12 Expat Moments in Denmark

MY SUPERMARKET MOMENT TO REMEMBER I had a very funny Danish experience in the supermarket. I was waiting in line of the cashier and the man in front was about to pay. He talked to the cashier in Danish. When he reached for his back pocket to grab his wallet, a guitar plectrum fell on the floor. I picked it up and as I was not that confident in Danish I said to the man in English: “I think this is yours.” The man turned, looked at me in astonishment and replied: “Yes, thanks.”

When he had paid his purchases he waited for me. “How did you know? How did you know I’m British?” he asked, “Do I still have such a strong accent?” First I did not understand what he wanted to say but then he explained. He had been living in Denmark for several years now and had been practicing his Danish. As I was asking him in English he thought that I had heard a British accent in his Danish. I clarified that I did not understand what he was saying because I did not know Danish. He looked very relieved and we both laughed. We continued talking a little bit and both of us went home with a smile on our faces.

Christina, Germany Age 23 Moved to Denmark in 2014 Occupation: Student