Cash ain't King when you don't have a Crown!

Picture the scene.  You’re quietly minding your own business, walking along the street, when you see a sign that makes you lækkersulten. [Great Dane-ish Expressions – To ‘have a case of the munchies’]  I wanna flæskestegssandwich (roast pork sandwich) and I want it NOW!

But, hey, the pølsevogn(sausage wagon) doesn’t take cards.  I don’t have any cash on me (remember, the Danes pay for everything with their trusty Dankort).  And there isn’t a cash dispenser in sight…  Waaaaaaaaaaah!

But hold on a mo’!  All is not lost!  There’s also a sign that says “Mobilpay” together with a telephone number!    Yep, I can play for my flæskestegsandwich (and a cold chocolate milk, Cocio, to go with it, should I so desire…) by simply opening the app on my telephone and transferring the money straight to the sausage seller.  No fees or fuss for either of us. Très smart, non? 🙂

I’ve also used Mobilepay when transferring money to my kids’ pocket money accounts. For paying our dues to the school slush fund.  When out having lunch with friends: I pay the whole bill, we divided it up ourselves and they send me their share by phone, straight to my account.

Not to mention buying things when out and about at markets and summer festivals (here’s my sweetie friend, Tina, owner of the Pink Flamingo shop in Hellerup at a charity fundraiser).

Just download the app, get your account sent up and keep a look out for a sign that says “Mobilepay” or “Mobilpay”.  And remember not to spend all your money in the one shop! 😛

Have a marvelous money, money, Monday!

Diane 🙂

You know you're in Denmark when… (Where's my change?)

2 Comments

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 🙂