Regular readers, from my first post here back in September 2010 (which was – selvfølgelig – about farts – “Mind your language!”) will know that I am in l-o-v-e with Denmark and those crazy Danes! (I’m Scottish but I felt like I had finally come home when I moved here to Copenhagen in 1998.) I love the traditions, the humour, the contrasts, the people. There is only one thing that gets my goat up (okay then, two – if we count the blatant Danish overuse of the ‘F’ word – “I swear I heart Denmark!“). And that, dear readers, is the Danish postal service! Boo! Hiss! 😉
Don’t get me wrong. I love our postmen (and especially our very nice parcel lady, with whom I always have a long chat).
But the cost of sending a letter? Daylight robbery! I’ve growled before about price increases (“Pass the smelling salts, I’m buying Danish stamps“) but even I couldn’t foresee this new craziness. Here are the current options if you want to send a letter or a greetings card to a friend. I know I’ve said it before, but even Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask – ha!
Brev (letter) – for letters within Denmark, delivery takes up to 5 days – cost: 8 Danish crowns (roughly USD 1.20 or UK£0.91). Keep in mind that not all postboxes are emptied every day, so it may take even longer than 5 days to arrive…
Quickbrev (quick letter) – next day delivery – cost: 27 Danish crowns (roughly USD 4.07 or UK£3.06). Oh, and you can’t just pop a Quickbrev in the postbox. You have to physically hand it in to the post office! I kid you not. Honestly, it would be funny if it wasn’t true!
And if you want to send a birthday card to a friend outside of Denmark, for example, Europe? That costs 25 Danish crowns (roughly USD 3.77 or UK£2.83). You can use a postbox or hand them in to the post office… But, again, keep in mind that not all postboxes are emptied every day.
PostDanmark is now part of nordic PostNord – a Swedish Danish conglomerate. Bringing with it a colour change from the traditional red to blue. So all post bikes, vans, uniforms, logos etc are now blue. But, they assure us, postboxes will stay red. Hmm, let’s see what happens… And the snappy marketing line they have come up with? “Post du kender. Bare blå.” “The post service you know. Just in blue.” Perhaps they should have said. “The old post service you know. Just three times more expensive!”?
Funnily enough, our neighbours the Swedes, also served by PostNord, continue to enjoy normal postal rates. How on earth did they manage that? Answers on a postcard, please! Oh, wait, don’t bother. Just send me an email instead…
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Diane 🙂
Hi Beverly! The Danish side of PostNord is postnord.dk or the old link postdanmark.dk will take you there. An alternative to stamps might be PostNord's 'portokode' – a unique code (numbers/letters) that you buy, download and write in the top righthand corner of the envelope. Good luck with your project! 🙂
Hi Diane, I am new in Denmark. I am from barcelona and my wife has started in a local pharmaceutical company, therefore we move from spain. We aré invited a birthday party nexo saturday, one of our neighbour, he is original from Denmark. Which is our tradition? Have I bring drinks, food o whathever to the party? I just know it os a BBQ.
I do not know people yet, inadmisible I checked your blog and though, could be Diane may help me.
I am so sorry in advanced if it is not the place to ask this question.
I am 45 and the guy who organized the party Is 31.
Whatever. Thank you in advanced
Hi Chenco! The Danes don't expect host gifts but are always glad to receive them. If it were me, I'd take a bottle of wine/some beers along, together with a pack of sausages. As you are a new neighbour, I'm sure he'd appreciate something from Spain…some rioja, a piece of manchego? You can also directly ask him what you should bring to the BBQ – that's perfectly normal here. Have fun! And skål!!
Thank you for your quick answer.
May be I have moré questions in the future.
Thanks again
Hi Diane, flirts of All, our time and life in Gentofte is gorgous. We will be in here in the new years. Could you recomend us what is fun in CPH.
For a couple of 45 years that is typical, dinner in hotel with party, dinner in restaurant …… if you could tell me what are the possibilities I will thank you very much. Sorry if it's not a question for you, we love your country
Hi Chencho! New Year's Eve in Denmark is often spent with friends but there are plenty of organised parties in the centre of Copenhagen. Why don't you have a look at what the restaurants in Tivoli are offering that night? Just remember to book now, to ensure your space. The fireworks will be spectacular! 🙂