One Night in Nyhavn…
Okay, let’s get it over and done with: KarenDK26 is a hoax organised by Visit Denmark and it has been endlessly discussed on Twitter (and probably elsewhere on the internets)
You want the video? Here goes:
Update: Visit Denmark pulled the video from YouTube on Monday. But being as this is teh Internets, the most powerful communication tool in the world, the answer to your question is: You may feel lucky.
So, what to say about this?
VD did an interesting job on its own premises. After all, it took a little time before the hoax became obvious. And this probably also means that Ditte Arnth Jørgensen wasn’t a bad choice as The Mother. (And while we’re at it: Give the woman a break. If you want to criticise somebody, go for VD or the ad agency. Actors have to make a living, m’kay?)
But in the real world?
The morning-after pill is available at all Danish pharmacies and abortion is legal. Just saying.
Not all Danes are happy with the image of Danish women being presented: “Easy to get drunk and then get into bed with”. And Bulgaria may be a better destination if you are looking for some casual sex with drunk Danes. Or drunk Swedes. Or drunk whatever.
Then there is the fact that if little August had been a real baby, his father would find it more than difficult to get back into Denmark: You see, if you are not an EU citizen, you are definitively not welcome in Denmark (and even if you are an EU citizen, Pia does not like you being here – and the government does what Pia wants it to) and the Danish People’s Party are already calling for even stricter rules on family reunions. And if you should make it past the iron gates, expect a life eating ground liver paté and wearing dreary clothes.
And then there is the entire question of meeting the Danes. Many foreigners who have lived in Denmark for shorter or longer periods have pointed out that getting in touch with the natives is not that easy. In fact, it is almost impossible to get close to a Dane (we are typical Scandinavians in that respect). So by all means, dream of the pretty Danes. But remember that dreams and reality don’t always mix. Some dreams are best left as – dreams. And Germany is less expensive.
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Category: Spare time | Tags: Denmark, Media 5 comments »
September 14th, 2009 at 06:15
Amazing summary, Jacob. Very spot on on how the advertising truth is on so many levels very far from actual truth. Brillant.
September 14th, 2009 at 06:19
[...] i overført betydning løgn. For Danmark er slet ikke den type samfund, der lægges op til, som Jacob Christensen her beskriver på meget elegant vis. Der er tale om en ren potemkin-kulissse – og det endda én af noget tvivlsom [...]
September 14th, 2009 at 06:54
Hi Jacob – you made me smile here. it’s a failed commercial for sure. Anyway I love the way you outline it =)
September 14th, 2009 at 14:15
Dude, nice way to clear up the skies, but just one thing, i’ve been in denmark 3 times now (im from Dominican Republic) and if met a lot of danes and made friends with a lot of them…so i dont think the natives are that hard to get close to…but sure as heck are hard to get wasted beyond the limit of memory keeping! hehe
September 20th, 2009 at 11:34
The number of foreign students in Århus at least is growing every year, dare to say that one of the reasons could be that the danish students are very likeable, and easy to get on with.
And by the way, the number of foreigns newcomers to Denmark was higher last year than ever.