The happiest place on earth is my fave

October 26, 2009

Did you watch the Oprah episode last week about the happiest people on earth? Over the weekend a few friends and I started talking about it and we all had the same impression. We want to move to Denmark!

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Why I’m convinced I want to be Danish:

- 1/3 of the population mainly bikes for transportation
- women get six months to a year maternity leave
- homelessness, poverty and unemployment are rare
- they eat fresh food from the market daily
- they have cute trams for their babies and let them nap outside
- university is free
- marriage is focused on the relationship, not the big wedding
- everyone heads home at around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, family is the focus
- their homes are mostly clean and simple, they don’t feel like they need a lot of stuff

Of course when the husbands heard our discussion they started listing off the negative things about socialism. So I’m thinking a good topic for another show would be, “my wife watched Oprah and now she wants to be a socialist.” It might be my one chance to get on the show since I’ve never going to become a family psychologist with a mustache.

Watch a Danish home tour here.

all images from Copenhagen Cycle Chic

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  • On October 26, 2009 , the southern hostess said:

    Count me in!

  • On October 26, 2009 , Kelsey @ Seattle Smith's said:

    I wish I rode my bike more!

  • On October 26, 2009 , Carol said:

    Yes! I watched that episode too! I loved everything they said!

  • On October 26, 2009 , notebookdoodles said:

    ahahha :) yes, wishful thinking.

  • On October 26, 2009 , Heather J said:

    sign me up!

  • On October 26, 2009 , Katie said:

    I believe in it. Socialism is good.

  • On October 26, 2009 , Ashley said:

    I'm in!

  • On October 26, 2009 , Lise C said:

    Well don´t get too excited ;)
    There are also negative sides to our country ;)
    I saw the commercial for the program and it was very very positive.
    There´s a lot of people who are not home before late night, there are a lot of poor and homeless people, the houses don´t look like that here. There´s not a lot of people who live so design-ish and big.
    Well apart from all the negativity, DK is a nice country with(also) a lot of positive things ;)

  • On October 26, 2009 , a little twig birdhouse said:

    Haha, I love your next inspired show title! Denmark does sound like a fab place to live!

  • On October 26, 2009 , A Pretty Trip said:

    Yes I know – the nordic countries have got it figured out! I love Australia, but there are definitely some social policies that could be introduced to bring a little bit more prosperity and wellbeing.

  • On October 26, 2009 , Jalouse said:

    I was just going to say the same Lise C did. That looked like very happy home situation there on the film. Not so " typical ", more like commercial typical type :)

    It´s same here in Finland. Loft kind of houses are very wanted, and the design esthetics have always been simple and clean in both countries.

    I have to say, I love danish clothing the best!

  • On October 26, 2009 , Jalouse said:

    And by the way, those cycling pics look amazing! I just bought my granny- bike in april, and cycled everywhere this summer! Now it´s time to put bikes away, cause it´s already started to snow many parts in Finland. Not in Helsinki yet, though…

    Still loving your blog! :)

  • On October 26, 2009 , Jill Turner said:

    Ummm her dress is my fave. Where do I get one?!

    I love love love the Netherlands – they bike everywhere too, are such nice and helpful people, and they just seem to love life.

    A good friend of mine is dating a Danish guy, and she is studying in Copenhagen next semester. I think I am going to go visit her (Eeek!), and I'm realllly excited!

  • On October 26, 2009 , Muffin said:

    hehe. :) Denmark is very nice, except for one thing: its completely flat!

    I'm from Norway and I can put check on the entire list – AND we have extrodinary nature. :) But denmark really is a good place to be, and cheaper than norway.

  • On October 26, 2009 , Rebecca (Dog-Eared) said:

    they must be doing something right :)

  • On October 26, 2009 , Kate said:

    This made me laugh hard out loud because I can see that exact conversation being had with my boyfriend:)

  • On October 26, 2009 , {z} said:

    I loved how the man said "less stuff, more life." Even if the show portrayed Denmark as more perfect that it really is(at least it seemed a little bit that way to me)…there is a lesson to be learned for most American's…
    oh and I loved the bikes with baby buggies on them! So fun…wish we had those here!

  • On October 26, 2009 , 3 o'clock walk said:

    thats so interesting! i wish i rode my bike more, but in my city bike racks are a rare find (sad I know) so i never have anywhere to park my bike, so alas i ride her less :(

  • On October 26, 2009 , danahollis said:

    I think Oprah was just having fun showing how others live in the world, but I think she is doing a disservice to her viewers (me included)by slanting the story. Or maybe she has an agenda, I can't say.

    I enjoyed the show so much I decided to do a little research.

    http://takeparttoo.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=60&PHPSESSID=19d91e8b732f44f752537de18ae87e39

    In America, we have many people from other countries. We truly are a melting pot. You can visit Denmark, but it's tough to stay. Their borders are essentially closed to foreigners. Oprah even remarked that everyone was tall and blond or something like that.

    Denmark has about 5 million people in a country less than twice the size of Massachusetts, we have over 304 million. I bet a lot of those people weren't born here. I think we are a better country for having such a diverse culture.

    I think we can apply many of the concepts from the show to our lives without moving there. What I took away from the show was less stuff = more life. Loved that!

  • On October 26, 2009 , LindaSol said:

    Oh.. where shall I start..

    See, I live in Norway and it is about the same as living in Denmark. Norway is rated as the best country to live in, but hey I can tell you otherwise.

    Especially the statement about getting home from work at 3 or 4. Hehe. That is not the reality here. But of course socialism brings many advanteges.

