What's it like working in Denmark?

#podcast #denmark #expatlife
This week, Derek and Annie welcome back Mike Walsh to talk about what it’s really like to work in Denmark. As a former host of the show, Mike has not only worked in the studio, but has worked in Denmark as well as hiring and managing both Danish and international workers. He shares all of his insights of navigating the work culture in Denmark and around Europe as he has managed and visited international work sites.
You’ll learn more about the culture clashes one may face in Denmark and learn whether or not the famous Danish work life balance exists. The trio discuss what stereotypes exist for Americans, Danes, and other nationalities that may or may not be true. Annie reveals the nationalities of her favorite colleagues, and Derek explains the Danish workplace benefits his American brain could not comprehend when he first started working in Denmark.
All this and more is covered in this episode and you shouldn’t forget to share it with any friends or colleagues who are thinking about or have made the move to Denmark.
For more clips and tips on living in Denmark and follow us on social media:
What Are You Doing in Denmark podcast:
Instagram: / waydidpod
Derek Hartman:
Instagram: / robetrotting
TikTok: / robetrotting
Facebook: / robetrotting
Annie Samples:
Instagram: / annieineventyrland
TikTok: / annieineventyrland
Mike Walsh:
Instagram: / phillymike999
LinkedIn: / michael-walsh-2722a131

[@KiwiCatherine]

I think most people and work places in Denmark are not influenced by USA. Most look at work place culture in USA and feel sorry for USA. No one really wants the work life balance of USA. No maternity leave, no holidays etc etc. Don’t worry, no one in Denmark looks to USA for inspiration. I wouldn’t want to have work life balance I had in New Zealand, where I am born and raised, either. Denmark is great. Loved your show today. Mike really had great insight and was pretty accurate. So interesting hearing everyone explain the way American people are in general.

[@jandamskier6510]

I strongly resent the term globalization if, basically, it just means usa-ification. And otherwise, too, for that matter. Who wants Japanese or Chinese work culture?

[@williamjones4716]

What do Danes really know about workplace culture in the USA, what do you even know about it? In a country 3,000 miles across (and then some), with six time zones, and inhabited by 341 million people, the so-called American workplace varies from minimum wage burger flippers to highly compensated rocket scientists.

[@williamjones4716]

@@jandamskier6510, this looks like one of those situations where reference to a lexicon might have proved useful. If the USA disappeared tomorrow the interaction and integration of globalization would still continue. There is a certain satirical humor to barking against globalization while still using the internet.

[@veronicajensen7690]

@@williamjones4716 we know because there are tons of Americans on youtube and other social media telling about it, both Americans living in the US now and Americans who moved to a place in Europe and make videos about the diff.

[@williamjones4716]

@@veronicajensen7690, I'm still waiting for a pair of naive Danish bøsser with desk jobs to tell me all about life in the USA. 🙄

[@CharlieIsOnTheMoon]

I'm employed as a "studentermedhjælper" at a ministerial agency. I'm basically a paid intern, while I study. As a student I have (temporarily) been responsible for and managing an entire area (subsidy schemes) of my team's assignments, have written letters of recommendations to agency and government officials, done consultation work and a whoooooooole lot more. From what I've heard of student intern jobs outside of Denmark, I could not imagine a student getting that much responsibility anywhere besides in Denmark. The level of trust here is HIGH. And yes, I do have imposter syndrome XD

[@williamjones4716]

I've worked in an environment where student summer interns with provisional clearances work with top secret national security information, which often leads to tenure-track government positions upon graduation.

[@CharlieIsOnTheMoon]

@@williamjones4716 that's cool

[@williamjones4716]

The discussion is fruitful, however the emphasis is still ever focused on the niceties of urban life and office workplaces, albeit in Kongsby. There is no representation from expats employed as blue collar workers and who work with their hands. Whether highly skilled, technical, culinary, or even agricultural, numerous expats married Danes and by happenstance fell into jobs where one gets their hands dirty. While living in Nordjylland, I would encounter fellow Americans employed in workshops, garages, warehouses, even on farms. So something to think about.

[@worldpeace2400]

I just love you guys... There are many foreigners in Denmark who could learn a lot from you... 👍 You have the right understanding of how the Danes are, how we think and function on a personal level, as well as how things work in Denmark, very very impressive...!!! You have my full respect...!!! Keep up the good work guys and god bless you... 🙏

[@JunkieMonkey321]

loved her in Uncut Gems!

[@knoxpuffer]

Those 40 minutes just flew by. Great show!

[@lorimanning-bolis5760]

awesome show!

[@RobeTrotting]

🥰🥰🥰

[@swagbag1835]

Always praise the team in self eval. Danish life hack.

[@drumstick74]

Interesting conversation, and enjoyed learning about the differences between US and DK in the workplace. Mike, can you return and say a bit more about _what kind of work you do_ , apart from managing? Does it take all your time, since you left the podcast? I think you should re-host.🙂 Annie, several times you just say "love" ...not sure if you're aware of it yourself, or just thinking out loud...like I'm doing here. Derek, I appreciate your honesty and humour.😊 When I hear about the American workplace, where you can't leave if you're ill, I shake my head. Completely unfair and unhealthy.

[@eivindlange783]

Definately one one of your best

[@kindvigdanmark3148]

Tak for et godt program

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

I knew what this meant even before I clicked on "Translate to English" -- Not that hard to figure out but still I felt like I had learnt a thing or two. ❤

[@Bukoe]

I would say only a small minority of people in Denmark Care about a Multicultural workplace, We just dont care where you come from.. If you bring a smile do your job in general we will like you.. Americans think everybody care so much about Race and Cultures. The only think that is important is are you a nice person that do your work and pay your Tax .. Also At work your a Co worker your not a Friend, I think that is why we dont do tons of small talk.. I lived in the US for 1 year as well. And to me everybody was pretending to be a Friend all the time it was fake as shit but its just their way of trying to be nice.. Just be nice, Nice is not taking up 30 min of my life telling me your life story that I really dont Care about.. But anyway yet another great show you put on keep going .=)

[@williamjones4716]

Danes, known for their profound cynicism, view the world more darkly and perhaps your anecdotal experience in the USA is a ready example of that?

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

Derek, why doesn't Mike cohost the Podcast anymore? What does Mike do apart from you, workwise? Also, it would be interesting to listen to a video wherein we learn what both of your income is from both KZbin and your other endeavors. I have always been curious as to how people survive and thrive creating YT content here and working in a foreign country. Apologies if I appear personal. My intent has often been misunderstood, which saddens me. I never mean to be rude. I am just naturally inquisitive.

[@vrenak]

Annie is just sampling the job market....

[@williamjones4716]

"Slider" sandwich style employment? 😆

[@wonderwatch2239]

Did she make a candy commercial?🤷‍♂️