Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with denmark

How do I pronounce my last name?

floam — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:30:57 -0800

How should I pronounce my last name? Supposedly, my last name is Danish. It's rare enough that every single person with this last name is somebody I know, except for when Google finds some weirdo evil versions of us in Denmark. I've always wondered how an actual Danish person would pronounce it, and if it differs significantly from how we pronounce it. My last name is "Gyes". We pronounce it as anybody here in the US would say "guys". If you're Danish or otherwise in a position to know, could you tell me how you'd say it? Or even better than telling me… perhaps record it if it's not obvious? Thanks.

Who can arrange pet-transport from Kastrup?

misteraitch — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:18:21 -0800

Does anyone know of an individual or organisation based in Copenhagen, Denmark, who can organise the transport of pets (specifically dogs and cats) from Copenhagen's Kastrup airport to the UK?

Name that (Danish) tune!

blueberry — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:20:29 -0800

[Name-that-tune-Filter] Looking for the name and/or general translation of a Danish song my mother learned from friends as a child. So, I've posted the twenty-seconds-of-the-song that she remembers up on Vimeo as a video file.

The song was taught to her by her friends Donna and Karla when they were all about 8 years old (back around 1940), so it's possible that it's a nursery rhyme (?). Donna and Karla's parents (who also knew the song) had come over from Denmark, hence the assumption it's a Danish song.

Any ideas?

Unidentified Coats of Arms on a 16th C. Map

RedReplicant — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:21:04 -0800

Curious coats of arms on a 16th century map-- can you help with identification and significance? I'm working on a conference paper about the Carta Marina by Olaus Magnus (1539). Here's a link to a reasonable scan of the map.

I've identified most of the coats of arms on the map, but there are a few that have eluded me. The Moscow coat of arms, for instance, on the right over Ivan the Terrible ("Great King of the Moscovites")-- the man on horseback with a bow and arrow appears in a couple of Russian coats of arms, but I haven't been able to find this one in a specifically Moscovian context. Normally their coat is St. George, who has a spear (quite a different connotation from bow and arrows).

Secondly, the coat of arms of Norway appears over the Faroe Islands (Olaus has labeled them "Orcad"). Faroe was historically attached to Denmark, not Norway. And interestingly enough, the coat of arms is reversed. I speculate that Olaus believes this property ought to be Norway's, but I have no historical basis for that. Any information would be appreciated!

One somewhat unrelated item: I've been unable to decipher the latin inscription on the king of Gothia (he is fictional; Gothia was a province of Sweden at this time). The other kings all have religious inscriptions or descriptions of their greatness.

I'd write up more of these items to Olaus' imagination, but his other map details are almost always based on some kind of historical sources. I'd really appreciate any information or light shed upon this wonderful map, even if it's not specific to my questions.

Screw Chevy Chase

Christ, what an asshole — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:03:51 -0800

I'm looking for underrated, obscure European vacation stops. A couple friends and I are going to Europe for a month (Nov/Dec), and we plan on doing the whole Eurorail/hostel thing across several countries. 1/3rd of the destination stops are for my choosing, and while I know they'll be making the saturated, obvious choices like Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, etc., I'd like to spice things up with places that don't automatically spring to mind but offer the same level (if not more) of awe. Ideally, cities that aren't automatic tourist stops where most everyone speaks English and there's a McDonald's on every corner (but also not so far out of the way from mid-Europe like some hole-in-the-wall, Eastern-European Caspian city).

What sort of places have you visited that you would recommend?

The Swedish Chef Would Answer This In Two Shakes

A Long and Troublesome Lameness — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:52:29 -0800

Which Nordic country should I visit? I would like to visit a Nordic country (Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, or Finland). They interest me equally. Which one do you recommend for: (1) Americans; (2) traveling with a three-year-old; (3) with no significant knowledge of the local languages; and (4) who will spend most but not all of their time in that country's largest city?

Aside from all being great places to live...

