Yet again, the BBC nee "British Brainwashing Corporation", feeds us more tales of Denmark being the happiest nation in the world. Well, I cannot think of a worse place to work than Denmark, and unlike these closet communists, I tried for 3 years for my Danish partner's sake.
Can anyone enjoy knowing that over 50% of your pay doesn't even make it as far as your pocket, but goes to fund the benefits of the lazy majority, so they can continue living in the employment-free style to which they've become accustomed. Conversely, this makes it a fantastic place for those to live who are not interested in working, although the Danish state has a myriad of rules to ensure non-Danes cannot claim any benefits or even come to live in Denmark unless they have a load of cash in the bank. This does not fit in with the supposed EU free movement regulations, but since Denmark is so small and irrelevant, the EU doesn't really care.
In Denmark, what is the point in trying harder? Everyone just tries to drag you back down to their own mediocre standards of starting at 8.30 and leaving around 3pm. People were honestly stunned I stayed until 5pm. If anyone is in any doubt about the Danish workplace, look up "Jantelov".
Woe betide anyone completely qualified in their chosen profession, but not actually having Danish qualifications. This little known xenophobic attitude pervades most of the heavily-unionised professions such as teaching and healthcare.
As for the much quoted "Denmark - happiest nation in the world..." waffle, you need to understand that the place is so extreme, anyone motivated and with a bit of "get up and go", does exactly that and gets up and goes to a different country. With over 50% of the remainder on some form of welfare payment or other, who wouldn't be happy about getting something for nothing?
Unsurprisingly, they have major shortfalls in skilled workers in IT, doctors, engineers, etc. I wonder why. I'd recommend anyone gives it a try though. It's a bit like that film Mr destiny, where you think the grass could be greener but then you realise how much worse life can get!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Useless Danes Named and Shamed
Following the famous 80:20 rule, I expect generally that any country I go to, I'll find 80% of people to be generally helpful, friendly and law-abiding, while 20% might be rude, unpleasant, criminal or generally otherwise best avoided.
During my time in Denmark, however, I found the reverse applied. Probably only about 20% fitted into the first category, while it often seemed like 80% were rude, unpleasant, disrepectful and criminal. The last category, the criminal one, is what amazed me most, beginning with the huge chunk of people who think it's OK to feign illness or an inability to work, so they can claim huge chunks of government benefits and other various freebies, right through to the builder, Ole Grønlund, who made an appalling job of restoring our house, before failing to return to finish the job, Morten Høgenhav, the worst bunch of cowboy painters even seen, and the children who stole our childrens' toys from our own garden, then proceeded to treat our garden as a playground for 2 weeks, destroying yet more, unstopped by the various adults who must have witnessed it, probably including their own, useless, benefit-claiming parents.
Next, a dishonourable mention must go to Ken Lynge Primby and his Connect Resourcing/Recruitment Agency. Ken has a nasty and previously proven habit of accidentally letting his business fall into liquidation once every few years, leaving the debts (like mine) with the unfortunate encumbents, while a new Connect rises like a phoenix from the ashes. It's now looking like I'm only going to get a few percent of what I'm owed.
Finally, who could forget the biggest thieves of all, the Danish government. Who through various taxes end up helping themselves to approximiately 70% of your income and a huge chunk of your savings.
Needless to say, if I ever see a Dane in distress, they can expect little help from me. And if any of the above should step out onto the road, not seeing the huge lorry chundering towards them, I can only hope I'm there to see the moment of impact.
During my time in Denmark, however, I found the reverse applied. Probably only about 20% fitted into the first category, while it often seemed like 80% were rude, unpleasant, disrepectful and criminal. The last category, the criminal one, is what amazed me most, beginning with the huge chunk of people who think it's OK to feign illness or an inability to work, so they can claim huge chunks of government benefits and other various freebies, right through to the builder, Ole Grønlund, who made an appalling job of restoring our house, before failing to return to finish the job, Morten Høgenhav, the worst bunch of cowboy painters even seen, and the children who stole our childrens' toys from our own garden, then proceeded to treat our garden as a playground for 2 weeks, destroying yet more, unstopped by the various adults who must have witnessed it, probably including their own, useless, benefit-claiming parents.
