The first example took place a couple of weeks ago. I'd been invited to dinner & to watch an Interactive play (the play alone could take up a few blog posts) by a Danish colleague. It was a small group of 4 of us (Danish colleague, his female cousin, & my friend - also female- from South Africa). We agreed to meet in the uber trendy meat packing district of Copenhagen. The restaurant was completely empty when we arrived except for a few people having drinks outside. My colleague had arrived a few minutes before the rest of us & was told that there would be a table available for us.
When the group was together, we walked inside, & I heard alot of Danish & the colleague & cousin promptly walked out. I asked what happened & was told that earlier there was indeed a table available, however, now they did not have tables available because the restaurant was fully reserved.
Yes, the restaurant was still empty except for the few people drinking outside but were turned away because eventually, the restaurant would be full. Eventually.
This did not phase the Danes I was eating with. In fact, they were confused when I asked them why then was the restaurant empty. Apparently, I was speaking nonsense. We made our way to a different restaurant & dined on traditional Danish cuisine. Normally, that is followed by a gagging sound but this one wasn't too bad.
Last night, I was invited to go eat burgers w/ an American buddy of mine & his neighbor. Great burgers are not easy to find here so you can't imagine the relief it was to be introduced to this place almost 2 months ago now. Best American burgers in the area & it's a Canadian restaurant. Oh well. I'll take it.
Anyways, this burger place is conveniently located on top of a gym (which in my opinion is like having a Dunkin' Donuts next to Jenny Craig) & it has a nice indoor as well as outdoor eating area. Since it was a beautiful Autumn, errr...I mean Summer evening, we asked to sit outside. However, we were told that we cannot sit outside because earlier it LOOKED like it was going to rain and now that it doesn't, it wouldn't be fair to let us sit outside when the other people who were here before have to sit inside.
Instead, we were told we could share a booth with a couple & their toddler or sit on a long bench table, which we would eventually share w/ other patrons of the restaurant as they came along. We chose the long bench but stared longingly out the window, wishing we were outside.
So now you know...An empty restaurant doesn't mean you will get a table & if it LOOKS like it was going to rain earlier in the day, you won't get to sit outside when the day is actually nice & pleasant.
Welcome to Denmark. I hope you enjoy your stay.
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