Business meeting etiquette in Denmark
We should explain the importance of meeting, before detailing all the points about the Business meeting etiquette in Denmark. Business meetings start and end at agreed times. Normally hands are shaken both before and after the meetings.
The most common way of keeping people up to date
Danes like to keep it simple and meetings to be short and well-structured with as little paperwork as possible. However, a written agenda will be followed and all the most important agreements and decisions recorded in a written summary to be circulated following the meeting.
People from Denmark are easy-going, flexible and patient in negotiations. They are good listeners known for their ability to secure good deals without making enemies.
Gifts
There is strict legislation on the topic of business gifts in Denmark. While it is not common to give gifts at business meetings, it is not forbidden either. If it looks as though business is going well, then a very small gift may be given to your contact after agreements have been signed. When you receive a gift in return, feel free to open it in front of the other person rather than waiting.
Business meeting planning
While we focus on business meeting etiquette in Denmark, it’s important to think about the meeting planning. You should always arrange your appointments with your Danish business partners well in advance (at least two weeks before the actual meeting). July and August are the most common holiday months for Danes. Therefore you should avoid trying to arrange any meetings at that particular time. Danes are punctual in both business and social engagements, and they expect you to be punctual too.
How to prepare?
Send an agenda in advance to your Danish business partner when preparing for a meeting. The meetings might begin with some small-talk. Then Danes get straight right to the point. Despite maintaining professional standards of behavior at all times, they are tolerant, relaxed and informal. They tend to be quite frank in the way they speak since direct communication is perceived as being sincere and honest.
The Diary
In general there will be a secretary or PA who controls the diary of the manager you are visiting. Best way to set up a meeting is to arrange it with this person. Then you should call the day before to confirm your attendance. You are advised to check in advance if any resources or equipment that you require are available. This will help prevent delays or embarrassment at the actual meeting. We should think about this in the importance of meetings etiquette in Denmark.
When?
Danes treasure their leisure time, most of which is spent with their family. They would not generally be available for meetings after 4 pm on weekdays.
Similarly, do not plan meetings for Saturdays, Sundays, or on national holidays. Breakfast meetings are not the norm in Denmark. They should only be set up if appropriate to the particular situation. Lunch time might be the best option if you wish to discuss business during a meal. If you are planning to set up a business lunch, it should take place sometime between noon and 2 pm. Remember that long business lunches are uncommon in Denmark.
Meetings are always expected to start and end at the agreed time.
Negotiation process
A few points about the negociation process in business meeting etiquette in Denmark. Doing business in Denmark which involves negotiations should be prepared. The Danes are meticulous when it comes to analyzing information and proposals. Bring a wealth of written information for your Danish counterpart to examine. Presentations should be factual and well-organized. Having the ‘gift of the gab’ will get you nowhere if it is not supported by logical, rational and proven evidence.
Critical approach
They also value a critical approach and will not hesitate to express their dissenting opinions. This is not considered rude in Denmark and you should not be offended by it. Criticism is regarded as something that has to do with one’s work and is not a personal attack. It is possible to have fun together immediately afterwards. It is important to spend some time discussing and arguing with your Danish counterpart to build up the relationship of trust that is necessary before a Dane will enter into an agreement with a new business partner.
There is usually a maximum of 10 minutes of ‘small talk’ at the beginning of the meetings. After that the Danes tend to get to the point quickly and focus intensively on the business at hand.
Meeting protocol in Denmark
Another important point in the business meeting etiquette in Denmark: Handshakes (with men and women). These are the accepted form of greeting in Denmark. Greet all participants with firm handshakes and direct eye contact upon arrival and leaving. Unlike in the United States, men do not stand when a woman enters or leaves a room.
The Danes are modest people in public. They tend to be very low-key. In order to fit in with their behaviour, subdue yourself a bit, especially if you are animated by nature. The key to being accepted and respected in Denmark is to blend in rather than stand out.
When talking to a Dane, stand at least two arms lengths away to give him or her enough distance and do not touch except when shaking hands.
