3 ms·

The fact that Danes are "living comfortably" in light of outrageous taxes and living expenses does nothing to argue against the GP's reasonable claim that perha

The fact that Danes are "living comfortably" in light of outrageous taxes and living expenses does nothing to argue against the GP's reasonable claim that perhaps Danes have low expectations. People "live comfortably" on dirt floors in many parts of the world. That doesn't mean such a restriction on financial freedom is appropriate for everyone.

kiliantics 9y ago
yes, the problem here is that upper middle class americans expect to be able to buy and buy whatever they please without ever feeling a pinch
Barrin92 9y ago
there seems to be disparity in the definition of comfort. Your Danish home is going to be smaller, you're not going to drive a giant car, but in return you have excellent access to public transport, years of income guarantee should you lose your job, your kids and you have universal access to healthcare and education regardless where you are on the social strata and so forth. If that's a definition of comfort you like, then Denmark is for you. If you don't, you're better off somewhere else. Rest assured, nobody in Denmark is living in a hut.
- callumprentice 9y ago
  This really strikes a chord with me. For as long as I have lived in the US I’ve strived for a bigger, fancier house, better car, more toys etc. and now that I’ve gotten to a comfortable level of all of that, I realize I’d give it all up for the benefits you mention. The grass is always greener as they say but it’s awfully tempting.
- nine_k 9y ago
  Just ask how long are you going to wait until a doctor is available to see you, particularly if it's a specialist. Or how long are you going to wait for a surgery.
  - Barrin92 9y ago
    Denmark has some of the lowest waiting times among OECD countries https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168851014002267 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016885101... and some of the highest physician density in the developed world. I'm German and have worked in Denmark, and have never experienced waiting times.
  - 8note 9y ago
    in the US, it's forever.
bjohnson225 9y ago
The “living comfortably” part is a bit vague, but by any reasonable definition someone who is earning an average salary in a country which frequently appears in the top 5 of the various human development/quality of life indices is very likely to be living a good life. You can’t say the same for someone sleeping on a dirt floor.

kiliantics 9y ago

yes, the problem here is that upper middle class americans expect to be able to buy and buy whatever they please without ever feeling a pinch

Barrin92 9y ago

there seems to be disparity in the definition of comfort. Your Danish home is going to be smaller, you're not going to drive a giant car, but in return you have excellent access to public transport, years of income guarantee should you lose your job, your kids and you have universal access to healthcare and education regardless where you are on the social strata and so forth. If that's a definition of comfort you like, then Denmark is for you. If you don't, you're better off somewhere else. Rest assured, nobody in Denmark is living in a hut.

callumprentice 9y ago
This really strikes a chord with me. For as long as I have lived in the US I’ve strived for a bigger, fancier house, better car, more toys etc. and now that I’ve gotten to a comfortable level of all of that, I realize I’d give it all up for the benefits you mention. The grass is always greener as they say but it’s awfully tempting.
nine_k 9y ago
Just ask how long are you going to wait until a doctor is available to see you, particularly if it's a specialist. Or how long are you going to wait for a surgery.
- Barrin92 9y ago
  Denmark has some of the lowest waiting times among OECD countries https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168851014002267 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016885101... and some of the highest physician density in the developed world. I'm German and have worked in Denmark, and have never experienced waiting times.
- 8note 9y ago
  in the US, it's forever.

bjohnson225 9y ago

The “living comfortably” part is a bit vague, but by any reasonable definition someone who is earning an average salary in a country which frequently appears in the top 5 of the various human development/quality of life indices is very likely to be living a good life. You can’t say the same for someone sleeping on a dirt floor.