by sabine behrmann

Having a sweet tooth is a very common phenomenon amongst Danes. It doesn't matter whether you are young or old, male of female, popping sweets is a part of everyday life - and for many a symptom of hygge, this elusive Danish way of having a good time.

On average every Danish citizen buys at least € 0.70 worth of sweets every day. This amounts to about 40 grams of a combination of sugar, colouring agents, and artificial flavour. 30 % of the children eat sweets every day, and the adults who ought to know better, have doubled their intake of sugar since 1995.

Photo credit: Mizzledrizzle

Many social situations in Denmark call for sweets, and there are even quite a few workplaces where you can find a sweet box, catering to those who feel a bit peckish around mid-afternoon.

And in the evening when the family congregates in front of the telly a bowl of sweets is what turns this into a hyggelig event.

Danes consider themselves world champions when it comes to having a good time - and measured by the amount of sugar they consume they could be right. Albeit European champions. But they are unable to entertain themselves without putting something in their mouths. At least not when they want to make sure that it is a really good time.

It helps them bond, without having to face any disagreements, you might say. And it creates an atmosphere of security and peace, which many Danes confess they are addicted to.

So they pop sweets just like other people pop pills. With a health system that lets the individual bear most of the costs for dental care this is not a very wise solution.

But addicts are not known for their wisdom where their drug is concerned, are they?

Links: Can't get enough of the Danes? Check out other Copenhagen entries.