  • On October 26, 2009 , Lexie said:

    i have a few friends who are studying abroad in denmark and they LOVE it! i'd like to visit … then maybe i'll see if i want to live there.

    your oprah show topic is hilarious. you gotta wonder with the medical bill that they're trying to pass if she had some sort of a motive for "glorifying socialism!" lol

  • On October 26, 2009 , Thea said:

    I didn't see the show (don't have a TV), but I can say that Europe is very beautiful. I'm also not a huge fan of Oprah, but she does do a good job of open people's eyes. As for the "socialism" topic, I find it sad that there is such a negative perception in the US. It's more about accepting what other countries are doing and taking the positive aspects, than comparing us to them, or them to us. What a great quote "less stuff = more life". Beautiful pictures!

  • On October 26, 2009 , Carissa said:

    oh, I'm so bummed I didn't see this episode! I am half Danish and I have always wanted to visit Denmark!

  • On October 26, 2009 , thevoyageofv said:

    No way. Us Swedes are much happier! And cooler ;-)

  • On October 26, 2009 , Karen said:

    I missed the episode, but love the future episode you came up with. Also, see if you can stick around for the Oprah's favorite things episode. Maybe hide in a closet?

    I've heard Oprah's favorite things this year include sweater capes, calypso music, paisley tops, and saltwater taffy…

  • On October 26, 2009 , hannah said:

    I believe in anything that focuses first on family. If that is socialism then so be it! I would love to go to Denmark.

  • On October 26, 2009 , Sue (Someone's Mom) said:

    I know someone who had a baby in Denmark, she did get a year off paid maternity leave. Imagine that.

    Sue

  • On October 26, 2009 , Bettina LL said:

    Heh, well, I AM Danish, living in Denmaerk – and the show also should have stated that you only saw clips from the capital, Copenhagen! The apartement Oprah visited is a very expensive architect designed apartement which they have been trying to sell for half a year. :o ) The kids' rooms are NOT necessarily small as Oprah showed. ;o) But our refridgerators are. ;o)

    Anyway; We live in it, and we do not think of it as this big nono word "Socialism". Actually our government right now is somewhat right, but to American standards they are a liberal government. We do pay high taxes but that gives us the benefits of paid maternal leave for up to a year (and also some parternal leave for the fathers), free education on all levels which also is somewhat paid, free health insurance, free stays at hospitals etc. etc…And I think all this "security", the lack of having to really fight for it, is what makes us one of the "happiest" peolpe on Earth.

    And by the way: NOT all Danes are tall and blonde!" *lo*

  • On October 26, 2009 , Anne. said:

    This was probably the best Oprah episode this season! (So far, that is.) :]

  • On October 27, 2009 , roysie said:

    I want to go there, too! At least for vacation :)

  • On October 27, 2009 , Mr.Manky said:

    It seems lots of people who saw that episode walked away with the idea that Denmark is a little slice of paradise that anyone can have – it's not. Denmark is a closed country. It's extremely difficult to get in, not just visa-wise, but socially as well. If you do manage to get a study/work permit, then you'll end up encountering a side of Denmark Oprah didn't touch on – it's very strong reluctance to accept outsiders.

    Danes like to believe they're friendly and tolerant, and many foreigners come here thinking the same thing, but in the end many of us realize otherwise. Most foreigners who come to Denmark end up leaving after a few years because they find they can't make friends or fit in – that's irrespective of where they'r from. Denmark also has a problem with racism that goes largely unacknowledged. If you're not white and from the third world, coming to Denmark is just foolish.

    This is why the Danish government is actively trying to convince you to come work in Denmark – the Oprah episode was done with strong government encouragement. Denmark burns through foreign workers faster than it can replace them. So before you come rushing over here, do a bit more digging and find out what foreigners who've lived in Denmark for a few years think. You might get a view that's quite different from Oprah's.

  • On October 27, 2009 , {lovely little things} said:

    6 months to a year maternity leave!! I want to move there when I have kids.

  • On October 27, 2009 , liz stanley said:

    So interesting! Loved reading all the comments. I have strong Danish blood and have always wanted to visit

  • On October 27, 2009 , hayleyfiona said:

    Oh goodness. Let's all move to Denmark!

  • On October 27, 2009 , hayleyfiona said:

    Oh goodness. Let's all move to Denmark!

  • On October 27, 2009 , Chelsea said:

    ha! i am in sweden right now and i keep asking people about denmark because i keep hearing it's the happiest place on earth. yesterday a guy told me that in denmark they can drink at 16 and they pretty much drink all day and so that is why they are the happiest place! ha! i have no idea if that is true but i thought it was funny.. i want to see denmark.. just being in sweden.. i can see the advantages and disadvantages of socialism… but i have to say the people seem pretty happy overall.. oh and the cute baby prams are one of my very favorite things about scandinavia!
    xo chelsea

  • On October 27, 2009 , CopyStrands said:

    I saw the episode and pined for the life where you ride your bike everywhere and can leave your babies sleeping in strollers out on the street. When I told my hubby about the show he accused me of being a Socialist. I hate labels and just because I like a few things about the country doesn't make me a Socialist ;)

  • On October 28, 2009 , Jenn Kirk said:

    Very interesting to read what others have to say! My husband was in Finland for two years as a missionary, and it sounds very similar to Denmark; free health care, free education, lots of pedestrians, bike riders and so on. But the beautiful parks are full of homeless people. And proselyting was easy in that many people were home during the day — because they didn't work (and that's where "easy" ends, with it being a very strong Lutheran country). But despite their issues, I think there is a lot we can learn from our European neighbors, such as their regard for the environment, how to live within small spaces, communities that promote walking and use of public transportation, fresh, natural foods. And the fashion, of course!

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