usvi-on-line
Are the Danes the happiest people in the world?
Are the Danes the happiest people in the world?
The University of Michigan's World Values Survey determined that the Danes are the happiest people in the world. USA citizens came in 13th. Could it really be the Carlsberg? Or, is it the Speedos? Linne, what do you think?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01905.html
Cheers, RickG
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01905.html
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Not Linne, but I have heard this on radio several times during the spring, and since I am in Copenhagen about once a month, we discussed this with our Danish coworkers.
The say it depends on that Danes in general don't expect that much of life, so they really appreciate what they have and how life is. I think that is correct and also because Denmark is such a nice country with easy going people in general and they have something that is called "hygge" (Linne - you have to explain that)! Maybe Carlsberg or Tuborg have something to do with the happiness also
Next visit to happy country is in a week.
Can you tell I like Denmark?
/Karin
The say it depends on that Danes in general don't expect that much of life, so they really appreciate what they have and how life is. I think that is correct and also because Denmark is such a nice country with easy going people in general and they have something that is called "hygge" (Linne - you have to explain that)! Maybe Carlsberg or Tuborg have something to do with the happiness also
Next visit to happy country is in a week.
Can you tell I like Denmark?
/Karin
Hi Rick and Maggy!
It’s so funny. I have just finished my trip report from Spain, but because of the pictures, it was too late for me to send it tonight. It’s nearly midnight in DK. In my TR I mention something about speedos, something about beer and tell something about a party we had, which I think was “hyggeligt”.
Before I closed the computer, I just took a look in the forum. And what did I see? Rick asks, if it is beer or Speedos which perhaps make the Danish happy. And Maggy mention the word “hygge”, which is a very important “concept” in DK, and which we try to create, both when we have a party, and when we only are the two of us. You cannot explain it, it’s a feeling, I think the nearest word is that we want situations to be “cosy”. It can be something with good food, a glass of wine or beer and for me it also can be something with nice surroundings and candle lights.
Too example, when we had the party in our cottage, and it became dark, I lighted a lot of candle lights both inside and outside. It looked very “cosy” or “hyggeligt”, but it seems not to be common among the people we know in Spain. But our guests appreciate it.
Are the Danish really the happiest people in the world? Well, it’s difficult to answer at. I meet many Danish, who grumble all the time. But the Danish have been in top of the list before, and I think Maggy’s explanation about, what we expect is right. Also the Danish are a very homogeneous nation, we don’t have many who are incredible rich or incredible poor. People are normally good educated. We don’t have natural disasters. The nature isn’t so impressing, as you can see it in too example Norway and Sweden, no high mountains at all, but it can also be nice and “cosy” to see a flat green land without any drama. I have also read that it has something to do with that we have much confidence to the government and to the democracy.
I would like to discus this subject more, but just now I’m too tired.
“see you” tomorrow!
Linne
It’s so funny. I have just finished my trip report from Spain, but because of the pictures, it was too late for me to send it tonight. It’s nearly midnight in DK. In my TR I mention something about speedos, something about beer and tell something about a party we had, which I think was “hyggeligt”.
Before I closed the computer, I just took a look in the forum. And what did I see? Rick asks, if it is beer or Speedos which perhaps make the Danish happy. And Maggy mention the word “hygge”, which is a very important “concept” in DK, and which we try to create, both when we have a party, and when we only are the two of us. You cannot explain it, it’s a feeling, I think the nearest word is that we want situations to be “cosy”. It can be something with good food, a glass of wine or beer and for me it also can be something with nice surroundings and candle lights.
Too example, when we had the party in our cottage, and it became dark, I lighted a lot of candle lights both inside and outside. It looked very “cosy” or “hyggeligt”, but it seems not to be common among the people we know in Spain. But our guests appreciate it.
