Can I Be Friends With My Colleagues in Denmark?

Is it possible to become friends with your colleagues in Denmark, or are work friendships strictly a Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-4 arrangement? This week on What Are You Doing in Denmark?, Derek and Brooke tackle a question many internationals in Denmark have probably wondered about: Why does everyone seem to disappear the second the workday ends? And is it weird to ask a Danish coworker to grab a beer, just the two of you? We discuss Friday bars, Danish work-life balance, the unwritten rules of workplace socializing, and why company outings don't always translate into actual friendships. We also compare the spontaneity of American happy hours with Denmark's more scheduled approach to social life. Plus, if you've ever felt rejected when a Danish colleague didn't take you up on an invitation, we have some advice: it might not be personal. So, should you ask that coworker out for a beer? Yes! Just be prepared to adjust your expectations, respect people's boundaries, and remember that making friends as an international takes time. Have a question about life in Denmark? Send us a DM, leave a comment, or send us a voice message. We love hearing from you! Chapters: 00:00 – Can You Be Friends With Your Colleagues in Denmark? 00:38 – The Question: Why Does Everyone Leave at 4 PM? 01:19 – Danish Work-Life Balance and the School Pickup Schedule 02:25 – Friday Bars: A Culture Shock for Internationals 04:06 – Why Doesn't Anyone Want to Go Out After Work? 05:06 – The Unwritten Social Contract of Danish Workplaces 06:48 – Are You Missing Out If You Skip Friday Bar? 07:06 – Julefrokost, Company Parties and Workplace Bonding 08:10 – Does Drinking With Colleagues Actually Make You Friends? 09:39 – Keeping Work Friendships Separate From Real Life 10:19 – Do Danish Colleagues Actually Want to Hang Out? 11:04 – Can You Make Friends With Danish Coworkers? 11:51 – American Happy Hours vs. Danish Social Life 13:48 – Is It Weird to Make Plans With Just One or Two Colleagues? 15:06 – Do Company Outings Actually Help You Bond? 15:29 – The DHL Relay: Team Building or Just a Run? 16:50 – Adjusting Your Expectations When Moving to Denmark 17:29 – Should You Keep Asking If a Colleague Says No? 19:39 – Danish Work-Life Balance and Personal Boundaries 20:36 – Can You Be Your Whole Self Around Coworkers? 21:08 – Our Advice: Go Ahead and Ask Them for a Beer 21:51 – Send Us Your Questions About Life in Denmark 🎟️ Get tickets for Derek and Conrad's English Stand Up Comedy Show on 26th November ➡️ HERE 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F 📢 Send your questions and/or comments. voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid email: [email protected] 👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast. 👀 More living in Denmark tips: https://instagram.com/waydidpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.