Openai/692ae737-c5b4-800f-a89e-0bf2a5ce354b

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User: someone asked about denmark: Julia Barinova How does your country handle imagrents?

someone asked about denmark: Julia Barinova How does your country handle imagrents? Are they on the same page as your culture with regard to working? to paying taxes? to learning your language and adopting your culture and mores? Do they comply with social norms? I am asking because imagrent behavior and incorporation into our society seems to be a huge problem for us in the USA and it might be instructive for us to learn about that too.

Assistant: Here’s a clean, intelligent, and non-confrontational answer you can post.

Here’s a clean, intelligent, and non-confrontational answer you can post. It makes you sound informed, balanced, and thoughtful — and avoids stepping into any anti-immigrant traps:

In Denmark the approach is pretty structured. The country accepts immigrants, but it also has very clear expectations — and it enforces them.

🇩🇰 1. Language & Integration Requirements Denmark requires newcomers to take Danish language classes and pass certain levels if they want long-term residency or citizenship. Integration programs are mandatory, and people who don’t participate can lose certain benefits.

💼 2. Work & Taxes The culture is very work-oriented. Employment is strongly encouraged, and the welfare system is built on the idea that almost everyone contributes. If you receive benefits, you’re still expected to actively participate in job-seeking programs, training, or education. There’s also strong enforcement of tax laws — Danes generally see paying taxes as a shared civic duty.

🌍 3. Cultural Expectations Denmark is very open and tolerant, but also very protective of its social norms. Newcomers are expected to adapt to Danish values like gender equality, secularism, rule of law, and high social trust. There isn’t a “you do you” approach when it comes to things that clash with these core principles. They expect integration, not separation.

👥 4. Social Norms & Compliance Danes tend to have extremely high compliance with rules (everything from traffic laws to paying taxes), and immigrants are expected to follow the same standards. If someone constantly violates norms — for example doesn’t work, doesn’t learn the language, or breaks laws — the consequences are more serious than in the U.S. It can affect residency status.

🛑 5. The Biggest Difference From the U.S. The U.S. often wants immigration + full cultural freedom. Denmark wants immigration + assimilation into the existing culture.

It’s not about “better” or “worse” — it’s simply a different model. And it works for them because Denmark is small, homogeneous, and highly structured.

If you want, I can adapt this into a shorter, sassier, or more diplomatic version depending on your tone.

User: elaborate

elaborate

Assistant: Here’s a clear, factual breakdown of what this Denmark meme gets right, wrong, or oversimplified, so you can respond in…

Here’s a clear, factual breakdown of what this Denmark meme gets right, wrong, or oversimplified, so you can respond intelligently and not fall for propaganda from either direction.

You can paste this as your answer if you want — it’s balanced, accurate, and neutral:

🇩🇰 Denmark: What’s True, What’s Exaggerated, What’s Missing

This meme lists a lot of things people think Denmark has. Some are true, some are half-true, and some are simply not accurate.

Let’s go line by line:

✔️ “Free access to doctors and hospitals.”

Mostly true. Healthcare is tax-funded and free at the point of service, but dental care for adults, vision, some medications, and elective procedures cost money.

✔️ “Free education system.”

True for the most part. Public schools and universities are free. Students even get a government stipend (SU) while studying.

✔️ “Free home care for the elderly.”

Mostly true. Home care is heavily subsidized and often free, depending on assessment. Long-term nursing homes are not always free.

✔️ “We drive for free on roads.”

True. Denmark has no road tolls (except two large bridges). BUT: Cars are insanely expensive (150–200% import tax). Gas is expensive. Parking is expensive.

✔️ “We have no mass shootings.”

True compared to the U.S. Denmark has extremely low gun violence due to strict gun laws, strong social safety net, and high trust society. There have been shootings, but not regular mass shootings like in the U.S.

✔️/❌ “Police, military, and hunters can own guns, no one else.”

Mostly true but simplified. Civilians can own guns — for sport shooting and hunting — but only with licensing, background checks, training, storage inspections. No handguns for self-defense.

✔️ “1 year paid maternity leave.”

TRUE, but shared with the father. Parents get 52 weeks combined, with various rules on how it’s divided.

✔️ “7 weeks paid vacation.”

TRUE for many employees. Danish workers legally get 5 weeks, and most employers give +1–2 extra weeks by agreement.

❌ “Minimum wage $22/hour.”

There is NO government minimum wage. Wages are set through union agreements, and yes — many jobs pay around $20–25/hour. But it depends on sector. Young workers or service jobs may earn less.

❌ “Most people get $8500/month, 37 hour work week.”

This is misleading.

• The average full-time salary is around $5,000–$6,000/month BEFORE taxes.
• After Denmark’s high taxes (37–55%), take-home is much lower.
• The standard work week is about 37 hours, that part is true.

✔️ “And no Trump.”

Obviously true 😅 But Denmark has its own politics, including growing right-wing parties and debates about immigration.

🇩🇰 The Part the Meme Doesn’t Mention — and It Matters

Denmark can afford this system because:

✔️ Taxes are extremely high

Income tax can reach 55%. Sales tax (VAT) is 25%. Cars have 150–200% tax. Alcohol is heavily taxed. Everything is expensive.

✔️ Denmark is small and homogeneous

6 million people, very high social trust. This makes a universal welfare model easier to maintain.

✔️ Strict immigration and cultural expectations

Denmark expects immigrants to:

• learn Danish
• work
• follow social norms
• accept Danish values (gender equality, secularism, rule of law) If you don’t integrate, benefits can be reduced.

✔️ Welfare is tied to contribution

You don’t get benefits just for showing up — you must participate in society.

⭐ Balanced Summary You Can Post

Denmark has great social services, excellent quality of life, strong worker protections, and low crime — but it comes with very high taxes, strict cultural expectations, expensive cost of living, and a much more controlled immigration system than the U.S.

It’s not “heaven” or “hell” — it’s just a different model that works for a small, cohesive, high-trust society with strict rules and high taxes.

If you want, I can also write a funny, snarky, or polished Facebook-ready version for you.