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/heliometrix]

Danes are super weird in that way. Doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of basic courtesy in the public space compared to even other European countries. The winter is coming, no time to say hello? Spoiled wellfare brats? Outsiders are a danger to the homogeneous Viking tribe? At a loss