The Xenophobe's Guide to the Danes: The Xenophobe's Guides Series (Xenophobe's Guides) (Xenophobe's Guides)

The author portrays many negative Danish characteristics, including arrogance and narrow-mindedness. The sad thing being that it is unfortunately true, and living here for 3 years, I feel justified in having earnt the right to an opinion about it (clubbed over the head by the missus and dragged over...men with Danish partners, you have been warned!).

Yes, I've met many nice Danes, but underneath it all there is indeed, as this book rightly says, a pity from them to you on account of your non-Danishness and your general bad luck to have not been born in Denmark.

And if anyone wants to accuse me of any of the same characteristics, then I'm a Brit and the English one has many elements I agree with! A great series of books, these short guides are. Highly recommended.

Not quite accurate..... (1/1 people found this helpful)

This small book, although an entertaining read, is only about 50% accurate regarding its view of Denmark and the Danes. I originally read this book over two years ago before moving to Denmark and have recently reread it. Having experienced Denmark first hand from a non-Scandinavian viewpoint I would recommend that you buy this book for entertainment rather than to prepare you for life in Denmark. As you will learn if you ever move to Denmark, the Danish/Scandinavians' view of Denmark is somewhat different from that of outsiders.......

Both good fun and true (21/23 people found this helpful)

A real life-saver. I've been living in Denmark for 4 months now and I bought this book just before I left - it has proved invaluable! It covers how the danes see themselves and their neighbours, social customs, etc., as well as trivia that would take you years to find out otherwise.

One of the best things about this book is the writing style - it's to-the-point and humourous, making the book entertaining to read. If you really want to understand the danes then this book will fill you in on all the essential details.

The true nature of the Danes revealed! (54/55 people found this helpful)

I admit to being a Dane, and reading this book my reactions alternated between amused pride and sincere embarrassment as I saw one layer after another of our national character accurately dissected, -but most of all I laughed!

This book has a wonderful energetic sense of irony and humour, combined with a deep insight into the Danish culture and mentality. The only objection I have to some of the conclusions and observations is that they are rather obviously made in Copenhagen and apply the best to Danes from the capital. Denmark is a small country, but there is still some regional variance in our culture. For instance, people in Jutland have a better sense of humour than those in Copenhagen. I think a Copenhagen Dane might have laughed less...

If you are going to Denmark, if you have travelled or lived there for a while, if you hate us, love us, or feel puzzled about us, or if you are a Dane yourself, you will almost certainly enjoy this book!

The Xenophobe's Guide to the Danes: The Xenophobe's Guides Series (Xenophobe's Guides) (Xenophobe's Guides)

Steven Harris

Reader Reviews:

Essential reading for anyone moving to Denmark (3/3 people found this helpful)

Not quite accurate..... (1/1 people found this helpful)

Both good fun and true (21/23 people found this helpful)

The true nature of the Danes revealed! (54/55 people found this helpful)

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