Actually the working hours is not negotiated between the unions and the state but between unions and the industry. Just to clarify. Great videos guys! 👍👍
@@kloenegon nah its pure capitalism: danish workers pay into the labor unions. the unions use that money for unemployment funds - and through that basically compete on the open market with the employers. THat's why even McDonalds in Denmark pays their workers some 20$ an hour because anything short of that would be matched by the unemployment funds. Its cold hard capitalism, with the workers having set up a strong enough competitor to the employers to force them to up the pay.
The 5 weeks of holidays are a law though. So the state does step in, but it's not a negotiation. 5 weeks holiday as a minimum (many unions negotiate for a 6th week).
You are so right in your considerations. I am using google translate to be able to write this. I speak Ok English But it's not my native language. And yes, in the city it is normal to have 1 car or none at all. But in rural areas it is very common to have 2 cars. One for mom and one for dad. Since public transport does not run very often. And since a house in the country does not cost the same as in the big cities. the car is not that expensive at all. And Denmark is a commuting country. How many drive into bigger cities to work. Then 2 cars are necessary. But you are so right in your observations.
@@RobeTrotting Even as a Dane, I find it tiring and misleading. The Adventure painting drawn by Denmark. I know that we are actually doing well compared to several countries. But then we have some other problems. No rose without thorns. So your observations are reasonably spot on.
Public transport in Denmark is only functional in the large cities and otherwise only in certain directions. I live in a rural town close to Storebælt and work in a city north of Copenhagen. Taking public transport to work takes me close to 3 hours. By car it's a little over 1 hour. So my husband and I have 2 cars as he also works in a larger city but the oposite direction.
I think a good thing to say about the English thing instead would be "you can get by very well with only English if you VISIT Denmark, but you will have to speak the language on a basic level to live there" Most people i know that doesn't speak English or speak it poorly.. is my parents and their generation 😅 My moms friends are praising me so much on my English-speaking abilities, and i picked most of it up after school was done by playing games and watching movies and shows haha! But yea if you want to settle in, i would a 100% recommend actually learning and speaking the language, that gives bonus points with people too ;) If you just need to work here for a couple of months to a year i would only recommend if you would like to learn it - Danish is a cool language, but also among the harder ones to learn..
Also not everyone of us want to speak english in social gatherings. I have good level of speaking english and understand it good but i don't want to be forced to not talk my native language, just because someone wish to live their life here without learning my language!
@@robina.jensen6114 Im the exact opposite.. im pure dane through and through born raised and lived here my whole life, but always felt i was better at expressing myself in english and feel more confident in myself using english (may have something to do with growing up in the 80's where ALL cartoons were broadcast in english without any dubbing AT ALL) me and my boyfriend mostly have our conversations in english as we both feel the same way about it.. in our primary friend group we use english entirely (though thats also because the girlfriend of one of them is american so it just feels natural for all of us to stick with english) and ofcourse we play dungeons & dragons in english with them all as well :D Whenever i have had to stick to danish around people throughout my entire life i have felt awkward and borderline illiterate so i have always gravitated towards friendships with foreigners or people who feel the same way about our stupid clumsy broken language :D
And it may still be the same ranking for “contentment” but the expectations people have are kind of funny, like they’re not reading past the headlines haha
From what I know, the Danes by learning not to have high expectations make them easier to accept life here and not feel that they are suffering poorly. It is self-help therapy that works and makes them happy. Hahahahahaha!! On the other hand, there is a real social issue which is loneliness amongst the Danes cos their social upbringing force them to be independent and self-reliant and that has social consequences. This social loneliness can be seriously felt by the foreigners and they suffer from it too. Often the word ' isolation' comes into conversations with Danes and foreigners.
I recently hear another word than "content" about you! When on holiday in Cabo Verde and, directly hunted by no less than 7 Danish psychopaths...the police and government in Cabo Verde used the word "insane" about my country of origin and, I agree 100%
@@RobeTrottingI assume, people cease to have that many expectations after they've been slaughtered by the Danes but, you could off course be right and, we can all send a post card from our next lives. zzz
@@chengifoo7603oh yes, as a Former Dane, you definitely learn how to be "independent" - when the Danes in Denmark have stolen/destroyed everything and everyone we ever owned or knew that is... No Laws in Denmark for this...the Danes just steal and destroy "for the fun of it" I compare them to Hyena's ..(criminal psychopaths)...
An important thing to consider when hearing facts and myths about Denmark is that they might not be equally true across the whole country. One of the big difference i have seen is the acceptance of not drinking alcohol. In Jutland, where i am from, people will mock you and almost treat you as an outcast if you dont drink, whereas its more likely people will respect it on Sjælland (Zealand for you english speakers)
Is that a new camera? The lighting looks super professional ❤️ great content as always, nothing is black and white. I especially like your take on the importance on having to navigate the health care system. I have some internationally friends having a baby after living here a decade and they had no idea about what is available for them - despite them being highly educated and that there is so much information in English today. The system will not be served for you and it will require some work.
When I was stationed in Denmark, I got tagged as a "Native English Speaker" at my NATO command. However, British English (and French) are the official languages of NATO, so I had to remember how to spell everything the British way.