StrikeTheViol — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 07:58:28 -0800

I'd like to know more about social, cultural and economic differences between Scandinavian countries. I've seen this and have a few acquaintances that introduced me to national stereotypes, but I'm sure it gets more complex. How does life really vary across Scandinavia?

Renting Bikes In Copenhagen

GalaxieFiveHundred — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:44:40 -0800

Where can I rent/borrow different types of multi-person bicycles in Copenhagen? I'll be spending several days in Copenhagen with my girlfriend. I'm totally psyched about riding bikes everywhere I go while I'm there. My girlfriend, though, not so much. She is on the sickly side and tires quickly. So I'd like to find a bike where I can do all the work for both of us. It's easy enough to find a place that rents out typical tandems and, sure, that would be ok. But my hunch is that I can do better than that in a bicycle-crazed town like Copenhagen. Maybe something like this or a trike of some sort? I'm not sure what exactly I'm looking for. Any suggestions?

Denmark: Prayer Day?

biffa — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:38:04 -0800

I'm planning a field trip to Denmark in April. How much of stuff will be shut down as a result of Prayer Day? Are youth hostels likely to be full? Are supermarkets, etc, likely to be shut?

Paying for the KaosPilots - Fundraising for Denmark

divabat — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 23:22:08 -0800

How can I raise funds to afford studying as a KaosPilot in Denmark? I'm planning to apply for the next team of the KaosPilots. There's a few phases to this:

Phase 1: Application - starts mid Jan; free
Phase 2: Application workshop - two days in Aarhus in April for those who are shortlisted. Have to cover my own costs.
Phase 3: Start of the program, in September. Fees apply.

I'm trying to get funding for Phases 2 and 3 (getting to Aarhus for the workshop, and actually paying for the program if I get in). I have a pretty good shot at being shortlisted for the workshop as I've been shortlisted once before (for Stockholm), I have the support of some of their board members (including their founder), and I'm in close contact with the admin. Getting into the program proper is a bit less certain, but as I will have very little time in between, I'll need to start planning now.

I've made a budget and the living costs (health insurance!!!) are killing me. The actual education's cost is a bit cheaper then that of my current Australian uni, but it's still a substantial amount of money to think about.

I've been trying to look for funding, but I'm at a loss. Here's why:

a) It's not exactly "saving the whales" or "helping children in Africa", so people don't really see me as enough of a "charity case" to support
b) My parents are in a high enough income bracket that I sometimes get told off for being a rich kid. However, they're not willing to fund something like this, and quite honestly I don't want their money anyway (don't want their control over me)
c) The KaosPilots don't have any scholarships (they did say they MAY help with funding), the Danish government doesn't give aid to non-Scandinavians, Malaysia and Australia have no scholarships or grants for this sort of thing
d) I've never really been good at fundraising
e) Outside Europe (and especially in Malaysia) the KaosPilots are unknown - people are skeptical (I've tried fundraising before for a different project. Everyone thought I was joining a cult, and demanded letters from Fortune 500 companies, Ivy League schools, AND the United Nations before they'd listen to me. Seriously.)

Some things that are to my benefit:

a) The KaosPilots have significant partnerships with many top companies (LEGO, Apple, etc) so I can try contacting them
b) If accepted, I would be the first person of Asian origin in the KaosPilot's history, which is significant on their end
c) I plan to use the KaosPilots education to learn how to set up youth-oriented projects in Malaysia and the region
d) As I said earlier, I have some moral support from key board members - not much in the way of financial support though.

What can I do to raise funds for my KaosPilots journey? How do I get in-kind support (plane tickets, Mac laptop, etc)? How do I get publicity for this?

I've read that many people write letters to companies and then follow up by phone to set up a meeting. Who in the company should I target? How soon after should I follow up? What if I'm not in the same country as the company?

I've also read of some people who fundraised by selling "shares" in their project. In return for their investment, shareholders get updates on their project and a thank-you dinner (and some other things which were not mentioned). I like this idea but I'm not sure what I can offer to investors, besides food, updates, and consulting/speaking sessions. How do I pull this off?

