Cultural Difference #1

     Being in a new country allows one to open their mind and experience different ways of doing things. In some instances these new cultural differences make lots of sense, in others they are completely bewildering, and still in others you simply learn more about the values and beliefs of the country. Throughout my stay in Copenhagen I will blog about these cultural differences. For the first installment of this "series" I want to talk about babies and their carriages.

     First, let me address the style in which these babies "ride." Danish baby carriages are much more traditional. The three in the picture are excellent examples of what you see when walking down the street. Interestingly enough I took the picture in Western Denmark on a university campus. So far, I do not know if their is a general, cultural consensus as to why the Danes tend to use this large, elegant, but at times bulky carriage. May it have something to do with providing a certain kind of comfort for the baby, or perhaps it is simply a more discrete carriage, unlike the colorful ones we tend to see in the States. One thing for certain is that these buggies look classy! I have a feeling my parents will be happy to see that the type of stroller they used to push me around is still thriving in popularity in Denmark!

     Aside from the style of the buggy, there is a much bigger cultural difference to note. That is, many Danes leave their baby/toddler outside of a store, while they then go into the store to shop. Frequently you will see a mother or father park the buggy with their child in it and leave them to go into the store. The thought is that if the baby is sleeping or is peaceful then the baby/toddler will be content to sit outside of the store. However, if the baby wakes up and begins to cry then the mother will attempt to comfort the baby. For many Americans this cultural difference may seem like child neglect, however, the difference comes from two perspectives on society. In America we tend to be overly cautious, viewing most strangers with an air of suspicion. In Denmark, the Danes assume that everyone around them is normal. Why would there be a reason for the person to be crazy or unhinged - they think. It is this thought that can be seen in the entire socio-political structure of Denmark -- one of community and compromise. While at first this cultural difference may seem shocking, after a while it becomes a pleasant sight, reminding me that humans can trust each other.

-John

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