CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 03, 2012	Feb. 26, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities: [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 23,492	$ 21,921
Depreciation	6,568	6,998
Amortization	1,426	1,331
Other noncash items	(102)	(94)
Net loss (gain) on disposition of plant assets	16	(3)
Stock-based compensation expense	2,906	2,605
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(2,302)	(657)
Deferred income taxes	9,522	(367)
Change in assets and liabilities, excluding short-term investments	(40,301)	(22,904)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,225	8,830
Cash flows from investing activites: [Abstract]
Restricted cash	51	46
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(2,144)	(10,455)
Additions to plant assets	(9,797)	(3,492)
Proceeds from disposition of plant assets	59	34
Investment in affiliates	(132)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,963)	(13,867)
Cash flows from financing activities: [Abstract]
Payments on long-term debt	(26)	(1,574)
Sale of capital stock under stock option and employee purchase plans	2,958	2,508
Purchase of treasury stock	(3,635)	(1,947)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,302	657
Cash dividends paid	(6,046)	(5,308)
Net cash used in financing activities	(4,447)	(5,664)
Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,249	1,048
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(13,936)	(9,653)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	155,999	117,022
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	142,063	107,369
Cash paid during the period for: [Abstract]
Interest	68	36
Income taxes, net of refunds	$ 2,879	$ 1,740