How else can I fundraise? What grants, foundations, scholarships, etc are there for me to make use of? How do I get over the bump of this being more of a "selfish" project (there will be community benefits - the KPs do a LOT of real-life project work - just not immediately)? What creative ways are there to fundraise?

some ideas i've thought of:

a) Selling personalized stories (I like writing)
b) Selling shares (as mentioned above)
c) Selling off all my possessions (this would only get me a measley amount though)
d) Writing to the city councils of Aarhus/Johor/Brisbane
e) Writing to the Danish Club of Brisbane
f) Get people to donate to me online (tried this before; doesn't work so well)
g) Host a party or a concert and charge admission (perhaps possible in Brisbane)

I'm on holidays the next 3 months in Malaysia so would like to get some Malaysia-related fundraising done now, then from February onwards I'll be in university in Australia. My student visa only allows a max of 20 hours/week work and no job with that limitation will pay me enough to afford anything (though it is something I'm looking at).

What else can I do?

Mark CF, I love you, but go away :P

divabat — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:58:43 -0800

What are some good (preferably experience-based) birthday gifts for a 21-year-old Australian programming geek who thinks he's Danish? My boyfriend's (whom you all so nicely wished Happy Birthday to in code) 21st birthday is coming up in February. It's going to be a big birthday for him so I want to make it special.

One thing he loves about me is that I'm always doing interesting things and that I often involve him in them - I've dragged him to the Gold Coast to help me stage manage a show, and I've brought him to damn near every multicultural festival that exists in Brisbane. We spent a weekend away in Redcliffe a few months ago and it was awesome. I would like to gift him with another awesome experience-style gift, but I'm at a loss for what to get him.

Some facts about him:

* White Australian male; I'm the most exotic thing about him
* favourite motto is "You can't be young forever but you can be immature indefinitely!" (to him it means he doesn't have to be boring and serious all the time)
* Obsessed with Magic: The Gathering
* Studying IT (Web Services) in uni; currently in 1-year work experience with a performing arts company managing their Web stuff. Often programs stuff in Javascript as a hobby.
* Went to Denmark for a year on exchange and now thinks he's half-Danish. Can speak Danish reasonably fluently. He yearns for opportunities to speak with Danish people and re-experience Denmark. I think he's saving up for a trip to Denmark in a year or so.
* Likes pandas a lot and has assorted panda paraphernalia. (I tried adopting a panda from WWF for him but their web form broke.)
* Enjoys cycling a lot. Also somewhat sporty, but he often needs an excuse (like a school sports team) to play
* Introverted and shy, but quite open and friendly to people he's familiar with
* Says he misses going out drinking; hasn't been to a bar in about a year or so. Doesn't drink much however.
* Likes Indian food; sometimes is more Asian than I am
* Likes to read, especially crime thrillers; Harry Potter fan

I've looked at sites like RedBalloon but nothing there seems to fit. While he is techy, I don't want to get him an iPod or other presents of that nature because I think other relatives will cover that for him. He knows I'm coming so I can't surprise him like I did this year!

I also don't have a lot of money (otherwise I would have bought him a plane ticket) but I could try talking to his mum (whom I'm close to) to see if we can work together on something.

Thanks folks!

dansk: Help Me Learn Danish!

tejolote — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:32:32 -0800

Children's books in Danish? Books on CD? I need Danish language resources! I'm looking for materials to assist the process of learning Danish and I'm looking for something like children's books (maybe something similar to Tintin in French), or books on cd that I can order. I'd like to buy some resources and start a lending library for the lower classes at my university, since our library only lists 9 children's books in Danish and doesn't physically have them (only available through interlibrary loan).

