of the 2000s witnessed the rise of a new director star, Per Fly. His trilogy The Bench (Bænken), Inheritance (Arven) and Manslaughter (Drabet) is a fine and sad portrait of danish society.
The mid 2000s launched into stardom a new drama director, Susanne Bier, which had previously faced notoriety for a successful comedy. Her movies Brothers (Brødre), After the Wedding (Efter Brylluppet) got national and international acclaim, accolades and nominations.
Susanne Bier together with Lars von Trier is currently the most successful and exported author in Danish Industry. This allows us to say that today one of the greatest export of Denmark after beer is in fact Bier.
Film awards in Denmark
Bodil Awards and Robert Awards.
Danish film production houses
Nordisk Film, the oldest continuously operating film studio in the world.
Zentropa, co-founded by Lars von Trier
Nimbus Film
Danish people in movie history
Niels Arden Oplev, director
Bille August, director
Gabriel Axel, director
Susanne Bier, director
Per Fly, director
Henrik Ruben Genz, director
Mikael Salomon, director and cinematographer
Lone Scherfig, director
Lars von Trier, director
Thomas Vinterberg, director
Nicolas Winding Refn, director
Martin Brygmann, actor
Lars Brygmann, actor
Jesper Christensen, actor
Ulrich Thomsen, actor
Links
Det Danske Filminstitut - Danish Film Institute
Denmark is a tiny country with a solid film industry which produces brilliant and internationally acclaimed movies. The danish film industry easily spawns new talents in acting, directing and related technical roles.
Apparently the cinema tradition goes way back to the early 1900s when: "Despite the small size of its native market and its relatively limited resources, Denmark reigned supreme for several years (1909-14) as Europe's most prosperous film center. Its films rivaled those of Hollywood, for popularity on the screens of Paris, London, Berlin and New York." Efraim Katz, Film Encyclopedia, 1998, Collins
In the 1970s the cinema drifted towards more sexually oriented pictures and around the same time, the Danske Filminstitut (DFI) was created.
Since the 1980s the Danish filmmaking is essentially subsidized, funded and controlled by the state. Also around the same time one of their most successful and controversial star, Lars von Trier, came out of school and began making movies.
At the end of the 1980s Denmark won two Academy Awards and got one more nomination for Best Foreign Film: in 1987 the Oscar went to Babettes Gæstebud (Babette's Feast) by Gabriel Axel and in 1988 the Oscar went to Pelle Erobreren (Pelle the Conqueror) by Bille August, while in 1989 Dansen med Regitze (Memories of a Marriage) received a nomination.
In the 1990s the Danish industry made international news again with a small group of directors which formed the Dogme 95 movement (Lars von Trier, Kristian Levring, Søren Kragh-Jacobs and Thomas Vinterberg).
By the end of the 1990s Lars von Trier dominated the scene not only in Denmark, but all over the world with its second trilogy, the Golden Heart Trilogy, which includes Breaking the Waves, The Idiots, and Dancer in the Dark. They were very well received internationally, collecting a series of accolades and awards.
The beginning of the 2000s witnessed the rise of a new director star, Per Fly. His trilogy The Bench (Bænken), Inheritance (Arven) and Manslaughter (Drabet) is a fine and sad portrait of danish society.
The mid 2000s launched into stardom a new drama director, Susanne Bier, which had previously faced notoriety for a successful comedy. Her movies Brothers (Brødre), After the Wedding (Efter Brylluppet) got national and international acclaim, accolades and nominations.
Susanne Bier together with Lars von Trier is currently the most successful and exported author in Danish Industry. This allows us to say that today one of the greatest export of Denmark after beer is in fact Bier.
Film awards in Denmark
Bodil Awards and Robert Awards.
Danish film production houses
Nordisk Film, the oldest continuously operating film studio in the world.
Zentropa, co-founded by Lars von Trier
Nimbus Film
Danish people in movie history
Niels Arden Oplev, director
Bille August, director
Gabriel Axel, director
Susanne Bier, director
Per Fly, director
Henrik Ruben Genz, director
Mikael Salomon, director and cinematographer
Lone Scherfig, director
Lars von Trier, director
Thomas Vinterberg, director
Nicolas Winding Refn, director
Martin Brygmann, actor
Lars Brygmann, actor
Jesper Christensen, actor
Bodil Ipsen, actress
Bodil Kjer, actress
Nikolaj Lie Kaas, actor
Mads Mikkelsen, actor
Connie Nielsen, actress
Ghita Nørby, actressUlrich Thomsen, actor
Links
Det Danske Filminstitut - Danish Film Institute
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Medicate yourself while in Denmark
Drugs and medicines, lægemiddel, might have a commercial name in Denmark which is different from the one you are used to. Talking to the pharmacist, farmaceut, you might mention the active pharmaceutical ingredient, aktiv substans, but in some cases they will just stare at you in awe.
