Rating: 
Summary: Great book for traveling or just learning about Denmark!
Review: After a trip to Denmark, I found this gem of a book. I could relate to many of things written in the book, but learned much much more. The author certainly knows his subject and writes so that everyone who reads it will have a better understanding of the Danish people and their culture. It also explains the school, medical and government system in an easily understandable way. A true MUST for any traveler or just for good, interesting reading. I know it will assist me when I make a return trip!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent for the Serious Dane to Be
Review: As a to be exchange student to be next year I had been looking for a book on Denmark that was more than just a travellers guide to the sights. I found the book to be a very helpful insight into Danish culture. Some parts are very brutally honest, Danish laziness under the socialist system and other things...I reccomend this book to anyone with a serious interest in Denmark if, and only if, they will not let Morten Strange's opinion on things get in the way of expierencing Denmark for themselves.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but more discouraging than insightful.
Review: I purchased this book prior to moving to Denmark from the US. This was the second Culture Shock book which I purchased and I have been disappointed with both books. Overall, I find the Culture Shock series to present the worse stereotypes of a culture. Some people may find these stereotypes to be true, but I certainly have not experienced all of the difficulties which the author has described. The author is Danish, but has returned to Denmark after living in Asia for a good number of years. You will find the author lamenting about such things as not being able to find someone to wire his stereo for him which he blames on the Danish mind of being self sufficient. I do think that the author does have some valuable insights into the Danish culture, particularly the welfare state. However, overall I found the advice to be discouraging rather than useful and not indicative of what I have experience during my past year and a half in Denmark. I would recommend referencing one of the guide books such as Rough Guide or Lonely Planet instead.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but more discouraging than insightful.
Review: I purchased this book prior to moving to Denmark from the US. This was the second Culture Shock book which I purchased and I have been disappointed with both books. Overall, I find the Culture Shock series to present the worse stereotypes of a culture. Some people may find these stereotypes to be true, but I certainly have not experienced all of the difficulties which the author has described. The author is Danish, but has returned to Denmark after living in Asia for a good number of years. You will find the author lamenting about such things as not being able to find someone to wire his stereo for him which he blames on the Danish mind of being self sufficient. I do think that the author does have some valuable insights into the Danish culture, particularly the welfare state. However, overall I found the advice to be discouraging rather than useful and not indicative of what I have experience during my past year and a half in Denmark. I would recommend referencing one of the guide books such as Rough Guide or Lonely Planet instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Culture Shock Denmark
Review: I read Culture Shock Denmark! I thought this book was boring but I think this book would be good for people that want to travel to Denmark. It talks about how to live in Denmark and how to communicate. it talks how good the jobs and how to get into them.
The reason why I thought this book was boring was because I wasn't getting into the book. I would rather read a story book about denamrk. This book only had facts about it but if you really want to know how people are in denmark this would be a good book. This book would also be a really good book it you are doing research on Denmark.
Rating: 
Summary: some good advice, but disdain for dk permeates text
Review: I'm an American who lived in DK for a time and am returning. I thought the book would help because I had some problems previosly adjusting to danish culture. For example, it took me a long time to realize that cultural traits such as no customer service, the lack of polite words in the language itself and the general shyness of people wasn't personal. (i actually hated some things) But this author goes so far as to hate every aspect of danish culture to the point where it becomes a distraction. He hates the people, the weather, the countryside, the government, tax. At the end of the book he leaves the country because he couldn't adjust. So, don't expect this book to help you adjust and don't take the text that seriously. The author has a very skewed, seeming angry perspective of DK (even from my pov as someone with a few grudges against the country...I found myself taking the danish side) It may be helpful still to have a basic overview and it gives some advice on where to look for a job, orgs to contact for help, ect. Overall the book was slightly useful but some of it is untrue and prejudiced.
Rating:
Summary: Revisiting my Culture
Review: Morten Strange's interpretation of Danish customs and the society as a whole is very interesting. He makes some valid observations, such as pointing out the fact that half of all danes spend their lives working to take care of the other half. If you could only get the working half to realize that their own society has made it far too easy for some to choose not to work. John F. Kennedy's words :"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" come to mind when thinking of the many danes who feel they are entitled to a free ride. I and many, many other danes have been fortunate enough to grow up in Danish families that value work and individual accomplishments. I disagree with Morten Strange's opinion of Danish food. It is usually very tasty, and a great deal of preparation goes into fixing a dinner for family and friends, so why shouldn't we sit at the table and enjoy the food, wine and good conversation for hours! A note about the the book binding: I cannot lend this book to a friend,----it literally fell apart as I was reading it. Definitely not Danish quality!!
Rating:
Summary: Culture Shock Denmark
Review: The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because I would have enjoyed more pictures. But that is my own personal preference. I am moving to Denmark soon and marrying a Dane. This book was fabulous! My husband-to-be would TELL me things about Denmark; The Law of Jante, the no-nonsense way they provide service, and the humanitarian attitude for all people, but I didn't really understand it as being universal until reading this book. It enlightened me and I am extremely grateful that I found this book and read it. I recommend it for anyone planning to travel to Denmark or planning to live there, as I am.
Rating:
Summary: VERY VERY GOOD
Review: The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because I would have enjoyed more pictures. But that is my own personal preference. I am moving to Denmark soon and marrying a Dane. This book was fabulous! My husband-to-be would TELL me things about Denmark; The Law of Jante, the no-nonsense way they provide service, and the humanitarian attitude for all people, but I didn't really understand it as being universal until reading this book. It enlightened me and I am extremely grateful that I found this book and read it. I recommend it for anyone planning to travel to Denmark or planning to live there, as I am.
Rating:
Summary: Great idea about Danish assimilation
Review: The sections on socializing in Danish society and of how the Danes act, were wonderful. It gave me a great idea on how to act in Danish society so that I would not be critizied as an American. It also helped with the fact that Danes are not as friendly and outgoing as Americans. They are not rejecting you they just aren't sure about you. They are very loyal to their friends and they just want to make sure that you are deserving of their efforts. It is a wonderful book for anyone that is planning on travelling or moving to Denmark.
|