@@RobeTrotting: Yes it was because it was back in 1989 - 1992, I had to read printouts and make notes on them. So I had to break out the dictionary over and over. We had Wordstar but that was normally set to American English.
In Denmark we are taught British English in school. But nowadays it is much more influenced by what people encounter on the internet. While we still learn British English officially I doubt they make a lot of fuss about American English terms and spellings in assignments. They are probably looking more for consistency throughout the assignment.
Ohh boy when I finished school some odd 25 years ago, we learned that on the exam, it is spelled colour not color etc. The official take on it, it is still British English, how much the teachers follow that today I do not know, but back then it was very much so.
Thanks for debunking the myth that this is utopia 💕 We do quite well, but nowhere is perfect. We are indeed more diverse than other YT videos would make you think, but we can't compete with UK, France, Spain or the Netherlands, they were the big players in building world wide empires. On the plus side, the coloured population in Denmark usually don't have the shadow of slavery lingering above them. Most arrived because of opportunities or being refugees or adoptees. So talking about ethnic or cultural background isn't a taboo in the same way that it is in many other countries. But in the same way, it's not legal to favour or discriminate because of ethnic origin, or gender or sexual orientation for that matter. English will get you very far in DK, but the authorities will always send you letters in Danish.. it's still our official language. So if you plan to live and stay here, you need to at least be able to read and understand the letters. And that leads me to the nooks and crannies of our health system. There are many small things that not even the common Danes know about... for instance, if you're not happy about the diagnosis of your assigned doctor, you have the right to seek a second opinion, simply book an appointment with another GP with that reason, it won't cost you a dime. And as you mention, if treatment has an unreasonable waiting time, the the system will cover the cost of a private hospital. But regarding the health sector... bring your yellow card, if a doctors office or clinic can't verify that you have it for too many times, they lose government support.
Thx. Your analysis is on point!! First I thought you're to critical in your videoes, but now I think you're rasor sharp in your views on what's good and what's so so in 'Ferrytale Denmark'. Thank you for reminding us all about the simple fact that: of course we can do better!!!!!! Especially mental health is lacking and a sour point....😞
Thank you. We probably shifted a little over time as well once we had more experiences here and saw more sides to things. More and more things are just different and not better or worse, but we don’t want to set anyone moving here up with unrealistic expectations of what things will be like 😊
Again a great video from you guys! Happy you are here and always represent Denmark in such a good way! Imo you guys do better than the people in the government (VisitDenmark) 👍
I have not seen you two for a while. Just red an expat which said Why are the Danes so Danish. I laughed so hard. Am happy to see that both of you enjoy Denmark. Living in the USA is a challenge. People is not very educated and studied Spanish for 3 years and does not have the command of the language. I learned 4 foreign languages in Denmark and studied Spanish 6 month and can speak it already. we have many Spanish from many different countries. On the telephone is Spanish and English. Florida has many Spanish inhabitants now. Jeg har faaet en tandlaege fra Venezuela. Han er dygtig.
Alot of us ride bikes because it's great for the health and a nice way to start the day. As well as it being cheap and efficient. And often faster than in a car. I just got home from a little leasure ride of 6 miles just because I wanted to. It's great. Bike lanes evrrywhere.
I actually googled Cars USA vs Denmark , in the US 72% of households have 1 or more cars, 69% of Danish households have 1 or more cars, I agree with you it may be more common to have more than one car per household in the USA, however the tendency to have 2 cars per households have been rowing the past 40 year, we also have more public transport now, but the number of cars still grow , the main issue that you know very well is the lack of parking spaces and that is the main reason why many choose public transport or bicycle in the city , it is however quite surprising with all the biking and public transport the diff, vs USA is less than what most people think
The bus starts at 6 and stops around 18:00 and it comes by with 1 hour intervals (other parts of the city its every 30 min.) and Sundays less, Udkantsdanmark Svendborg.
sounds like you live near a bigger city, as where I live if, I miss the bus I have to wait 3 hours. Not fun when it is full in the morning and you have to call your boss
Contrary to popular belief Denmark is a car country. The public transportation outside the major cities and towns without a railway station is close to none existing, or at least so poorly covered that it at large means you need a car to make your daily life function. Those Denmark actually have a high amount of cars per capita and actually a high road density . It would likely been much higher if not for the high taxation on car ownership and if not for the good public and cycling infrastructure in the 4 major cities and capital area, the main reason is also it’s simply is just as fast if not faster avoiding owning a car in those areas and it can be tough finding a parking spot as well, which demotivates car ownership.
@@dallesamllhals9161 There are objectively more public transportation in Denmark, look at public rail network it covers quite the bit of the country. The longest distance to a station is not much above 25km and for many far less, in Sealand it’s noticeable less than that in fact you be in cycling distance for vast majority in that area. Yes if you live like really, really rural the coverage is sparse but so is everywhere else in the world because it’s not possible to make profit on sparse populated areas.
Love your videos. I would so love to retire in Denmark, especially if the orange man makes it back into the White House, but don't know if I would be accepted since I haven't spent my working life paying taxes there. Any ideas about how 70 year old American nurse might achieve this? I think I could pick up the language relatively easily as I use to live in Norway and was fluent in Norwegian back in the 60s.
