Kay Xander Mellish is the author of “How to Live in Denmark.” In this interview she speaks about her thoughts on Danish humor…
made us read in our Danish language lessons. I didn’t find him particularly funny back when I was still trying to understand the conjugations of Danish irregular verbs, but I like him better now. He has a gentle, selfmocking humor that reminds me of James Thurber, one of my favorite American humorists.
Did Danish humor surprise you?
What’s Danish humor to you? Danish humor is based in Janteloven – that no one should think themselves better than others, or take themselves too seriously. So there’s a lot of puncturing pomposity – even small pomposities. Danes have a strong antiauthoritarian streak: there’s that famous saying that inside every Swede there’s a little policeman, just trying to get out, while inside every Dane there’s a little thief. If you think you’re richer or smarter or better-looking than someone else, Danish humor is about cutting you down to size.
Did you know anything about Danish humor before coming to Denmark? I didn’t, and the first time it was introduced to me was in the context of Storm P, which they
When you first arrive in Denmark and it’s unexpected, yes, it can be a little surprising. For example, I had an unusual dress on for a party, and one of the guests said, “That dress must be a joke.” Was she trying to be funny? I’m still not sure. Danish humor can also be used as a weapon or as a reproach: for example telling someone late for a meeting that there is a Netto right down the street that sells watch batteries. It’s the sort of suggestion that can leave foreigners scratching their heads – what did he mean? Was it a joke? Was it serious suggestion? Was it both?
How is Danish humor different from what you’ve been used to before coming to Denmark? Contemporary American comedy is not in a good place at the moment: comedians are so afraid of offending one group or another that they’re unwilling to take many risks, so they’re basically left with drug jokes and fart jokes. Even Jerry Seinfeld has said he no longer
tours college campuses because the students are too quick to take offense. Danish comedy, by contrast, is very provocative; making people uncomfortable is part of the humor.
Do you like the way Danes joke? I think you get used to it. What I tell foreigners is, that when Danes include you in their jokes, they’ve accepted you as part of their circle. They know you can take it. So foreigners should see it as a small honor.
Have you ever been offended by Danish humor? When I first arrived in Denmark, I was at one of those cafes where you pick up your own meals at the bar and bring them back to the table. I was carrying a big plate of pasta and some drinks in what was basically a dim, candlelit environment, and I tripped over a chair leg and fell, landing food and beverages all over the place. The people around me in the café laughed and laughed, as if I had been paid to put on a show for them. I wasn’t too pleased at the time. Later, of course, I learned about the Danes’ affection for slapstick humor, which I guess I had unintentionally provided. And I learned that their expectation was that I should laugh at myself.
THANKS SO MUCH, KAY!