Here it is a list of pharmaceutical drugs you might need (always ask for the generic product, generisk lægemiddel, to save some money):
Chlorhexidine mouthwash - Klorhexidin mundskyllevæske 0,12%
Hydrogen peroxide - Brintoverilte 3%
Sodium carbonate - Soda (Natriumcarbonat)
Sodium bicarbonate (Baking soda) - Bikarbonat (Natron)
Ibuprofen (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug) - Ipren
Here it is a list of pharmaceutical drugs you might need (always ask for the generic product, generisk lægemiddel, to save some money):
Chlorhexidine mouthwash - Klorhexidin mundskyllevæske 0,12%
Hydrogen peroxide - Brintoverilte 3%
Sodium carbonate - Soda (Natriumcarbonat)
Sodium bicarbonate (Baking soda) - Bikarbonat (Natron)
Ibuprofen (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug) - Ipren
Sunday, September 12, 2010
House cleaning in Denmark
If you're not familiar with some of the terms and products for house cleaning, here you can find a little guide:
Bleach
Chemical name: DA - Natriumhypoklorit, EN - Sodium hypochlorite solution
Chemical formula: NaOCl
Common name: DA - Blegemiddel (med Klor), EN - Bleach, Chlorine Bleach
Commercial product: Netop klor
Specifications: Chlorine Bleach is in reality Sodium percarbonate (Oxygen bleach) mixed with a 3%-6% of Sodium hypochlorite
Use: it removes colors or whitens, via oxidation; it kills bacteria from all kinds of surfaces and even clothing; remove odors and stains from plastic products
Warning: toxic for breathing, keep windows open while using it. Do not use on coloured clothing, only on whites. While using it, be careful on drops hitting your clothes since they will leave permanent white marks.
Liquid Drain Cleaner
Chemical name: DA Natriumhydroxid - Kaliumhydroxid, EN - Sodium hydroxide - Potassium hydroxide
Chemical formula: NaOH - KOH
Common name: DA - Kaustisk soda, Ætsnatron, Natronlud - Kaustisk kali, Kalilud, EN - Caustic soda - Caustic potash
Commercial product: Borup Flydende Afløbsrens
Specifications: Use: pour half a liter of this solution into the drain, wait for an hour and then pour warm water to rinse.
Warning: must not be used with plunger or chemicals. Avoid contact with aluminum.
Abrasive Cleaner
Chemical components: DA - Anioniske tensider,Nonioniske tensider, Calciumcarbonat, Polycarboxylat, Parfume. EN - Anionic surfactants, Nonionic surfactants, Calcium carbonate, Polycarboxylates, Perfume.
Common name: DA Skure creme EN Scrub cream
Commercial product: Grøn Linie Skurecreme, Cif creme.
Muriatic acid
Almost natural products
DA Eddikesyre 32% (Kemisk ren) - EN Acetic 32% (Chemically pure)
Natural products
DA Eddike - EN Vinegar.
Generic Cleaner for floors and clothes
Commercial product: Sterling Ssæbespåner (Soapflakes)
Application: DA Gulvvask af linoleum, terrazzo og udbehandlet træ - Rengøring af ubehandlede træoverflader - Vask i hånden af uld m. v. EN Floor Washing of linoleum, terrazzo and untreated wood - Cleaning of untreated surfaces - Washing by hand of wool, etc.
Warning: DA Ikke til brug i vaskemaskinen EN Do not use in washing machines
Scouring Powders
Bleach
Chemical name: DA - Natriumhypoklorit, EN - Sodium hypochlorite solution
Chemical formula: NaOCl
Common name: DA - Blegemiddel (med Klor), EN - Bleach, Chlorine Bleach
Commercial product: Netop klor
Specifications: Chlorine Bleach is in reality Sodium percarbonate (Oxygen bleach) mixed with a 3%-6% of Sodium hypochlorite
Use: it removes colors or whitens, via oxidation; it kills bacteria from all kinds of surfaces and even clothing; remove odors and stains from plastic products
Warning: toxic for breathing, keep windows open while using it. Do not use on coloured clothing, only on whites. While using it, be careful on drops hitting your clothes since they will leave permanent white marks.
