I came across

[oneiriad]

this list of 100 differences between Denmark and the US, as written by a Dane living in the States.

001 : Denmark uses Celcius and the metric system. The US does not.
Am I the only one, when reading an American novel, who have developed this weird habit of slowing down my reading every time a measurement that seems to matter shows up to mentally convert it? Yes? Typical...

016 : In Denmark, you may legally drink alcohol from age 16. In the US, you have to be 21.
017 : In the US you can get a driver’s license at age 16. In DK you must be 18.
Ah, those wacky Americans - doing everything in the opposite way.

020 : There are almost no classic diners in Denmark. They are everywhere in the US.
Actually, if I ever manage to go on vacation in the US, that's one thing I want to try

040 : Books are generally a lot cheaper in the US.
Which would be why I love libraries - free books!

068 : Teachers are referred to by their first names in Denmark, but their last names in the US.
Teachers, doctors, everyone. Personally, I would find it a little weird to suddenly have to say Mr. and Miss. and Mrs. to people. A bit like using "De" as anything other than an insult or in a very official setting or with a particularly old person...

078 : Danes take their flags down at sunset, but leaving them up is normal in the US.
You know, if this is true, then I could probably use a bit of Erasmus Montanus-style logic to argue that Americans are Satanists. Just saying...

Comments

[kattahj.livejournal.com]

Most of the Denmark ones are true for Sweden as well, but not all. Interesting!

[doolabug.livejournal.com]

Interesting! Re: the flag bit, technically if the US flag is left up after dark it is supposed to be illuminated, although that little bit of flag etiquette is often overlooked. If there is no illumination it is supposed to be taken down at sunset as well.