They had been to Washington Square Park earlier in the day and remarked on the hordes of students in purple cap and gown and their cheering, picture taking families.
In Denmark, after you hand in your thesis, you get a preliminary certificate of completion (predicated on the assumption that your paper won't be failing-grade) and one piece of candy. The paper entitles you to government aid as a non-student (as opposed to the aid you get when you are a student) and the candy, well, I guess that's what's left of any symbolic ritual to mark the end of one's days as a student. A sweet, but oh so short moment in time.
There is something very traditional about graduations, complete with those silly hats. But I could tell the Danes liked the idea and if they were laughing- it was like a kid's laughter, just covering their jealousy.
Rituals to mark moments, to create memories, to build narratives.... They have their charm. Celebrations of personal achievement are definitely more suited to a culture that prizes individual experience over one that encourages the individual to take a step aside for the larger group or society and not show off or stand out. Though I remember being slightly embarrassed by all the fuss - many years ago -- I like seeing it too on hear beautiful late spring days and I like the seasonal ruminations on graduation speeches and life advice as well.
I think we have a lot to learn from Scandinavia, but here's a nice little ritual they might learn from us.
