Thursday
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The Danish media has taken note of the Buy Danish campaigns that have sprung up spontaneously over the least week or so in response to the boycott from Islamic countries. Danes seem to be quite willing to stoutly resist the pressure to limit free speech but it is important they realise that millions of people worldwide are urging them to stand firm and so although buying Danish goods or putting a supportive graphic on your site may be a token, it is by no means pointless. Below is a translation of an article in Børsen.
Buy Danish campaigns in large markets like the USA and Germany might give Danish companies enough increased turnover to cover the losses from the Arabian boycotts.Companies like Arla, Lego, and Carlsberg believe in increased sales when they check their books next time, and Dominique Bouchet, professor in marketing and sociology at the University of Southern Denmark also expects a plus.
"It just might give a good effect. Normally there is a greater effect the other way around, when you signal disgust and irritation through a boycott. But the present situation is completely unusual, and many dislikes the Muslim boycott and the extremists reactions to the drawings. It is expressed through the buying of Danish goods", says Dominique Bouchet.
He emphasises that there has never been comparable situations, so it is difficult to predict how large the effect will become.
Denmark is, as most people are aware, caught in the middle of a Middle Eastern sandwich, where the hateful reactions to the Prophet drawings have become so extreme that the crisis is going straight on to front pages in media around the world.
This releases a counter expression via buy Danish campaigns, where the customers are encouraged to buy Danish goods to support Denmark in the conflict. A simple search on Google gives more than 100.000 "buy Danish" pages."
With thanks to Kristina for the translation.
Anybody know of a good list of Danish products that are available in the US? I went through my local grocery store this morning and found several kinds of Danish cheese, but nothing else.
Posted by Bombadil at February 9, 2006 05:29 PM
I know you can get an egg salad sandwich with havarti at most Starbucks. It's a little thing, but it's a start. (It's about five million calories, though...)
Posted by Mac at February 9, 2006 05:58 PM
I'd be interested too. All I've been sure is Danish so far is the Carlsberg I've been drinking for the last week and the various cheeses I've been eating. But there are plenty of pages online, as pointed out in the post.
I'm glad this is being noticed in Denmark. It is only a token, but given the wussy reaction from the USA, I feel like it's something I have to do.
And, yeah, Dissident's "Support Denmark" graphic went up on my webpage last night - just in time for students to see it if they click on while downloading study guides for their upcoming exam.
Posted by Joshua at February 9, 2006 06:03 PM
There's a Danish cheese I've bee after for months... Sainsbury's used to stock it, but then they stopped. It's a soft cheese- slightly more consistent than something like roul- covered in pepper on the outside. It's absolutely gorgeous.
Anybody know of it? I'll buy a pound of it if I can find it...
Posted by James at February 9, 2006 06:25 PM
I quite enjoyed the Carlsberg and Havarti during the Superbowl, myself. And, of course, my children have been keeping the folks over at Lego knee-deep in gravy for the past decade-plus.
I'll keep my eyes open for anything else I might get from these stalwarts.
Posted by Jeffersonian at February 9, 2006 06:32 PM
Not to be party pooper, and I'm not an economist, but unless this support lasts months, will it have much impact? If it is short-term, won't any increase (over abd above the arab boycotts) just cause shortages in the short term, and perhaps over eager suppliers who cause gluts in the medium term as demand fades?
Posted by toolkien at February 9, 2006 06:45 PM
I think the idea is to negate the impact of a boycott of Danish goods across the Islamic world.
Posted by Bombadil at February 9, 2006 06:49 PM
I've been buying as many Danish things as I can find for the last week or so. I'd buy Carlsberg if it wasn't brewed (sorry, manufactured) in Northampton, even though it tastes like something the Gay Horse emits.
Does anyone know what I'm supposed to do with this Feta Cheese? It's quite clearly inedible, so I wonder what it's for. Hurry, please. I've three packets in the fridge.
Other than that, more power to your elbows!
Posted by Brian at February 9, 2006 07:14 PM
Lur-Pak butter is some of the best butter in the world. I am going to drive to a supermarket that I know sells it on Sunday and buy half a dozen packs, and I'm going to pick up a couple of packs of Rosenborg blue cheese at the same time. I don't think they sell havarti. I think Tuborg beer is also Danish.
Why don't you go to the Arla website? Or maybe the website of the Danish government? Or just google Danish foods.
Posted by Verity at February 9, 2006 07:19 PM
There's always tourism. Go to Denmark and be nice to them in person.
Posted by guy herbert at February 9, 2006 07:36 PM
See :
buydanish.home.comcast.net/products.htm
for some other products
Posted by Jacob at February 9, 2006 08:31 PM
Pity Heljan don't do anything much in N
Posted by Tim Hall at February 9, 2006 08:35 PM
I have been buying Danish as well. The blue cheese and salami were particularily nice I thought.
