The Gift Certificate

Out of a population of 5 million in Denmark, approximately 50 percent of the population has a last name ending in "-sen" and approximately 6 percent of that percentage are Jensen(s). The government has put a stop to more people assuming this last name. One of these Jensens owns a chain of restaurants called "Jensens Boefhus" (Jensen’s Steak House). I have never thought thatEurope, or more particularly Denmark, had particularly good beef. Although beef has improved considerably, there is still some risk involved when ordering a steak. Often, when you finally find a restaurant which serves a good steak not smothered in onions or sauce, the portion is at best described as small - you are not sure if this is a starter or the main course. It’s a bit like the American who came to Denmark and had a wonderful meal in one of the better restaurants. After the meal, he asked for a cognac to go with his coffee.The waiter brought the coffee, served the cognac, the American drank the cognac in one gulp and said, "Yes, thank you. I’ll have one of those." Jensens Boefhus is, however, one of the restaurants in Europe, more particularly in Denmark, where you can be relatively sure of enjoying a steak somewhat in line with North American standards - tender and juicy. The food and service can be good and the atmosphere is pleasant. Mind you, you will probably have to pay extra for a glass of water - unless the policy in the restaurant has changed since my last visit. Lars, and his friend, Stoffer, were delighted when they were treated to a gift certificate for Dkr 500. (ca. US$ 75.00) to Jensens Boefhus in Copenhagen. Lars called me. "Jensens Bøfhus, how should I dress? Can I wear a pair of slacks and shirt?"

Like the U.S. you can go to most restaurants in Denmark in casual, but neat attire. "Sure," I replied, "you will look fine in slacks and shirt. Make sure your clothes are clean and pressed and that you are shaved."

"Well, of course," Lars countered. "I’ve had proper upbringing!" Later I got the details of the evening out. The two young men, dressed in their neatest, fronted up at the restaurant. They went fairly early, so reservations were not necessary. "Table for two?" queried the waitress. "Yes, please," both young men nodded. They were led to a good spot in therestaurant, the waitress brought the menu and Lars and Stoffer began to study and discuss the menu.

"Ok, remember, we go halves on the gift certificate. I’m not loaning you anymoney," Lars cautioned. He then proceeded to scan the menu combinations, made a couple of mental calculations and decided. Big beer Dkr 29.- barbecued chicken wings as a starter, medium steak (10 oz / 300 g), fries, salad and a waffle with ice cream and strawberries. His share of the gift certificate should cover this and he would get the best value for his money.

Stoffer headed for the main course section, chose the biggest steak (13 oz / 400 g), scanned the desserts and decided ice cream ad libitum with 3 choices of toppings. Great! His share of the certificate should cover that.

"Aren’t you having a starter and a drink with your meal?" Lars questioned. "Oh, yeah," Stoffer thought. "Will you loan me Dkr 20.- so I can have the chicken wings? … Never mind…. on second thought, I’ll try the barbecued corn and I’ll have a large beer for Dkr 29, then I’m still within budget." The beer mugs arrived, followed by the barbecued chicken wings; barbecued corn appeared some minutes later. Lars’ eyes lit up; he tucked in. Delicious. "What the heck is this and what do I do with it," Stoffer stared. A nice piece of corn on the cob.

Stoffer is Danish and as recently as 3-4 years ago, Danes did not eat much corn, if any. Well, not anywhere near as much as the North Americans do. Like Many young people today, Stoffer moved to Copenhagen from one of the islands. Lars has an American mother and a Danish father and has lived in Denmark about six years now. Corn? "Stoffer, you pick the sucker up and you eat it," Lars advised

"With my fingers?" Stoffer looked shocked.

"No way! This is a fine restaurant. People might stare. In Denmark we eat with fork and knife." He stuck a fork into the corn-on-the-cob and commenced eating the kernels in rows, looking at Lars’ chicken wings with envy.

"Ok," Lars relented. "You don’t need to share your corn, but you can taste my chicken wings. But you only get one. I told you to get the menu combination. It’s a better deal."

The steaks arrived. "Now that’s what I call a steak.," Stoffer was pleased. "And there’s a good supply of fries, too," Lars ventured. "The salad looks good, but I can get plenty of that at my place."

The waitress appeared. "Is everything alright? Food is to your satisfaction?"

"Excellent," both young men nodded. The waitress left smiling. "I’m kind of embarrassed. She probably doesn’t know we have a gift certificate," Lars commented.

While eating, Stoffer presented his views on the world’s reforestation issues and the needs of the impoverished in developing nations. "I think I’ll sponsor a family in Africa."

Lars ate, listening. Stoffer loved to discuss, argue and disagree. To Lars if youdiscuss and argue for the sake of disagreeing, what is the point? Lars’ father is a timber trader and Lars is familiar with some of the issues involved in the import-export of timber and the activities of Green Peace. Lars has also lived in third world countries and seen the poverty and the inequities of the rich and poor, the corruption

and suffering. To sponsor a family in Africa was a noble deed and a personal commitment. What was there to discuss?

The waitress came and cleared the table. The waitress served Lars his dessert and invited Stoffer to help himself to the ice cream. Three portions and several choices of toppings later, Stoffer proclaimed that he had reached a point of satiation. Lars still lingered over the last morsel of his waffle and ice cream. He savored every one of the 25 bites of his dessert until the last one disappeared; he sighed with contentment.

The waitress appeared again, "Did you enjoy your meal? Would like some coffee?" Lars thanked the waitress, but no thank you. Stoffer replied the same, then hesitated.Second thoughts. "Is it free?" he ventured.

"Yes," replied the waitress, " it is included in your meal."

"Ok, I’ll have some," he said enthusiastically. Stoffer was pleased, more value for his

money.

The bill came. Both young men thought a moment. Dkr 482.- Did that include the tip? Lars thought a moment. In Denmark all sales and services include a 23 percent sales tax and the tip is included in the price.

"Thank goodness," Stoffer commented.

"Thought I would have to borrow from you again, Lars. We’re within our limit. We can just give the waitress the certificate and let her have an extra tip.

The young men left. Good meal, good restaurant, what now?

"Got any money, Lars?

If you could loan me some money we could stop in at Rosie McGee’s or Out of Juice and see what’s happening in town," Stoffer suggested.

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