In this episode of the How to Live in Denmark podcast, host Kay Xander Mellish reflects on his post‑summer mood and promotes his new book, How to Live in Denmark. He then tackles a listener’s suggestion to explain how public institutions operate in Denmark. Mellish points out that many services—buses, trains, unemployment benefits, shelters, fire and ambulance services—are actually delivered by private companies contracted and subsidized by the state, a model that contributes to Denmark’s efficient welfare system. He contrasts this transparency with the United States, noting that Danes can see the tangible results of their taxes, which even linguistically resemble the word for “honey,” fostering greater tax acceptance. Mellish then offers practical advice for dealing directly with civil servants: identify their limited phone hours, allocate waiting time, introduce yourself calmly, and adopt a cooperative, non‑confrontational tone. He illustrates the process with a personal anecdote about requesting the removal of a graffiti of a giant penis on a city‑owned wall, which took six months and multiple calls. The episode closes with calls for listener ideas, promotion of the book, and contact information for the podcast.
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Hello and welcome to the How to Live in Denmark podcast. I'm Kay Xander Mellish. I am relaxed and feeling great after my summer vacation. I remember when I first came to Denmark, it amazed me that everyone took summer vacations of 3 to 4 weeks, but they do, and they come back refreshed and happy. If you want to ask someone for something in Denmark— a raise, a date, permission to move into their apartment and sleep on their couch— right now, right after summer vacation, is the time to do it. Everyone's in a good mood. Now, I was busy during summer vacation. I published a book version of last season's podcasts. It's called How to Live in Denmark, and it's available for download on Amazon.com and Saxo.com. You don't need an e-reader to enjoy the book. You can read it on any smartphone or tablet using the Kindle app, and the Kindle app is free. Now to this week's podcast, which is based on an idea from listener @CammyHack via Twitter. He says, what about a podcast about how public institutions work? Their schedules and efficiency in Denmark. I'm really curious about it. Well, Cami, when you think you're talking to the authorities in Denmark, you're often not talking to the authorities. When it comes to bus service, train service, unemployment compensation, homeless shelters, even fire protection and ambulance services, you will be talking to a private company hired by the authorities. Denmark has a really high level of privatization. Now, of course, these companies get subsidies from the government to provide transport service, or counsel the unemployed, or put out the fire you started while trying to barbecue ribs. But their employees are not civil servants. They can be hired and fired, and trained and promoted. They work for private companies. It's not what you'd expect from a welfare state, but Denmark is an efficient welfare state. One of the reasons they get away with collecting so much in taxes is that everyone can see how the money is spent. The streets are clean, the buses are on schedule, the kids are off the streets and in government programs that match their age groups from birth to age 18. You can see what you're getting for your money. In the United States, where I come from, everyone thinks the government spending is going to someone else, so they resent paying taxes. In Denmark, you can see the results going to you. So people are more willing to pay. Plus, something I've always remarked upon: in Danish, the word for tax is the same as the word for honey, sweetheart. Skat. S-K-A-T. On playgrounds, you'll hear loving parents call out to their toddlers, Tak! Remember to put on your mittens! In trains, you'll catch lovers whispering into their telephones, I miss you, Tak! I'll be home soon. At any rate, some things are still run directly by the government in Denmark, like the immigration service or local affairs. So there are some times when you do need to speak to civil servants in Denmark. There is a way to do this. First of all, plan in advance. You have to find out their telephone time. Civil servants often only take the phone for 3 or 4 hours each day, or sometimes only on specific days of the week. Tuesdays from 10 to 2 or something, and of course never on the weekend. So find out their telephone time and put at least a half an hour aside because you may have to wait in line. When it's your turn, the first thing you do is identify yourself by name. Hi, this is Kay Xander Mellish. And then state your business calmly. A graffiti artist has drawn a giant penis on the city-owned wall right outside my living room window. Could you send someone to remove it? That's an actual case, by the way. When you speak to a Danish civil servant, tone is really important. You want to go in there with a positive, we can do it together spirit. Danes respond very badly to anger or conflict, but very well to a spirit of cooperation. You want to take the angle that we're equals and all we want to do is get this problem solved together. It may be shocking to people from other countries, but most state workers in Denmark are pretty competent. Working for the state is paid well, and they never ask for bribes. Like most Danes, they want to do their job well within the time they're paid for it, and they feel that they do. Civil servants in Denmark have pride in their work. That said, it still took 6 months and several phone calls to get them to come and remove that graffiti of the giant penis. And that's the How to Live in Denmark podcast for this week. If you have an idea you'd like to hear us discuss, get in touch via our How to Live in Denmark Facebook page or via @howtolivedndk on Twitter— the 2 is a number— or at howtolivedindenmark.com. Remember, the How to Live in Denmark book is available on Amazon. If you buy it and enjoy it, please leave a review. Our theme music is arranged by George Glavis. See you next week. See you next week.