Makes a lot of sense. The countries that get mostly subtitled shows/movies are the countries with higher English proficiency because they don’t dub them into certain languages. I wonder if that could flip with AI assistance making dubbing easier.
@@RobeTrotting I hope not. A big part of acting is how you do the lines not just what they say. I usually prefer not to hav subtitles on english lang movies as they can be distracting if you're proficient enough. Only exeption was watching the great Ken Loach movie Kes that is in a very thick scouse accent from the late 60's!
I think it would probably be easier for a person from England to get by with only English in Scandinavia than it is for an American. Not because of the language, but an Englishman is much more familiar with the European lifestyle, values, mindsets and attitudes in general.
I beg to differ. The English have a hard time too. They thought that they are stiff-upper lip and should be 'adored' and bowed down to but Danes just don't care and that upset the English people terribly🤣🤣🤣
Not really true, English culture is quite the bit different to many mainland cultures, generally it’s difficult manoeuvring Denmark if you’re not from another Germanic culture.
First thanks for the contend! I have payed no extres to go to hospital or the docktor ever. In 2019 I spend 29 days in hospital, and went home without paying anything, or anything extra. last year I was sent to privat hospital, cours the line in public hospitals was to long. our system is not perfect, but it is fucking close !!
for me as a dane regarding people from other countries do not know some words in danish it is kind of funny, because i have problems remembering words in danish i prefer speaking english since that is what i speak mostly almost every day.
Homelessness in Denmark. The difference between the USA and Denmark when it comes to homelessness is that in Denmark everyone actually has the right to a roof over their head, but since some homeless people are mentally ill, and in some cases are unable to live in a room with 4 walls, and therefore choose to live under the open sky, a choice we of course respect, we then try to stay focused on their health, and their options for clean clothes/sleeping bags, etc., but with respect for their choice, and of course they have the same rights as everyone else when it comes to hospitals and other services..
You pay for the medicine you buy at the pharmacy, unless it's for chronic illness (like cancer or arthritis (some of that medicine is 1500 kr pr dose)), but the universal health care insurance covers a big portion of the cost. So getting a portion of penicillin for some bacterial infection is out of pocket pay, but it is like 150 kr ($30)
@@Iceycube1404 I believe there is something you have misunderstood about the Danish system. If you get a prescription from your doctor for necessary medicine that is not 'over-the-counter', there is a subsidy from the State, depending on your medicine expenses. It is not a question of whether the illnesses are chronic or not. It is a question of whether or not the National Health Board deemed the medicine necessary. Therefore, Wegowy is NOT included on the subsidy list - so people need to pay full price, as with over-the-counter medicine, but Ozempic as a treatment for diabetes-2 is covered. The way the system is made is that - of course - you will have to contribute some money to cover your own medicine (as in the case of over-the-counter medicine, where you pay 100% of the price). Living in Denmark, you'll have a subsidy year that starts when you buy the first prescription medicine and is reset after 365 days, i.e., everybody has their individual subsidy year. 0 - 1.075 kr. ($160) 0% subsidy 1.075 - 1.805 kr. ($269) 50% subsidy 1.805 - 3.915 kr. ($584) 75% subsidy Over 3.915 kr. ($584-> ) 85% subsidy So, in conclusion, If you only need prescription medicine a few times per year - you'll pay full price under the first $160 (which seems to be the thing you have experienced). Denmark is not a Cockaigne where everything is 100% free! The subsidy mentioned is paid by tax money - and so is the extra subsidy that low-income pensioners (like me) get on top of the above mentioned. You can get an additional subsidy of up to 85% of the remaining self-payment (depending on income). However, this subsidy is paid for by the 'regional taxes' (more or less the same as 'county' in English - we pay State tax, Regional tax, and we pay Municipal tax). So yes, - I am happy to pay my (over 40%) taxes ... even the taxes on my pension! As I get SO MUCH back - and contribute to society on top of that!
Learning the native language is a must where ever you decide to live. Anything else is disrespectfull, i would say after 5 years you should be able to speak the local language decently
One of my US friends got hit by a car when out biking. He was airlifted to hospital and was in hospital for 7 days. It cost him $150,000 in copayments and almost bankrupted him. He could not get any aftercare, because the insurance company would not pay for it. He had a broken femur and 6 broken ribs as well as other injuries. He had to work as a carpenter from a wheelchair. That would NEVER happen here. He would get sickness benefits, after care and affordable medication. It would have cost him nothing apart from the standard tax, which makes health care cheaper per capita than in the US.
That wouldn't happen if he had insurance in the US either, so and someone with a permanent disability would qualify for social security benefits. I'm not sure you have the story right.
English contains around 15.000 daily words..Danish..5.000 - so we differs the lack of words via intonation and facial expression, to explain a lot, not done with words.
Even in the big four there are a Lot of people with 2-3 cars. Odense is a major city, but the city center is tiny and it is mostly villas everywhere, so most people live like one big suburb nearly. I would say the issues here is what sonetimes get you to reflect and be like "this is really a first world problem". The problems here are not at all to scale with problems elsewhere
To not have a car is a question of attitudes..Of curse we can afford a car, but does it help us to have such a peace of metal, to stash in the mddle of a city..No. well if it becomes nessessary we just lease it..