Liquid Drain Cleaner
Chemical name: DA Natriumhydroxid - Kaliumhydroxid, EN - Sodium hydroxide - Potassium hydroxide
Chemical formula: NaOH - KOH
Common name: DA - Kaustisk soda, Ætsnatron, Natronlud - Kaustisk kali, Kalilud, EN - Caustic soda - Caustic potash
Commercial product: Borup Flydende Afløbsrens
Specifications: Use: pour half a liter of this solution into the drain, wait for an hour and then pour warm water to rinse.
Warning: must not be used with plunger or chemicals. Avoid contact with aluminum.
Abrasive Cleaner
Chemical components: DA - Anioniske tensider,Nonioniske tensider, Calciumcarbonat, Polycarboxylat, Parfume. EN - Anionic surfactants, Nonionic surfactants, Calcium carbonate, Polycarboxylates, Perfume.
Common name: DA Skure creme EN Scrub cream
Commercial product: Grøn Linie Skurecreme, Cif creme.
Muriatic acid
Chemical name: DA Hydorgenchlorid - Saltsyre EN Hydrochloric acid
Almost natural products
DA Eddikesyre 32% (Kemisk ren) - EN Acetic 32% (Chemically pure)
Natural products
DA Eddike - EN Vinegar.
Generic Cleaner for floors and clothes
Commercial product: Sterling Ssæbespåner (Soapflakes)
Application: DA Gulvvask af linoleum, terrazzo og udbehandlet træ - Rengøring af ubehandlede træoverflader - Vask i hånden af uld m. v. EN Floor Washing of linoleum, terrazzo and untreated wood - Cleaning of untreated surfaces - Washing by hand of wool, etc.
Warning: DA Ikke til brug i vaskemaskinen EN Do not use in washing machines
Scouring Powders
Post, packages and parcels
Post Danmark is not the only provider when it comes to mail and parcel delivery ... nor the cheapest.
In Denmark you can rely on TNT, UPS, DHL and GLS for national and international deliveries.
If you're sending something within Copenhagen, you can also rely on Bring Express.
Comparing prices for a 20kg package, 40x40x40cm, international shipping between Denmark and the Netherlands, we can see how GLS is by far the cheapest provider available:
TNT
20kg, 40x40x40cm, 2 days, Economy express, 1991.98 DKK
UPS
20kg, 40x40x40cm, 2 days, Standard, 862.05 DKK
DHL
20kg, 40x40x40cm, 2 days, Economy select, 835.31 DKK
Post Danmark
20kg, 100x50x50cm, 2 days, max. Standard size, 697.00 DKK
GLS
20kg, 40x40x40cm, 2 days, max. L size, 262.00 DKK
20kg, over 40x40x40cm, 2 days, XL size, 313.00 DKK
In Denmark you can rely on TNT, UPS, DHL and GLS for national and international deliveries.
If you're sending something within Copenhagen, you can also rely on Bring Express.
Comparing prices for a 20kg package, 40x40x40cm, international shipping between Denmark and the Netherlands, we can see how GLS is by far the cheapest provider available:
TNT
20kg, 40x40x40cm, 2 days, Economy express, 1991.98 DKK
UPS
20kg, 40x40x40cm, 2 days, Standard, 862.05 DKK
DHL
20kg, 40x40x40cm, 2 days, Economy select, 835.31 DKK
Post Danmark
20kg, 100x50x50cm, 2 days, max. Standard size, 697.00 DKK
GLS
20kg, 40x40x40cm, 2 days, max. L size, 262.00 DKK
20kg, over 40x40x40cm, 2 days, XL size, 313.00 DKK
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Working in Cph
Working is probably the best feature of Denmark.
It should become the main selling point for a country that has no rich culinary tradition, no cozy weather nor astonishing sites to visit. While all of the characteristics above are below the average of most european countries, working conditions are probably the best among most countries in the world.
Danes have understood probably better than anyone else that life is much more than working.
The working week time is 37 hours, with a half-hour lunch break (29 minutes to be precise!), this means that effective worktime is only 34 and a half hours per week. People get to work by 9:00 and get out by 16:30, a half hour earlier on fridays. If we compare that to other countries where the working hours per week are 40, excluding lunchtime which is usually an hour, we can clearly see that a dane at work spends per week 10 and a half hours less than most people. This adds up to 42 hours less in a month and 420 in ten months (which is roughly the working time per year if you subtract vacations and holidays). This means than in a 40 years timeframe (a lifetime) a dane works 16800 hours (almost two years!) less than a spaniard or an italian.
