I don't understand why after all these years of people being helpful and considerate on this board that rudeness has popped up all of a sudden. Is this the same person using different non-addresses? Can't we all be nice to one another and enjoy a civilized conversation about travel? There are enough problems in the world without trying to knock someone down for asking a question or giving an answer.

So it is rude to suggest that a patronising question is not rude????<BR>What about saying " what currency would be the best to use if I went to the USA?"<BR>The undertone of the question was interpreted as " I am going to a little insignificant nation so can I use US$ because they would hardly have their own currency"<BR>Sorry Louise but you may think this is the first time this has been asked but we are on the receiving end and it happens all the time AND when Americans are here too. They want us to accept US$ because they didn't bring anything else. They expect that everyone should accept US$ because they think that they are the biggest and the best. <BR>We may have just decided to put the picture right for once and for all.

If you want rude then take a look at the behaviour of most Americans on holiday. They are aggressive, abrupt, demanding, rude, and don't care who hears their demeaning remarks. Finally the way the use a knife and fork is the ultimate rudeness. If you can't use manners when you are eating please don't do it so openly.

AS a person who travels the world in a business capacity regularly, I can say that one can exchange U.S. dollars ANYWERE!. This includes stores, hotels, you name it, you,you have it. It is a fact that the U.S. is the most powerful and richest country in the world, and as people on this board can read, it is resented. To bad! The knife and fork....oh please spare us all. On my many travels part of my business is to call at U.S. embassies and consulates, it NEVER ceases to amaze me at the long lines of people applying for working visas to enter the US, this includes Australia and ALL of the European countries, we must be appealing to somebody. Regards, Wolfgang

Oh - say can I tell you that I just returned from the most fantastic 30 day holiday in Australia and New Zealand. No one was ever the tiniest bit rude to me and believe me, I was NEVER rude to anyone either. I've been reading this over and over and I've finally come to a decision. Sorry, but we're NOT aggressive, abrupt, demanding, rude, and don't care who hears our demeaning remarks. We came to your country to learn about you and what your country offers. We didn't come to pollute your ears, minds, streams or air. If we weren't impressed with your country, I doubt if we would have come. So leave your attitude and your pc for awhile and come out and meet us and see if you enjoy our company as we enjoy your countrymen's. A question is just that!! Someone is ASKING how or why something is done. It's not criticism - it's seeking an answer to something someone does not know.Give people a chance...