The enthusiasm gap, and why you will need to act excited to succeed in the US

Denmark is a flat country, I often tell newcomers at my How to Live in Denmark speeches, and when you live and work here your tone and emotions should be flat as well.

No wild gesturing or, as the Danes call them, “big arm movements.” No dramatic statements about right and wrong. No losing your temper and raising your voice.

For Danes, being calm and in control is a sign of being a mature adult.

But for emotional exhibitionists like the Americans, this quiet composure can give the impression you are unenthusiastic, uninterested, or even bored.

Exclamation points mean excitement

If you’ve received emails or even marketing materials from your US colleagues, you’ve probably already realized that they are fond of using the exclamation point.

One marketing director from a Danish company told me he went through the text and edited out every single one of them. “They sound like shouting,” he told his American employees.

The Americans were distressed. “Exclamation points represent excitement!” they said. “They give the text energy! They tell customers that we really believe in our product.”

A cultural difference you must adapt to

Enthusiasm, high energy, and positivity is just part of the fuel Americans need to succeed in an often merciless competitive environment.

It is one of those cultural differences you will have to surrender to if you hope to be successful in the US – just like you would have to learn the intricacies of hierarchy if you were working in Asia.

To do well in the US, you will have to at least pretend to be as energetic and eager as the Americans you work with.