Unemployment is very low, notwithstanding a tempting welfare system that takes care of people without a job. Basically they all work, to all work less: what a simple and brilliant idea. How can Denmark be competitive then? The secret is efficiency, teamwork and fostering, concepts that in southern european countries and all neo-latin countries got probably lost with the defeat of the Roman Empire. Barbarians came from the north, illiterate and ugly, but they certainly knew how to organize an army, fight a battle and reproduce!
What does efficiency mean? The answer is exactly what can be found in a dictionary: the effective operation as measured by a comparison of production with cost (as in time, energy and money). They tend to work well, in an organised manner and just what's needed. This does not mean they are flawless, they're still humans and therefore far from excellence. There are plenty of improvements to make, but these are just improvements to a human system at his maximum expression of performance, which by definition it's far from perfect. Efficiency also means using employees effectively at the best of their potential, this process begins from hiring the right people, possibly more talented than the ones already in the office, on the basis of skills and CV.
What does teamwork mean? It means that there are no geniuses nor salvatores patriae, no heroes nor stars. Success does not depend nor can be attributed to any single man, as brilliant as he can be. This, besides being true, is well radicated in what I define as "modestia daniae", the sense of modesty belonging to the danish culture. People are generally treated equally, fairly and respectfully. Meritocracy exists and works.
What does fostering mean? Cultivating talents, not letting the good employees go, treating them well, keeping them happy, building teams and growing as an office, not as individuals.
Finding a job can be difficult and limited not knowing the danish language, but still possible and very much based on skills and CV. There is even a national database, Jobnet, where you can create your own profile and upload professional information.
While having a network of friends can be helpful to find a job, it is not necessary. In other countries there's really no other way, since the selection of the employees is based exclusively on whom you know. In Denmark, it is mostly based on what you can do. This eventually pays off making the danish firms more competitive and prepared over the years.
As many other things, job searching can be done over the internet in a very efficient and simplified way.
Some websites
www.arkitektforbundet.dk - jobs for architects
eu.experteer.com - jobs for executives
www.it-jobbank.dk - jobs in the IT sector
www.job-i-staten.dk - jobs in the public sector
www.jobindex.dk
www.jobnet.dk - national database
www.jobway.dk
www.jobzonen.dk
www.monster.dk
www.ofir.dk
www.profiljob.dk
www.stepstone.dk
www.top1000.dk
Other resources can be newspapers (even the free ones) or ads around town.
How to calculate your salary
Jobpatruljen
Jobindex
Some important words
job - job
arbejde - job
løn - salary
karriere - career
karrieremuligheder - career opportunities
Official guides to working and living in Denmark
nyidanmark.dk
expatindenmark.com
It should become the main selling point for a country that has no rich culinary tradition, no cozy weather nor astonishing sites to visit. While all of the characteristics above are below the average of most european countries, working conditions are probably the best among most countries in the world.
Danes have understood probably better than anyone else that life is much more than working.
The working week time is 37 hours, with a half-hour lunch break (29 minutes to be precise!), this means that effective worktime is only 34 and a half hours per week. People get to work by 9:00 and get out by 16:30, a half hour earlier on fridays. If we compare that to other countries where the working hours per week are 40, excluding lunchtime which is usually an hour, we can clearly see that a dane at work spends per week 10 and a half hours less than most people. This adds up to 42 hours less in a month and 420 in ten months (which is roughly the working time per year if you subtract vacations and holidays). This means than in a 40 years timeframe (a lifetime) a dane works 16800 hours (almost two years!) less than a spaniard or an italian.
Unemployment is very low, notwithstanding a tempting welfare system that takes care of people without a job. Basically they all work, to all work less: what a simple and brilliant idea. How can Denmark be competitive then? The secret is efficiency, teamwork and fostering, concepts that in southern european countries and all neo-latin countries got probably lost with the defeat of the Roman Empire. Barbarians came from the north, illiterate and ugly, but they certainly knew how to organize an army, fight a battle and reproduce!
What does efficiency mean? The answer is exactly what can be found in a dictionary: the effective operation as measured by a comparison of production with cost (as in time, energy and money). They tend to work well, in an organised manner and just what's needed. This does not mean they are flawless, they're still humans and therefore far from excellence. There are plenty of improvements to make, but these are just improvements to a human system at his maximum expression of performance, which by definition it's far from perfect. Efficiency also means using employees effectively at the best of their potential, this process begins from hiring the right people, possibly more talented than the ones already in the office, on the basis of skills and CV.
