Danish branding?

[Contratrombone64]

As a child I played with LEGO ... didn't we all? I never knew that it was based on leg godt (pron. lego as it typically quirky and Danish). So there you go, we all speak Danish and never knew it.

Oh, and leg godt = play well.

[Krummhorn]

Amazing ... always enjoyed playing with those when my son was growing up ... and then after he went to sleep, there I was creating more things ... great fun. Leg godt ... aptly named.

[rojo]

I loved playing with Lego when I was little. Great fun, always. Didn't know it was invented in Denmark until some time later.

[intet_at_tabe]

I loved playing with Lego when I was little. Great fun, always. Didn't know it was invented in Denmark until some time later.

rojo

There you go. Please, let me give you an example a bit more condescending and ignorant. Years ago I met an american athlete at Long Island, New York, at the sports university Hofstra, where the Olympics For The Disabled (physical) took place in 1984.

He came to me at the 50 metres Olympic pool at Hofstra swim stadium, during an intermission in the competitions, because I wore a T-shirt with the Danish flag in red and white, like the Swedish only the Swedish is blue and yellow.

He told me straight out very condescending, he always thought Denmark was a surburban to Stockholm, Sweden and he had wondered about the two different flags at the walls in the swim stadium?

Somewhat surpriced I asked him, if he had heard of the song titled: Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen. He smiled: Yes, Copenhagen is another surburban to Stockholm, Sweden?

I asked him about the Danish Vikings, and about the oldest Kingdom in the world with the oldest known flag in the world, with the best always evolving functional democracy, about Lego and Bang & Olufsen (B & O), Tuborg Beer, Danish Snaps, Danish Butter and Danish Bacon? He seemed confused and uncertain. Finally he replied: Is Denmark a former colony to Sweden?

He never knew, how close he got to meet his maker!!

[marval]

Well Intet

There are some slightly brain challanged people about.

I use to work with children, lego was one of the favourite toys to play with. Must admit that I didn't at the time know it was Danish, not until I heard of Legoland in Denmark

It is amazing what some people can make with lots of little plastic bricks.


Margaret

[Corno Dolce]

Hi Ms. Margaret,

"Some slightly brain challenged people about" - Yep, there sure are - I know - I'm one of them - Rednecks ain't got nothing on me

Oh yeah, the topic was "branding" - Is that with a branding iron one had seen being used in cowboy movies?

Yes, yes, - nothing like a good Marcussen Pipe Organ.

Cheers,

CD

[intet_at_tabe]

Well Intet

There are some slightly brain challanged people about.

I use to work with children, lego was one of the favourite toys to play with. Must admit that I didn't at the time know it was Danish, not until I heard of Legoland in Denmark

It is amazing what some people can make with lots of little plastic bricks.


Margaret

Ms. Margaret

There is another hidden truth in my conversation with this american geographical and historical "genius" back in the day. A truth which only swedes and danes would know of. His remark: Denmark a former colony to Sweden? - Ha-ha-ha

The Swedish and the Danish people have fought each other in wars for any imaginable and unimagiable reason for centuries - For political reasons?, for jealousy between the two Royal Family´s married into each other?, about who owns the south part of Sweden called Skåne (during the last real war, the swedes stole it back from Denmark)?, who plays soccer, tennis or golf the best?, how to make "mashed potatoes with sausages" equals in Swedish "potatismos med pølse" the best way?, who is better and more up-to-date on international politics, sports or anything whatsoever.

Of course the production of the world wide success the Swedish cars Volvo and Saab and the Swedish fighter aircraft Gripen, never to be argued apun, because the Danish can only produce cars and airplanes in Lego

Corno Dolce, being a Swede of birth, can add to this stupidity for centuries between the two neighbouring countries, which haven´t had a real war between them, come to think of it, for more than a hundred years, and you will have noticed how politely, friendly, always aware and diplomatic I always am in front of Corno Dolce .

To a nationalist dane (which I am not) for someone foreign to express the idea and the rediculous condescending concept that Denmark might have been the former colony of Sweden? Even in not funny at all.

That´s why we are so happy and proud in Denmark, when we actually are recognized for the story teller H. C. Andersen, Victor Borge, The Little Mermaid, B & O, Lego, the Danish Tuborg/Carlsberg beer, Danish herings, Danish Butter and Danish Bacon, the Danish alcohol called Snaps, Tivoli amusement Park, the classical composer Carl Nielsen, NHØP, our Royal Family (without any political influence) etc. etc. etc. - That´s real Danish branding. Remember here are only around 5 million people in Denmark all together.

[Corno Dolce]

And with all due honor, respect, and humbleness to my colleague Intet I must confirm that the current administration in Denmark is more politically astute and adept than their backwards peasant brethren in Stockholm. Sweden extricated(surprisingly) itself from the 70+ years of stasis and paralysis of Marxist-Leninist Socialism.

Sadly, the current regime in Stockholm seems incapable of delivering the goods that the voting constituency clamoured for when they booted out the Socialists. Oh, and by the way - I'm no "genius" - just an ordinary bloke with some un-ordinary thinking. I've had it with Sweden always tut-tutting Denmark, Norway, and Finland.

[marval]

Well guys

I think you both have reasons to be proud of your countries.

One time I was in France, my mother and I went into a shop and the man was very interested in where we lived. He seemed to think there was nothing between London and Scotland. Sadly some people know very little about other countries.

But here we have a multi-national forum, so we can all learn about other people and their countries.


