On one Danish island, no pizza if you're German or French

CNEWS ^ | Februari 24 2003 | JAN M. OLSEN

[knighthawk]

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Aage Bjerre has three rules for dining at his pizzeria on the Danish island of Fanoe: No dogs. No Germans. No French.

The owner of Aage's Pizza said Monday that he's tired of French and German attitudes toward the United States, calling them "disloyal" and "anti-American" in their bid to thwart a possible U.S.-led attack against Iraq.

Since hearing news of France and Germany's opposition, which has led to a rift in U.S. relations with Europe, a split in NATO and a feeling of malaise between old friends and stalwart allies, he's made it rule No. 1 to bar service to any French or German tourists in Nordby, the North Sea island's largest town.

"Hadn't the United States helped Europe in defeating Germany, there would have been photos of Adolf Hitler hanging on the walls around here," he said, referring to Nazi Germany's occupation of Europe in World War II.

The island, 320 kilometers (200 miles) southwest of the capital, Copenhagen, is a popular spot for visitors from neighboring Germany. Of the approximately 100,000 tourists who come, some 60 per cent are German, said Birthe Elstroem, head of the island's tourism office. The others are mostly Scandinavians and Dutch.

There are few French visitors to the island, which has a year-round population of 3,300.

The idea of losing euros from German and French tourists hasn't curbed Bjerre's zeal.

On Friday, he put two homemade pictograms on the shop door, much like the ones that show the outline of a dog with a bar across it.

One featured the silhouette of a man colored red, yellow and black - the colors of the German flag. The second was painted blue, white and red - the French Tricolor colors. Both silhouettes had a bar across each man.

The ban has yet to affect his business because tourist season typically starts after Easter and peaks during the summer. "I do what my conscience tells me to do," he said.

Should Germany decide to participate in U.S.-led military action against Iraq, Bjerre, 44, said he would lift his ban.

But the few French tourists who do visit the island will need to fill their bellies elsewhere.

Frenchmen have "a lifetime ban here," Bjerre told The Associated Press. "Their attitude toward the United States will never change."

[knighthawk]

Europe-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[knighthawk]

Maybe a good idea for the UK?

[Tribune7]

Ping

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for the ping! This is a great idea and I hope it catches on throughout Europe!

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Well, this guy certainly has a pair.

[Live free or die]

I need to find this man's email address and tell him if he's ever in the VA area that the beer's on me.

[KC_Conspirator]

Well, this guy certainly has a pair.

Indeed. Unlike Private Ryan's Grandson...

[ken5050]

Do you think he delivers? I'd order from him to help offset any lost business.....Heck...even better..remember when Hillary stiffed the waitress in the diner when she was running for the senate..and Freepers started sendign her money...if someone can get the address..we should all start sending him dollar bills, with a little thank you note....

[Michael2001]

Most Germans are good people, but if I had a pizza place I wouldn't serve the French either.

[Michael81Dus]

Wonder how long Denmark survives with closed borders to Germany and trade sanctions from the EU?

But, it´s always the same, this mislead guy doesn´t represent the Danish majority - and the Danes know quite well that they need good relations with their one and only neighbour. Many Danish enterprises complain about decreasing trade with Euro-Zone-nations.

[Slicksadick]

On Friday, he put two homemade pictograms on the shop door, much like the ones that show the outline of a dog with a bar across it.

One featured the silhouette of a man colored red, yellow and black - the colors of the German flag. The second was painted blue, white and red - the French Tricolor colors. Both silhouettes had a bar across each man.

One of our freeper artists needs to whip some of these out.

[eureka!]

I'll send him 5 bucks. How cool. Especially the "Lifetime" ban on the French...

[Forrestfire]

Spent two week vacation on the island in the early 80"s. Great place, friendly people, spoke better "American" English than I do. Pro-American. Went to a small movie house and saw "Kelly's Heros" they did nothing but cheer the G.I.s and boo the Krauts. Will never forget it!!

[PhiKapMom]

Count me in on that! I would gladly send this guy a $1.00. We should ask if he delivers across the ocean -- maybe he will want to expand his pizza place!

[Lauratealeaf]

What matters is having the courage of ones convictions and standing by them. You can bet the Danish pizza guy will get business from those who approve of his actions.

[SJackson]

Might be him.

Aages Pizza v/Niels-Aage Bjerre
Valdemarsvej 14
6720 Fanø
Telefon : 75161122

[joesnuffy]

I find including our cannine friends in with the porcine French and Germans
Insulting to them..

[Dog]

Hi knighthawk....can you do me a favor and see if you can get us this guys address so we can thank him..

[ken5050]

see #17...who was the cheapo internet telephony, and also speaks Danish, or French, or German..give him a call...hell, maybe we can get him on O'reilly, or at least Hannioty's radio show...if it's the correct address, I'll send him a dollar, and an American flag decal, and a FR pin...