Vi betaler selv medicin, også selvom vi får den på recept. Sådan helt generelt. Der er bare forskellig egenbetaling, alt efter hvor langt du er på din CTR-saldo.
"Danish welfare system takes care of everything" *crying in mental illness, handicaps and prolonged sicknesses* Okay... okay, phew, I'm ready to continue! (We love our welfare system... buuuuut its far from perfect, personally waiting to get help for mental illness for most of my life, finally getting some help, but i got misdiagnosed due to way way too many people needing help, being medicated but getting no other help, and finally getting a diagnosis (Autism) that doesn't require medication or help and thus i was thrown out of the system and have to go private, yaaaay.. I have no insurance, as i have been unable to work, my partners doesn't cover soo, ill just have to pay out of pocket. That is unfortunately a very normal story)
You guys are formidable ambassadeurs for Denmark 👍 you are so familiar with the culture that I cannot remember ever heard any foreigner explaining life here so well as you do. Even I as a Dane learn a lot about my own country just by listening to you 😂 I especially like that your are generally positive yet also honest about your impressions of life here. No it’s definitely not perfect here, but usually it’s quiet allright
Meh 🫤 you can honestly get by in the places people moving here from abroad would live and the people they would be around. Honestly, if I was moving from abroad I’d focus on perfecting my English before learning Danish.
This Dane. OMG there are so many issues here, chief among those, everything is getting more expensive and work worse, the glorified welfare state and other social security things, on the way out,,,, and be assure tax will not be lowered in spite of that. Smart - earning people be wise to have a private health insurance. I am NEVER happy, well unless i am shooting one of my rifles, but otherwise very much unhappy, though knowledge from other less functioning countries can also put things in perspective. SO HAPPY i have not fathered any children, not least here but also the direction of the world in general.
Derek! My opinion ☺, Bleached and Blond hair doesn't work for you! I may be Straight, but still.., you look better with Black Hair 👍! Your decision, my 5 cents 😂
English is not my first language, but you're talking about how life is when immigrating to Denmark right? maybe there's some specific meaning to the word expat I'm not getting
@@drumstick74 nope 😊 it seems people categorise Denmark as Jutland and Copenhagen, which is wrong in so many ways. The capital seems to have forgotten everything about what used to be considered Danish. Instead they have adopted a Marxist position in their pursuit of egalitarianism, turning a blind eye to the foundation of society 😊 so no. You don't know Denmark if you live in Copenhagen.
@@jacobelmosehjordsvar Nu går jeg over i dansk. Du har ret til din mening, men: Hvor har du fra, at vi har en Marxistisk holdning, og at vi har glemt resten af landet? Hvor mange gange har du været i København? Jeg havde samme skepsis som dig, før jeg flyttede hertil, skal lige tilføjes.
Actually the working hours is not negotiated between the unions and the state but between unions and the industry. Just to clarify. Great videos guys! 👍👍
It makes Denmark seems more communist than is the case.
@@kloenegon nah its pure capitalism: danish workers pay into the labor unions. the unions use that money for unemployment funds - and through that basically compete on the open market with the employers. THat's why even McDonalds in Denmark pays their workers some 20$ an hour because anything short of that would be matched by the unemployment funds. Its cold hard capitalism, with the workers having set up a strong enough competitor to the employers to force them to up the pay.
@@kloenegon How the fuck does taking out the government of the equation = more communism... please tell me you are joking
BTW In Denmark it's known as 'The Danish model' because the state doesn't intervene in the outcome of the deals.
The 5 weeks of holidays are a law though. So the state does step in, but it's not a negotiation. 5 weeks holiday as a minimum (many unions negotiate for a 6th week).
By far the best take on Denmark you guys have done.
Right through the heart of our society. Top shelf work.
Thank you so much Michael. We appreciate the feedback 😊
You are so right in your considerations. I am using google translate to be able to write this. I speak Ok English But it's not my native language. And yes, in the city it is normal to have 1 car or none at all. But in rural areas it is very common to have 2 cars. One for mom and one for dad. Since public transport does not run very often. And since a house in the country does not cost the same as in the big cities. the car is not that expensive at all. And Denmark is a commuting country. How many drive into bigger cities to work. Then 2 cars are necessary. But you are so right in your observations.
Glad you found it accurate 😊
@@RobeTrotting Even as a Dane, I find it tiring and misleading. The Adventure painting drawn by Denmark. I know that we are actually doing well compared to several countries. But then we have some other problems. No rose without thorns. So your observations are reasonably spot on.
Public transport in Denmark is only functional in the large cities and otherwise only in certain directions. I live in a rural town close to Storebælt and work in a city north of Copenhagen. Taking public transport to work takes me close to 3 hours. By car it's a little over 1 hour. So my husband and I have 2 cars as he also works in a larger city but the oposite direction.
@@LitzysDelight Nemlig. Vi har også 2 biler. Er Fra Odsherred. Samme problem.
I think a good thing to say about the English thing instead would be "you can get by very well with only English if you VISIT Denmark, but you will have to speak the language on a basic level to live there" Most people i know that doesn't speak English or speak it poorly.. is my parents and their generation 😅 My moms friends are praising me so much on my English-speaking abilities, and i picked most of it up after school was done by playing games and watching movies and shows haha!