What does teamwork mean? It means that there are no geniuses nor salvatores patriae, no heroes nor stars. Success does not depend nor can be attributed to any single man, as brilliant as he can be. This, besides being true, is well radicated in what I define as "modestia daniae", the sense of modesty belonging to the danish culture. People are generally treated equally, fairly and respectfully. Meritocracy exists and works.
What does fostering mean? Cultivating talents, not letting the good employees go, treating them well, keeping them happy, building teams and growing as an office, not as individuals.
Finding a job can be difficult and limited not knowing the danish language, but still possible and very much based on skills and CV. There is even a national database, Jobnet, where you can create your own profile and upload professional information.
While having a network of friends can be helpful to find a job, it is not necessary. In other countries there's really no other way, since the selection of the employees is based exclusively on whom you know. In Denmark, it is mostly based on what you can do. This eventually pays off making the danish firms more competitive and prepared over the years.
As many other things, job searching can be done over the internet in a very efficient and simplified way.
Some websites
www.arkitektforbundet.dk - jobs for architects
eu.experteer.com - jobs for executives
www.it-jobbank.dk - jobs in the IT sector
www.job-i-staten.dk - jobs in the public sector
www.jobindex.dk
www.jobnet.dk - national database
www.jobway.dk
www.jobzonen.dk
www.monster.dk
www.ofir.dk
www.profiljob.dk
www.stepstone.dk
www.top1000.dk
Other resources can be newspapers (even the free ones) or ads around town.
How to calculate your salary
Jobpatruljen
Jobindex
Some important words
job - job
arbejde - job
løn - salary
karriere - career
karrieremuligheder - career opportunities
Official guides to working and living in Denmark
nyidanmark.dk
expatindenmark.com
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Donorregistret
I still haven't had time to use the health system of Denmark and they already want to use me!
As soon as you are a registered citizen in Denmark you receive the "yellow card".
It's "the document" you need for everything else. It contains a magical number made of your 6-digit birth date and other 4 digits. The CPR ("Centrale Personregister") number allows you to be recognized in the public system (health, social, tax, voting, etc.). and to do basically anything in Denmark.
Together with the "yellow card" you also get a "Donorkort". The "yellow card" allows them to get all your personal information while living in Denmark, the "Donorkort" allows them to get everything else while dying in the hospital.
To make sure you don't give them your liver while still alive, at the end of the post you'll find a quick translation of the "Donorregistret" form.
Please become a donor! Your life might suck, don't miss a chance to give it a meaning when it's over.
Dansk
FULL TILLADELSE
Jeg giver hermed fuld tilladelse til, at alle mine organer kan anvendes til transplantation efter min doed
PAAROERENDES ACCEPT
Min fulde tilladelse forudsaetter mine paaroerendes accept
BEGRAENSET TILLADELSE
Jeg giver hermed begraenset tilladelse til, at de organer, jeg har sat kryds ud for, kan anvendes til transplantation efter min doed
Hjerte
Lunger
Lever
Nyrer
Tyndtarm
Hud
Bugspytkirtel
Hornhinder
VED IKKE
Jeg overlader det i stedet til mine naermeste paaroerende at tage stilling til, om mine organer kan anvendes til transplantation efter min doed
FORBUD
Jeg modsaetter mig, at mine organer anvendes til transplantation efter min doed
English
FULL PERMISSION
I hereby grant full permission to use all my organs for transplant after my death
RELATIVES ACCEPTANCE
My full permission presupposes my relatives acceptance
LIMITED PERMIT
I hereby grant limited permission for the organs I have ticked off, which can be used for transplant after my death
Heart
Lungs
Liver
Kidneys
Small intestine
Skin
Pancreas
Cornea
DON'T KNOW
I leave it instead to my closest relatives to decide whether my body can be used for transplant after my death
PROHIBITION
I refuse to let my organs be used for transplant after my death
If your form goes through correctly you should receive a letter of confirmation, like this.
Dansk
Bekraeftelse paa registrering i Rigshospitalets donorregister
Tak for din anmeldelse til registeret for organdonorer. I overensstemmelse med dit oenske, er du nu blevet optaget i registret med foelgende oplysninger:
CPR-nr: 123456-7890
Beslutning vedr. organdonation
Du har givet "Fuld tilladelse" til organdonation. Det betyder, at alle dine organer kan anvendes til transplantation efter din doed.