Posted by Andrew Ian Dodge at February 9, 2006 08:52 PM
Last week I purchased Lur-Pak Butter for the first time at Publix Supermarkets. You have not lived yet untill trying on hot sour dough bread. I will continue to purchase for me and my family now that I have tasted heaven.
Found Denmark butter cookies in the tins at Albertsons and purchased eight of them. They are great for gifts to your customers at work. Different types were available like Almond, Chocolate chip and butter. I have gained some weight but its for a noble cause. So eat a butter cookie for freedom of speech!
Posted by Jared at February 9, 2006 09:04 PM
My local Albertson's in Dallas doesnt just carry Havarti in several varieties but these varieties are a brand owned by Arla. I dont know if every Albertsons in every market does but check it out.
I for one will keep buying it especially the dill flavor. ummmm. Check out the cracker section too. I couldnt find any Danish crackers but I found some Swedish ones that I know were very popular in Dublin when I was living there. At least my Swedish friends couldnt get enough of them anyway. They are just perfect with cheese but I cant think of the name of them right now. They are large rectangles, very crunchy and they come in wheat, multigrain and rye etc. Look for Danish but failing that support Sweden! heh heh (Hey I got people I care about there)
I would also buy fast. Who knows how long it will be before a store like Albertsons decides to self-censor their cheese case.....
Posted by peggy at February 9, 2006 09:22 PM
Peggy - Ryvita.
Posted by Verity at February 9, 2006 09:37 PM
.... why not move a little upmarket and invest in that sleek Bang & Olufsen television or replace your old furniture with some classy designer goods like Wegners ("The Chair")? You could also support research in non-carbonbased energy (even Bush wants you to do that!!) and buy stocks in the largest windmill factory around, Vestas Wind Systems. And remember, if you need to move that container from Los Angeles to China, make sure its on a Maersk-Sealand carrier.
Anyways, thanks, the support campaign made the headlines in Denmark and makes us feel a little less isolated.
Posted by Gormie at February 9, 2006 09:44 PM
I really don't see the logic in this silly Islamic driven boycott on Danish goods. And what exactly are they trying to ban... Freedom of Speech? Freedom of Expression? These things are integral to our liberal, tolerant and humanist way of life in the West. We are free and democratic societies.
What the hell is this ban going to stop the Muslims from doing... drinking Carlsberg beer and eating Danish bacon. I don't think these Stone Age goombahs have thought this through properly. I can't see the Islamic world banning the purchase of Denmark's leading exports as having much effect, either politically or economically. Think about it, these Mohammedans are not allowed to drink alcohol and they don't touch ham.
Islamic boycott = ineffectual stupid ass-clowns.
Posted by Samsung at February 9, 2006 09:49 PM
Gormie,
Its the least that we can do. Its our pleasure. Our taste buds are thanking you in return!
Posted by peggy at February 9, 2006 09:50 PM
Samsung,
As much as I hate to admit it its not so ineffectual. The Arabs import Danish dairy products like cheese, milk, butter etc. There are many Danish foods that they can eat. The Danes also make, sell and offer a lot more besides these items than any of us realized before the boycott. Cumulatively, it is a serious situation for Danish businesses and I hear that some at least have either closed or had to lay off innocent workers. I realize that Denmark has a comprehensive social net but even so many of these people will not have nearly the standard of living they had when they were working. They might lose many things that they worked hard to earn and tightening one's belt is never any picnic.
If we dont counter the boycott, more people will needlessly and unfairly suffer. So buy Danish, ok?
Posted by peggy at February 9, 2006 10:00 PM
Hi guys
Thanks a lot for the campaign. And the truth is, as mentioned above, it really does help us feel a little less isolated.
Thanks
Henrik
Posted by Henrik at February 9, 2006 10:24 PM
Unfortuntely, Denmark can't really fight back since Pan-Jihadistan's only real export is oil. And, in fact, no one would pay much attention to the Middle East's opinions about much of anything if not for this fact. (Nor, I suspsect, would muslims be bothering to burn anyone's embassy. They only do this because they know they're on television.) The lesson here, I guess, is that $2.50/gallon gas is a good thing. I remember reading somewhere that gas would have to go to $3.65/gallon in the US for alternative-energy cars to become economical. Once such cars are economical and people start buying them for real reasons (i.e. unrelated to environmental alarmism), the money to improve them will appear in the form of investments against expected profits.
I don't expect this to happen any time soon, unfortunately. But the truth is, we're going to have a problem with militant Islam as long as the Middle East can continue to buy attention it probably doesn't deserve. Without oil, they have essentially no economy. Then we'll see what their "religious" grandstanding is worth.
