News in Digest: Sharing this journey called life

We know a lot about the Danes thanks to their propensity to appear in TV ads, gas on the phones and not turn down a free meal

An advertisement made by the commercial channel TV2 has gone viral since being translated into English on January 27 – the same day that Donald Trump released his executive order blocking many Muslims from travelling to the US.

‘All That We Share’ introduces us to a crowd of Danes segregated by economic and ethnic demographics. We’ve got rich people, poor people, lifelong Danes, new Danes and more – groups we might be inclined to generalise about.

But then a number of new categories are introduced: ones that address our life’s journey as opposed to where we came from. And as the people respond, it reminds us that despite our different backgrounds, we share so much more in common.

Tucking in together
And now that includes shared meals thanks to a new initiative launched by Coop and its chain of local supermarkets, Dagli’Brugsen, which brings together people living in small towns and villages.

‘Vores Madfællesskab’ (our food community) aims to foster a strong local community, and it has been commended for helping the estimated 200,000 Danes who suffer from loneliness.

Fewer suicides
In light of this, and the rising number of reported rapes (up from 339 in 2013 to 744 last year) and incident involving cyberbullying (a serious problem at 20 percent of the nation’s schools), you would be forgiven for guessing the suicide rate has risen, but the reverse is true.

Numbers fell from 924 in 1995 to 584 in 2015 (404 men, 180 women), according to the national death register, Dødsårsagsregisteret.

This might go some way towards explaining how a record 1,143 Danes celebrated their 100th birthday last year, of which 976 were women. Experts cited better childhoods and healthcare.

Countering the figures, to an extent, has been a rise in the number of motorcyclist fatalities – up 37 percent last year to 26. While seven cyclists were killed in a right-turn accident, compared to only one in both 2014 and 2015.

Horny as hell
A healthy sex life doesn’t hurt, or at least that’s the myth predatory male journalists like to perpetuate. Since the release of the erotic drama ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ on February 9, sex toy sales have soared by nearly 50 percent
According to Sinful.dk, the demand for BDSM sex toys – such as whips, handcuffs and bondage ropes – has more than doubled.

According to a Vouchercloud survey, Danes purchase more sex toys than any other nation in Europe. They average more than one search for every ten residents in the country. Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands and Russia completed the European top five.

And where would we be without a Victoria Milan study, which this time has suggested Danish women would on average need 1.58 dates before they have sex – the quickest of ten European countries surveyed – but then again, we are talking about visitors to an adultery website.

She can stay
Finally, where would be without the quirky findings that warm the cockles of our hearts during the long Scandinavian winter – which on this occasion came from the same survey by YouGov carried out for BTMX.

It found out that 36 percent of Danes are annoyed when a clerk poses the question “Can I help you?”

And if they were given a choice, 64 percent of Danes would keep their current mothers-in-law rather than getting a replacement, with only 19 percent keen on getting rid.




  • Danish universities increase security checks on researchers from China, Russia, and Iran, reports DR

    Danish universities increase security checks on researchers from China, Russia, and Iran, reports DR

    Danish universities, especially Aarhus University, now rigorously screen researchers from China, Russia, and Iran to prevent espionage, following recommendations and increasing concerns about security, reports DR

  • Danish Originals S7E5: Camilla Stærk

    Danish Originals S7E5: Camilla Stærk

    This week, Bonderup-born, London-trained, New York-based Danish designer Camilla Stærk talks about her work, anchored against a strong foundation of her Danish heritage combined with her fascination with Old Hollywood and film noir, and expressed in what she describes as the whole universe: of fashion, furniture, lighting, rugs, accessories

  • Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

    Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

    In recent years, the spread of cocaine has accelerated. The drug is easily accessible and not only reserved for wealthy party heads. Copenhagen Police have just arrested ten young people and charged them with reselling cocaine

  • 5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

    5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

    Here are five mistakes I made that helped me understand that belonging isn’t a strategy—it’s a practice. This isn’t a story of struggle—it’s a reflection on growth, told through the lens of emotional intelligence.

  • Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Earlier this year, the Danish government changed the law on access for people from third world countries to the Danish labor market. Yet, there may still be a shortcut that goes through universities

  • Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Queen Company, a Denmark-origin flower producer with pristine sustainability credentials, is under fire for alleged labor rights violations at its Turkish operation, located in Dikili, İzmir. Workers in the large greenhouse facility have been calling decent work conditions for weeks. The Copenhagen Post gathered testimonies from the workers to better understand the situation

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  • “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    Describing herself as a “DEI poster child,” being queer, neurodivergent and an international in Denmark didn’t stop Laurence Paquette from climbing the infamous corporate ladder to become Marketing Vice President (VP) at Vestas. Arrived in 2006 from Quebec, Laurence Paquette unpacks the implications of exposing your true self at work, in a country that lets little leeway for individuality

  • Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Agreement between unions and employers allows more foreign workers in Denmark under lower salary requirements, with new ID card rules and oversight to prevent social dumping and ensure fair conditions.

  • New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    Kadre Darman was founded this year to support foreign-trained healthcare professionals facing challenges with difficult authorisation processes, visa procedures, and language barriers, aiming to help them find jobs and contribute to Denmark’s healthcare system