Danish Horizons #4: 10 Danish Interviews

O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us!”

– Rabbie Burns

I interviewed ten people from Denmark on life, Scotland and independence. This is what they said!

Name: Christian
Description: 30 year old guy who hasn’t figured out what he wants to do! Manager at ‘The Scottish Pub’ in Copenhagen.

What is the best and worst things about Denmark?
“The best is that everybody seems to be happy. The worst is that there are not very good at showing that they are happy or being open emotionally.”

Is small beautiful or is bigger better?
“I’d say smaller country. Big countries send to have lots of differences in the way they live. There’s unity in cohesion in small countries.”

When I say ‘Scotland’ what do you think of?
“Whisky. And kilts. The highlands and wild nature. Probably a climate quite like Denmark.”

Should Scotland be an independent country?
“It’s a tough question because I think of strength in numbers, but if there are political differences between Scotland and the rest then it will have something in it.”

Name: Maiken
Description: A bit shy

What is the best and worst things about Denmark?
“The best thing about Denmark is our welfare system. It is one of the best in Europe. I think the worst is the people. We’re not very open.”

Is small beautiful or is bigger better?
“Small countries are fine!”

When I say ‘Scotland’ what do you think of?
“The clothes! The skirt? Kilts! And the nature!”

Should Scotland be an independent country?

“Yeah! It’s a good idea.”

Name: Maria
Description: Outgoing

What is the best and worst things about Denmark?
“The worst thing is people being reserved. The best thing is our cosy social life! And also the welfare. Everyone can get a education.”

Is small beautiful or is bigger better?
“I like Denmark being a small country.
When I say ‘Scotland’ what do you think of?

“Edinburgh, because I’ve been there it’s the only thing I know. Oh! And the pub going and beer!”

Should Scotland be an independent country?
“I think we have the same thing with Greenland. If they want to be independent it’s okay. It’s down to the people who live there.”

Name: Emilie
Description: I’m many things.

What is the best and worst things about Denmark?
“The best thing is that all Danes have Denmark at heart. Denmark is what we care about. Bad: we tend to celebrate the mediocre.”

Is small beautiful or is bigger better?
“Small is beautiful. We are a relatively small country. We feel entitled to be ourselves but we don’t think it’s a given that everyone else will think the same way.”

When I say ‘Scotland’ what do you think of?
“Really genuine kindness and openness and at the same time…is it called solemnity? A seriousness.”

Should Scotland be an independent country?
“I think you should ask the Scots!”

Name: Nickolas
Description: A person

What is the best and worst things about Denmark?
“The best thing is the freedom. The worst thing is the tendency for children to be spoilt.”

Is small beautiful or is bigger better?
“I think we have our beauty in Denmark because we are small and we have a lot of things to offer.”

When I say ‘Scotland’ what do you think of?
“Kilts! I don’t know…”

Should Scotland be an independent country?
“Yeah, of course. All countries should be in control.”

Name: Jamie
Description: Gamer

What is the best and worst things about Denmark?
“The best thing? I dunno. The girls? The worst thing is the politics!”

Is small beautiful or is bigger better?
“I think being a larger country.”

When I say ‘Scotland’ what do you think of?
“I think of bagpipes and stuff like that! And accents!”

Should Scotland be an independent country?
“Yes, as the citizens of Scotland should be!”

Name: Amalie
Description: Fun and outgoing and a lovely person who likes to party!

What is the best and worst things about Denmark?
“The best things are freedom of speech, the Danish food and how the young people can act here! The worst thing is the politicians.”

Is small beautiful or is bigger better?
“It’s wonderful to be a small country because it’s unique and wonderful!”

When I say ‘Scotland’ what do you think of?
“The kilt! And haggis! And the Loch Ness monster!”

Should Scotland be an independent country?
“Yeah I think it would be good for Scotland. You decide what your own country wants.”

Name: Nanna
Description: Sporty!

What is the best and worst things about Denmark?
“The worst thing is that everyone has stoned faces! The best thing is that you get paid to go to university.”

Is small beautiful or is bigger better?
“It’s got its ups and downs. No one knows about us. Maybe that’s a good thing?”

When I say ‘Scotland’ what do you think of?
“I think of…I don’t know what I think of…I have a friend who speaks with a Scottish accent, does that count?”

Should Scotland be an independent country?
“If it wants to be!”

Name: Mathis
Description: That’s a good question! Open minded.

What is the best and worst things about Denmark?

“The best thing is that we take care of people. The worst thing about Denmark is that we’re narrow minded.”

Is small beautiful or is bigger better?
“I think it’s good to be small. I think it’s easier to take care of people. Large countries struggle to administrate for the common good.”

When I say ‘Scotland’ what do you think of?
“Kilts! Bagpipes!…Glasgow! The Angels’ Share by Ken Loach.”

Should Scotland be an independent country?
“Sure!”

Name: Cecilie
Description: Determined.

What is the best and worst things about Denmark?
“The worst thing is the bad weather in the Winter. The best thing is that we stick together.”

Is small beautiful or is bigger better?
“It’s the small one because it takes more consideration to the individual people.”

When I say ‘Scotland’ what do you think of?
“Beautiful nature. I’ve never really been there but in the movies it’s always really beautiful.”

Should Scotland be an independent country?
“If the country wants to be independent it has to be for the people. It depends upon whether it’s going to make a difference for the people.”

Michael Gray
@GrayInGlasgow
National Collective