But yea if you want to settle in, i would a 100% recommend actually learning and speaking the language, that gives bonus points with people too ;)
If you just need to work here for a couple of months to a year i would only recommend if you would like to learn it - Danish is a cool language, but also among the harder ones to learn..
Also not everyone of us want to speak english in social gatherings. I have good level of speaking english and understand it good but i don't want to be forced to not talk my native language, just because someone wish to live their life here without learning my language!
@@robina.jensen6114 Im the exact opposite.. im pure dane through and through born raised and lived here my whole life, but always felt i was better at expressing myself in english and feel more confident in myself using english (may have something to do with growing up in the 80's where ALL cartoons were broadcast in english without any dubbing AT ALL) me and my boyfriend mostly have our conversations in english as we both feel the same way about it.. in our primary friend group we use english entirely (though thats also because the girlfriend of one of them is american so it just feels natural for all of us to stick with english) and ofcourse we play dungeons & dragons in english with them all as well :D
Whenever i have had to stick to danish around people throughout my entire life i have felt awkward and borderline illiterate so i have always gravitated towards friendships with foreigners or people who feel the same way about our stupid clumsy broken language :D
You're right about we're more content than happy.
And it may still be the same ranking for “contentment” but the expectations people have are kind of funny, like they’re not reading past the headlines haha
From what I know, the Danes by learning not to have high expectations make them easier to accept life here and not feel that they are suffering poorly. It is self-help therapy that works and makes them happy. Hahahahahaha!! On the other hand, there is a real social issue which is loneliness amongst the Danes cos their social upbringing force them to be independent and self-reliant and that has social consequences. This social loneliness can be seriously felt by the foreigners and they suffer from it too. Often the word ' isolation' comes into conversations with Danes and foreigners.
I recently hear another word than "content" about you!
When on holiday in Cabo Verde and, directly hunted by no less than 7 Danish psychopaths...the police and government in Cabo Verde used the word "insane" about my country of origin and, I agree 100%
@@RobeTrottingI assume, people cease to have that many expectations after they've been slaughtered by the Danes but, you could off course be right and, we can all send a post card from our next lives. zzz
@@chengifoo7603oh yes, as a Former Dane, you definitely learn how to be "independent" - when the Danes in Denmark have stolen/destroyed everything and everyone we ever owned or knew that is... No Laws in Denmark for this...the Danes just steal and destroy "for the fun of it" I compare them to Hyena's ..(criminal psychopaths)...
As you said nothing is perfect and the same goes for Denmark but we are very very near to it hehehehehe ;) great vid cheers.
An important thing to consider when hearing facts and myths about Denmark is that they might not be equally true across the whole country. One of the big difference i have seen is the acceptance of not drinking alcohol. In Jutland, where i am from, people will mock you and almost treat you as an outcast if you dont drink, whereas its more likely people will respect it on Sjælland (Zealand for you english speakers)
Is that a new camera? The lighting looks super professional ❤️ great content as always, nothing is black and white.
I especially like your take on the importance on having to navigate the health care system. I have some internationally friends having a baby after living here a decade and they had no idea about what is available for them - despite them being highly educated and that there is so much information in English today. The system will not be served for you and it will require some work.
It's been a while since I have seen one of your videos. Why? No idea. BUT the two of you are looking gooood!
Aw, thank you so much 😊 glad you found this one! 💜
@RobeTrotting I love your content. As a dane I learn a lot from your videos.
When I was stationed in Denmark, I got tagged as a "Native English Speaker" at my NATO command. However, British English (and French) are the official languages of NATO, so I had to remember how to spell everything the British way.
Haha that had to take a little while, especially if it was pre “spell check” on everything.
@@RobeTrotting: Yes it was because it was back in 1989 - 1992, I had to read printouts and make notes on them. So I had to break out the dictionary over and over. We had Wordstar but that was normally set to American English.
In Denmark we are taught British English in school.
But nowadays it is much more influenced by what people encounter on the internet.
While we still learn British English officially I doubt they make a lot of fuss about American English terms and spellings in assignments.
They are probably looking more for consistency throughout the assignment.
Ohh boy when I finished school some odd 25 years ago, we learned that on the exam, it is spelled colour not color etc. The official take on it, it is still British English, how much the teachers follow that today I do not know, but back then it was very much so.
Thanks for debunking the myth that this is utopia 💕
We do quite well, but nowhere is perfect.
We are indeed more diverse than other YT videos would make you think, but we can't compete with UK, France, Spain or the Netherlands, they were the big players in building world wide empires.
On the plus side, the coloured population in Denmark usually don't have the shadow of slavery lingering above them. Most arrived because of opportunities or being refugees or adoptees. So talking about ethnic or cultural background isn't a taboo in the same way that it is in many other countries. But in the same way, it's not legal to favour or discriminate because of ethnic origin, or gender or sexual orientation for that matter.
English will get you very far in DK, but the authorities will always send you letters in Danish.. it's still our official language. So if you plan to live and stay here, you need to at least be able to read and understand the letters.
And that leads me to the nooks and crannies of our health system. There are many small things that not even the common Danes know about... for instance, if you're not happy about the diagnosis of your assigned doctor, you have the right to seek a second opinion, simply book an appointment with another GP with that reason, it won't cost you a dime.
