Vibing with nature

Yesterday we had a walk through the natural landscape of Aarhus. We were actually planning on taking a bath but it started snowing before we got to the beach. Still our hopes for taking a bath soon are high because we saw the first spring signs, snowbells. I was again mesmerised by the beautiful houses on the beach, of which I am going to take pictures at some point. I would love to leave in one of those houses, even though it's Denmark.

Now...the story with the "comforters" tree (last picture) is that someone started some sort of tradition. When babies get a bit too old for comforters they come here with their moms, put the comforter in the tree, with a message or something, and never use one again. I think it's pretty smart and non traumatic.

Friday Bar or Tipsy Friday

Every Friday, or almost, the IS/ES Master programs have their Friday Bar. The concept of FB is general as all departments have one. The FB is organised inside the school but you are allowed to drink anything. This is like a little class party on every Friday to celebrate the passing week. It surprised me at at first but now it's starting to grow on me. And this Friday we had the Fastelavn which is some sort of Danish Halloween ..I did not have a costume because I suck at that.

Genetic laws

Today I had my first class in Cultural Analyses. This is more of an anthropological class, but even so it is very interesting. I hope that I will manage to understand and create my own idea on why there are so many differences between the cultures of the world if we consider that we all have the same origins.

I decided to write something about the Scandinavian genetic law, which in my opinion says a lot about their character and the way the society is built, that is equal – homogenous. From what I understood, the Danes particularly, refuse to accept that this is how they are, maybe because it’s a proof for their lack of emotions and reactions.

The Jante law

The Jante law is an unwritten law that can be applied to the people leaving in the Northern part of Europe, mostly the Scandinavians. The basic concept of the law is: Don't think you're anyone special or that you're better than us.

The law has ten rules:

1. Don't think that you are special.

2. Don't think that you are of the same standing as us.

3. Don't think that you are smarter than us.

4. Don't fancy yourself as being better than us.

5. Don't think that you know more than us.

6. Don't think that you are more important than us.

7. Don't think that you are good at anything.

8. Don't laugh at us.

9. Don't think that anyone cares about you.

10. Don't think that you can teach us anything.

The us in the rules does not refer necessarily to how people outside the countries view the Scandivanians, but also to how they treat eachother. The law is directly related to the Lagom theory, which is actualy a swedish word that means “just the right amount”. Never more, never less…always what is requested.

The idea behind this can also be found in other parts of the world such as Australia and New Zeeleand, under the term Tall Poppy Syndrome. Someone is said to be a target of tall poppy syndrome when his or her assumption of a higher economic, social, or political position is criticized as being presumptuous, attention seeking, or without merit.