Din beslutning kraever ikke paaroerendes accept efter din doed. Det vil sige, at dine paaroerende ikke kan aendre paa din afgoerelse.
Registreringen har virkning fra den DD-MM-YYYY.
Hvis din beslutning ved en fejltagelse er blevet registreret forkert, bedes du venligst give skriftlig besked til registret inden ovennaevnte ikrafttraedelsesdato.
English
Confirmation of registration in the National Hospital donor register
Thanks for your response to the register of organ donors. In accordance with your wishes, you are now listed in the register with the following information:
CPR-nr: 123456-7890
Resolution concerning organ donation
You have given "full consent" to organ donation. This means that all your organs can be used for transplantation after your death.
Your decision does not require relatives' acceptance after your death. This means that your relatives (or medical proxies) can not alter your decision.
The registration has effect from DD.MM.YYYY.
If your response has been recorded incorrectly by mistake, please give written notice to the register before the written date.
As soon as you are a registered citizen in Denmark you receive the "yellow card".
It's "the document" you need for everything else. It contains a magical number made of your 6-digit birth date and other 4 digits. The CPR ("Centrale Personregister") number allows you to be recognized in the public system (health, social, tax, voting, etc.). and to do basically anything in Denmark.
Together with the "yellow card" you also get a "Donorkort". The "yellow card" allows them to get all your personal information while living in Denmark, the "Donorkort" allows them to get everything else while dying in the hospital.
To make sure you don't give them your liver while still alive, at the end of the post you'll find a quick translation of the "Donorregistret" form.
Please become a donor! Your life might suck, don't miss a chance to give it a meaning when it's over.
Dansk
FULL TILLADELSE
Jeg giver hermed fuld tilladelse til, at alle mine organer kan anvendes til transplantation efter min doed
PAAROERENDES ACCEPT
Min fulde tilladelse forudsaetter mine paaroerendes accept
BEGRAENSET TILLADELSE
Jeg giver hermed begraenset tilladelse til, at de organer, jeg har sat kryds ud for, kan anvendes til transplantation efter min doed
Hjerte
Lunger
Lever
Nyrer
Tyndtarm
Hud
Bugspytkirtel
Hornhinder
VED IKKE
Jeg overlader det i stedet til mine naermeste paaroerende at tage stilling til, om mine organer kan anvendes til transplantation efter min doed
FORBUD
Jeg modsaetter mig, at mine organer anvendes til transplantation efter min doed
English
FULL PERMISSION
I hereby grant full permission to use all my organs for transplant after my death
RELATIVES ACCEPTANCE
My full permission presupposes my relatives acceptance
LIMITED PERMIT
I hereby grant limited permission for the organs I have ticked off, which can be used for transplant after my death
Heart
Lungs
Liver
Kidneys
Small intestine
Skin
Pancreas
Cornea
DON'T KNOW
I leave it instead to my closest relatives to decide whether my body can be used for transplant after my death
PROHIBITION
I refuse to let my organs be used for transplant after my death
If your form goes through correctly you should receive a letter of confirmation, like this.
Dansk
Bekraeftelse paa registrering i Rigshospitalets donorregister
Tak for din anmeldelse til registeret for organdonorer. I overensstemmelse med dit oenske, er du nu blevet optaget i registret med foelgende oplysninger:
CPR-nr: 123456-7890
Beslutning vedr. organdonation
Du har givet "Fuld tilladelse" til organdonation. Det betyder, at alle dine organer kan anvendes til transplantation efter din doed.
Din beslutning kraever ikke paaroerendes accept efter din doed. Det vil sige, at dine paaroerende ikke kan aendre paa din afgoerelse.
Registreringen har virkning fra den DD-MM-YYYY.
Hvis din beslutning ved en fejltagelse er blevet registreret forkert, bedes du venligst give skriftlig besked til registret inden ovennaevnte ikrafttraedelsesdato.
English
Confirmation of registration in the National Hospital donor register
Thanks for your response to the register of organ donors. In accordance with your wishes, you are now listed in the register with the following information:
CPR-nr: 123456-7890
Resolution concerning organ donation
You have given "full consent" to organ donation. This means that all your organs can be used for transplantation after your death.
Your decision does not require relatives' acceptance after your death. This means that your relatives (or medical proxies) can not alter your decision.
The registration has effect from DD.MM.YYYY.
If your response has been recorded incorrectly by mistake, please give written notice to the register before the written date.
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