On my first trip to Copenhagen, I learned that the trains have motion detectors that trigger the interior doors to open. These detectors don’t work very well, and so it helps to wave your hand in front of them. This is a common sight, but only on the regional train line (which I take to work). The “S” trains, however, don’t have motion detectors, but I didn’t know that.
So, the first time I got onto an S-train, I waved and waved — for what seemed like hours — until a friendly Dane said (in English, because obviously I was a foreigner), “There’s a button.” Sure enough, there’s a little unmarked button, about the size of a dime. I pressed it, and the door opened right up.
Employees at the grocery store (who really don’t care to speak English) often ask a question when you’re paying with a card. I knew that this question had something to do with getting some cash back, but I figured it translated to “Cash back?” It turns out they’re asking something more like “Just the amount?” To which I was responding, “No”. And then, of course, I was completely confused when they’d ask me what amount I’d like. This led to many awkward and confusing interactions. When I finally figured this out and started saying yes in instead of no, things went much more smoothly.
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