Question for the Scandinavians

[Strengthandhonour]

I have noticed that a lot of Scandinavians tend to dislike the Danes. They either think they are not very creative or that they are lame. What's the reasoning behind this?

[Galaico]

I think it's the accent, too German.

[wilpuri]

I didn't know of such general antipathies. I do know that both Sweden and Norway have their historical bones to pick with Denmark as well as a share of neighbourly rivalry but that's pretty much it, or am I missing something?

[Arthur Gordon Pym]

Denmark ruled over Norway, Sweden (including today's Finland) and Icelend for a long time. Maybe for that reason?

[wilpuri]

Originally Posted by prometheus

Denmark ruled over Norway, Sweden (including today's Finland) and Icelend for a long time. Maybe for that reason?

Denmark never ruled over Sweden or Finland...

Although there have been Danish monarchs in the time of the Kalmar Union, if that's what you mean. Kind of a simplification, in that case, though.

[Arthur Gordon Pym]

Originally Posted by wilpuri

Denmark never ruled over Sweden or Finland...

Although there have been Danish monarchs in the time of the Kalmar Union, if that's what you mean. Kind of a simplification, in that case, though.

Yes, I was speaking of the Kalmar Union. Denmark ruled over Sweden-Finland for about 140 years (1379-1520, I think). The dynasty of Vasas liberated Sweden from the Danish rule. Norway, on the other hand remained under the Danish rule until the beginning of the 19th century....

[wilpuri]

Sweden maintained a fair deal of independence in the Kalmar Union, and diverging interests between the countries involved caused the break-up.

But I wish to ask this: how do these anti-Danish sentiments manifest themselves? I haven't noticed, in Strengthandhonour's words, that "a lot of Scandinavians tend to dislike the Danes. They either think they are not very creative or that they are lame."

[Strengthandhonour]

I imagined it was the rule over them as well.

[Sergius]

I should probably announce that in spite of several things, I am first and foremost Danish.*
I don't think there are more bad feelings between our northern neighbours and Danes than between most other neighbouring countries. Rather the opposite in my opinion - Swedes and Norwegians are likely among the most peaceful and least spiteful Europeans. Language helps, as Swedish, Danish and Norwegian are mutually intelligible.
We have our jokes and prejudices (including Danes joking about the "Stockholm Bloodbath," (1520) the only real massacre in Scandinavian history ), but we are brothers.
Can I even say this? I am a bit biased, I guess. I have always loved Norway and Sweden and the people who live there.

*)Did I mention that I have some Swedish blood in my veins?

[Exeter]

Danes are considered more continental European, whatever that means. Well Denmark is connected to the European continent in south.

I would actually say Danish industry is more creative and innovative.

There might be a slight difference in mentality (easier going?) although the Jante Law is strong in Denmark too.

[Tennyson]

Originally Posted by Strengthandhonour

I have noticed that a lot of Scandinavians tend to dislike the Danes. They either think they are not very creative or that they are lame. What's the reasoning behind this?

I have distrusted them since I bought a bottle of Gammel Dansk in Copenhagen. It tastes awful.

The Danes are drinking that in the mornings with breakfast.
Gammel Dansk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by wilpuri

Denmark never ruled over Sweden or Finland...

Although there have been Danish monarchs in the time of the Kalmar Union, ...

Well, that explains a lot. The rulers were Danes, but the Danes did not rule over.

Originally Posted by Exeter

Danes are considered more continental European, whatever that means.

Being peninsular does make a difference over being continental. The difference increases if you are insular instead. A matter of isolation.

[Tennyson]

Originally Posted by Strengthandhonour

I have noticed that a lot of Scandinavians tend to dislike the Danes. They either think they are not very creative or that they are lame. What's the reasoning behind this?

Danes have a history of anti-Swedish villainy.

In the Stockholm Bloodbath (1520) the majority of Sweden's highest nobility was brutally executed by the treacherous Christian II of Denmark.

[Erik P]

It's mostly neighbourly sibling hate/love. I must say I think there are quite some culture differences between Sweden and Denmark -- more so than between Sweden and Norway. The more south you come the more right wing people in general are. Skåne/Scania, southern Sweden, has the biggest nationalist parties, and Denmark has Dansk Folkeparti in the parliament, while Sweden has none. We sometimes call Skåningar "half-Danes", "give it back to Denmark" etc (it's been Swedish since the 1650's).

Also, Norweigans and Danes tend to understand Swedish, while many Swedes don't understand Danish at all. We say it's like speaking Swedish, but with a hot potato in each cheek. As I said, it's like siblings, we're the same family but we nag each other...

[Weltschmerz]

Originally Posted by Erik Puke

It's mostly neighbourly sibling hate/love.

I agree. What I don't agree on is that Danes tend to understand Swedish. I'd say a minority of Danes understand Swedish well enough to feal at ease with it, and it comes as a big surprise to me since the languages are quite similar. Danes also prefer to speak English to a Swede very often which I find offensive. Never heard that one about the hot potatoes, but it's kind of funny - I say that most Danes sound like a Swede with mouth full of oatmeal porridge. Seriously, I always learn something about the differences between Swedish and Danish when I'm in Denmark, and quite often I can add some Danish to my Swedish to avoid complications. I've already spent lots of time in Denmark and I like it. If you can keep from switching to English all the time, we will become good friends.

[Lutiferre]

Originally Posted by Strengthandhonour

I have noticed that a lot of Scandinavians tend to dislike the Danes. They either think they are not very creative or that they are lame. What's the reasoning behind this?

Because we are such a great people, our superiority makes them feel insecure

[PeterThaGreat]

I think the Danes themselves feel superiority towards other Scandinavians. Denmark, attached to central Europe, has always been culturally head of the traditionally rural Scandinavia. I always speak english with Da