Greeting

A handshake begins and ends every business meeting. The handshake should be energetic, strong enough and short enough.

It is customary to shake hands with both men and women during the greeting. It is also important to greet children who, for whatever reason, are attending a business meeting or event.

When talking, it is important to maintain direct but unobtrusive eye contact.

If you are introduced to a small group of people, shake hands with each person, and say your last name at the same time.

If you are not formally introduced at a business event, take the initiative to introduce yourself. Shake hands with each person and say your last name.

The traditional Danish greeting is "Hej", pronounced "hai".

While there is a strong commitment to gender equality, women are greeted first and then men.

Longtime friends or acquaintances hug each other when greeting.

Introduction

Danish people quickly move on to using their first name (rather than their last name). You can call your partner by his or her first name at the beginning of a business relationship. This is in line with socially accepted egalitarian values.

But please bear in mind that with the older generation, you should wait until you are asked to use your first name.

In formal and/or formal situations, the style of communication is still formal. In such cases, people address each other using some sort of regalia - professional qualifications or job positions, followed by the person's last name.

If these are not available, use the accepted polite forms of address - Herr (Sir), Fru (Madam), Froken (Madam) if the conversation is in Danish and Mr, Ms, Miss, Miss if it is in English. The polite form is always followed by the last name of the person.

Exchange of Business Cards

In the Danish business community, it is customary to exchange business cards. This ritual is seen as an element of professional courtesy among managers, officials, and entrepreneurs.

If, for whatever reason, your Danish partner has not offered his or her business card, you can offer yours and ask for your partner's business card. This will be perfectly fine.

Just think ahead about what information you want to put on the business card. For example, have a real "physical" address for your company, not a P.O. Box.

If you have a number of degrees, put the most important (most important) of those on your business card. This, however, should not look like excessive bragging or showing off.

In Denmark, you can exchange business cards with text in Danish and English. It is not uncommon for Danish business people to have two sets of business cards, one in English, one in Danish.

There is no special ritual when you exchange business cards in Denmark.

Small Talk: Overview

There is usually not much time allocated for small talk before a business meeting. In Danish business practice, small talk is not very important, and your Danish partner is likely to move straight to the substance of the issues.

But at the end of the business meeting, when all the main issues have been discussed, your Danish partner may make small talk about non-business-related matters.

In general, the way the Danes communicate, including in (even a short) small talk, is very discreet.

How people get to know their partners better and get to know them is important to any businessman. In Danish business practice, this is not done in the traditional small talk that many cultures have, but rather through discussing business issues, and this helps to show how partners relate to different aspects of a deal or project.

If you notice during a conversation with a Dane, there are occasional silent pauses, you know that this is a normal flow of conversation, even if you may feel uncomfortable about it. By his or her silence, the Dane first shows that he or she is listening carefully, thereby demonstrating respect, and second, he or she emphasizes his or her willingness to speak when he or she has something to say.

Preferred Topics

Danish culture and art.

Local places of interest, nature, antiquities.

Danish products and goods.

Taboo Topics

Avoid topics relating to your partner's personal life in Denmark. Nor should you share the details of your personal affairs. In business contacts, Danes prefer to keep the personal and business spheres separate. It is especially important to keep this distinction in mind if you have not participated in any joint social activities before.

Any comments (including compliments) on a person's appearance or clothing are considered intrusive and impolite. It doesn't matter whether you know the person or not.

In your interactions, don't try to impress your companion by telling him how good you are. Avoid self-praise and self-promotion. Denmark is an egalitarian state in which the most important value is the equality of all its members. By emphasizing your own importance, you risk losing the trust of your partner.

Personal Space

The comfort zone in Danish society is quite large, a little longer than arm's length between speakers. This applies to both business and social situations. Your partner in Denmark will feel more comfortable talking to a stranger if their personal space is not violated.

Physical contact during communication is not accepted in any of its forms, be it patting, hugging etc. The exception is a handshake, which people exchange during the greeting phase.

Even people who have known each other for a long time are not likely to hug when they meet somewhere in public.

Communication Specifics

Danish people have a direct way of communicating, and they are quite clear and open about what they are thinking, trying to be factual and reliable. Your hints, innuendo, implication, and hidden meanings are more likely to be misunderstood by your colleague in Denmark.

Communication with honesty will certainly be appreciated by your Danish partner. Once you start the conversation, get straight to the point, which is the preferred approach in Danish business practices.

Avoid grandiloquence, epithets, comparisons, and hyperbole. Eloquence will probably not be appreciated by your partner in Denmark.

Even if you notice a mistake, or if you are about to say something that your partner will not like to hear, be as direct and open as possible. In Denmark, they sincerely believe that this is the only way to correct the mistake or make things better. Because of this, Danes are sometimes seen as overly straightforward and even rude.

In the beginning of a business project, your Danish colleagues will keep a rather reserved and private demeanor. As the relationship develops, however, there is less of a formal element, replaced by a more open and emotional one.