Can you suggest any titles, places to order materials, or online resources like streaming talk radio? I'm pretty good at puzzling through context while reading, but my production sucks (I blank out on word order when trying to write) and ohmygod I have a tin ear. I can't understand a thing when it's spoken at normal speed and I'd like to try to fix that. Books on cd might be a good place to start. Even if the level is beyond me, it would help me to hear spoken danish. In English I'm fond of things like Bill Bryson's "In A Sunburned Country" (read by the author) and This American Life on NPR.

The resources I currently have are all class materials: Jokeren, a VERY slim booklet; a teeny little British English to Danish dictionary; and Retskrivningsordbog which gives the genders of various words and (I think) conjugations. This simply hasn't been enough for me. The verbal part is killing me too. I've only got class two days a week and that's just not enough time to hear and speak. For reference, I'm about a month into a 100-level university course on Danish.

Any suggestions? I'd love to go to Denmark this summer to take a language class, but I have to schedule a total hip replacement in the next six months, so I'm not sure traveling is going to be possible this year, financially or timewise (I'm in school full-time).

Tak skal du have to anyone who can point me in the direction of some good resources. I'm deadly serious about learning this language. I want to move there some day.

Stockholm to Aarhus - Train or Plane?

divabat — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:49:20 -0800

Would it be cheaper to get to Aarhus (Denmark) from Stockholm (Sweden) by budget air or by train? I'm going to Europe next week - I'll be in Stockholm from the 2nd to 4th of November, then in Aarhus from 5th to 7th, then back to Stockholm to fly home.

I've tried looking up train fares, but I've only found information for the Eurail multicountry passes, which are exorbitant and unnecessary (as they're meant for more frequent travel). The prices for budget air sound great, but as I haven't managed to get individual train ticket prices, I can't make a fair comparison.

How much does a return trip from Stockholm to Aarhus cost? Is it better to fly or go on a train (overnight?)? Which is safer? I'm a 22-year-old Asian female travelling alone.

(also, any Mefites willing to host me in Stockholm? :P)

Who sings "Summer House in Skagen"?

Meatbomb — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:52:41 -0800

Danish band that sings "Summer House in Skagen"? A Dane I knew a few years ago played a very cool album for me, with a sort of mellow soft-rock sound, but the lyrics as she translated them were bizarre. The most memorable for me was about an old man screwing the young babysitter in his summer house in Skagen. There was also one that went "I like to fuck pigs and sheep" or something like that. According to her this group was quite well known / popular.

I don't speak Danish, so can't figure out how to search for them.

What is the name of the band? Anywhere on the net I can get links to English translations of the lyrics to their songs?

Best Hotel-Locale for a Copenhagen Tourist?

jeb — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 15:44:28 -0800

What's the best part of Copenhagen to stay in for a long weekend? I don't know anything about Copenhagen. I'm going there for a long weekend and I realized while looking at kayak today that I had no idea how to decide where to book a hotel. I kept thinking, "close to the train station, that sounds convenient" and then thinking, "wait a second, that could be like staying near Penn Station in New York and that would suck." So basically, in New York terms (like I said, I don't know anything about Copenhagen), I want to stay below 14th but above say Reade. Really Canal. I don't want to be like one of those people who ends up in Times Square or at that Marriot in Brooklyn Heights. What part of Copenhagen should I look for? Specific hotels or other Copenhagen-centric recommendations are also very welcome. I've heard that they have a special way with the Hot Dog over there, as well as a particular faculty for open-faced sandwiches. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM THRILLED!

Danish Sitting Arrangements

Gratishades — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 04:46:21 -0800

A friend was in a cinema in Copenhagen and the seats were numbered left to right 2,4,6,8,10,11,9,7,5,3,1. Is this normal in Copenhagen, Denmark, Scandinavia? If so what is the rationale?

What's the quick gasping noise that Danes make while conversing?

Ø — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 04:33:23 -0800

When talking, Danes sometimes make a quick gasping noise that's very distinctive but difficult to describe. Can anyone explain this odd habit? Does it have a name? (More details inside.) Danes do this when speaking English also; it doesn't seem to be limited to Danish-language conversation.