Are the Danish really the happiest people in the world? Well, it’s difficult to answer at. I meet many Danish, who grumble all the time. But the Danish have been in top of the list before, and I think Maggy’s explanation about, what we expect is right. Also the Danish are a very homogeneous nation, we don’t have many who are incredible rich or incredible poor. People are normally good educated. We don’t have natural disasters. The nature isn’t so impressing, as you can see it in too example Norway and Sweden, no high mountains at all, but it can also be nice and “cosy” to see a flat green land without any drama. I have also read that it has something to do with that we have much confidence to the government and to the democracy.
I would like to discus this subject more, but just now I’m too tired.
“see you” tomorrow!
Linne
Sounds like hygge is gemutlichkeit with a Speedo and a Carlsberg! I'll take my Danish style!
I also found, in my intensive research, a type of hygge that is more intense - råhygge. Does this happen after you take the Speedo off and switch to drinking akvavit and Gammel Dansk? Now, that's rå!
Cheers, RickG
I also found, in my intensive research, a type of hygge that is more intense - råhygge. Does this happen after you take the Speedo off and switch to drinking akvavit and Gammel Dansk? Now, that's rå!
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Hi RickG!
I have been without connection to the forum for some days, so my answer is a little late.
I need to say that you really have flair for foreign language
“Råhygge”, where in the world have you found that word? But your definition is in a way right, but that’s not the word we normally use for the situation you describe . It’s more like a cold winter night, having a delicious meal, sitting together with a few good friends or the two of us alone, fire in the open fireplace, candle lights, perhaps having a drink or perhaps only coffee after the meal, a nice conversation, could also be silence, if we are alone. That’s “råhygge” 
Another thing about the Danes, which I like to tell (although I’m not sure if the situation is the same today). For some years ago a Canadian told hubby that there had been an investigation in his newspaper about which people were the most honest in the world. They have had people around in different countries, and the people had “forgotten” their purse on different places in each country and counted how many times, they got their purse back. And Denmark was the winner
About learning other languages:
The other day I had the opportunity to be present when a well educated, young American had lessons in Danish. He had stayed in DK for 2 years and had now decided to learn the language. He was surprised how difficult it was, and I was surprised that it was so difficult for him after two years recidence here. The explanation can be that it had been so easy for him only to talk English. You can always find someone who understands it. Or have the Americans no flair for foreign languages?
Linne
I have been without connection to the forum for some days, so my answer is a little late.
I need to say that you really have flair for foreign language
“Råhygge”, where in the world have you found that word? But your definition is in a way right, but that’s not the word we normally use for the situation you describe
. It’s more like a cold winter night, having a delicious meal, sitting together with a few good friends or the two of us alone, fire in the open fireplace, candle lights, perhaps having a drink or perhaps only coffee after the meal, a nice conversation, could also be silence, if we are alone. That’s “råhygge” Another thing about the Danes, which I like to tell (although I’m not sure if the situation is the same today). For some years ago a Canadian told hubby that there had been an investigation in his newspaper about which people were the most honest in the world. They have had people around in different countries, and the people had “forgotten” their purse on different places in each country and counted how many times, they got their purse back. And Denmark was the winner
About learning other languages:
The other day I had the opportunity to be present when a well educated, young American had lessons in Danish. He had stayed in DK for 2 years and had now decided to learn the language. He was surprised how difficult it was, and I was surprised that it was so difficult for him after two years recidence here. The explanation can be that it had been so easy for him only to talk English. You can always find someone who understands it. Or have the Americans no flair for foreign languages?
Linne
So, “Råhygge” is like limin' with your pals? I'm starting to grok the concept.
As far as Americans learning languages, it is hard for us because we have a mostly homogeneous culture where people are told to "Speak English or go home!" and anyone who does not speak English is a foreigner. It is very hard for me to pick up another language because I never had to learn one to live. I manage mostly what I call "Essen, Trinken und Zimmer" foreign language.
