Why the Danes do it better
The article contrasts Danish and British cultural attitudes, highlighting Danes' self-assurance, civic-mindedness, and lack of collective shame. The author observes that Danes appear more at ease in their identity, while Britons often exhibit self-abasement and apology. He attributes Danish well-being to social cohesion, public provision, and a cultural freedom from moral self-interrogation.
- ▪Danes are described as confident, composed, and at ease with themselves, in contrast to Britons who often display self-doubt and apology.
- ▪The author links British cultural shame to inherited guilt related to identity, such as white, masculine, or colonial guilt.
- ▪Denmark’s social model includes high taxation, strong public services, and work-life balance, contributing to high well-being.
- ▪Copenhagen was named the happiest city in the world during the author’s stay.
- ▪The article suggests that Danes belong to their culture without needing to apologize for it, fostering greater self-possession and stability.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Why the Danes do it better Britons have a lot to learn from our plain-speaking, confident and civic-minded Nordic cousins. i Picture by: Getty dataLayer.push({ event: 'author', author: "James Dixon" }) James Dixon 4th May 2026 i Picture by: Getty Share Topics Culture UK Want unlimited, ad-free access? Become a spiked supporter. I spent a good while living in Denmark last year, and something struck me pretty much straight away. I would see it in cafés, in museums, in swing parks with my daughter, on the trains, even queuing at a supermarket checkout… everywhere. They carry themselves differently, the Danes. They seem to glide about, elf-like, tall and composed and utterly at ease with themselves. They speak plainly, and if they laugh, it is without checking themselves.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at spiked.
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