Denmark🕣
Denmark
Greeting
A handshake begins and ends every business meeting. The handshake should be energetic, strong enough and short enough.
It is customary to shake hands with both men and women during the greeting. It is also important to greet children who, for whatever reason, are attending a business meeting or event.
When talking, it is important to maintain direct but unobtrusive eye contact.
If you are introduced to a small group of people, shake hands with each person, and say your last name at the same time.
If you are not formally introduced at a business event, take the initiative to introduce yourself. Shake hands with each person and say your last name.
The traditional Danish greeting is "Hej", pronounced "hai".
While there is a strong commitment to gender equality, women are greeted first and then men.
Longtime friends or acquaintances hug each other when greeting.
Introduction
Danish people quickly move on to using their first name (rather than their last name). You can call your partner by his or her first name at the beginning of a business relationship. This is in line with socially accepted egalitarian values.
But please bear in mind that with the older generation, you should wait until you are asked to use your first name.
In formal and/or formal sit...
Exchange of Business Cards
In the Danish business community, it is customary to exchange business cards. This ritual is seen as an element of professional courtesy among managers, officials, and entrepreneurs.
If, for whatever reason, your Danish partner has not offered his or her business card, you can offer yours and ask for your partner's business card. This will be perfectly fine.
Just think ahead about w...
Small Talk: Overview
There is usually not much time allocated for small talk before a business meeting. In Danish business practice, small talk is not very important, and your Danish partner is likely to move straight to the substance of the issues.
But at the end of the business meeting, when all the main issues have been discussed, your Danish partner may make small talk about non-business-related matters....
Preferred Topics
Danish culture and art.
Local places of interest, nature, antiquities.
Danish products and goods....
Taboo Topics
Avoid topics relating to your partner's personal life in Denmark. Nor should you share the details of your personal affairs. In business contacts, Danes prefer to keep the personal and business spheres separate. It is especially important to keep this distinction in mind if you have not participated in any joint social activities before.
Any comments (including compliments) on a person's ...
Personal Space
The comfort zone in Danish society is quite large, a little longer than arm's length between speakers. This applies to both business and social situations. Your partner in Denmark will feel more comfortable talking to a stranger if their personal space is not violated.
Physical contact during communication is not accepted in any of its forms, be it patting, hugging etc. The exception is a...
Communication Specifics
Danish people have a direct way of communicating, and they are quite clear and open about what they are thinking, trying to be factual and reliable. Your hints, innuendo, implication, and hidden meanings are more likely to be misunderstood by your colleague in Denmark.
Communication with honesty will certainly be appreciated by your Danish partner. Once you start the conversation, get str...
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