Next, a dishonourable mention must go to Ken Lynge Primby and his Connect Resourcing/Recruitment Agency. Ken has a nasty and previously proven habit of accidentally letting his business fall into liquidation once every few years, leaving the debts (like mine) with the unfortunate encumbents, while a new Connect rises like a phoenix from the ashes. It's now looking like I'm only going to get a few percent of what I'm owed.
Finally, who could forget the biggest thieves of all, the Danish government. Who through various taxes end up helping themselves to approximiately 70% of your income and a huge chunk of your savings.
Needless to say, if I ever see a Dane in distress, they can expect little help from me. And if any of the above should step out onto the road, not seeing the huge lorry chundering towards them, I can only hope I'm there to see the moment of impact.
A World First for Denmark...yippee!
In case you weren't so economically aware as to have noticed it, Denmark is officially the first country in the world to fall into recession. The way these things are measured, that means three consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. Well, you can only inflate the currency for so long before the balloon starts to lose some air. And in Denmark's case, given that 70% of the economy is owned and run by the state, the private sector doesn't really have much room for manouevre.
Of course, this would be the time to start cutting taxes and benefits big time, thus encouraging more productivity. I very much doubt all these socialists will do it though. Expect increased taxes, although income tax won't rise, it'll be inflated property values and "environmental" taxes that take the extra cut here. There isn't much scope to increase income taxes when they're already the highest in the world at 68%. Even the stupidest Dane going (and there about 5 million of them), would see through that one.
Of course, this would be the time to start cutting taxes and benefits big time, thus encouraging more productivity. I very much doubt all these socialists will do it though. Expect increased taxes, although income tax won't rise, it'll be inflated property values and "environmental" taxes that take the extra cut here. There isn't much scope to increase income taxes when they're already the highest in the world at 68%. Even the stupidest Dane going (and there about 5 million of them), would see through that one.
Monday, June 9, 2008
A Trip to legoland, Billund, Denmark
Just come back from a 2 day break at Legoland in Billund, Denmark, including an overnight stay at the Legoland hotel, which put us conveniently close to the theme park, as well as direct tickets into the park, with no queues.
While I so far sound like an unpaid affiliate link, its worth noting that not everything was rosy. For starters, the theme park is much smaller than I expected, although I guess that is due to the fame and cachet of the LEGO branding more than inadequacies in the park itself.
What surprised me mostly, going on a Sunday and Monday, was the shortness of the queues to get on the rides. The weather both days was sweltering hot, so I'm not sure that had much to do with it, but the theme park, with signs for approx minutes wait times, etc. is obviously built to do much brisker trade than it got. while this could be a forbinger of the credit crunch and less free cash in consumer wallets, maybe LEGO is losing its trendiness? Either way, if this is an indicator of regular trade levels, it seems like an excellent time to consider a trip. Overall, I can honestly say, all our kids loved it, and they range from 7 to 20 months, so there is plenty of range there to test the rides available to all ages. Especially great is the pirate ship, where you can fire water gun broadsides with competing ships, and also at innocent passers-by who happen to get in range.
Anyhow, so far the good bits. Not so good is one my bugbears, a captive audience theme park that also charges you for parking, in this case 49 kroner. We stayed at the hotel, which offers free parking, and this leads onto my tip, which is to park at, or near to, the hotel, which has plentiful free parking and also a nearby swimming baths with extended free parking, then walk to the theme park itself (I guess if the wife complains, you could drop them off at the gate then park up for free and walk back)
The second bugbear is that the food inside the theme park is awful. Yes, I don't expect Egon Ronay standard at these places, but even a basic chicken salad contained only reconstituted mush passed off as barbecue chicken pieces, and the family buffet at the pizza restaurant was pathetic. Fries generally tended to be laced with dangerous levels of added salt, which even our kids refused to eat. The safest option, therefore, is a Danish hotdog, since at least these were made to a decent enough level. Be prepared for the higher prices you find at theme parks, which also makes the awful standard stand out even more. As a comparison, Djurssommerland in Northern Jutland does similar catering, but much better quality, funnily enough.
By the way, my food criticisms do not extend to the morning breakfast buffet at the hotel. This is really good, and a highly recommended part of the trip.
While I so far sound like an unpaid affiliate link, its worth noting that not everything was rosy. For starters, the theme park is much smaller than I expected, although I guess that is due to the fame and cachet of the LEGO branding more than inadequacies in the park itself.