Margaret

[acciaccatura]

Interesting thought that you're supposed to be 'proud' of 'your' country. That never worked for me at all. This is a classical music forum - some members here undoubtedly know about how classical musicians are generally being treated in denmark... do I need to mention "Janteloven" (you can look up "Law of Jante" in Wikipedia if you are uncertain what it means) - this is what denmark is really about, there is no redeeming factor if you are showing any kind of individuality, including having learnt a classical music instrument professionally. The very few Danish musicians who ever achieved fame, left Denmark a long time before things got nasty. As a musician here you have to tolerate not only isolation from society - you and everything you do is being ridiculed. There is a general attitude of contempt to anything artistic - cheap pop and rap carry the day. Never wondered why there is never any decent musician coming out of denmark? Well, there is a reason for that.

Danish society prides itself of being the most equal in the world... that may be, but the price is too high. Individuality is being scapegoated, persecuted and ridiculed while 'the danes' (those who fit within societal framework) are gleefully happy. This country makes me sick, regardless of how many lego bricks are sold in the USA...

[Contratrombone64]

I'm glad my thread turned into a display of people's knowledge of modern day Scandinavia. That said, I'm Australian by birth and have no viking blood (sadly). My family tree is traced back to 1760: all English, Scottish and Welsh. No viking! However, I read Danish quite well and can speak it at a basic level, problem being, not many Danes in Sydney to practice with and MOST Danes, speak English so well it was really a pointless language to have learned.

[intet_at_tabe]

acciaccatura, Hi buddy

You twist my words, and obviously you do not understand the issue of "Danish Branding". Branding means what you want others to see, what Denmark is famous for abroad, which is hardly what we as danes in Denmark these years being titled as the worst racist country in Europe want for Danish Branding. With no reason whatsoever we have to be proud of. The Danish company B & O HiFi equipment for instance became famous for it´s slim lined design. It doesn´t mean that it was better technicaly than JVC, Pioneer, Technics for instance, only it looked smart etc. etc. etc.

However you´re right about the typical downzise Danish JANTE-LAW invented by the Danish writer/novelist Aksel Sandemose. A psycological/mental unwritten law among the danes which prohibits any dane of feeling good being, who you are. Rather it stipulates that a dane, no matter his individual qualities is no good, at least not better than anyone else, probably worse.

I read your biography acciaccatura, and saw you play the piano, you teach and you feel lonely. So how may I help you to get out of your lonelyness? I can´t help you to become a better piano player or better on any other instrument, except the comb perhaps? .

So please speak your mind, and I´ll do whatever is possible for me being complete untalented in music and magic, to make you feel good, at least not worse than anyone else, and hopefully a bit less lonely. You could even write a PM for me, if you please? I´ll promise to keep it confidential between the two of us.

Beside this, as I told above, I am not very proud of being a dane, I am not a nationalist to my country, like the french people are nationalists to their country, knowing that elderly people and disabled people in this very rich western democracy and country, have to use diapers on a dayly basis, while the prime minister of Denmark Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen copy the - danske socialdemokratis velfærds model - are talking about welfare, welfare and then welfare - rhetorically, because it does not exist for real. It´s one huge lie like the lie that we are, Oh so democraticly. It´s Danish Branding. However, I do agree to the Danish Branding that Danish Tuborg beer is among the best in the world, beside german, dutch, belgium, english beer, while the famous USA beer Budwiser, should be titled candy and not beer, because it´s too sweet, like eating sugar from the tin can.

[intet_at_tabe]

acciaccatura and everybody else.

Here´s a great example of Danish Branding :

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=...8-fdf26d3307ca

Whether this idiot brands the Danish Fashion Week or solo-guitars unlimited, I can´t say. The only thing that is quite obvious is, he definitely brands the Danish JANTE-law, and he knows

[Corno Dolce]

Hello Dearest Intet,

Budweiser??? That's Moose piss - the stuff is awful and is an insult to connassieurs of fine beers everywhere. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Cheers,

CD

[intet_at_tabe]

Hello Dearest Intet,

Budweiser??? That's Moose piss - the stuff is awful and is an insult to connassieurs of fine beers everywhere. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Cheers,

CD

Corno Dolce

Good morning dear sir!!

Of course late at night where you are I knew you would enjoy that one my dear magical oceanian friend. The true connassieurs of beer for real men

The keyword is Danish Branding. It´s all a matter of tradition in breewing beer and because of the success in this holy interprize for centuries all the way back in our history to the years 600-1100. The Danish Vikings were known for disreputable under the influence behaviour in the foreign countries they invaded. At the time Denmark was known for it´s seamanship, building the Viking ships differently whether for England across a huge ocean or to Canada or just a short trip to Sweden on a saturday night for some fun. For instance rape of women were regarded profits of the victory down the coasts of Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, England, Norway, Sweden, Finland - you name it. We also branded our beer during those days of early turism, marketing our beer abroad, knowing the tricks of trading peacefully when every state around us implemented child support for foreignors. That ended the good ole Viking days, when we were feared at any coast. Until the Danish drawings of the prophet Mohammed some years ago, Denmark slipped into oblivion for centuries.

But the Danish Tuborg and Carlsberg beer companies, former enemies, now in the traditional joint venture as one company and still a world wide success.

However sitting in N.Y.C. in late July 1984 at Fifth Avenue in the smallest of small restaurents, I´ve ever visited among millions of people in The Big Apple tables at the size of plates, being served by this 360 pounder black guy at the size of the Himalaya. 10 dollars for one third of one litre of lukewarm Danish Tuborg beer from a tin can? BLASPHEMY

But looking up at him leaning over the table with his hand like the shovel of a coal scoop, not even the victorious memories of the Danish Vikings made me protest.