Article?: Weather and Janteloven

» denmarkeditor - Weather and Janteloven

In response to An article or? posted by FrederikHugger:

Thank you very much for your thoughts Frederik. I do not have a problem reading your English.

Yes I know it can be odd to read of your native country form someone who is not there, but that is part of the joy of being able to discuss things. You can certainly add to the dialogue with your thoughts, whatever they may be.

I am not a native Dane, but have visited a number of times and have a Danish sweetheart and a number of Danish friends. They help to give me some perspective. I will be living in Denmark soon.

About Jante's Law, I am well aware of it and want to write an article on it at some point. Yes it does seem negative to me, however, separating out positive/negative and viewing it simply as a part of Danish culture, I have seen it explain much of how I have come to know my sweetheart to behave. It also seems to be an unconscious part of, hmmm, all the Danes I do know. There is a question that arises in me about it....why are people so concerned about someone else being different, or so concerned about someone else speaking about thier achievements or so concerned about someone else trying to advance beyond where they are presntly? Why do people care? Why are they not so deeply focused on their own lives that they have no time to worry about other's actions, achievements etc? Just a thought.

Another thought is this - you say that no one punichses you if you break the Janteloven - however is that REALLY true? My personal opinion is that the punishment is done by others in the form of ignoring, snubbing or excluding the person who they feel has not obeyed the silent rules of Janteloven. They do not join in celebrating the other person's achievement and may in fact downplay it. Do you think this is an incorrect perception? Please let me know!

The weather - you are correct. Weather always shapes culture!

-- posted by denmarkeditor