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matty471
Member
USA
395 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 22 2009 : 10:39:02 AM
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Did anyone catch this show yesterday?
I did not watch it all but Oprah visited: 2 families in Copenhagen, Denmark (the happiest people on earth), a women in Dubai, a women and her maid in Rios, Brazil.
The portrayal was quite interesting. |
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tussiemussies
Advanced Member
USA
5082 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2009 : 2:14:44 PM
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Didn't catch the show but am wondering what they portrayed the "happiness" factor to be with each setting?
: ) |
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Greenwitch
Associate Member
168 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2009 : 6:48:55 PM
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Here's the segment in Denmark:
www.oprah.com/media/20091021-tows-stine-home-tour
Personally, I found the apartment cold and sterile, sort of like a doctor's office. I like the idea of a small, well-designed living space, but this was not for me thank you. |
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janehoyt
Advanced Member
4461 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2009 : 7:19:40 PM
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| I think it looks like a meat locker. I like minimalist decor (among others), but that was beyond the pale, IMO. Otherwise, I think the Danes have the right idea. |
Edited by - janehoyt on Oct 23 2009 08:05:48 AM |
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mm1970
Advanced Member
3472 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2009 : 7:46:39 PM
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I just watched the Denmark portion (taped the rest). I don't think that apartment is representative of Danish apartments. Definitely yes in size, maybe not style. I've been to Copenhagen twice, my spouse has friends and relatives there...I know of what I speak.
I do like the Danes :) |
http://frugalhealthysimple.blogspot.com/ |
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happygirl
Member
Canada
378 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2009 : 7:47:31 PM
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| I just chuckled thinking of the mom or dad climbing into the kids room at night to comfort them...it must have been doubly hard when she was pregnant! |
Be impeccable with your word. Don't take things personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best. |
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VWfanatic
Associate Member
140 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 04:58:41 AM
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| I thought it was great! I wouldn't mind moving there |
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find_flo
Moderator
USA
9984 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 06:14:58 AM
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| I liked the design of the apartment, but it made me feel ungrounded. It didn't need more stuff, but texture and natural materials. I kept looking at that candle holder on the kitchen counter and thinking 'just a little more of that essence'. |
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Granola.girl
Advanced Member
2840 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 06:33:39 AM
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I read the article accompanying the video, and perhaps the key to the Danes' happiness is that their expectations aren't as high as ours. For example, the article mentioned the women's attitude about marriage -- they don't seem to share the same dreams of a Princess Wedding that many American women have.
Going against the grain here...I actually liked the apartment although I'm not so sure about the non-private bathroom!
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Greenwitch
Associate Member
168 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 07:46:50 AM
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To compare I would look at the Japanese. They live in similar square footage, but I think the Japanese decor is far more beautiful with the addition of a floral arrangement, a beautiful piece of pottery or the use of an interesting print fabric on the furniture. They also have those great sliding screens for privacy. I didn't even see a waterpik
in the Danish house. I do agree that this example is probably not the most typical aesthetic for all Danish people.
Yes, the American wedding fantasy is totally out of control, but that's a whole topic unto itself. |
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Glo
Advanced Member
2389 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 08:16:51 AM
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| That video proves how spoiled Americans are! Of course, I can't imagine living like that; I guess I'm spoiled, too. |
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catherine
Senior Member
USA
948 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 08:19:24 AM
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I'm on the side of those that liked the apartment... it was SO efficient and no visual clutter. I think my only comment on it is, too much white. As find_flo said, just a little more texture, and natural colors--even if just a little taupe.
If I were a kid I'd love that room, but I do think it maybe needed a toy box or a couple of shelves and a workspace of SOME kind--even if it pulled out of the wall or something. |
catherine
www.silententry.wordpress.com |
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theflame2021
Member
276 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 08:25:24 AM
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I watched bits and pieces of this when it was first on. What I found most interesting was the whole interaction,discussion about the twins sleeping outside and that noone would consider taking them.
If that was here all I could think was she would have been turned in for parental neglect. Never mind someone possibly taking them(ie:Molestor ?sp). It dawned on me during that segment about how much the country and its people care about and respect the idea of family. Not saying we don't but it seems different.
I really want to see the whole segment because just the brief parts I saw made me want to go live there. |
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Anne Benson
Advanced Member
USA
1197 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 1:09:07 PM
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My husband and I had the option of moving to Copenhagen last year and went to interview and explore. The position would have been great but one of the reasons we did not take it was the taxes. They told us we would be in the 60-70% income tax bracket in Denmark and while we could probably get our US taxes written off, they could not guarantee this. They also told me that is why both partners worked so that one salary could go for paying taxes and they lived off the other salary. We would have been eligible for their healthcare but they told me most do not use the govt standard and companies now offer a contract health insurance as a supplement for their employees which I thought was VERY interesting and we got on the subject of US healthcare (this was before the Obamacare). They would have paid our housing for 6 mo. but they advised only buying one car because they tax you something like 50-60 % (sorry I forget exactly but it was outrageous) on your car tax. So most people only have one car. We had visited before and loved it so that was why we were interested but there is definitely a difference in visiting and living as a citizen in a country.
I will say everybody was nice and friendly and they loved children. Very petted and spoiled but in a good way. |
Edited by - Anne Benson on Oct 23 2009 1:10:23 PM |
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rose
Advanced Member
USA
1595 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 2:51:43 PM
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| I saw the happiest show on 60 minutes for something. The guy from Denmark had his college paid for and he also got a stipend to live on while in school. This was true no matter what age you were. Coming out of college with no debt and having the option to go to college when you had no money saved up would be worth a lot. Trade-offs. They also had eldercare if I remember right -- the very thing most of us save up thousands and thousands in cushion for. There would be a wonderful freedom in not having to be worried about healthcare bills and nursing home/eldercare bills. A WONDERFUL freedom. You could spend what you have while you were alive instead of saving it in case you needed it. |
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juliapenguin
Associate Member
United Kingdom
165 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 02:31:26 AM
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| I loved that Danish apartment and that beautiful Danish woman and I would happily live their life. My apartment in Manchester city centre is similar, and we eat all our meals looking out over the city and, if we are lucky, watching the sunset. I've never felt so free. |
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Topic |
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Oprah on Location: The Happiest People on Earth