Posted by Joshua at February 9, 2006 10:29 PM
Skagen makes great wristwatches, and of course Bang and Oluffsen (hope I spelled that reasonably close) makes excellent audio equipment.
Posted by Tom at February 9, 2006 10:34 PM
Verity, usually I find your comments entertaining, refreshingly honest and mostly I agree with them however, Ryvita is manufactured in Poole, Dorset about a mile from my home. (When the wind is in a certain direction I can smell it - sort of sweet and nutty).
Posted by Nick Timms at February 9, 2006 10:42 PM
Verity. About 30 seconds after pressing "post" I realised that you were not suggesting Ryvita was Danish, you were merely answering Peggy's queries on the identity of her crackers. Apologies. I plead Friday evening vino.
Posted by Nick Timms at February 9, 2006 11:20 PM
Oh, gosh, Nick Timms, my apologies to Poole! I always thought Ryvita was one of those hearty Scandinavian things. A deep de sculpa me fol-de-rol!
Posted by Verity at February 9, 2006 11:23 PM
Then what the hell was I apologising for? Officer, arrest this man!
Posted by Verity at February 9, 2006 11:24 PM
I bought a bottle of Danish Vodka last night. Brand called Fris. I think this is fairly common in most liquor stores and larger grocery stores. Even had a taste and it was pretty good.
Posted by Donald at February 9, 2006 11:45 PM
On Sunday, I am going to drive to a supermarket that is a long way from my house, because I know they carry Lur-Pak butter, which is truly wonderful butter and makes anyone's life the richer, and Rosenborg blue cheese. I am going to buy around eight packs of butter (you can freeze butter with no ill effects), just to make a dent in the supermarket's measly supply and encourage them to order more, instanter! I know Mexico's hardly on the horizon as a customer, but any little blip is important. (I might make the suggestion that others buy several packs of butter at a time and freeze them, just to provide the surge effect that Denmark needs to know it is not alone.)
Denmark must have a sense of being surrounded by friends who are in awe of their brave, unequivocal stance.
Posted by Verity at February 10, 2006 12:57 AM
My local Publix (US - SW Florida) carries Tuborg - those of you who have been drinking Carlsberg with a wince should try Tuborg if you can find it - it's a much nicer beer.
My local Publix also carries Havarti - assuming the cheese cooler hasn't frozen all its imported cheeses and forced them to toss them out (I question the timing...). Luckily the local Albertsons also carries Havarti.
Posted by Kathy K at February 10, 2006 02:35 AM
Tuborg Gold is quite nice. I'll be trying the other Danish beers and cheese as well.
Might wanna catch Danish Indie band, Mew. Great stuff.
Posted by Jeremy at February 10, 2006 02:53 AM
I'm on a job in DC right now... but I picked up my block of Havarti anyway. Just doing my part for the protection of liberty .... ;-)
I never reallzed freedom could taste so nice!
Posted by Dale Amon at February 10, 2006 03:10 AM
Kathy K - "My local Publix also carries Havarti - assuming the cheese cooler hasn't frozen all its imported cheeses and forced them to toss them out"
So we can take it you never made the cheerleading team in high school?
Posted by Verity at February 10, 2006 03:13 AM
Let's try this.
Buy Danish. Show the receipt.
It's not hard. It's kinda DIY solidarity with high exposure.
Posted by emil at February 10, 2006 04:09 AM
I'm not sure how big the Middle East market for cheese is, but I can't imagine that the Danish alcohol companies are going to be losing much by having Muslim fundamentalists boycotting their sales.
Great marketing campaign Denmark! No loss in the boycotting countries, and a boost in revenues in the alcoholic Anglosphere.
Posted by James Dudek at February 10, 2006 12:59 PM
Verity
Great idea about purchasing as much Lur-Pac butter as you can to get the supermarket to order more. I didn't think of freezing the butter. I will clean out my local Publixs supply here in (U.S. Central Florida) and look for any other products that support the boycotted countrys.
Together we all can make a powerful difference by changing our buying patterns!
Remember Guns or Butter, right now I choose Butter!
Posted by Jared at February 10, 2006 01:46 PM
Jared - Yes, freezing butter has absolutely no effect on it at all.
Posted by Verity at February 10, 2006 01:54 PM
i had some great laughs reading these comments, thanks
as to carlsberg beer... i definetly agree on the taste... i much prefere Guiness myself...
would like to thank you all for the moral (and cheesy ;) ) support it's great to know we have friends out there :D
p.s. from the top of my head, products most affected by muslim boycots; Arla (milk and yougurt) and chickens (those feathery things)
Posted by Peter Baltzer at February 10, 2006 03:29 PM
Talk about lousy journalism... the guy who wrote that article said that a Google search showed 100,000 results for "buy Danish".
My last search revealed this:
Results 1 - 10 of abou