How to be the absolute BEST at Janteloven?

[@spyro257]

there was a highly skilled Danish electrician, that had a specialization in windmills, iirc, among other things, was VERY smart, and highly paid, but if u asked him what he did for work, he would just answer with "i'm an electrician"... we Danes, kinda have The Law Of Jante, ingrained into our spine...

[@Trendkilla]

Showing rather than saying. Praise will naturally follow.

[@BenjaminVestergaard]

Always nice when Conrad comes by 🙂 even though he makes fun of us, he also seems to understand us very well. And being able to flex a bit of knowledge about Janteloven also shows how he puts effort into his work. About Danes being non-materalistic is a successful deception. Sure a Volvo in the driveway may seem very sensible, until you realize that it's the top trim model worth 2 million DKK. The kitchen might be populated with the white sets of Royal Copenhagen, so you won't notice until you look under the bottom of the plates. The TV and HiFi might not attract much attention, as B&O carries an almost invisible logo and blends in well with "nordic simplicity" living rooms. Denmark is the European country with the highest percentage of iPhones. And the list goes on. Danes have a tendency to buy quality products that are not cheap at all, but also doesn't scream "look at me!".

[@BenjaminVestergaard]

It takes 3 generations being ethnic Danish and move to another region in Jutland before you're released from your heritage. The family moving from Zealand to a suburb to Herning will be "the Copenhageners" until the first generation is no more 😄 same kind of hygge-ethnicism is found in Copenhagen as well, as some neighbourhoods have a large percentage of 1st generation jutlanders.

[@RobeTrotting]

So true on everything you mention - Conrad is awesome, and the quality over quantity preference of Danes. We actually discuss that factor in the second part of this conversation. It’s on Spotify and all the podcast platforms now, and I’ll upload other on KZbin this coming week 😃

[@BenjaminVestergaard]

​@@RobeTrottingah found it on Spotify, then I'll just catch up on the rest right away👍 Edit: taking mental notes... interesting detours in the train of thought.

[@BenjaminVestergaard]

@@williamjones4716 indeed, middle- to upper-middle-class can often afford more than they like to show. In that sense DK is almost the opposite of "keeping up appearances" ... instead of trying to get a low income look high class, Danes will prefer high class products they enjoy themselves, but doesn't look too fancy for everyday use... One example is Fjällräven, the preferred backpack of teachers, it doesn't look like much, but isn't cheap either. And it lasts forever. I have a weakness for Ecco shoes, real leather, lasts a couple of years or three with a little maintenance, and you can most likely find a pair you feel really comfortable walking in. In that case it's almost ridiculous, because if you go for more sporty brands, you end up paying more for a pair of socks with a sole... those aren't even trying the slightest to be weatherproof... I don't need running socks at twice the price of a pair of decent shoes that doesn't get stains if there is a rain puddle on the parking lot.

[@henningrasmussen3969]

how good is Conrad speaking danish@@RobeTrotting

[@HenrikGJ]

The problem with any discussion about janteloven is that each person has their own idea of what it is. For some (mostly very politically right) it's a straightjacket punishing success and individuality, I think for most danes it's just a few common sense guides to how to behave, and they only hear about it when someone uses it as an excuse for why they failed at something

[@marionhansen3627]

Great show boys😊 Always fun to hear what foreigners have to say about our tiny country. To this day, I have never heard a negative word about Denmark. That makes me proud. And I thank you so much Derek and Conrad for letting everybody know about us❤ Best regards from a very proud Sønderjyde from Sønderborg, Als, who once went to live in London, Edinborough, Yorkshire and now Slagelse❤

[@muhest]

*Janteloven* is not entirely a bad thing. One of the more positive aspects is, i.e. the way companies CEOs always listens to input from everyone in terms of adjusting and improving the company. Everyone employed, from the VP to the janitorial staff are often encouraged to provide ideas and feedback. If an idea is extremely useful for the company, does it really matter who came up with it? The concept of not being better than the rest of us, is perhaps also why there’s no _please_ in the danish language. Because ofc we’ll help if you need ot. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Greblav]

Yep rule no.1 rules, the rest is for strange newcommers.

