Are the Danes too laid back?

The Danes are often seen as very laid back-people and the question is, is it right or wrong?

A lot of people say it about us Danes and I think, there are some good reasons why.

Based on the Danes having a low power distance it makes sense that they are seen as very laid back. As a low power distance people there is not much of a difference between children and adults. Meant in a way that they treat each other equally. It’s not only at home where we talk about the things instead of one part deciding. It’s also in the school it happens. The teacher and the student are pretty much on the same ‘level’ in the class and the teacher expects initiatives from the students. In some countries and cultures with high power distance, it can look like the adults allow the children decide too much (in Denmark) which in some cases isn’t good for a child of course. But in Denmark we think that this is exactly what is good for the children that they learn to think by themselves and take responsibility. And if you see it in that way it is a good thing for the children. This is exactly one of the reasons why people around the world see us as too laid back. There can be different opinions about what is right and wrong.