The Ukraine – Denmark. What the Ukrainians can learn from the Danes

Denmark rarely gets into the news feeds of world news agencies – no serial killers, no coups, no corruption scandals. Over the past twelve years, significant scandals was two. The first was caused by the publication in a Danish newspaper of cartoons of the prophet Mohammed. Second – the murder of a giraffe Marius in the Copenhagen zoo.

But the fashion for Danish happiness (hugga), each try on, swept around the world. To try is that: for many years this country has occupied first place in the rating of the happiest countries (World Happiness Report), 2012 compiled by the UN. In 2017 and Denmark, however, lost the championship Norway; for comparison, Ukraine in this ranking took the 132-th position, and settled down between Ghana and Uganda.

It seems that only in Denmark there is an Institute of happiness research, and its permanent Director Mike Viking writes books, promotes, huge. (In Ukraine is dominated by scientific institutions, dealing with more relevant issues for the country – the Institute of strength the Institute of pain, etc.)

How do the inhabitants of the Kingdom of the reflectors of princes, the most neurotic storytellers, the buns, the crispy fried bacon and the high taxes feel happy – several recipes for Danish happiness.

Relax

What remains to be done in a country with a climate tailor-made for the filming of “Game of thrones”. The warmest days of the short Danish summer Ukrainian-optimist would call “Indian summer”, if not for the wind. What can we say about the winter, which usually lasts from November until April. If we add on average 179 days of rain per year, will understand the nature of the misanthropy of hamlet, the storyteller Hans Christian Andersen and directed by Lars von Trier, whose grief is likely not so much from the mind as from the weather.

To survive in such conditions without harm to the psyche, the task is not for wimps. But the Danes come up with an effective natural antidote to chaos – the philosophy of hygge. It suggests taking pleasure in small things. Cold cuddle up in cozy scarves that the Danes practically all the year round wear with dignity the snail, not parting with your home. The scarf does not help – take a warming inside. The main thing – with a light heart and without existential anguish (11 litres of pure alcohol per capita per year significantly increase the degree of happiness). Dark light the candles in the house, creating a territory of peace. (According to the European candle Association, each Dane consumes annually about 6 kg of candle wax. Second place in this list are the Austrians with a lag of almost two times – 3,16 kg). Lonely and uncomfortable – eat Danish roll, escargot – crispy, inside is soft and slightly sticky from the filling. Even in the smallest towns of the country there is a patisserie, a flower shop and a Solarium. Huge – here and now – the Danish response, the Ukrainian “vse bude dobre” – someday someone.

To be happy with the lack of sunlight help and specific labor conditions of the Danes. Workaholics they are explicitly called. The official length of the working week – 37 hours, while they work on average no more than 34.

Trust

Unbelievable but true – proven sociology. Unlike the Ukrainians, ready to trust their neighbors and distant only as a last resort, the question “what do you think, can you trust most people?” more than 70% of the Danes answered in the affirmative (even in the most prosperous Western European countries this indicator does not exceed 30%). Some researchers of the phenomenon of Danish happiness is a tendency to blame genetics. Supposedly the Danes are happy owners of the long version of the gene, affecting the brain’s production of”hormone of happiness” – serotonin. Comes to the ridiculous – according to witnesses, the sect of the Danish miracle, the locals even pay taxes with pleasure (the maximum rate of 51.7%), understanding that in exchange for obedience to the law will receive the best social security system in the world. “The Danes have a collective sense of responsibility and belonging. They contain the system because they believe in its effectiveness. High taxes – part of the national identity,” says Helen Russell, the author of the bestseller “Hygge, or Cozy happiness in Danish”. In their naivety, the inhabitants of the Kingdom comes to the absurd – they even trust their politicians. Want to make sure – look Danish TV series “the Government”.

To ride a bike

“The worst evil is the cyclists,” – warn the local guides tourists, offering never lose vigilance. Guides exaggerate the danger – the Danish cyclists mostly law-abiding and pedestrians are not hurt.

Bike for Dane – more than a means of transportation. And it’s not just that the contents of the car, like everything else, cost is expensive (for example, new cars will be charged sales tax in the amount of 180%). It is a rite with a daily ritual and a philosophy of life – the apotheosis of “environmentally friendly” lifestyle. A Bicycle saddle is a large part of life of the average Dane, while his expensive car gathering dust in the garage. For a country with a relatively small territory (43 000 sq km) are more than 12 thousand km of cycle paths. Half of Copenhagen residents commute to work by bike, which are “passenger” or “cargo”, individual or family – seat-wheelchair for kids. There is even a tricycle hearse. It is something to see at peak times on Bicycle paths in the streets of Copenhagen (equipped with special traffic lights for cyclists) goes through an endless stream of Bicycle dressed in suits, office clerks, and young ladies of all ages in long skirts.

Bikes – not only past and present Denmark, but also its bright future. It is no accident in the headquarters of the Carlsberg one of the attractions was a special Bicycle to generate power. Employees and visitors joyfully pedaling, producing energy which feeds the bar with zero carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Eat, pray, love

If during a gala dinner on porcelain as the main meals will be served risotto of black barley, decorated with slices of pumpkin and a carrot, does not seem too thoroughly cleansed – do not be surprised and do not rush changed the face of running to the nearest diner to catch up here a three-story Danish sandwiches – smorrebrod. You are dealing with a new Nordic kitchen. It glaana commandment – choose seasonal products. And it’s not just about the seasons (fall is the season of root vegetables, winter – meat, spring fish, etc.), but microsecond. The adherents of this religion are allowed in the thing that any good food from sprouts asparagus to elderberry flowers.

If to speak about another religion, that of the 5.7 million citizens of Denmark 4.4 million Lutherans. However, only 3% of the population attend Church regularly – the rest are here at best at Christmas or for a special occasion: baptism, wedding, funeral. The cause of sluggish interest in local Church life explain curious: the Scandinavians don’t need to ask God that they were right – with these questions, copes the state. True religion for “Orthodox” of the people was still the same philosophy, hygge that teaches you to achieve bliss in the comfort of home where each is his own Messiah, and the love of neighbor begins with love of oneself.