I am not a total newbie here in Denmark, but I’m by no means a veteran, either. I first moved here almost two years ago, but the first year and a half, I had a job that required me to travel during the week, so I was more of a weekend-tourist than a real Copenhagener. Here are a couple of things I learned over time and that might come in handy to someone new to Denmark!
Tipping not required
I was always astonished why people were so super friendly to me, especially after I had paid in a restaurant. Until I was told that tipping is not required in Denmark – a service charge is already included in the price. However, it’s of course always nice to show that you appreciated good service, but be aware that you don’t have to tip 20% or more, as for example in the USA.
You can shop on Sundays
As a German, this was completely unthinkable for me – I’m used to planning all of my shopping needs in advance, since even supermarkets close around 6pm on Saturdays and don’t open again until Monday. How happy was I to learn that in Denmark, this is not the case! Pretty much everything is open on Sunday. Awesome!
Bikes are always right
Unless you have lived under a rock until now, you will be aware about the bike culture in Denmark and Copenhagen in particular. But be aware if you are getting from A to B using any other method of transportations, because cyclists tend to believe that they are always right and they always have the right of way. Cars have to break for them, and if you’re on foot, chances are that you’ve had to jump out of a bike’s way more than once. The best ones are equipped with annoying little bells and will ring aggressively if they think you’re in their way. In the winter, bikeways are cleared of snow first thing in the morning, whereas normal sidewalks remain untouched.
In Denmark, left is right
… in politics, that is. One of the biggest parties is called “Venstre” (i.e. “the Left”), even though they are center-right. Apparently this has historic reasons, as the party was founded to oppose the party “Højre” (“the Right”), which was supporting the interests of aristocracy. Still, slightly confusing when you hear it for the first time!
Copenhagen bathrooms are tiny
Personally, this was my biggest issue when I came here! Classic, old-school Copenhagen city apartments, as beautiful as they otherwise are, have tiny, tiny bathrooms. I have been in apartments that had no shower (or bathtub) – the bathroom was literally a tiny room with a toilet and a small sink! Others, like the one in the picture, have been renovated and now have a shower head up on the wall, but you have to stand right next to the toilet – no shower curtain or anything, the bathroom is completely flooded every time you take a shower. Even in new apartment buildings, such as the one I live in, the bathroom is very small (though it has a real shower with curtain, you can actually turn around in it, and it has a washing machine). Out of all the apartments and houses in the wider Copenhagen area that I have seen, only one (!) had a bathtub.
What do you wish you knew when you moved here (or before)?
This post first appeared on my blog on Denmark.dk – the official website of Denmark. Come visit here!
I wish I’d known how to get a Dankort set up as soon as possible.
True! I’m actually still using a debit mastercard because you need to get your salary paid out to the account in order to get a Dankort (I was told), and when I moved here I was still working in Germany.
The bathroom thing completely made me laugh. How I missed my English bath during those long winter months. When we moved to Bavaria it might have had an impact on how I chose a house with a HUUUUUGE bathroom and the biggest bath! 😀 So glad things seem to be open more on a Sunday in CPH too, when we lived there it was beginning to happen slowly but surely! Here we go to the airport if we have forgotten to buy anything, the only place in the whole of Munich! 😀
I know, in the land of hygge, how does a good bath with candlelight not get more appreciation? 🙂
Germany is terrible in terms of opening hours… when I lived there I used to work long hours and that made even regular grocery shopping a nightmare! Glad you found a way around it (even though it’s quite inconvenient!).
While many new efficiency KBH apartments are so, actually most Danish houses have large nice bathrooms. It’s common certainly in Hellerup where I live to have a spa master bathroom with tub & sauna, while downstairs to have a guest bath with full shower. Best wishes.
It really depends on what is your monthly budget. From my search of apartment here in CPH I also came across the rule that a tub is a luxury item. I even got to visit some apartments that had the shower next to the sink in the kitchen!….
Oh, I’ve seen those as well! I don’t think I could live in one of those, no matter how beautiful it was otherwise!
Thanks for your comment! With Hellerup being one of the more upscale areas, I’m not surprised to hear that houses there have multiple bathrooms and tubs as well. I guess my point is focused more on city apartments, and in my experience, the no-tub rule generally applies for those. By comparison, I’ve had bathtubs in all of my German apartments, no matter how small they were, it is just more common there.
I wish I new about the app rejseplanen and Danish classes for free (or at least a lot cheaper than in the sprogcenter).
Hi Luciana, yes, Rejseplanen is one of the apps I use almost daily! It’s also on my list of top apps for Copenhagen: https://onlinecasinoudenrofus.in.net/2014/06/16/12-great-apps-you-need-in-copenhagen/
Yes! Bath are really tiny! That was my first impression when I got in Denmark a year ago. My brother moved here 5 years ago. I am new one 🙂 However, I love Denmark. Love riding bicycle, too. It is such a nice country. Greetings!
Hi Olive, welcome to Copenhagen! Liking bikes is definitely a great start 🙂 Glad to hear you enjoy it here – I would love for you to check back here for the latest tips for the city!