Danish Business Communication Styles

Although Denmark does not have the same high numbers of large multi-nationals as the Netherlands or Sweden, a high percentage of Danish industry is export-oriented.

As few non-Danes speak good Danish, Danes have therefore had to become proficient in other languages – often speaking two or three to a high level of proficiency. Thus, Danes tend to be good communicators on the international stage.

Danish communication patterns, however, when taken into a second language can be somewhat problematic to cultures more used to a diplomatic approach to communicating in business. Plain speaking is admired and being frank is viewed as a sign of respect to the person you are dealing with. This directness can sometimes be mistaken as rudeness when encountered by cultures which place diplomacy and tact at the forefront of business interactions.

It should not, however, be assumed that because Danes can be direct in their use of language they revel in confrontation. Danes value direct debate (which is very different from confrontation) and will avoid any personal references or overtly confrontational situations.

Danes use humour in most business situations and see the judicious use of humour as a key weapon in the search for hygge which translates as a kind of cosiness in which everybody feels at ease in each other’s company. Feelings of hygge are much prized but poorly explained by Danes and it is an atmosphere which non-Danes find difficult to comprehend.

As with other Scandinavians, body language tends to be quite restricted and this can make interpreting responses and understanding feedback quite difficult. Questions will often come at the end of a presentation but that does not mean that no interest has been generated during the presentation.

Author

This country-specific business culture profile was written by Keith Warburton who is the founder of the cultural awareness training consultancy Global Business Culture.  Global Business culture is a leading training provider in the fields of cross-cultural communication and global virtual team working.  We provide training to global corporations in live classroom-based formats, through webinars and also through our cultural awareness digital learning hub, Global Business Compass.

This World Business Culture profile is designed as an introduction to business culture in Australia only and a more detailed understanding needs a more in-depth exploration which we can provide through our training and consultancy services.

Author

This country-specific business culture profile was written by Keith Warburton who is the founder of the cultural awareness training consultancy Global Business Culture. 

Global Business culture is a leading training provider in the fields of cross-cultural communication and global virtual team working.  We provide training to global corporations in live classroom-based formats, through webinars and also through our cultural awareness digital learning hub, Global Business Compass.

This World Business Culture profile is designed as an introduction to business culture in Denmark only and a more detailed understanding needs a more in-depth exploration which we can provide through our training and consultancy services.