A few tips for Denmark...
 

I wanted to post a few things I learned from our recent trip to Denmark. I know it isn't the largest tourest destination, but hopefully these will help future visitors:

You sometimes have to pay for grocery bags. There is a tax on them, so they sometimes cost a few kroner. Don't just grab them and start bagging your groceries.

Buy your train ticket before getting on the train. There is a 500DKK fine for not having a ticket while riding on the train.

If you are a family taking the train, seek out the family car. There is a play area for kids.

On the same note, avoid the Quiet Car. It will be dark with stern-looking people on it. They will have no patience for you and your family trying to board:)

Try not to touch your food with your hands. Knives and forks should be used and napkins somtimes aren't provided. This is a little more lax in public than ten years ago, but we still followed it in restaurants and homes.

Will add more if I think of them. Hope this helps.

Visit Denmark!

Regarding the usage of knife & fork, I asked my Danish friend about it. In general, he says that yes, they use knife & fork for everything except sandwiches and burgers naturally. But there is a saying that if it involves feathers (e.g. chicken) then it's ok to eat that with your bare hands.

The rule about eating with fingers is common in many parts of Europe. In France, I was told that only asparagus may even must be eaten with the fingers and should not be cut. I had two acquaintances from Germany--an apprentice butcher and a car mechanic--come and visit. I took them to a brew pub and ordered beer and one of these huge plates of tortilla chips dripping with cheese. No cutlery provided and they did not know how to approach the plate until I pointed out that it was meant as finger food. Then they loved it. Things may have changed in Europe, and that was 15 years ago. When in doubt, use your knife and fork, even if dealing with chicken. As a side note, this summer we were sitting next to a Japanese couple in a restaurant in Venice and they verbally admired our way of eating fish with a knife and fork, remarking that our plates at the end were much cleaner than theirs.

i don't think it has changed much. burgers, pizza (unsliced of course) all eaten with knife and fork in most of europe.

I disagree with that. Unsliced and very thin crusted pizza, yes, eaten with knife and fork. But burger, hmm.. usually cut into pieces and eaten by hand.

I can't imagine trying to eat a burger with knife and fork! :-) How tedius that must be...I mean even my Danish friend says they eat burgers by hand. On the other hand, I've seen people eat french fries with forks! Even my father goes further eating his pear with knife & fork and he's not even Danish! :-)
This is pretty interesting!

My dear, it's not a Danish thing, it's just good manners. I never use fingers for anything, possibly Asparagus, but it's rarely served in that capacity these days.

If I'm having a pizza inflicted upon me, I'll always use a knife and fork. If I'm having a smart hamburger somewhere, I cut it with a knife and fork, and the bun is cut up too. Fingers are what babies use.

Okay, if you want to look peculiar, order a panino at an Italian bar and ask for a knife and fork. Tell them it's only good manners.

How can one have pizza "inflicted" upon oneself? Don't you have to order it? ((b))

Forgot to ask: What happens when you have bread inflicted upon you?

I, too, wonder how is it possible to have food inflicted upon oneself. Is that like being forcefed? :) Explain please...

What's gross is people who eat food with fingers and then lick their fingers with sucking, slurping sounds. My dog eats with better manners than that ...

Or people who slurp soup with the accompaniment of loud sucking noises. It's worse than being next to a Hoover vacuum cleaner ...

I think I'll skip Denmark, but thanks.

You pay for bags in grocery stores in Iceland as well. I definitely am not skipping Denmark as it is on the itinerary for my upcoming trip to Europe with London (as usual) and Holland. Europe in Nov - fewer tourists.
This is my 3rd straight Nov there - a great time to go.

francophile--if served <i>steack et frites</i>, you are expected to use knife and fork for all items on the plate.

quote&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
I can't imagine trying to eat a burger with knife and fork! How tedius that must be...I mean even my Danish friend says they eat burgers by hand. On the other hand, I've seen people eat french fries with forks!
&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;

your reaction to this belies your status as a &quot;francophile&quot;. A knife and fork is the standard way for a french person to consume a burger and french fries. perhaps fast food is an exception to this but in a restaurant, this is the norm.

&gt;...he says that yes, they use knife &amp; fork for everything except sandwiches and burgers ...&lt;

Another example of the general lessening of standards.

I shall continue to eat my sm&oslash;rrebrod and burgers with a knife and fork, and drink my beer from a glass.

Thank you all very much for your kind comments.

Tell me, walkinaround, what is a Francophile?