You know you’re in Denmark when…
Picture the scene. You’re in a Danish shop and want to buy an item which is marked at 29,95 Danish crowns. So you dig into your purse or wallet and hand over 30 crowns to the shopkeeper. Who duly takes your money, gives you your purchase and bids you a ‘good day’. And leaves you thinking, “Hey, matey! Where’s my change?!” 😛
Yep, been there done that. When I first came to Denmark, I thought all the shopkeepers were trying to diddle me… DDH (Dear Danish Husband) had to explain to me that Danish prices were – let us say – ‘ficticious’ prices. (As opposed to astronomical…like the price of Danish duvets – You know you’re in Denmark when… (Beds. Again.) You see, the largest Danish coin is 20 Kroner and the smallest is 50 øre (about 5 UK pence or 8 American cents). There is no longer a coin with a value of 5 øre, even if prices are marked that way. So, if you’re paying with cash, the shopkeeper always rounds the price up. 9,95 becomes 10. 19,95 becomes 20. 29,95 becomes 30.
However, if you pay with a card – electronically – your bank account will be charged exactly 29,95, and not 30… Perhaps that’s the reason everybody in Denmark uses Dankort (a bank card: can be both debit and credit) when paying? Even for teeny tiny amounts like 20 Kroner (about £2.20 or $3). Yep, the shopkeeper won’t blink an eye. And you won’t feel shortchanged.
Have a marvelous Monday!
Diane 🙂
that's the same as in the Netherlands but then with Euro 😉
Copenhagen is one of the most expensive towns I have ever been too, and I travel a lot.