Denmark: happiest place in the world

[Dave1001]

There's just something so deeply wrong about opting for public transit as an efficient means to end it all.

It's certainly not utilitarian. At least in Denmark the trains always run on time. The best way to commit suicide is in such a way that all your organd are preserved and quickly accessible for transplantation to those that need them.

 

[empeake]

It's certainly not utilitarian. At least in Denmark the trains always run on time. The best way to commit suicide is in such a way that all your organd are preserved and quickly accessible for transplantation to those that need them.

Yes, some people can be very inconsiderate to others when they die. A political aunt died the day of the World Cup final. She didn't even stop to think about how inconvenient it would be for the rest of us. Some people are just plain selfish.

 

[Dog Boots]

Kinda stupid question to ask of the country that brought forth BMX, Freestyle and MTB

Tell you what, Ill take Gonzo Gonzales, Matt Hoffman, Chad degroot, and Rick Moliterno in their respectie fields against anyone Denmark can bring

Hell Ill take ME against anyone Denmark can bring

I'm sorry, but you just have no idea what I'm talking about.

In Denmark, bikes are a serious, very widespread and very usable means of transportation. You can go anywhere on a bike. Everybody has one, many have more than one. People use them all the time.

I know, from personal experience, other's experience and conventional wisdom, that a bike is almost useless in most American cities. The infrastructure is not at all planned with bikes in mind. Therefore, there are hardly any bikes to steal, and nowhere to go on them, once you have stolen one.

Therefore, the amount of bike theft is quite high in Denmark, compared to other countries, just like there is more car theft in America than on Mars.

People steal bikes just to take on trip a few miles, then throw it into a bush (I've had two bikes stolen within the last 6 years). Noone would steal a BMX to take it to a contest, which seems to be your main impression of what a bike is used for. Not compared to the amount of "use and throwaway-theft" we experience over here.

This also fits my personal experience pretty well. I was trapped (is the right word) in Nashville, TN for a month with only my feet and a bike to get around on (oh, and public transportation...ahahahaha!), and everywhere I went people looked at me with an expression that clearly said: "Aww, how cute! He's using a toy as transportation outside the playground!".

 

[HeavyAaron]

I'm sorry, but you just have no idea what I'm talking about.

In Denmark, bikes are a serious, very widespread and very usable means of transportation. You can go anywhere on a bike. Everybody has one, many have more than one. People use them all the time.

I know, from personal experience, other's experience and conventional wisdom, that a bike is almost useless in most American cities. The infrastructure is not at all planned with bikes in mind. Therefore, there are hardly any bikes to steal, and nowhere to go on them, once you have stolen one.

Therefore, the amount of bike theft is quite high in Denmark, compared to other countries, just like there is more car theft in America than on Mars.

People steal bikes just to take on trip a few miles, then throw it into a bush (I've had two bikes stolen within the last 6 years). Noone would steal a BMX to take it to a contest, which seems to be your main impression of what a bike is used for. Not compared to the amount of "use and throwaway-theft" we experience over here.

This also fits my personal experience pretty well. I was trapped (is the right word) in Nashville, TN for a month with only my feet and a bike to get around on (oh, and public transportation...ahahahaha!), and everywhere I went people looked at me with an expression that clearly said: "Aww, how cute! He's using a toy as transportation outside the playground!".

Bicycle theft has got to be one of the most commonly stolen items in the US as far as I can tell. They are just very easily stolen. I'm not sure that it has anything to do with their practical application. I don't really understand theft and so trying to understand the motives behind bicycle theft is beyond me. My wife and I have both had our bicycles stolen from our home on seperate occations in the last 4 months. And I wasn't really suprised. What can I say? People suck.

Aaron

 

[DanishDynamite]

I've been to Denmark and, well, people didn't seem exactly cheerful. I found them to be modest, shy, nice, and only extroverted when drunk. Generally speaking, of course.

I suspect you are perhaps confusing extroverted giggling with happiness. It is in fact quite possible to be happy without constantly laughing. Constantly laughing people are usually found in mental institutions.

Can anyone really be happy if it's so cold? I'm serious. It's such a downer, as suicide rates show.

I haven't seen any papers suggesting that a cold climate is related to suicide rates. I have seen some papers though, which conclude that long periods with little sunlight can lead to depression. Hence the use of sun-lamps.

I think this could be a personality trait of the Danes that got into the answers - being conformed, calm, generally not the whining kind. It's obvious that wealth, translated into great health, education, welfare, etc, does play a part. That's undeniable.

