With more than 2,500 kilometers between the two countries, the cultural differences between Spain and Denmark in terms of language, customs and food could not be greater, with each having Mediterranean and Scandinavian characteristics.
Spaniards always eat late lunch and dinner
If you compare Spanish customs with other European countries, you will find that people on the Iberian Peninsula always eat lunch and dinner later than others.
While in Denmark, we have a habit of eating lunch. No one in Spain sits down to eat before 12 o'clock. 14:00 or 15:00 in the afternoon.
The same applies to dinner. Danes eat dinner early and go to bed early, while Spaniards prefer to eat late and go to bed at 11 o'clock or 24 o'clock.
Denmark business day ends before Spain business day
Danes eat dinner early and get home early from work. In Denmark, the working day often ends at: The afternoon is 4pm and the lunch break is only 30 minutes.
In Spain, no one eats lunch for an hour or two and leaves by then. 6pm in the evening. As a result, the working day is significantly longer and employees return home later.
Different ways of thinking about overtime
Also, when talking about cultural differences when it comes to work, Danish people often look down on employees who work overtime. This indicates that you will not be able to handle all the tasks during the working day.
On the other hand, in Spain it is common for employees to stay in the office a little longer, and in many places it is also a sign that you are professional and dedicated to your job.
In Denmark we don't talk about money.
Danes don't like to talk about their personal finances. It's a topic only discussed among close friends and family, and even there it rarely happens.
In Spain, on the other hand, people talk openly about their personal financial situation. Spain doesn't have many taboos.
Fines for failure
Danes are serious about keeping their streets clean, and they impose fines on people who throw paper in the streets. That's why the roads are always clean.
In some Spanish cities, you can be fined for littering on the street, but that doesn't stop many people from throwing paper, cigarette butts and other trash on the ground.
Danish and Spanish schools have nothing in common
Spanish schools often have completely enclosed buildings, so students are not encouraged to go outside and outsiders are not encouraged to enter. On the other hand, Danish schools are open buildings with green areas, so children can spend time outside.
Education is also somewhat different. Children in Denmark do not go to school until they are six years old. On the other hand, in Spain, children start attending school at the age of 3, after which they gradually learn how to count and read.
The way Spaniards and Danes live is also very different.
Danes are generally cautious, polite, friendly and reserved.
Spaniards, on the other hand, are more open, loud and sociable. They love going to bars and being with friends and always have an excuse to celebrate something.
Winters in Spain are not as cold as in Denmark.
In some parts of Spain, temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius and sunny days are common even in winter. Temperatures, on the other hand, are much cooler in Denmark, and Danes are used to cold temperatures for months at a time.
This is how we greet each other
Spaniards usually greet each other with two kisses. In Denmark, this is something you only do with family or very close friends. Danes usually greet each other by shaking hands.
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Questions about cultural differences between Spain and Denmark
The cultural differences between Spain and Denmark are mainly in daily life. As I mentioned earlier, Spaniards work long hours and spend a lot of time in the office. Also, because they often drink alcohol after work, they tend to go to bed later. Danes, on the other hand, spend more time with their families and more time playing sports. Social activities are reserved for weekends.
Approximately 9,300 Danes live in Spain, 3,000 of whom were born in Spain.
According to INE (Spanish National Institute of Statistics), around 6,300 Spaniards live in Denmark.
