Why do Danes joke in such a dry, ironic, and often dark way—and why does it leave so many internationals confused? In this three-part mini-series, Vigdis dives deep into the world of Danish humour, exploring how Danes use irony, sarcasm, and self-deprecation to build trust, challenge norms, and connect with others.
From workplace banter to stand-up shows, film quotes to everyday awkward moments, this series unpacks the cultural codes behind the jokes, the unwritten social rules, and the linguistic subtleties that make Danish humour so unique—and so difficult to decode.
Whether you’re new to Denmark or just trying to understand your Danish colleagues better, this series helps you laugh with the Danes (instead of wondering if you’re the punchline).
In Part One of this three-part series, we begin by asking: Is Danish humor really that different? And how can you tell when a Dane is joking – or just being blunt?
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A big thanks to everybody who contributed to the making of the series: Gintare, Reinhard, Allan, Eskil, and, of course, all the people who were kind enough to share their thoughts as we chased them down with our mic on the streets.
Kilder:
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-limits-of-Danish-humor
https://www.whatthedenmark.com/blog-post/danish-humour
https://www.quora.com/Are-there-cultures-especially-willing-to-laugh-or-joke-about-themselves
https://speakerhub.com/skillcamp/presenting-around-world-cross-cultural-humour-guide
Lundquist, Lita. (2020). Humorsocialisering. Hvorfor er danskerne (ikke) så sjove (som de tror)?
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