Business trip to Copenhagen, Denmark.

• Communication:
  Use formal names and academic titles.
  If someone does not have a title, use Herr (Mister), Fru (Misses) or Froken (Miss).
  Danes are direct, do not confuse this with rudeness.
  Dress formal and conservative.
  


• Meetings and negotiations:
  Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
  Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
  Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving.
  Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
  Little time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
  Agenda’s are strictly followed.
  Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
  Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined.
  


• Table manners:
  If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
  Wait until you are appointed a seat.
  Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little.
  If making a toast, stand up.
  Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but finish your plate. You are expected to use seconds, so use small portions.
  Keep your hands above the table when eating.
  After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
  Thank your host at the end of the meal.
  

Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy. Its most important exports are machinery, instruments, and food products. The United States is Denmark’s largest non-European trading partner, accounting for about 6% of total Danish merchandise trade. Among major Danish exports to the United States are industrial machinery, chemical products, furniture, pharmaceuticals, canned ham and pork, windmills, and plastic toy blocks (Lego).

The Danish economy is fundamentally strong. Since the mid-1990s, economic growth rates have averaged close to 3 percent, the formerly high official unemployment rate stands at about 5%, and public finances have been in surplus. Except for one year--1998--Denmark since 1989 has had comfortable balance-of-payments current account surpluses, in 2002 corresponding to 3% of GDP. The former Social Democratic-led government coalition lowered marginal income tax rates but at the same time reduced tax deductions, increased environmental taxes, and introduced a series of user fees, thus increasing overall revenues. Under the tax reform plan agreed upon by the government and the Danish People’s Party in 2003, taxpayers received tax relief in 2004, albeit at a lesser rate than the government proposed originally.

Danes are generally proud of their welfare safety net, which ensures that all Danes receive basic health care and need not fear real poverty. However, at present the number of working-age Danes living mostly on government transfer payments counts more than 800.000 persons (about 23% of the working-age population). Although this number has been reduced in recent years, the heavy load of government transfer payments burden other parts of the system. Health care, other than for acute problems, and care for the elderly and children have particularly suffered, while taxes remain at a painful level. More than one-fourth of the labor force is employed in the public sector.

Product tip: Buy a passport holder! Get a big wallet that takes passport, tickets and receipts all together in one place. This way you have all your documents organised and easy to find.

Address
Copenhagen Airport - Kastrup
Lufthavnsboulevarden 6
DK 2770 Kastrup, Denmark
Telephone: +45(0)32 313 231
Fax: +45(0)32 313 132
www.cph.dk

Airport codes
IATA airport code: CPH
ICAO airport code: EKCH

Lost property
For baggage or other items lost on board an aircraft, please contact your airline. If you lose any of your possessions at the airport, you may contact one of the Service Information counters in the terminal area.
You can contact the airport’s lost property facility on telephone:
+45 32 31 22 84

Train
The train station is below Terminal 3. You can buy tickets by the DSB counter in the Arrivals Hall. Trains leave to the Copenhagen Central Station, to Helsingør, Bornholm and to Malmö in Sweden.
The airport was connected to Copenhagen by the metro system in October 2007.

Taxi
Many taxis can be found outside the terminals. A ride to Copenhagen lasts approximately 15 minutes and costs DKK 200. In front of the Arrivals Hall of Terminal 3 are separate places reserved for taxis to Sweden.

Do not expect to find any "black market cabs" as is common in other countries. There is an initial charge of 22 Danish kroner (3 Euro) and the rate per kilometer varies between 1 - 1,50 Euro depending on the day of week and time of day.

Tips are included in the rates, and the driver is not allowed to accept more money than shown on the bill. The exception is special services such as carrying luggage, and attaching luggage to the outside of the car, which will cost you 2 and 1.30 euro per item respectively. All taxis accept payment by credit card (Visa, AmEx, Diners).

Restaurant Gødt
Albeit small, this accomplished restaurant gets plenty of press and local acclaim, and it’s been recognized by folks as varied as the Queen and Michelin. A husband-wife team ensure that standards are high, and the menu depends on what’s best at the market that day.
Gothersgade 38
1123 København K
Tel +45 3315 2122
www.restaurant-godt.dk

MR Restaurant
Named after its Chef Mads Refslund, MR is a gourmet restaurant that offers Danish food with a European and contemporary touch. The chef is highly talented and creative and serves excellent food with great wine.
Kultorvet 5
1720 København K
Tel: +45 33910949
www.mr-restaurant.dk (Only in Danish)

