An empty stomach can't be filled later. - 고픈 배는 나중에 채울 수 없다

On Rue Admiral Roussin in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, there's a fascinating restaurant. The chef and owner are eccentric. Not only is the price of a meal at 40 francs, a fraction of the price of other restaurants, but most importantly, customers are expected to pay for their own meals.

A small coin box is placed at the exit, and customers are encouraged to pay on their own. They explain that even if they run out of money, they can pay later. They also ask customers to take their own change from the coin box.

There are many amusing anecdotes about the relationship between this eccentric owner and his customers. One story is about a college student who repeatedly ate without money, but after two years, showed up to thank him and left 500 francs. Another customer who put a 100 franc note in the coin box, then pretended to put a 200 franc note in it, but ended up with 160 francs, later returning to thank him for lending them the money.

The restaurant owner, after calculating the number of customers and the amount paid, came to 39.3 francs, chuckling, "Isn't that enough for the customers' consciences?"

But it would be a shame to think of him as just a kind-hearted fool. One time, four construction workers from an apartment complex near the restaurant ate lunch together for several days without showing any sign of paying. He couldn't bear to see them giggling and treating him like fools. So the owner, dressed in a white chef's uniform and a white chef's hat, treated them with utmost respect, then wrote down the bill on a large piece of paper and handed it to them. Needless to say, they had to pay the full bill, even with a sullen expression.

The restaurant owner says, "A hungry person must eat first, regardless of whether he has money or not. Money can be filled later, but an empty stomach cannot be filled later."

Hong Se-hwa, Hankyoreh

고픈 배는 나중에 채울 수 없다

  파리 15구에 있는 아미랄 루생 거리에는 재미있는 식당이 있다. 요리사이며 주인인 사람이 괴짜이다. 한 끼 식사 값이 40프랑으로 다른 식당에 비해 아주 싼 것도 특이하지만, 무엇보다도 이 식당에서는 식사 뒤 계산을 손님 스스로 하게 되어 있다.

     출구에 조그마한 돈통을 놓아두고는 손님이 알아서 지불하고 가라고 한다. 부족하거나 낼 돈이 없어도 나중에 지불하면 되니 상관없다고 말한다. 또 거스름돈도 돈통에서 스스로 챙겨간다.

     이 괴짜 주인과 손님 사이에 재미있는 에피소드가 많다. 여러 번 돈 없이 밥을 먹었던 대학생이 2년 만에 나타나 고맙다면서 500프랑을 놓고 갔다는 얘기, 100프랑짜리를 돈통에 집어넣은 후에 200프랑짜리를 집어넣은 듯 160프랑을 챙겨간 손님이 나중에 찾아와 "돈을 꿔 줘서 고마웠다"고 털어놓기도 했다.

     식당 주인은 손님의 숫자와 손님이 낸 금액의 통계를 내 보았더니 39.3프랑이 나왔다며, 그만하면 손님들의 양심이 괜찮은 게 아니냐며 껄껄 웃었다.

     그런데 이 주인을 단지 마음씨 좋은 바보로 알았다간 큰코 다친다.  한번은 식당 근처 아파트 보수공사장의 인부 네 사람이 며칠 동안 계속 점심을 먹었는데 돈 낼 낌새를 전혀 안 보이더란다.  게다가 자기들끼리 낄낄거리면서 바보 취급하는 데에는 도저히 그냥 참고 넘어갈 수가 없었다고 한다. 그래서 주인은 하얀 요리사 복장으로 정장을 하고 하얀 요리사 모자까지 쓰고 그들을 융숭히 대접한 뒤, 큼직한 종이에 계산 내역을 적어 갖다 주었다. 그들이 떨떠름한 표정으로 밀린 식사비까지 모두 지불해야 했음은 물론이다.

     식당 주인은 말한다. "배고픈 사람은 돈이 있든지 없든지 우선 먹어야 한다. 돈은 나중에 채울 수 있지만 고픈 배는 나중에 채울 수 없다."

  홍세화, 한겨레신문사