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One of the best-known Danish products, known around the world, is
Danish pastry, but
in Denmark those pastries are called Vinerbrød, or Vienna Bread. Now I
just learned that the Great
Dane is actually a
German breed, and its proper name is the German Boar-Hunting Dog. It is apparently a mix of Mastiff
and Irish Wolf Hound.
It occurs to me that these are examples of things that people are
better off not knowing,
because facts like these can stop
conversations that might have been very interesting. Facts are so
utilitarian and
limiting. Ignorance, on the other hand, is boundless,
and shared ignorance is often the basis of lifelong friendships.
I
have started several conversations by telling people that Great Danes were bred as war dogs, and then
used as guard dogs on Danish estates. That would lead to other people telling lies about their encounters with guard dogs,
and before you know it the pitcher is empty and the afternoon is gone.
Gunner.
Let us know what you think!
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