Søren K
Located in the Black Diamond addition to the Royal Library, this well-received restaurant affords incredible harbor views and serves delicious, healthful dishes. A vibrant, minimalist interior boasts Danish design elements, and the creative menu offers grilled fish, roasted venison, terrific vegetarian options, oysters, soup, carpaccio of veal or sole, and pickled herring. If you are on a business trip to Copenhagen, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts.
Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1
Royal Danish Library
1221 København
Tel: +45 33474949
www.soerenk.dk (Only in Danish)

Hilton Copenhagen Airport Hotel
Hilton Copenhagen Airport hotel is directly connected to Terminal 3 by a covered walkway. Hilton is the perfect base for business travelers. Located only 12 minutes’ away from the city center.
Ellehammersvej 20
Copenhagen, Denmark 2770
Tel: 45-32-501-501
More info about Hilton Copenhagen Airport Hotel

Best Western Hotel City
Only a few minutes walk from the subway to the hotel, and if you arrive at Copenhagens airport, you can take the subway directly to the hotel. The hotel is located near the pulse of Copenhagen’s Strøget, but still maintains peace and quiet at the hotel which is very convenient during a hectic business trip.
PEDER SKRAMS GADE 24
Copenhagen, DK-1054, DK
Phone: (45) 33 13 06 66
More info about Best Western Hotel City Copenhagen

Copenhagen Marriott Hotel
With its windows on the quaint harbor in Denmark’s capital, the 5 star Copenhagen Marriott hotel offers 401 air-conditioned, spacious accommodations with exquisite water and Copenhagen city views, luxury Marriott bedding with down comforters and rich linens.
5 Kalvebod Brygge
Copenhagen, DK-1560 Denmark
Phone: 45 88 33 99 00
More info about Copenhagen Marriott Hotel

Sure, you could walk to all of the major sites in Copenhagen, Denmark, but why not take in the city from the water? Taking a boat on Copenhagen’s canals can be an enjoyable introduction to Copenhagen. There are guided tours in English or you can buy a one or two day hop on/hop off water-bus pass for unlimited rides. Different boats follow different routes, so check the route before you go. If you have only a short time for sightseeing during your business trip to Copenhagen and planned it well, this would be a great way to discover Copenhagen.

But you could also experience Copenhagen on foot:

Town Hall Square
The Town Hall Square, which is in the very heart of Copenhagen and the nerve centre for the local buses is a good place to start your outing in Copenhagen. We recommend a look into the beautiful interior of the Town Hall building or climb the tower, where you on a clear day get a fantastic view of Copenhagen.

Strøget’s little alleyways
South of Strøget you will find the atmospheric old lanes Læderstræde and Kompagnistræde. Cafés lie side by side with smart boutiques, antique dealers and small galleries. Lille Kirkestræde leads to Nikolaj Plads (Nikolaj Square) where you will see the Nikolaj Church which is now used as a gallery.
North of Strøget is Købmagergade with Rundetårn (The Round Tower) where in nearby small side streets like Kronprinsensgade, Pilestræde, Grønnegade and Ny Østergade you will find many of the most trendy fashion boutiques and hottest cafés in Copenhagen.

Nyhavn, Bredgade & AmalienborgPicturesque Nyhavn with its beautiful old houses along the canal is right next to Kongens Nytorv (The King’s New square). Nearly all the time, day and night, there is a lively and colorful café and restaurant atmosphere. Bredgade is full of galleries, art dealers and auction houses. On the left you see Frederikskirken also known as Marmorkirken (The Marble Church). Take a quick look at the enormous dome. Further down on your right, going north, is the Museum of Decorative Art which we highly recommend.

Amalienborg Slot (Amalienborg Palace) which is the Royal residence, is only a few steps from Bredgade. If you arrive to the palace by 12 noon you will see the changing of the guard. They march to the sound of music if the Royal Family is in residence.

From Amalienborg Palace with Saly’s fine statue you get a great view of the new Opera House on Holmen. Walk to Amaliehaven by the harbour front and enjoy the view which you can also see from the fountain on your way to crossing the square to Frederikskirken.

The English language is widely spread in Denmark. Finding English speaking help will never be a problem.

Although English is widely spread in Denmark, some Danish phrases can always come in hand....

Hello	Goddag/Hej (polite/informal)
Goodbye	Farvel
Yes	Ja
No	Nej
Thank you	Tak
Excuse me	Undskyld
What’s your name?	Hvad hedder du?
My name is ...	Jeg hedder ...
I’m looking for ...	Jeg leder efter ...
A bank	en bank
The city centre	centrum
The ... embassy	den ... ambassade
My hotel	mit hotel
The police	politiet
The post office	postkontoret
Main square	torvet
Entrance	Indgang
Exit	Udgang
Toilets	Toiletter