Believe me, whining about minor injustices is a national pastime. We, however, usually keep our whining to official occasions, such as letters to the editor or public demonstrations. It doesn't give a lot of status for someone to whine to everyone whithin earshot.

But it's too cold.

Yes, it is too cold. At least to me.

But then, I didn't grow up here. And with Global Warming constantly raising temperatures, this will soon be but a memory.

 

[CFLarsen]

I suspect you are perhaps confusing extroverted giggling with happiness. It is in fact quite possible to be happy without constantly laughing. Constantly laughing people are usually found in mental institutions.

....and what would you know about that?

I haven't seen any papers suggesting that a cold climate is related to suicide rates. I have seen some papers though, which conclude that long periods with little sunlight can lead to depression. Hence the use of sun-lamps.

That's true. Word has it - and take it for what it's worth - that people in Norway who live above the Polar Circle literally don't go to bed in the few months of sunlight, but party the whole time. When the sun sinks below the horizon for months, they kill themselves.

Believe me, whining about minor injustices is a national pastime. We, however, usually keep our whining to official occasions, such as letters to the editor or public demonstrations. It doesn't give a lot of status for someone to whine to everyone whithin earshot.

Danes have never worried about status. Check our history.

Yes, it is too cold. At least to me.

Wimp.

But then, I didn't grow up here. And with Global Warming constantly raising temperatures, this will soon be but a memory.

That may be true. This July is the warmest on record.

 

[DanishDynamite]

....and what would you know about that?

American movies.

That's true. Word has it - and take it for what it's worth - that people in Norway who live above the Polar Circle literally don't go to bed in the few months of sunlight, but party the whole time. When the sun sinks below the horizon for months, they kill themselves.

Should I ask for ..... evidence?

Danes have never worried about status. Check our history.

Danes, as all other people in history, have always cared about status.

That may be true. This July is the warmest on record.

Have you read the fairly recent article in Politiken by Lomborg on this topic? If not, it is an eye-opener.

 

[pipelineaudio]

This also fits my personal experience pretty well. I was trapped (is the right word) in Nashville, TN for a month with only my feet and a bike to get around on (oh, and public transportation...ahahahaha!), and everywhere I went people looked at me with an expression that clearly said: "Aww, how cute! He's using a toy as transportation outside the playground!".

oh that SUCKS!!!

some people have no appreciation for the two wheeled steed

If you were here with me, youd have a lot more fun I think

And thats a pantload about bikes being useless in US cities. Bikes are the only smart way to get around *if you arent carrying anything* in lots of US cities

I rode my bike every day of my life since I had a tricylce, thats no exaggeration, except for the last few years where some health concerns nabbed me but Im still at it, more trying to get bikes into skateparks and other political stuff than riding unfortunately lately. You can go to my site at www.psychicflyingmoneky.com

I would much appreciate some euros to come ride in the Arizona summer heat with me We got a few, from england and germany, but no danish yet

Still any danish is hereby invited to show me just how much they ride compared to us lazy fat americans. Any time is fine, pick your poison:

Mini Ramp, Street, Vert Ramp, hell Ill even try the stuff Im known for NOT being able to do, flatland or dirt jumps, if you need a head start

 

[T'ai Chi]

I never said you did.

Then why would I need to answer your silly question.

 

[Dave1001]

oh that SUCKS!!!



And thats a pantload about bikes being useless in US cities. Bikes are the only smart way to get around *if you arent carrying anything* in lots of US cities

My impression is that bicycles (and bicyclists) in NYC primarily serve as flesh & aluminum speed bumps.

 

[HeavyAaron]

My impression is that bicycles (and bicyclists) in NYC primarily serve as flesh & aluminum speed bumps.

I don't think NYC requires speed bumps. I've never seen a car travelling with excess speed there.

Aaron

 

[pipelineaudio]

My impression is that bicycles (and bicyclists) in NYC primarily serve as flesh & aluminum speed bumps.

YES!!!!

But we enjoy that! Getting run over makes falling off a ramp or eating a handrail hurt a lot less!

Long live NY road Pizza

I apologize on behalf of the bike community for those awful biker shorts. You are granted license to run them down ,to thin out the herd thank you

 

[CFLarsen]

American movies.

Ah. Yes, they do depict reality correctly.

Should I ask for ..... evidence?

"Word has it".

Still, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it were true. Some people are hit hard by the dark winter.

Danes, as all other people in history, have always cared about status.

Yeah, but whenever we did, we ended up in a war which we inevitably would lose...

Have you read the fairly recent article in Politiken by Lomborg on this topic? If not, it is an eye-opener.

Yeah, I read it. Lomborg still prefers band-aids instead of getting rid on the knives.