And as you mention, if treatment has an unreasonable waiting time, the the system will cover the cost of a private hospital.
But regarding the health sector... bring your yellow card, if a doctors office or clinic can't verify that you have it for too many times, they lose government support.
Thx. Your analysis is on point!! First I thought you're to critical in your videoes, but now I think you're rasor sharp in your views on what's good and what's so so in 'Ferrytale Denmark'. Thank you for reminding us all about the simple fact that: of course we can do better!!!!!! Especially mental health is lacking and a sour point....😞
Thank you. We probably shifted a little over time as well once we had more experiences here and saw more sides to things. More and more things are just different and not better or worse, but we don’t want to set anyone moving here up with unrealistic expectations of what things will be like 😊
I’m sorry, but “ferrytale” made me laugh! Ferry means færge, the word you’re looking for is fairy(tale)
@@choddle8427 Oh, the ferrytales. Yeah, those great stories about live and death on Mols Linjen, those were the days. 😄
@@betman6774 if you really have to make fun of spelling mistakes, it's life* and death.
@@Nethian78 You are correct, obviously - but I didn't mean it as a dig, I just thought it was funny to consider what ferrytales would be.
Again a great video from you guys! Happy you are here and always represent Denmark in such a good way! Imo you guys do better than the people in the government (VisitDenmark) 👍
You can also go to the ophthalmologist without a referral from your primary physician.
Pretty spot on in all your "myth busting".
Glad to hear that 🙌🏼
Love what you've done with the hair
Thank you 😊
Do electric vehicles are also expensive?
God video og sender kærlighed fra Jylland
Tak 🇩🇰😊
This is funny to watch as a Dane living in the US, I run into the same myths.
Ok..sorry for this out of context comment. i really think your new hair colour looks nice:)
Aw thank you! It was an impulse decision over the summer but I liked trying it out.
@@RobeTrotting good impulse:)
spot on
🙌🏼
I have not seen you two for a while. Just red an expat which said Why are the Danes so Danish. I laughed so hard. Am happy to see that both of you enjoy Denmark. Living in the USA is a challenge. People is not very educated and studied Spanish for 3 years and does not have the command of the language. I learned 4 foreign languages in Denmark and studied Spanish 6 month and can speak it already. we have many Spanish from many different countries. On the telephone is Spanish and English. Florida has many Spanish inhabitants now. Jeg har faaet en tandlaege fra Venezuela. Han er dygtig.
I jus LOVE you guys!! 😘
Alot of us ride bikes because it's great for the health and a nice way to start the day. As well as it being cheap and efficient. And often faster than in a car.
I just got home from a little leasure ride of 6 miles just because I wanted to. It's great. Bike lanes evrrywhere.
I actually googled Cars USA vs Denmark , in the US 72% of households have 1 or more cars, 69% of Danish households have 1 or more cars, I agree with you it may be more common to have more than one car per household in the USA, however the tendency to have 2 cars per households have been rowing the past 40 year, we also have more public transport now, but the number of cars still grow , the main issue that you know very well is the lack of parking spaces and that is the main reason why many choose public transport or bicycle in the city , it is however quite surprising with all the biking and public transport the diff, vs USA is less than what most people think
Huh...more public transport in DK? Guess you're city-folk!
The bus starts at 6 and stops around 18:00 and it comes by with 1 hour intervals (other parts of the city its every 30 min.) and Sundays less, Udkantsdanmark Svendborg.
sounds like you live near a bigger city, as where I live if, I miss the bus I have to wait 3 hours. Not fun when it is full in the morning and you have to call your boss
Contrary to popular belief Denmark is a car country. The public transportation outside the major cities and towns without a railway station is close to none existing, or at least so poorly covered that it at large means you need a car to make your daily life function. Those Denmark actually have a high amount of cars per capita and actually a high road density . It would likely been much higher if not for the high taxation on car ownership and if not for the good public and cycling infrastructure in the 4 major cities and capital area, the main reason is also it’s simply is just as fast if not faster avoiding owning a car in those areas and it can be tough finding a parking spot as well, which demotivates car ownership.
@@dallesamllhals9161 There are objectively more public transportation in Denmark, look at public rail network it covers quite the bit of the country. The longest distance to a station is not much above 25km and for many far less, in Sealand it’s noticeable less than that in fact you be in cycling distance for vast majority in that area. Yes if you live like really, really rural the coverage is sparse but so is everywhere else in the world because it’s not possible to make profit on sparse populated areas.
As a Dane, this is some pretty good observations, and as mentioned nothing is that black and white, so a lot of gray in between.
Love from Danmark
🇩🇰🫶
The summer sun has been really hard on your hair.😄
😆 yes, it should go back to normal by Christmas
Love your videos. I would so love to retire in Denmark, especially if the orange man makes it back into the White House, but don't know if I would be accepted since I haven't spent my working life paying taxes there. Any ideas about how 70 year old American nurse might achieve this? I think I could pick up the language relatively easily as I use to live in Norway and was fluent in Norwegian back in the 60s.
I often use the english word because i simply forgot the Danish word. Videogames and American/English shows and movies is to blame for that.
Makes a lot of sense. The countries that get mostly subtitled shows/movies are the countries with higher English proficiency because they don’t dub them into certain languages. I wonder if that could flip with AI assistance making dubbing easier.
