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Are the Danes “inappropriate”, “in-your-face” and “rude”? 

Perhaps not, according to Danish Humour – Sink or Swim, written by humour researcher Lita Lundquist and Helen Dyrbye, principal author of The Xenophobe’s Guide to the Danes. 

Have you ever wondered why the open-minded Danes, with their hygge and easy-going nature, are so often “left patching up”, as one European Member of Parliament put it, after getting well out of their depth in polite conversation? 

Lundquist and Dyrbye attribute this to the Danes’ humour socialisation – their upbringing, society and puzzling language – and vividly illustrate their claims using plenty of amusing failed humour events among Danes and their international colleagues. 

With the help of philosophers, psychologists, linguists, audio clips and a giggle or two, this intriguing combination of precise theory and capsized real-life episodes explains in detail but from a safe distance, what makes the Danes, their language and their humour so ‘special’. In a broader context, it also gives pointers on how to Sink or Swim when using humour in international waters.

This entertaining but enlightening book is for:

• Anyone working with Danes
• Expats and students in or relocating to DK
• Business Danes who have been labelled “rude” before (or suspect they have), as a fun but serious gift for international colleagues
• Communicators interested in language, humour and cultural differences
• Fans of The Xenophobes Guide to the Danes (4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon) who want more
• Readers seeking theoretical tools from recent humour studies
• Anyone lucky enough to be married to a Dane
• Danes in mixed marriages who need a lifeline

An academic light, in-depth exposé, featuring funny, sometimes risqué, real-life incidents and hard-core research, this book is sure to get discussions of corporate (humour) cultures, ‘keeping an open mind’ and positive teamwork moving.