If you have a DVD of the Danish film "Italian for Beginners," there's a perfect example 12 minutes 20 seconds in. The woman makes the noise right after saying "Jørgen Mortensen."

As far as I can tell it seems sometimes to serve as a verbal nod of sorts, the equivalent of an American saying "yeah" occasionally to let you know that he's paying attention to what you're saying. Other times it seems to serve as a kind of verbal punctuation, emphasizing what the gasper has just said.

Please comment if you know anything at all about this.

I need a picture of a Danish medical practitioner taken between 1865 and 1875

sveskemus — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 10:28:45 -0800

Please help me find a picture of any Danish medical practitioner taken sometime between 1865 and 1875. This is kind of a long shot, I know.

What is the most cost-effective solution for banking while living overseas for ~4 months?

jckll — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 15:19:06 -0800

What is the most cost-effective solution for banking while living overseas for ~4 months? I will be studying abroad in Denmark for roughly four months this fall. I have read all over MeFi and the wider internet for finance-related tips. I have settled on a CapitalOne card for credit purchases (0% fee) but haven't found a suitable solution for a checking account / ATM.

I currently have a checking account with SunTrust (Atlanta-based medium-sized bank) and savings with HSBC Online. SunTrust is going to charge me $2 plus 2% for every ATM withdrawal. HSBC only $1.50 plus 1% but I am doubtful that I will be able to withdraw from savings everywhere.

Can anyone give me a suitable solution? I would like to find a US-based bank at which I can open a checking account and not get creamed with fees and charges using overseas-ATMs and making international debit purchases but I haven't found it yet. I feel that opening a local (Danish) checking account may be more trouble than it's worth for only 4 months, although I'm open to convincing. Anyone?

Good, non-big-name bands playing Roskilde Festival

Zero Gravitas — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:41:19 -0800

Got any lesser-known band recommendations for someone going to Roskilde Festival? So, I'm going to Denmark for Roskilde Festival later this month, and besides some of the big-name acts like Bob Dylan, George Clinton and Tool, I'm not sure what I should definitely be checking out.

Please look over this band list and give me some reccommendations for bands that I've probably not heard.

Local music from Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic and the Netherlands.

evadery — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 08:44:48 -0800

Looking for amazing local music from Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic and the Netherlands. In a week, I'm taking off on a whirlwind tour of Europe incuding stops in Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic and the Netherlands. As I've done in trips to other foreign lands, I love finding a small music store and finding some of those local musical treasures that wouldn't necessarily make it across to me in Canada. So, I was hoping AskMe may be able to point me in the direction of some excellent local bands...

Since I'm sure it'll be asked, I'm a fan of your general indie fare with a penchant for more mellow folkie stuff and cheery pop music, but I will give anything you love a chance, from harder rock and psych music to rap and country or whatever you can throw at me. Basically, if you think it's good, I'd love to hear it.

(A side note: Any good places or stores to find music/wander around in Copenhagen, Prague, Hamburg or Amsterdam? Let me know...)

Fun places for kids in Denmark?

chr1sb0y — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 12:48:08 -0800

Suggestions for fun places to take kids (ages 6 and 2 1/2) during 2 weeks in Denmark in June/July? Is Legoland Billund worth the drive from Copenhagen? Not our first trip there, but the first with the kids as non-infants. We'll mostly be in Zealand and near Copenhagen, and so we've got Tivoli Gardens. We've promised the 6 yr old a trip to Legoland, but we aren't sure if it will be worth the journey - not that it's that far, but whatever... Ms. Chr1sb0y and I would be happy just hanging out in Copenhagen the whole time - and rental cars, gas and tolls really add up over there. Favorite castle/park/etc. suggestions are most welcomed.

