Danish Tipping Protocol, Danish Gratuities, & Danish Culture

Clothing

• DO dress neatly.
• DO wear jeans for casual events, but definitely make sure they are neat and clean.

Food/Drinks

• DO rest your wrists at the edge of the table.
• DO try everything served to you and accept offers for second helpings.
• DO finish everything on your plate.
• DO make eye contact during a toast and raise your glass eye level.
• DO place your knife and fork across your plate with the handles to the right when you are done eating.
• DON'T start eating until the host says "Skol."
• DON'T expect a meal to be quick. Sometimes dinner can last over four hours!

Gifts

• DO open a gift immediately.
• DON'T give extravagant gifts. Liquor or flowers is often appreciated it. Also, a book about your hometown makes a nice gift.
• DON'T give sharp objects as a gift.
• DO wrap flowers if giving them as a gift.
• DO give roses or wildflowers if you wish to give flowers. Avoid giving white roses, however. They are associated with mourning.

Visting Someone's Home

• DON'T arrive more than 15 minutes late.
• DO take your shoes off upon entering.
• DO dress well.
• DO help your host with preparation and clean-up.
• DO bring a dessert or alcoholic beverage.

Business

• DO make an appointment in advance and have it confirmed in writing. Avoid scheduling appointments in the summertime if possible, because many Danes go on vacation then.
• DON'T be late! Punctuality is important in Denmark. If you're running more than five minutes late, call to explain.
• DON'T expect much small talk.
• DO send an agenda in advance and follow it at the meeting.
• DON'T bring a gift to an initial meeting. It's not customary, but you may send a gift after negotiations are complete. Small gifts with a company logo are appropriate.

Other

• DON'T be too touchy feely. It's not appreciated in Denmark.
• DO greet with a nice, firm handshake accompanied by eye contact and a smile.
• DO shake hands with everybody present when arriving and again when departing. Don't forget the children! Shake hands with them, too.
• DO shake hands with women first.
• DON'T call someone by their first name until invited to, but you'll probably be invited to move to a first name basis very quickly.
• DON'T expect to be asked "How are you?". This question is only asked if you have a personal relationship with the person and you really want to know how they are.
• DON'T mistake a Dane for being Swedish or Norwegian.
• DO say "thank you" a lot. Danes do it, so be polite back to them.