

"Self-irony" is at the root of what in my book is Danes' most unhappy mannerism, which is laughing openly at others' misfortunes. Drop an watermelon onto your foot? Ho! Accidentally try to go down the "up" escalator while carrying a lot of luggage? Ho! Ho! Stumble while trying to balance a tray full of drinks from the bar, spilling $75 worth of pasta and cocktails onto the floor? Ho! Ho! Ho! No one will try to help, but everyone will have a smile at your expense. This is because you should not be taking yourself too seriously. You are everyone's silent movie comedian today. Danes don't do this just to foreigners - they do it to each other. There's an old fashioned concept called a "kvajbajer": when you make a fool of yourself, you are supposed to buy a beer for everyone who enjoyed watching you. Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!