How do you make friends in a country where locals prefer not to talk to anyone they don’t already know? The Expat Insider Survey ranks Denmark 53rd out of 53 countries in the subcategory of finding friends and 66% of those surveyed reported it challenging to make friends with locals when moving abroad to Denmark. While it’s not impossible to make connections in Denmark, those numbers aren’t made up and this episode will help you defy the odds and understand the reality of moving to Denmark without a friend network.

Annie and Derek break down the cultural reasons behind Denmark’s difficult friendship-making landscape. As a mother of four, Annie sheds some light on the way Danes are brought up to prefer a smaller network of friends and may not have room for more. Derek explains the practical reasons why Danes can appear cold to those from other cultures with a fruity analogy that a couple of old men with PhDs came up with. Is it going to help you make new friends? No guarantees, but will you walk away from this episode feeling a little more connected and less alone? Yes!

And make sure to follow because next week we’ll be back in your feed to continue the conversation around friendship in Denmark and answer some listener questions on the topic with tips on socializing with Danes.

For more clips and tips on living in Denmark and follow us on social media:

What Are You Doing in Denmark podcast: 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/waydidpod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

Derek Hartman: 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/robetrotting

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@robetrotting

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrotting

Annie Samples:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/annieineventyrland 

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@annieineventyrland

🎙️ Upcoming Live Shows — What Are You Doing in Denmark? — Come Join Us! 🎉

🗓️ 9 August 2025, Odense Studenterhus

https://www.studenterhus.dk/facebook-event/live-podcast-what-are-you-doing-in-denmark-studenterhus-odense/

🗓️ 9 September 2025, Copenhagen Comedy Zoo

https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1298885

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