What surprised me mostly, going on a Sunday and Monday, was the shortness of the queues to get on the rides. The weather both days was sweltering hot, so I'm not sure that had much to do with it, but the theme park, with signs for approx minutes wait times, etc. is obviously built to do much brisker trade than it got. while this could be a forbinger of the credit crunch and less free cash in consumer wallets, maybe LEGO is losing its trendiness? Either way, if this is an indicator of regular trade levels, it seems like an excellent time to consider a trip. Overall, I can honestly say, all our kids loved it, and they range from 7 to 20 months, so there is plenty of range there to test the rides available to all ages. Especially great is the pirate ship, where you can fire water gun broadsides with competing ships, and also at innocent passers-by who happen to get in range.
Anyhow, so far the good bits. Not so good is one my bugbears, a captive audience theme park that also charges you for parking, in this case 49 kroner. We stayed at the hotel, which offers free parking, and this leads onto my tip, which is to park at, or near to, the hotel, which has plentiful free parking and also a nearby swimming baths with extended free parking, then walk to the theme park itself (I guess if the wife complains, you could drop them off at the gate then park up for free and walk back)
The second bugbear is that the food inside the theme park is awful. Yes, I don't expect Egon Ronay standard at these places, but even a basic chicken salad contained only reconstituted mush passed off as barbecue chicken pieces, and the family buffet at the pizza restaurant was pathetic. Fries generally tended to be laced with dangerous levels of added salt, which even our kids refused to eat. The safest option, therefore, is a Danish hotdog, since at least these were made to a decent enough level. Be prepared for the higher prices you find at theme parks, which also makes the awful standard stand out even more. As a comparison, Djurssommerland in Northern Jutland does similar catering, but much better quality, funnily enough.
By the way, my food criticisms do not extend to the morning breakfast buffet at the hotel. This is really good, and a highly recommended part of the trip.
Mere Løn
Right now, a lot of the public sector workers in Denmark are holding various strikes. While a lot of them would probably not be missed if they decided to hold a permanent strike (fact, 38% of working Danes have direct government jobs, to say nothing about another 30-odd percent indirectly employed by the government), two of the most interesting ones are the pædagogs (childcare workers) and nurses. Since at least they contribute something useful.
The first response to this must be the old time-honoured tradition of: If you're so unhappy with your current pay levels, why not go and find another job that pays better? But the main thing, for me, to consider is that these workers are already probably the best paid in the entire world for the jobs that they do. Given that, the real solution for the economy must come in the form of lower taxes. Any foreigner coming here can see that, but all these Danes, with their long tradition of suffocating socialism seem unable to see it, instead concentrating on the free rides they have been used to getting off the miracle of the welfare state.
Of course, lower taxes also means the capitalist scum these people despise so much will also benefit, conveniently forgetting the point that its the same "scum" who paid their wages in the first place.
If Denmark has to live through a 1970s UK-style depression to change, then I'm all for it. Bring it on.
The first response to this must be the old time-honoured tradition of: If you're so unhappy with your current pay levels, why not go and find another job that pays better? But the main thing, for me, to consider is that these workers are already probably the best paid in the entire world for the jobs that they do. Given that, the real solution for the economy must come in the form of lower taxes. Any foreigner coming here can see that, but all these Danes, with their long tradition of suffocating socialism seem unable to see it, instead concentrating on the free rides they have been used to getting off the miracle of the welfare state.
Of course, lower taxes also means the capitalist scum these people despise so much will also benefit, conveniently forgetting the point that its the same "scum" who paid their wages in the first place.
If Denmark has to live through a 1970s UK-style depression to change, then I'm all for it. Bring it on.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Domain Name Investment
Domain Name Investment is the new Holy Grail amongst thousands of investors throughout the whole world today.
The concept that you can buy a name for a small fee then resell it for millions of dollars is the rags to riches story we all dream of.
Truth is, that that kind of story happens very rarely, but there are people out there who do it, and even more people or businesses who simply make a living from the purchase, development and resale of domain names.
Domain Name Investor, my latest creation, specialises in what I perceive to be important parts of the internet which I believe will see further growth in future years.
I mainly invest in .co.uk and .eu Domains, which I especially feel has room for future expansion as the EU expands to include more Eastern European countries with younger, more tech-savvy populations, but also own domains as far afield as India and the USA.
