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IKEA accused of teasing Denmark
I recently wrote about the language of IKEA and how the global furniture giant names all of its products. If you remember, many pieces of furniture, like sofas, wardrobes and bookshelves, are named after places in Norway and Sweden. Denmark on the other hand gets stuck with doormats and carpets. Apparently this has caused a recent Danish uproar, blaming IKEA for naming products of lesser value after places in Denmark as a way to spite it."It [IKEA's naming system] is too systematic for this to be random because IKEA is a very professional company. This can only be a way of teasing Denmark," stated Nyhedsavisen, a free daily Danish newspaper, on Valentine's Day.
This may all seem like a joke, but some Danes are taking it very seriously, as pointed out by Assistant Political Communication Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Klaus Kjøller, "It seems to be an example of cultural imperialism. IKEA has chosen the objects with the lowest value and given them Danish names."
Cultural imperialism you say? I didn't realize IKEA could be such a touchy subject. But then again, would you want a carpet named after you when other countries get the flashier items like beds and coffee tables?
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Filed under: Arts and Culture, Denmark
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
w Feb 22nd 2008 2:39PM
What a bunch of babies. I bet they'd still complain if they had nothing named after them. Some people can find a reason to b*tch about anything.
Keri Feb 22nd 2008 7:48PM
So very true...Some people complain to hear themselves talk LOL..
Tracy Cousins Feb 22nd 2008 2:44PM
You think people who run a country or are adults in one wouldn't still be acting like children, with accusing someone of name calling and being hurt by it. So what if they named door mats and other lesser furniture (I didn't know there was a lesser furniture in my home..lol) at least you were thought of. Like how is a light bulb, cup, cover, etc. more superior to a rug, who thought of this and where was I? I thought all the stuff in there was at the same level since it was all home furnishings, maybe I was wrong. Like with the Muslims and a comic, can they take a cartoon so seriously that they would risk a life for a drawing? I guess they can, and they consider themselves adults. Like I have seen in my country (United States of America) the presidential canidates cutting into each other with gossip and insults like children, that they barely find time to talk about resolving the real issues with our country, and we do have some. I look at all these college, working class, so called sane, level headed adults showing the world without any shame might I add, that they are immature, insecure, childish individuals that really need to grow up!
That's just my opinion, but who am I?
Mari Feb 22nd 2008 2:52PM
I Love IKEA....but I love Danishes too. mmmmm Danish
mike smith Feb 22nd 2008 2:59PM
Oh, my, what a mess. People can be so petty.
Marja Feb 22nd 2008 3:25PM
I wish IKEA would "tease" FINLAND , too! I would love to see some of their products with FINNISH names , as they just opened a great store here in South Florida. When I go to my native Finland every summer , visit to IKEA is a must in their friendly store in my original home city of Helsinki. So , please name some of the items with FINNISH names (doesn't matter if they are small or big item) , so the thousands of FINNs here and American-Finns will bring more business to IKEA.
So sorry to see such immature Danes ....grow up !!!
Joel Lafargue Feb 24th 2008 7:34PM
Didn't you know? IKEA already has Finnish products! Their coffee tables, for example, have either a walnut or maple FINNISH!!!!!
Lighten up, Denmark! Learn to cope in Copenhagen!
Linda Feb 22nd 2008 3:34PM
I love IKEA and I think these people are being foolish. We know that the Danish have expensive stuff and we also know that IKEA has a cheaper version of it. We are not stupid. But we can afford IKEA and not the true version of Danish. Keep still and do not bother the poor people because we are having fun with it all. Leave it be.
Ralph Feb 22nd 2008 3:35PM
You cares grow up.. There just names and they sticks and stones my break bones but your names can't hurt me.. Well looks like Denmark is like a 4 yr old and hurt that someone likes them enough to name something after them now they want to ensure its something better...
Wm. Kinter Feb 22nd 2008 3:41PM
This is an old rivalry - a few years ago when there was a proposal to build a bridge across the Skagerack(S) from Denmark to Sweden - the Danes asked why saying "there is nothing over there except a bunch of Dumb Swedes"l.
Mia Feb 22nd 2008 3:41PM
I love IKEA. I thought all the names of the items were Swedish, but again, I don't know Swedish, and currently I'm learning Danish and have been involved with Danish-American culture. I think the Danes have a point, only because the Danes I know are proud of their heritage, and although they can take a joke with the best of them, enough is enough. If it is a case of teasing, okay, ha ha, the joke was funny, now get serious. If it's not a joke, and vindictiveness is behind the naming process, then maybe IKEA might want to reconsider their plan.
Tammy Feb 22nd 2008 3:52PM
I look at it this way. There is nothing to be insulted about. I would not even try to fathom a world without doormats. They are so necessary for wet dirty shoes. And carpeting? Everyone knows how good it feels to sink your feet into soft plush carpeting or even to sit on it or lay on it. I think carpeting is one of the best features in a house.
CG Feb 22nd 2008 4:01PM
This is rediculous! The Danes need to get over it and stop being bitter that they didnt think of such an amazing concept like IKEA! Instead they are world renowned for their classic minimalist deisgns and yet they still get upset about a rug named after a small town of theirs? Its completly childish of them to get upset about something so silly. My boss is danish and I now see where she gets her way of thinking. What a pitty that they cant appreciate the fact that IKEA allows people of all classes to enjoy good, functional and affodable designs! I myself am a design student and can truly appreciate what IKEA does!
Mia Feb 22nd 2008 4:03PM
Right Tammy, absolutely. But it's the "idea" of the doormat (the thing that everybody wipes their dirty feet on, the person who gets mistreated and taken for granted, etc) that is what the Danes are upset about. It's all in the perception of what the Swedes think of the Danes. And of course, this is GENERALLY speaking, not a rule across the board.
jay Feb 22nd 2008 4:36PM
Well while we’re at it maybe Ikea can name their trash-cans New Jersey after this Garbage state, we’re subjected to living in.
Wordsmith Feb 22nd 2008 4:50PM
There has been mostly gentle teasing between the Scandinavian countries for ages. The Swedes have a law going back to Viking times which permits any passer to gather and eat wild berries growing on private property. The Norwegians don't have that law so they come across and eat Swedish berries without offering reciprocation. Some pet peeves: The Finns fight with knives, the Swedes let the occupying Germans cross in sealed traind during WWII, the Danes used to roll drunken Swedes when they went to tank up during the Swedish time of sem-prohibition.
Jude Feb 22nd 2008 4:55PM
well now, had it been Polish, well, that's another story.
Sarah Feb 24th 2008 8:01PM
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Hahahaha!
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R Moon Feb 22nd 2008 5:09PM
I want to move to Denmark. If this is something big enough for them to worry about then life must be a breeze.
V Feb 22nd 2008 5:42PM
Denmark should relax! Some of the area rugs in my home are nicer and more expensive than some of my furniture!! It's all perspective. And let's face it, that IKEA furniture is crap, Denmark is actually being honored by NOT having things named for them!!