[@Greblav]

The way to fit in, be kind, be helpfull, be flexible, don’t brag. 🤗

[@lykkelf]

While studying history (in Denmark) I came across Danish 18th century peasant culture and one thing I found really interesting was old fashioned belief systems about limited happiness that corresponds well with the Jantelov. People then had the idea that there was only a certain limited amount of happiness around to be shared. So if people somehow were really succesfull, it meant they must have taken too much of that happiness and hey that's stealing other people's happiness, isn't it? So people would drink their coffee out of sight (coffee being a luxury then) because they felt embaressed about their good fortune and didn't want to be accused of having stolen the "shared happiness" from the other villagers and having made other people more miseable.

[@JinParkIam]

Always looking forward to these episodes!

[@RobeTrotting]

That’s awesome! Thanks for watching. We also upload them to all the podcast platforms weekly (just a little behind on uploading to KZbin) so you can always listen that way too 😃

[@uteberg4781]

Its sooooo true!! Coming from Vienna and its international background its extremely strange for me to feel the pressure, that Janteloven also causes, as you described it. Living in a small village in southern jutland and founding an organic flowerfarm isn't the easiest thing one can start with, being new to denmarks real rural country side 😅 Thank you so much for your Vlogs!! They always brighten up my days!! 💖🌻

[@PalleRasmussen]

Ich hoffe das deine Blümschen blumen will.

[@uteberg4781]

@@PalleRasmussen Danke!! 💖 Ich lege in den letzten Wochen die Farminfrastruktur an, es braucht leider sehr viel Zeit Hochbeete und Ackerstreifen für den Bioanbau von Blumen vorzubereiten, vor allem wegen des dichten Lehmbodens und des vielen Regens. Aber einiges blüht und hat schon sehr schön geblüht dieses Jahr. 🤗🌻 Engl.: Thank you!! 💖 The last weeks I was working (and still am) on the new farm-infrastructure to prepare everything for my organic approach, what needs a lot of time and energy, mainly because of my loamy soil and the massive rainfalls during the last ten months. But I have and already had some nicely blooming areas this year. 🤗🌻

[@berrycarbs]

Janteloven is Danish societal coherence put on an edge and skewed a bit towards the negative… The reason our society has been so chill and comfortable is that all are more or less equal.

The ten rules state: You're not to think you are anything special. You're not to think you are as good as we are. You're not to think you are smarter than we are. You're not to imagine yourself better than we are. You're not to think you know more than we do. You're not to think you are more important than we are. You're not to think you are good at anything. You're not to laugh at us. You're not to think anyone cares about you. You're not to think you can teach us anything. The Janters who transgress this unwritten "law" are regarded with suspicion and some hostility, as it goes against the town's communal desire to preserve harmony, social stability and uniformity. An eleventh rule recognized in the novel as "the penal code of Jante" is: Perhaps you don't think we know a few things about you?

[@lainightwalker5495]

i think the way danes use the jante lov is "we dont think we r" instead of you are not to think you are.

[@drumstick74]

@@lainightwalker5495 The wording is "Du skal ikke tro (..etc)" which means _You're not to think_ I never liked those rules, and I'm a Dane.

[@lainightwalker5495]

@@drumstick74i know. im danish too. aperntly its the anti-jantelov i follow instead of the jante-lov. forgot about the anti-jante lov

[@drumstick74]

Not all Danes like the Jantelov...I'm one of them. I grew up in a family where it was ingrained, a school where it was upheld, and later a worklife where Janteloven was prevalent. To my surprise, coming from Jutland, I thought it was less expressed in Copenhagen; but found out it after moving here 20 years ago, it is *all over* Denmark. I know a lot of people who also loathe Janteloven and see it as a restriction, harming individuality.

[@lindacdk6740]

Why are you always (I don't know if it's all foreigners) talking about janteloven. After starting to follow foreigners channels resided in Denmark - and especially Americans - I have never heard so much about "Janteloven", and I have lived her my whole life. What is it that trickers you so much about that? I'm genuine curious.

[@RobeTrotting]

It’s a podcast for international folks living here, and it’s a concept that explains a lot about the culture and potential culture clashes. You’re not really the intended audience, so maybe that’s why it’s got you in your feelings, but it’s not really us who are triggered, now is it?

[@lindacdk6740]

@@RobeTrottingIt's not getting into my feelings, and I'm not triggered either. I was curious, but I can see that curiosity that doesn't suits your agenda it's not being very well received - men det er taget ad notam. Well, as your podcast is for "international" folks living here, I will unsubscribe as I don't want to bother you too much being a Dane. So sorry

[@Kirstinevad]

I think Janteloven kind of shines a light on our shadow which is a possibility to learn. Negative outcome is f.x. ousting people because they have a lot of money. Still I would like to think danes like to se the human behind the riches or rags. If you achieve things stepping on others is not admired. Treating others well is more popular than earning money in my opinion. At least that is what we pride ourself of. That said if people dont follow their dreams because of fear of standing out. Nothing positive about that in my opinion. Thank you for discussing Janteloven.

