On this day when the first snow fell here in DK, Alexandra went to the Bella Center in Copenhagen to talk about her new book, where she tries to define what it is that makes the Dane so happy - and doe it based on own experiences in coming to DK and settle and learn a new culture and language and a new mentality as well.
https://www.bt.dk/royale/grevinde-alexandra-slaar-fast-danmark-er-mit-hjem
She makes it clear the DK is her home now and that she has not intentions whatsoever to move abroad. Work abroad from time to time for shorter periods but not to live anywhere else but DK.
The room was filled to capacity, so I guess her book will end up under quite a few Christmas trees this year.
Okay then, why are the Danes so happy?
Hvis jeg skal koge det ned til ét ord, er det tillid. Det finder vi overalt i Danmark. Vi har tillid til retssystemet, politiet og politikerne
"If I must boil it down to one word, it's trust. We find that everywhere in Denmark. We trust the court system, the police and the politicians." (*)
She knew very little of DK when she first came here and she quickly determined that learning the language was the key, so she did just that. (And to perfection I might add!)
Det var vigtigt for mig at kunne tale til mine nye landsmænd på dansk. Derfor satte jeg mig ned og lærte sproget. Jeg blev mødt med åbne arme, og jeg blev mødt med en nysgerrighed. Jeg skulle lære mit land at kende, men det var også meget tydeligt, at mine nye landsmænd skulle lære mig at kende.
"It was important to me to be able to talk to my new countrymen in Danish. That's why I sat down and learned the language. I was met with open arms and I was met with a curiosity. I was to get to know my country, but it was also very obvious that new countrymen had to get to know me as well."
Yet, there are words that to this day baffle her:
Like the word: "Skat."
Hvordan kan man have et ord, der både betyder ‘darling’, 'treasure' og ‘tax’,
"How can you have a word that means both darling, treasure and tax?!?"
When learning Danish she made it clear to those around her, that they should correct her when she said something incorrect. (**)
But at home she and Joachim spoke English:
Prins Joachim og jeg talte engelsk. Alt omkring var dansk, og derfor orkede jeg ikke at tale dansk derhjemme
"Prince Joachim and I spoke English. Everything around was Danish and that's why I simply couldn't be bothered to speak Danish at home as well."
She made the decision that here was where she would plant her roots, create a family and establish a home.
Migration (and integration or the lack of it perhaps) is as you know a very hot topic here in Europe these years, and Alexandra must have been asked her opinion on that since she herself is an immigrant.
However she dodges that question, by saying that it is the largest humanitarian problem we have right now and that there is no simple answer but that she has confidence in the politicians doing their best to solve the problems.
She ends by stating that even though she has contemplated jobs abroad where she can work from a laptop, Denmark is where she belongs and she has no plans to settle elsewhere.
- Very intelligent answers as you can expect from Alexandra.
(*) That IMO is true. To that I will add this sentence: It could be a lot worse.
I broke my leg - but I didn't end up in a wheelchair.
I lost my job - but at least I can cope with the benefit I get.
My cellar and ground floor got flooded - but at least my house is still standing.
And so on...
That sentiment is literally cultivated here in DK!
If you end up in hospital after being run over by a bus, you can bet you entire fortune that at least one of your visitors will say: "It could be a lot worse! You could be dead."
- Actually when I have expressed my sympathy to someone here on TRF, I really have to reign in myself in order not to say something similar, as I might be misunderstood by other nationalities.
(**) I actually saw that on TV back in the 90's. She was standing next to Joachim and was talking to a reporter when she turned to Joachim and asked whether it was a "positive (loaded) word" I can't remember the word, but after Joachim's brief answer she continued her reply.