How to Live in Denmark

How to Live in Denmark

Author: Kay Xander Mellish Language: English Episodes: 151
For anyone curious about or currently navigating Danish life from the outside, How to Live in Denmark serves as an essential, on-the-ground guide. Hosted by Kay Xander Mellish, an American writer who has made Denmark her home for over ten years, this conversation cuts straight to the heart of the everyday realities in one of the world's most homogenous-and often puzzling-societies. Rather than lengthy lectures, you'll find concise, ten-minute episodes packed with practical advice and cultural translation. This isn't just about travel tips; it's a deep dive into the unspoken rules of Danish social etiquette, the nuances of the local workplace, and the sometimes surprising path to feeling at home in a country frequently labeled the world's happiest. Mellish draws from her own long-term experience to explain everything from navigating the infamous Jantelov to understanding the Danish approach to business meetings and casual Friday night hygge. As Denmark's longest-running English-language podcast, it has become a trusted resource for internationals, whether they are planning a move, newly arrived, or have been settled for years but still occasionally find themselves wondering, "Why do Danes do it that way?" Each episode feels like a chat with a well-informed friend who helps decode the complexities of a fascinating culture, making your time there richer and a lot less confusing.
Episodes
Salaam and Gooddag: Denmark for Muslims [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:26
There's a new mosque opening down the street from me this spring, a big one. It will be the first mosque with minarets in Denmark, although the minarets are legally prohibited from calling to prayer. The people behind th…
Danish Names: Why Bent is not bent, and why It's bad to be Brian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:37
Danish names are very strongly stratified by age. Ole and Finn and Knud and Kaj and Jørn and Jørgen and to some extent Poul and Per, are over 50. Their wives and sisters and secret lovers are Inger and Karin and Kirsten…
How to find a job in Denmark: Not easy, but it can be done [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:51
Finding a job anywhere is a headache, and Denmark is no different. And let's be frank, if the employer has a choice between a foreigner and a Dane, they're probably going to hire the Danish person. The Danish person know…
More Snow Tomorrow: Surviving winter as a foreigner in Denmark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:20
I'm looking out the window as I record, and it's snowing again. It's pretty, but it's not a novelty any more. It's been like this for the past couple of weeks, Danish winter weather. Nearly every day there's fresh snow a…
Gossip and Scandal in Denmark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:19
While French or American politicians have sex scandals, Danish politicians have tax scandals. Only the Royal Family is permitted to be the subject of really juicy gossip and scandal in Denmark. The post Gossip and Scanda…