Visitors will find Danes to be relaxed, casual, not given to extremes and tolerant of different life styles. Indeed, in 1989 Denmark became the first European country to legalise same-sex marriages and offer gay partnerships the same rights as heterosexual couples. Perhaps nothing captures the Danish perspective on life more than the concept of hygge which, roughly translated, means cosy and snug. It implies shutting out the turmoil and troubles of the outside world and striving instead for a warm intimate mood. Danes can give their host no greater compliment than to thank them for a cosy evening.
Danish food relies heavily on fish, meat and potatoes.
Denmark's Carlsberg and Tuborg breweries both produce excellent beers. The most popular spirit in Denmark is the Aalborg-produced aquavit. Iron clanged in from 500 BC and was domestically available, leading to the development of large agricultural communities. In the late 9th century, warriors led by the Norwegian Viking chieftain Hardegon conquered the Jutland peninsula. Gorm's son, Harald Bluetooth, completed the conquest of the Danes, speeding their conversion to Christianity.