Knowing how hard this is I put my children in a foreign language school and they have spoken French since they were 6 years old. My oldest daughter is going into her 11th year of French and has three years of German. Why French? The choices were Spanish, French, German and Japanese and Spanish is filled up by the Salvadorans and Guatemalans in our school district. We have many foreign diplomats in our area, so French was our next choice. The particular language did not matter so much to me, just that they learn a language.
A friend of mine married a beautiful Dutch girl and lived with here in Virginia and California for ten years. When they moved to The Netherlands he was expected to learn Dutch. He found it very hard, even living there. After one year the wife's family decided that they would only speak Dutch to him! Still, it was so hard that the marriage ended.
I think that if people grow up speaking only one language it is very hard for them to learn. Linne, I see your beatiful writing and grammar and I wonder that you say that you have to keep working at it. Good for you!
Hygge & Cheers, RickG
As far as Americans learning languages, it is hard for us because we have a mostly homogeneous culture where people are told to "Speak English or go home!" and anyone who does not speak English is a foreigner. It is very hard for me to pick up another language because I never had to learn one to live. I manage mostly what I call "Essen, Trinken und Zimmer" foreign language.
Knowing how hard this is I put my children in a foreign language school and they have spoken French since they were 6 years old. My oldest daughter is going into her 11th year of French and has three years of German. Why French? The choices were Spanish, French, German and Japanese and Spanish is filled up by the Salvadorans and Guatemalans in our school district. We have many foreign diplomats in our area, so French was our next choice. The particular language did not matter so much to me, just that they learn a language.
A friend of mine married a beautiful Dutch girl and lived with here in Virginia and California for ten years. When they moved to The Netherlands he was expected to learn Dutch. He found it very hard, even living there. After one year the wife's family decided that they would only speak Dutch to him! Still, it was so hard that the marriage ended.
I think that if people grow up speaking only one language it is very hard for them to learn. Linne, I see your beatiful writing and grammar and I wonder that you say that you have to keep working at it. Good for you!
Hygge & Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Rick - I will teach you a couple of usefulRickG wrote:As far as Americans learning languages, it is hard for us because we have a mostly homogeneous culture where people are told to "Speak English or go home!" and anyone who does not speak English is a foreigner. It is very hard for me to pick up another language because I never had to learn one to live. I manage mostly what I call "Essen, Trinken und Zimmer" foreign language.
Swedish words (and even Danish) in November I'm right now enjoying my own hygge in a hotel room in Copenhagen.
RickG wrote:
So, “Råhygge” is like limin' with your pals? I'm starting to grok the concept.
Rick, I cannot say for sure. if you have understand “råhygge” right, because I don’t’ understand the words “limin” (and neither the word “grok”)
.
You said some nice word about my English, thank you. I like to know that the language doesn’t mean that it’s annoying to read my topics . But I also have to be honest and tell that I use the dictionary very much, and my spoken English isn’t on the same level - although it has been improved because of my reading and writing in the forum.
What a good idea to have your children in a foreign language school. If they don’t do it already now, they will appreciate it later and thank you. I had both German and English in the school, but had nearly forgotten the German. For a few years ago I went to school again and had German and Spanish at the same time. And there was really a big difference between learning the two languages. German was easy because I had a “hidden” knowledge from my childhood, but Spanish was and is difficult for me (of course it’s also something to do with the fact that German is more similar Danish than Spanish are).
But I’m also sure it’s right what you say. If you are not forced from childhood to learn another language, it can be difficult to pick a foreign language up later – but I cannot imagine that it should cause a divorce like in your friend’s case!
I still think that you have a linguistic instinct, and I’m sure that Maggy will teach you some useful words and that you will “hygge jer” together, like friends do, while she is teaching you.
Have a nice weekend. Tonight we are visiting some friends, they have invited us to cheese and red wine, and I’m sure that we will have some “råhygge”. Tomorrow Hubby are participating in a sailing boat-race and after that all the sailors and their partners are invited to “hygge i teltet”, which mean that we will grill and have beer and wine, perhaps dance, in a big tent. So there will be a lot of “hygge” in this weekend.
