Denmark is a small and beautiful Northern European country with a wealth of intriguing history and national pride. The Scandinavian nation is the oldest kingdom in Europe, known for its popular capital Copenhagen, where the “Little Mermaid” statue, Tivoli pleasure gardens, and the rococo Frederiksstaden district with its royal palaces can be found. There’s more to the country than meets the eye and as a potential visitor, and knowledge is power. So here are a few strange rules, odd laws and and quirky cultural traditions every visitor to Denmark should know about.
1. Spicy Traditions
Let’s start with some rather odd Danish traditions surrounding milestone birthdays. If you turn 25 and are still unmarried (which is increasingly common in this country where marriage is seen as optional), the tradition is to throw fistfuls of cinnamon all over the person. We’re not talking a little sprinkle of sugar and spice. Some people are caked in it. And if you’re not wed by 30, they douse them with pepper!
2. What’s In a Name
Sorry Gwyneth and Kim, but in Denmark you wouldn’t be free to name your kid Apple or North. Baby naming is regulated by several government Ministries here, to ensure that you don’t saddle your offspring with a whimsical, frivolous or silly moniker. The culture respects sameness more than standing out, so names are pretty standard. Parents can choose from about 7000 pre-approved names for boys and girls. If you try to register an odd spelling of a familiar name, chances are it will be rejected.
3. Helmets Optional
Bicycles are the preferred method of transportation for Danes, and there are wide bike lanes along the roads everywhere you look. In fact, there are more than twice the number of bicycles than cars in the country and over 50 per cent of Copenhageners of all ages regularly get around on two wheels – and love to ring their little bells while doing it! However, it’s interesting to note that while it’s one of the most cycle-friendly nations on Earth, they also have one of the lowest levels of helmet use.