@@RobeTrotting I hope not. A big part of acting is how you do the lines not just what they say. I usually prefer not to hav subtitles on english lang movies as they can be distracting if you're proficient enough. Only exeption was watching the great Ken Loach movie Kes that is in a very thick scouse accent from the late 60's!
I think it would probably be easier for a person from England to get by with only English in Scandinavia than it is for an American. Not because of the language, but an Englishman is much more familiar with the European lifestyle, values, mindsets and attitudes in general.
Meh, that’s a lot of generalizing of two rather large populations.
I beg to differ. The English have a hard time too. They thought that they are stiff-upper lip and should be 'adored' and bowed down to but Danes just don't care and that upset the English people terribly🤣🤣🤣
Not really true, English culture is quite the bit different to many mainland cultures, generally it’s difficult manoeuvring Denmark if you’re not from another Germanic culture.
First thanks for the contend! I have payed no extres to go to hospital or the docktor ever. In 2019 I spend 29 days in hospital, and went home without paying anything, or anything extra. last year I was sent to privat hospital, cours the line in public hospitals was to long. our system is not perfect, but it is fucking close !!
for me as a dane regarding people from other countries do not know some words in danish it is kind of funny, because i have problems remembering words in danish i prefer speaking english since that is what i speak mostly almost every day.
On point… god analyse!
Thanks so much 😊
Homelessness in Denmark.
The difference between the USA and Denmark when it comes to homelessness is that in Denmark everyone actually has the right to a roof over their head, but since some homeless people are mentally ill, and in some cases are unable to live in a room with 4 walls, and therefore choose to live under the open sky, a choice we of course respect, we then try to stay focused on their health, and their options for clean clothes/sleeping bags, etc., but with respect for their choice, and of course they have the same rights as everyone else when it comes to hospitals and other services..
Didn't expect Ken from barbie to be on the show😂
Surprise! 🥳 That Barbie marketing is still going strong.
A Dane here.... we are 5.7 mill peeps here, and we have 2,8 mill. cars atm.
Paying for prescriptions??😳
Do you talk about issuance?
or about your costs of buying the medicine at the pharmacy?
Please explain!
You pay for the medicine you buy at the pharmacy, unless it's for chronic illness (like cancer or arthritis (some of that medicine is 1500 kr pr dose)), but the universal health care insurance covers a big portion of the cost. So getting a portion of penicillin for some bacterial infection is out of pocket pay, but it is like 150 kr ($30)
@@Iceycube1404
I believe there is something you have misunderstood about the Danish system.
If you get a prescription from your doctor for necessary medicine that is not 'over-the-counter', there is a subsidy from the State, depending on your medicine expenses. It is not a question of whether the illnesses are chronic or not. It is a question of whether or not the National Health Board deemed the medicine necessary. Therefore, Wegowy is NOT included on the subsidy list - so people need to pay full price, as with over-the-counter medicine, but Ozempic as a treatment for diabetes-2 is covered. The way the system is made is that - of course - you will have to contribute some money to cover your own medicine (as in the case of over-the-counter medicine, where you pay 100% of the price). Living in Denmark, you'll have a subsidy year that starts when you buy the first prescription medicine and is reset after 365 days, i.e., everybody has their individual subsidy year.
0 - 1.075 kr. ($160) 0% subsidy
1.075 - 1.805 kr. ($269) 50% subsidy
1.805 - 3.915 kr. ($584) 75% subsidy
Over 3.915 kr. ($584-> ) 85% subsidy
So, in conclusion, If you only need prescription medicine a few times per year - you'll pay full price under the first $160 (which seems to be the thing you have experienced). Denmark is not a Cockaigne where everything is 100% free!
The subsidy mentioned is paid by tax money - and so is the extra subsidy that low-income pensioners (like me) get on top of the above mentioned. You can get an additional subsidy of up to 85% of the remaining self-payment (depending on income).
However, this subsidy is paid for by the 'regional taxes' (more or less the same as 'county' in English - we pay State tax, Regional tax, and we pay Municipal tax).
So yes, - I am happy to pay my (over 40%) taxes ... even the taxes on my pension! As I get SO MUCH back - and contribute to society on top of that!
Learning the native language is a must where ever you decide to live. Anything else is disrespectfull, i would say after 5 years you should be able to speak the local language decently
WE do have 2 cars in Denmark and we do not bike a lot out on the country side and we do use cars a cross the country 😂
One of my US friends got hit by a car when out biking. He was airlifted to hospital and was in hospital for 7 days. It cost him $150,000 in copayments and almost bankrupted him. He could not get any aftercare, because the insurance company would not pay for it. He had a broken femur and 6 broken ribs as well as other injuries. He had to work as a carpenter from a wheelchair. That would NEVER happen here. He would get sickness benefits, after care and affordable medication. It would have cost him nothing apart from the standard tax, which makes health care cheaper per capita than in the US.
That wouldn't happen if he had insurance in the US either, so and someone with a permanent disability would qualify for social security benefits. I'm not sure you have the story right.
English contains around 15.000 daily words..Danish..5.000 - so we differs the lack of words via intonation and facial expression, to explain a lot, not done with words.
