(excerpt..)
‘After living with the Danes I feel like I have become more like them: more analytic and less emotional.
I now find Kiwis very hard work – very emotional – always interfering in each other’s lives and stressing about things they have no power to influence. .’
Stevens managed to buy a ‘beautiful period apartment’ in central Copenhagen after two years in the city and says ‘cheap’ mortgage repayments have enabled her to pay off a third of her home loan in four years.
She loves the cleanliness of the cities and towns – ‘wonderful’ public transport – lack of crime – subsidised services for children – ‘world-class’ parental leave and that Danes ‘know how to handle themselves when interacting and become very alarmed at any conflict whatsoever’.
She says they are also extraordinarily trusting – if you make an insurance claim after a car crash Danes will generally take you at your word if you say you’re not at fault – and once you get past their ‘seemingly impenetrable icy shell’ are intensely loyal friends.
(cont…)
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