Linne
So, “Råhygge” is like limin' with your pals? I'm starting to grok the concept.
Rick, I cannot say for sure. if you have understand “råhygge” right, because I don’t’ understand the words “limin” (and neither the word “grok”)
.You said some nice word about my English, thank you. I like to know that the language doesn’t mean that it’s annoying to read my topics
. But I also have to be honest and tell that I use the dictionary very much, and my spoken English isn’t on the same level - although it has been improved because of my reading and writing in the forum.What a good idea to have your children in a foreign language school. If they don’t do it already now, they will appreciate it later and thank you. I had both German and English in the school, but had nearly forgotten the German. For a few years ago I went to school again and had German and Spanish at the same time. And there was really a big difference between learning the two languages. German was easy because I had a “hidden” knowledge from my childhood, but Spanish was and is difficult for me (of course it’s also something to do with the fact that German is more similar Danish than Spanish are).
But I’m also sure it’s right what you say. If you are not forced from childhood to learn another language, it can be difficult to pick a foreign language up later – but I cannot imagine that it should cause a divorce like in your friend’s case!
I still think that you have a linguistic instinct, and I’m sure that Maggy will teach you some useful words and that you will “hygge jer” together, like friends do, while she is teaching you.
Have a nice weekend. Tonight we are visiting some friends, they have invited us to cheese and red wine, and I’m sure that we will have some “råhygge”. Tomorrow Hubby are participating in a sailing boat-race and after that all the sailors and their partners are invited to “hygge i teltet”, which mean that we will grill and have beer and wine, perhaps dance, in a big tent. So there will be a lot of “hygge” in this weekend.
Linne
I'm ready for some Swedish lessons - language or whatever!Maggy wrote:Rick - I will teach you a couple of useful
I'm right now enjoying my own hygge in a hotel room in Copenhagen.
Hygge in the hotel room? I was able to order that into my hotel room in Thailand too.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Linne, my oldest daughter found German grammar to be much easier to learn than French grammar, even though she had many more years of spoken French experience. My youngest daughter wants to switch to German in her 7th year of school, but I vote for Spanish since Spanish is very much the second language where we live.
The weekend is going well so far. Last night we were canning vegetables and enjoying some homebrew Pils. Today I'm working on my apple trees and watering the vegetables. Now, off to the dog park to get my Gus some exercise.
Cheers, RickG
The weekend is going well so far. Last night we were canning vegetables and enjoying some homebrew Pils. Today I'm working on my apple trees and watering the vegetables. Now, off to the dog park to get my Gus some exercise.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
RickG!
I’m still curious: What does the words ”limin” and “grok” mean
And Ups, I accidentally noticed that I have written “Hubby are”, I cannot understand, why I still make these mistakes. It’s embarrassing.
About French versus German, I only have had French for one year in school and cannot really remember it, but I guess that the grammar is similar the Spanish, and then I have to say that your daughter is right. German is easier although the grammar has a lot of rules too. Much more than the Danish grammar.
Seems as if you have a nice weekend .
Linne
BTW Today I read in the newspaper that the Danish are
the people in the world who had the biggest confidence to each other.
It's nearly too much, I'm afraid that a new investigation will tell that other people think that we are the most naive people in the world
I’m still curious: What does the words ”limin” and “grok” mean
And Ups, I accidentally noticed that I have written “Hubby are”, I cannot understand, why I still make these mistakes. It’s embarrassing.
About French versus German, I only have had French for one year in school and cannot really remember it, but I guess that the grammar is similar the Spanish, and then I have to say that your daughter is right. German is easier although the grammar has a lot of rules too. Much more than the Danish grammar.
Seems as if you have a nice weekend
. Linne
BTW Today I read in the newspaper that the Danish are
the people in the world who had the biggest confidence to each other.
It's nearly too much, I'm afraid that a new investigation will tell that other people think that we are the most naive people in the world