Even in the big four there are a Lot of people with 2-3 cars. Odense is a major city, but the city center is tiny and it is mostly villas everywhere, so most people live like one big suburb nearly.
I would say the issues here is what sonetimes get you to reflect and be like "this is really a first world problem". The problems here are not at all to scale with problems elsewhere
To not have a car is a question of attitudes..Of curse we can afford a car, but does it help us to have such a peace of metal, to stash in the mddle of a city..No. well if it becomes nessessary we just lease it..
Hi any place”s” in Copenhagen to socialize with woman??
What prescriptions?
Kinda personal Jan haha
Vi betaler selv medicin, også selvom vi får den på recept. Sådan helt generelt. Der er bare forskellig egenbetaling, alt efter hvor langt du er på din CTR-saldo.
"Danish welfare system takes care of everything" *crying in mental illness, handicaps and prolonged sicknesses*
Okay... okay, phew, I'm ready to continue!
(We love our welfare system... buuuuut its far from perfect, personally waiting to get help for mental illness for most of my life, finally getting some help, but i got misdiagnosed due to way way too many people needing help, being medicated but getting no other help, and finally getting a diagnosis (Autism) that doesn't require medication or help and thus i was thrown out of the system and have to go private, yaaaay.. I have no insurance, as i have been unable to work, my partners doesn't cover soo, ill just have to pay out of pocket. That is unfortunately a very normal story)
DANMARK NÆVNT 🗣🗣🗣🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰💯💯💯
You do not need a referral to see an eye specalist.
Ah, true - I guess I mentally think of optometry separately because in the US we usually have three coverages: medical, dental, optical
Denmark needs to stay homogeneous, that's exactly why it works so well compared to other nations. But nobody dares to mention it.
You’re so brave
You guys are formidable ambassadeurs for Denmark 👍 you are so familiar with the culture that I cannot remember ever heard any foreigner explaining life here so well as you do. Even I as a Dane learn a lot about my own country just by listening to you 😂 I especially like that your are generally positive yet also honest about your impressions of life here. No it’s definitely not perfect here, but usually it’s quiet allright
Hvis du vil bo her, lære dansk. Det gøre vi andre. ☝️❤️
Meh 🫤 you can honestly get by in the places people moving here from abroad would live and the people they would be around. Honestly, if I was moving from abroad I’d focus on perfecting my English before learning Danish.
Very good video
Thank you Kim 😊
❤👍🤟
Love the blond!
Who makes up those “myths”?
0:18 / 0:29 Not true at all because not everyone in Denmark 🇩🇰 speak English that is not true at all 😊😊😊😊
You dont need a private health insurrance.
This Dane.
OMG there are so many issues here, chief among those, everything is getting more expensive and work worse, the glorified welfare state and other social security things, on the way out,,,, and be assure tax will not be lowered in spite of that.
Smart - earning people be wise to have a private health insurance.
I am NEVER happy, well unless i am shooting one of my rifles, but otherwise very much unhappy, though knowledge from other less functioning countries can also put things in perspective.
SO HAPPY i have not fathered any children, not least here but also the direction of the world in general.
Actually it’s closer to 20 percent of the population that ain’t ethically Danish
14% as of 2021
Derek! My opinion ☺, Bleached and Blond hair doesn't work for you! I may be Straight, but still.., you look better with Black Hair 👍! Your decision, my 5 cents 😂
Noted
I think it looks great! But perhaps too yellow. Would look fab if it were more ash colour.
are we into looks now? 🤪I thought this channel was all about substance, opening up and having real conversations?😄
I think i'm the only one in here
👀
it's ok, you can say "immigrant"
An “expat assignment” is a business term and it was used accurately 🤔
@@RobeTrotting was referring to the title, "expat life"
English is not my first language, but you're talking about how life is when immigrating to Denmark right? maybe there's some specific meaning to the word expat I'm not getting
If you live in Copenhagen, you don't know Denmark.
@@drumstick74 nope 😊 it seems people categorise Denmark as Jutland and Copenhagen, which is wrong in so many ways. The capital seems to have forgotten everything about what used to be considered Danish. Instead they have adopted a Marxist position in their pursuit of egalitarianism, turning a blind eye to the foundation of society 😊 so no. You don't know Denmark if you live in Copenhagen.
@@jacobelmosehjordsvar
Nu går jeg over i dansk. Du har ret til din mening, men: Hvor har du fra, at vi har en Marxistisk holdning, og at vi har glemt resten af landet?
Hvor mange gange har du været i København? Jeg havde samme skepsis som dig, før jeg flyttede hertil, skal lige tilføjes.
Then why do People from Jylland moving to copenhagen, it does not matter where you are from in Danmark we all know our country
@@mickpalmer6213 I think he meant " if you live in Copenhagen and has never gone or live beyond it, you don't know Denmark". He needs a spin doctor🤣🤣
Der er mange i Kbh ikke kan eller vil lære Dansk.
You have a really weird definition of work life balance, when did ever have anything to do with being lazy at work ?
I don’t know what you’re referring to but your tone seems rather pointed
It's not really a point about being lazy but more about efficiency.
Native speaker ? Youre speaking a foreign language,young men..🙄.English is your second Language....Native American ,is /should be your First....
Native American isn’t a language. This is a stupid internet comment.
I don't like your resent content.