4. Rule Breakers…Nope
Danes are sticklers for rules and this can come as a shock for visitors. For example, even when no cars or bicycles are in the street, it’s a ghost town, and proverbial tumbleweed rolls past, Danes will wait patiently on the sidewalk until the flashing LED man tells them to cross rather than jaywalk. It’s shocking to see it live and easy to tell foreigners from locals when a lone Dane is left standing all alone on a recently vacated sidewalk.
5. The Legality Of Pusher Street
Amsterdam may have its Red Light District, but Copenhagen has their Green Light District. Freetown, on the island of Christiania in Copenhagen, is a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood established by hippies in 1971. It began as a social experiment in alternative lifestyles and has been known for its rather liberal attitude towards drugs. The main drag is known as Pusher Street, where weed and hash were openly tolerated up until 2004. It’s now technically illegal, but the business still thrives – you just have to be a little more subtle about it. It’s a fun area to explore, but don’t don’t even think about documenting your time in this “green” bazaar however, as “No Photography” signs are everywhere, along with runners and bodyguards who ensure this remains the case.
6. Let Happiness Reign
Feeling down? Then make Denmark your next travel destination as the UN’s World Happiness Report 2016 ranks it as the happiest country in the world (while the USA came in at number 17). The European nation has been topping the happiness chart since 2013, and though there are many instances of depression during the gray winter months, overall the quality of life Danes enjoy has allowed them to hold this title year after year (this despite the fact that they have some of the highest taxes in the world). Maybe if you’re there, some of the bliss will rub off on you.
