Surviving Denmark #1: Vinden

When Tao started this blog he thought its main topics would be social software, Apple, photography and the odd current affair. Seeing how, through a process closely resembling white-slavery, Tao now finds himself in Denmark for an extended period of time, he has decided to grant that country its own category. This should be filled with frequent reports on living in Denmark, the Danish people, their customs, their eerrrm...language and other smørrebrødian issues.

Tao could have started with the devolving language or with right-wing political parties called "Left" or with the beer-obsession, but those things will have to wait. This one is about wind. THE Wind.

The Wind (or Vinden in Danish) in Denmark is an entity that should by all rights belong in a list like: H.C. Andersen, Tivoli, Smørrebrød, Beer and Legoland. Vinden is quite possibly the nastiest thing about this country. Sure other countries have wind too, including Holland and Nauru. But nothing like this. Persistant, insidious, vile, cold and wet. Blowing straight through however many layers of clothing you might be wearing. Chilling one to the bone as it speeds by, hurling small animals, barnyard objects, disease, pestilence and any attempts at meanful conversation along with it. The tears streaking from your eyes.

And just when you think it is gone and you can open your eyes again, all you are greeted with is a brief glimpse of totally oblivious Danish people. Before the horror continues. When asking Danes about this, they reply this is nothing and that things are much worse on Jylland (the part of Denmark sticking out of Germany and thus often referred to by non-residents as "Nord-Tyskland" or North-Germany).

Obviously Beaufort wasn't a Dane.

A few months ago, when Tao was out of the country for the weekend he heard there had been "A Storm". Holy Moses! Wind at a level Danes would be calling a storm must be able to blow away the very fabric of society! Some evidence of this was the late arrival Tao's flight in København and the total lack of taxis on arrival. Probably the only reason there wasn't any looting going on, was that the Danes are clever enough to realize, that it is easier to just wait and see what gets deposited in your back-yard.

It is Tao's suspicion that Vinden, in actuality, is just one of the many defense mechanisms Denmark uses to keep foreigners out. Tao will expose others in future episodes. Stay tuned.

Comments

[Pim]

I thought your name was Thijs, and that Tao was an ancient Chinese philosopher. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Your articles are nice to read, but you might consider changing your style a little bit in my humble opinion ;).

Never been to Danmark though, and I was under the impression we have quite cold winds here too ;).

[Tao]

Mmmm I've been Tao for 10 years at least. Taoism is an ancient philosophy from the east yes, but not the name of a person. Tao-Space is named so for a reason, as it is my domain.

What is the matter with my style?

[Pim]

Hmmm, ok, fair enough ;). I don't know all details about Taoism ;).

And about your style, for me it is a lot easier to explain that in Dutch and in person (also a good reason to drink some beers ;)). But to be short, and give it a try in English: it appears a little bit arrogant to me.

Examples:
"When Tao started"
"Tao could have"

Why do you write about yourself like it is somebody else? It sounds a little bit like a King: "We think this and that".
Why did you choose for that? It gives the whole a strange feeling to me. Why don't you just say "When I started", "I could have". A lot more personal ;).

Anyway, don't get me wrong. I don't want to start a flame here. I am trying to give you feedback on your style because I like you as a person :).

[Freja]

He, he, I don't know if I like you as a person (how could I possibly know that?) but I surely like your style. Arrogant? Not at all, funny in my opinion. -And I'd know, I'm a Dane... From Jylland actually, and believe me, you are not the only one who have noticed vinden!