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by INTPenis 413 days ago
I once heard a Danish head of a university say that they wanted more Swedes to come over and work because Danish workers tend to question orders more than Swedes do.

I have no idea if this is true, just sounded funny to me.

3 comments

When working for a Norwegian company, but with colleague in all of Scandinavia, we where introduced to the notion that as Danes we tend to be a bit pushing, impatient and just wanting to get on with the job. This would clash with the Norwegians who would want to do a lot of prep-work, upfront documentation and generally follow a certain procedure. The Swedes would avoid starting something until very one on the project had been heard and their concerns addressed.

If this is completely true in all cases seems questionable to me, but we did complete a project faster than the Oslo office could plan and document an identical project in Norway, resulting in an audit from the head office.

What I have heard: Danes question orders. Swedes follow orders. Norwegians does not question orders, but does not follow them either unless they feel like it.

Don’t know if this is true.

I guess the joke should be 'there are no orders' not 'follow orders'.
I'm a dual US/Italian citizen and the joke in Italy is:

"The Germans like the Italians b/c they are fun but don't respect them b/c they are disorganized.

The Italians respect the Germans b/c they are organized but don't like them b/c they are not fun"