[@RobeTrotting]

Thanks for watching and for your extra insights 💜

[@duckmcduck007]

It's a funny thing that Jantelov, you don't get to brag or boast about your own achievements, but if you are kind, and you keep your head down, you will become theirs. And everyone else will brag about your achievements. Never to your face, but they will defend you, and brag about you to all outsiders behind your back. If you're awesome, everyone but you will know it.

[@Julleisa]

Janteloven is in balance. It's only people from the outside who talks about it. There a lot, like a lot, of people in Denmark with huge succes, else we wouldn't be that rich as a nation, and as individuels. This topich goes deeper, and didn't start in 1933. It is connected to where we live (the cold north) and how important it is to take care of each other in a cold geografi, and hostile environment. And we are an VERY old nation, with a very old culture. In the US, and a bit the U.K. it is mostly the individuels right that count, and today you can see what that has meant to your society. No campassion for the poor and a great deal of divsion in the population. The laws in Skandinavia is very much built at equality, and that means human rights as the norm. But it is easier to see all this as a Dane, when you have been here for 62 years. And I understand why you discuss it😉🧐. It so, very not, black and white, and all danes have tried to be eather on the the one or the other side of this 'in grown' part of the skandinavien lifestyle and mindset. TRy and make a test on how close the canadian and the U.S mindset, and moral is? Believe the skandinavien are more simulair. Have a nice day. I enjoy your video's and your Experiences with Denmark. (sorry for the misspelling)

[@KamillaMirabelle]

It is SO funny to listen to your guys 🥰 i'm a dane with autism, and there are so many thing you comments on, which i daily wonder why the f... are people doing so 😅

[@ane-louisestampe7939]

Actually, the Jantelov kicks more up than down. It's not keeping me down, it's protecting me from "better" people.

[@nom654]

I think your comments about janteloven in relation having a nice car are a little off. It's not that you're not allowed to have a nice car or a nice job, it's that you shouldn't use that as a reason to brag or look down on others, thinking that you are better than them. Rather, you should keep in mind that everyone has worth. This ties in to how Danes are quick to downplay things, showing that they don't think it elevates then over others, keeping everyone equal and on the same level. Or at least that would be the positive spin on it.

[@sun_rose123]

I always say Jantelov was written by a very insecure man who needed to control others around him, so he doesn't feel ashamed of himself.

[@RobeTrotting]

Here, here!!!

[@PalleRasmussen]

Germans do not binge-drink, they are just constantly a little tipsy.

[@lainightwalker5495]

i feel like its more u can do what ever u want in ur house and to ur person but dont press it on others. u got a nice exspensive car, great....but dont expect me to fall over backwards in awe or jealusy.

[@Valjean666dk]

Danes love well-earned success. We just don't like when it's rubbed in our faces. You'll see plenty of celebration of success, and we love being number one at stuff. But maybe it's different when seen "from the outside".

[@RobeTrotting]

Ok

[@janolsen9856]

What do the rest of the world call it if they want all people to be equal? That you not better then the rest becuse of you are elite at work/sport etc. Is it alwayes Jantelov in Denmark if you think in a certen way. I talk the same to people i dont care where og what they came from. TY the many good episodes and for comming to Denmark to live.

[@Valjean666dk]

They call it the Martin Luther King speech.

[@rasmusphilipp9369]

"To take your own decision of your own medical health" That is hilarious to me. That's is how we get an even more growing Opiat crisis in Denmark. Health professionals probably know a bit more than your avarage Joe.

[@RobeTrotting]

That’s a pretty big jump to opioid addiction.

[@rasmusphilipp9369]

@@RobeTrotting Not really. If people choose themselves what to take, it often goes to "well that feels good." I have faith that my doctor is well educated, and that he can make decisions that i am not educated enough to take. Look what happens when it starts to be the opposite of that. To take decisions on medical professionals behalf. Opioid addiction is the answer. Look at the US, and look at how people are starting to be addicts to pain medicin in Denmark. It's all about kicking "Janteloven" or in english "Tje law of Jent" out the window, and let the "I" rule instead of the "Us".