Dear reader,
It’s full throttle into an all-digital future here in DK. The end of the physical Rejsekort is nye. In the near future it will be replaced by an app, to be introduced in 2024. God forbid that you lose your phone or forget to charge it. Meanwhile, PostNord says its raising the price of regular letters to 25 kroner. 1,000 mailboxes are being removed so I reckon the end of physical letter delivery by the postal service is up next. And good old cash is sure to follow — by 2030 or something. Sigh. I love sending the odd postcard - or making a cash purchase. Something about the anonymity and non-traceability of both is oddly comforting (but I’m pretty old.)
Cheers,
M
Discrimination is real
A study by the Institute for Human Rights found that more than 80% of people with a non-Danish background have experienced discrimination because of their ethnicity. 63% experienced verbal abuse; 58% experienced prejudice; 49% experienced poor service; 39% said that people act afraid around them; 36% got refused entrance in a club or other establishment; 29% were stopped by the police for no apparent reason; 12% experienced violence. Those reporting most discrimination were from Africa, Middle East, Asia and E. Europe. Only 11% reported discrimination to the cops.
Tourist tax?
City Hall wants tourists to pay a tax when they come to the Danish capital. Rome, London, Budapest, Berlin and others tack a small tax onto hotel bills, so why not here? Local politicians say the proceeds can be ploughed into local infrastructure, such as public transport. Business minister Morten Bødskov is not amused - and says an extra tax could scare away tourists from Copenhagen, which, let’s face it, is bloody expensive compared to most places already.
Danish dockers support Tesla strike
Danish labour union 3F Transport has joined a strike by Swedish Tesla workers. Members of the Swedish union IF Metall have been striking for six weeks. In solidarity with the Swedes, Danish dockworkers and drivers say they would refuse to unload Teslas headed for Sweden. There was speculation that Elon Musk’s company would circumvent Swedish docks by delivering cars to Danish ports.
Ryanair base
The Irish low-cost airline said it’s re-established a base at CPH Airport, after closing one in 2015. Two planes and 100 new staff are now based there, with two more aircraft planned for the summer. Two new destinations are on offer: Paris Beauvais and Warsaw Modlin, two typical Ryanair aiports, meaning in the boondocks.
Nordic nosh
When we eat out, it’s burgers, pizza or a artery-clogging Dalle Valle buffet. Our toddlers refuse to eat actual food. Family tastes aside, Copenhagen has long been a hot destination for foodies, brimming with Michelin stars and fermented pine needles and foraged seaweed and whatnot. Personally, all I want is an edible sandwich. Anyway, the BBC decided to revisit the city with its own post-pandemic round-up of posh nosh that isn’t Noma (which is closing). Nice reading, even if you can’t afford the grub.
Stuff to do x 3
Stand-up: Esther Manito
She’s just f**king funny. “Arab Essex girl” Esther Manito is in CPH this Friday at Knock Knock Comedy Club. Support: Oscar Skoglund (Sweden), Mike Merone (USA), Hanna Voog (Sweden). Tix here.
We’re All Going to Die - a mostly funny documentary
Climate breakdown, war, pandemics, nukes, AI. What’s not to worry about? Berlin filmmaker Ben Knight shows his unique English-language documentary about how to cope with the feeling that we are living in End Times. One-off screening at Beboerhus Christianshavn. 7pm, Wednesday, December 13. Info and tickets.
Bounce, baby!
What to do with the offspring on these frosty, windy Baltic days? The vast Airtrix trampoline centres (there are locations in Nordhavn and Ishøj) can easily fill half a day, with dare devil fun for toddlers, teens and everyone in-between. The info.