Why now?

blue mustard — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 05:22:30 -0800

Why did the violence over the European cartoons of Mohammed erupt when it did? There are thousands of news stories about the cartoons and subsequent protests, but I'm having trouble finding one that explains the events leading up to the imbroglio in any kind of detail. I'm curious why cartoons published in September of last year suddenly became a source of global unrest four months later.
The BBC has this timeline:

30 Sept 2005: Danish paper publishes cartoons
20 Oct: Muslim ambassadors complain to Danish PM
10 Jan 2006: Norwegian publication reprints cartoons
26 Jan: Saudi Arabia recalls its ambassador
30 Jan: Gunmen raid EU's Gaza office demanding apology
31 Jan: Danish paper apologises
1 Feb: Papers in France, Germany, Italy and Spain reprint cartoons
4 Feb: Syrians attack Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus
5 Feb: Protesters sack Danish embassy in Beirut

Given this timeline, I suppose another way of phrasing my question is: what prompted the Sauds to recall their ambassador on 26 Jan, rather than earlier or not at all? Can anybody provide a link to a good discussion of the backstory? Thanks in advance.

Whats the story of my mystery tattoo

jojomnky — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 18:25:23 -0800

I'm looking for any information regarding a danish anarchist gang of children. A few years ago I got a group tattoo with a few friends. The story goes that it was the graffiti of an anarchist gang of children (7-12ish) from denmark and it meant "child power". I am looking for information about them the most I've come up with so far is they are mentioned in the description of the tattoo's shape on symbols.com.

What is their name? What are they about? Why are they so young? Any suggestions on where to continue my search? It seems like I should have a little more info if I'm going to have this on my body for the rest of my life.

Truly, Denmark is a prison...

Who_Am_I — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 08:44:22 -0800

My girlfriend is studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark this semester. On Monday there was a rather serious fire in the kitchen of her "dorm." Nobody was hurt, but the response and follow-up has been less than ideal. Please help us get someone to take action. At around 3:00am on Monday one of the girls got up to use the bathroom, and saw that the kitchen was on fire. No smoke detectors were sounding. She attempted to sound the fire alarm, but it didn't work. She went door to door waking people up, while another girl tried the other fire alarms (the third one worked). The fire department showed up before it spread to the rest of the building, but the kitchen is totally destroyed, and many of the surrounding rooms (common room, dining room, etc.) were damaged beyond use.
The fire was clearly an electrical fire caused by one of the refrigerators. Ten days before this, the residents had reported that one of the refrigerators had frayed wire and standing water behind it. The maitenence guy for the building told the school that he sent someone out to look at it and that they found it to be OK. This guy has a well-established history of telling the school that he has fixed things which he in fact has not.
The fire chief was there at some point after the fire and told them that the building had passed inspection at some point in the past, that no smoke detectors was not against fire code, and seemed to think that one in three fire alarms working was good enough. Surely Danish fire law cannot be this lax?
The air quality in the building has obviously been affected. Talking to my girlfriend just now, she was coughing and clearing her throat the whole time. The fire department has said that the air "should be ok to breathe", but they (the students) can't get anyone to actually come and test it. They were told on Tuesday that air filters had been set up (they had not), and again on Wednesday (they still had not), and now finally on Friday they have two small filters for the entire floor. Guess who was supposed to set them up, and told the school that he had done so on Tuesday.
Many of the girls have been psychologically affected by this event as well, and have had trouble sleeping, been anxious, etc. The school brought in two "psychologists", who everyone immediately realized were not professionals at all, and did nothing to help.
The school seems to think that everyone is overreacting, and keeps telling people to "calm down."
The problem is really this: the building is privately owned, and rented by the school to house students. It is very run down, and is to be torn down next year by a new owner. The school doesn't think that the building is their responsibility, and the new private owner is a secret because the transfer of ownership is not complete yet. Nobody feels safe in the building now, but nobody knows who to talk to to get any of this resolved.
I have suggested talking to a lawyer, and possibly the press (the building has a history of being the worst student housing in the city) just to put the pressure on.
They would like an assurance that the building is safe to be living in, or to be relocated. Any ideas on what they can do, or who they can talk to, to get some action here?