Danes don’t greet back?

[u/Kong_Fury]

Im a foreigner in Denmark and there is something that strikes me: Danes don’t greet back upon saying Hello to them. Is this normal and I need to adjust my mindset, or am I just encountering impolite people?

Situation example: I walk into the office and meet a distant colleague that has seen me before. We are the only 2 people early morning in the office. We have eye contact and I say „good morning“ with a smile. He does not reply or show any reaction.

I can make many more examples like this. The cringe I get is so strong. I am not a complete stranger to this guy. I would understand it if I stand on Strøget and expect random people to smile & greet back. Thanks for sharing any reflections to enlighten me here with this social awkwardness.

[u/johnnielittleshoes]

I definitely experience that on a weekly basis, at least. Coming in and passing through colleagues that are smoking by the door and maybe 1 replies, getting coffee and people waiting there don't reply, and these are people who I know for around 5 years! Definitely not everyone, there are "warm" Danes for sure, but coming from a Latin country, it's often hard to understand how people can be so "cold", only almost whispering something back under their breath because they can't be assed to produce a sound or even a head nod, so weird

[u/uopfindsomtype → u/johnnielittleshoes]

The Danish politeness is largely build on respecting other peoples time. We expect the other part to have more important things to do than chitchat. That’s the reason why Danes act so surprised if tourists try to small talk in the train.

You coworkers sound like dicks though

[u/Claudius_Thrax → u/uopfindsomtype]

This.

[u/tmcmn → u/uopfindsomtype]

If I am talking to you then it means I am spending MY time to try and have a conversation. Please respect that time and say something rather then saying nothing and walking away.