How to run a business meeting
When running a meeting it is important to remember that the Danes tend to be matter of fact and businesslike in their conduct and they appreciate dialogue and the idea of democracy. It is normal to discuss subjects thoroughly in order to reach an agreement. It is not common – as it is in the US and the UK – to resolve matters by vote. Rather, people discuss in order to achieve consensus and to see matters from all possible perspectives.
Agendas
Agendas for a meeting are sent out in advance and they are generally adhered to. The Danes are punctual. They do not believe in hierarchy and will not respect it in their business dealings (indeed, this is the only area in which they refuse to compromise). They are easy-going, flexible and patient in negotiations, and are good listeners, known for their ability to secure win – win deals.
All Danish business people have a good working knowledge of English. They rarely require interpreters.
Follow up letter after meeting with client
The minutes of meetings will be circulated after the meeting has concluded. Action plans of what has been agreed and who is responsible for taking actions will be indicated on the minutes.
In individual meetings, a record should be kept of what was discussed, and the dates items were agreed to be completed by i.e. deadlines. It is important, in order to maintain credibility, that actions are followed up and completed in the timescales agreed. If this is not followed through diligently, it may affect the attendance at future meetings. Many executives will be impressed by a prompt follow up of actions agreed at a meeting.
You can also invite your business associates out for a drink. This may be a good time to get to know each other better and build up a stronger relationship.
Business meals
What about meals in business meeting etiquette in Denmark?
Danes usually have breakfast at home with their families, so they do not expect to conduct any business during this meal. Lunch is the most common mealtime during which to conduct business negotiations and is usually served from noon to 2 pm. Open-faced sandwiches are typical foods for this meal and long business lunches are uncommon. Dinner, the main meal of the day, is served from 6 to 8 pm. The evening meal may consist of meats, fish, vegetables, and dessert. Drinks served with dinner are usually regional beers or wine.
Where?
Danes eat most of their meals at home and in private settings, although public dining places ranging from small hot dog stands to fancy restaurants are available and are used. Lunch at a work place, school, or institution is either homemade or available from kitchens or canteens, offering open sandwiches, hot meals, or a buffet table. Lunch may also be bought at butcher’s shops, cafes, and sandwich bars.
Invited for dinner
You can be invited to a dinner at your business partner’s home, if that happens you should bring flowers or a couple of bottles of red wine. If your spouse has travelled to Denmark with you, the invitation will most likely include him or her. If you are invited to dinner, typically, you will be ushered straight to the table.
Dinning etiquette
When drinks are served before dinner, however, they will usually be set out in the living room. This will most probably consist of white wine. Drinks are more common after dinner, as is coffee and beer. Expect to remain at the table for a long time. Danish dinners can last as long as four hours. You should not leave the table before your host or hostess as this would appear rude. After the meal, you will probably be expected to stay a while for drinks and conversation.
The dining etiquette is very much the same as in most other European countries. Table manners are Continental. The best rule for most situations is to use common sense. General dining manners and simply follow the host’s / hostess’s lead.
Which dishes?
- Smørrebrød (open sandwiches) is possibly the best known dish from Denmark. Basically, it is rye bread that is buttered and covered with sliced meat, cheese, etc.
- wienerbrød (Danish pastry) and kransekage (almond cake rings).
- æblekage (apple charlotte) with fried breadcrumbs and fruit preserves.
Business meeting etiquette in Denmark: tips
Here are some tips to understand the Business meeting etiquette in Denmark. It is still appropriate to start the meeting with about 10 minutes of informal conversation. Even if the Danes do tend to get straight down to business in meetings.
Most Danish business people have good skills in English and interpreters are rarely needed.
“Hygge” mentality
Danish mentality can be described by the words “hygge” and humorous. It is difficult to translate the term “hygge”. But those seeking to grasp its meaning will discover that it is closely associated with having a good time together. Humour is an essential element of everyday living. Humour comes with irony to many Danes. Which many foreigners may find be difficult for to appreciate. But it is absolutely essential if you want to understand the Danish mentality.
Dates are written in the following way in Denmark. The day first, then the month, then the year [e.g. October 21, 2013, is written 21.10.13.].
You can also find here a forum with discussions from people that decided to live in Denmark: https://www.quora.com/What-is-best-and-worst-about-living-in-Denmark.