And where to buy these domain names? Well, the cheapest .eu domain name seller I've found is BuyDomains, which works out about £6 per .eu domain, while 123-reg seems to be a decent balance between cost, at approx £3 per .co.uk domain.
If you're looking for just a single domain, with high traffic potential, I highly recommend One. They are a Danish company but provide their domain and hosting services worldwide in many different languages. The price and the service are both superb.
You can also visit Servage for web hosting of multiple sites and if you just want to buy domain names, visit BuyDomains.
The concept that you can buy a name for a small fee then resell it for millions of dollars is the rags to riches story we all dream of.
Truth is, that that kind of story happens very rarely, but there are people out there who do it, and even more people or businesses who simply make a living from the purchase, development and resale of domain names.
Domain Name Investor, my latest creation, specialises in what I perceive to be important parts of the internet which I believe will see further growth in future years.
I mainly invest in .co.uk and .eu Domains, which I especially feel has room for future expansion as the EU expands to include more Eastern European countries with younger, more tech-savvy populations, but also own domains as far afield as India and the USA.
And where to buy these domain names? Well, the cheapest .eu domain name seller I've found is BuyDomains, which works out about £6 per .eu domain, while 123-reg seems to be a decent balance between cost, at approx £3 per .co.uk domain.
If you're looking for just a single domain, with high traffic potential, I highly recommend One. They are a Danish company but provide their domain and hosting services worldwide in many different languages. The price and the service are both superb.
You can also visit Servage for web hosting of multiple sites and if you just want to buy domain names, visit BuyDomains.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
My personal belief in life
My core belief in life is that no man has any right whatsoever to the earnings or productivity of another man, unless the other man assigns him that right.
Obviously, in todays taxation nation society, this right is not being given, and in fact, governments probably need to become more understanding of the fact that many people today are outwardly resentful of the way others are helping themselves to their earnings, pruductivity and past earnt wealth.
Government is finished long term, simply because for now they choose to spend the earnings of the productive segment of society on schemes to secure the votes of the non-earning, parasitic portion of society.
In fact, the more you look into life in general, the more you realise everything is set up to steal your productivity and "redistribute" it to the lazy and the useless.
But thanks to the internet, globalisation, and the greater and freer movement of people, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Deep down, I'm quite optimistic that governments control over their more productive citizens is coming to an end, although there are many years of struggle on the way. It's a secret war that's already going on in many places, witness the USA and it's "patriot act", supposedly a law to counter terrorism, but really an attempt at controlling its citizens, or the EU savings directive.
Exciting and potentially troubling times ahead. I recommend we all watch governments like a hawk, and be prepared to move if the going gets too tough.
Now I've said all that, you can probably see why communist, socialist, Denmark disagrees so much with me. I've never seen so many lazy useless unproductive people before in my life, and considering I originally come from Consett, a hotbed of council estates, single mothers and lifetime benefit claimants, that's really saying something.
If you feel the same, and you're considering moving to Denmark, I urge you to think twice.
Obviously, in todays taxation nation society, this right is not being given, and in fact, governments probably need to become more understanding of the fact that many people today are outwardly resentful of the way others are helping themselves to their earnings, pruductivity and past earnt wealth.
Government is finished long term, simply because for now they choose to spend the earnings of the productive segment of society on schemes to secure the votes of the non-earning, parasitic portion of society.
In fact, the more you look into life in general, the more you realise everything is set up to steal your productivity and "redistribute" it to the lazy and the useless.
But thanks to the internet, globalisation, and the greater and freer movement of people, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Deep down, I'm quite optimistic that governments control over their more productive citizens is coming to an end, although there are many years of struggle on the way. It's a secret war that's already going on in many places, witness the USA and it's "patriot act", supposedly a law to counter terrorism, but really an attempt at controlling its citizens, or the EU savings directive.
Exciting and potentially troubling times ahead. I recommend we all watch governments like a hawk, and be prepared to move if the going gets too tough.
Now I've said all that, you can probably see why communist, socialist, Denmark disagrees so much with me. I've never seen so many lazy useless unproductive people before in my life, and considering I originally come from Consett, a hotbed of council estates, single mothers and lifetime benefit claimants, that's really saying something.
If you feel the same, and you're considering moving to Denmark, I urge you to think twice.
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