Is my US dollar going to take an arse kicking in Italy?
Dec 3rd, 2004, 06:14 PM
#41
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I've said this before, but one more time: It is not just the exchange rate -- it is also inflation.
The first time I went to Europe, the pound cost about $2.50. Horrific, you might think, however, one could get a double in a decent (nothing fancy) B&B in London for under $20/night.
The first time I went to Europe, the pound cost about $2.50. Horrific, you might think, however, one could get a double in a decent (nothing fancy) B&B in London for under $20/night.
Dec 3rd, 2004, 06:36 PM
#42
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Marilyn hit it right on the head. While so many of the US travelers are complaining about the US$ vs the Euro please know that inflation (at least in Italy) has hit the population there even worse.
In about February one of my friends in Italy told me that to buy zucchini for a family of three cost 4 euro. My friend in Milano said that the pizza had doubled in price.
We here in the US complain about the dollar vs the Euro. The folks in Europe have to live with it on a day to day basis. No choice!!
And also, something that I have thought about long and hard. As we in the US complain about the dollar vs the Euro I would like to throw out a thought.
In the 1970's my husband and I took our daughter to Italy. The airfare was around $900.00 per person. Now keep in mind that was in the 1970's.
And in 2004 travelers are complaining if they have to pay $700.00 or so for the airfare.
Just something to think about.
In about February one of my friends in Italy told me that to buy zucchini for a family of three cost 4 euro. My friend in Milano said that the pizza had doubled in price.
We here in the US complain about the dollar vs the Euro. The folks in Europe have to live with it on a day to day basis. No choice!!
And also, something that I have thought about long and hard. As we in the US complain about the dollar vs the Euro I would like to throw out a thought.
In the 1970's my husband and I took our daughter to Italy. The airfare was around $900.00 per person. Now keep in mind that was in the 1970's.
And in 2004 travelers are complaining if they have to pay $700.00 or so for the airfare.
Just something to think about.
Dec 3rd, 2004, 08:10 PM
#43
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In this neck of the woods €4 would buy you something like 2-4 kg of zucchini, depending on season - are the Italians paying the price of agricultural subsidies designed to keep European farmers in the manner to which they're accustomed?
Dec 3rd, 2004, 08:56 PM
#44
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Neil, I have no idea what a kg is, sorry. You know, us stupid Americans
What I do know is 3 years ago zucchini for a family of 3 would have cost about 1 euro more or less.
And individual pizza about 6 euro. Now 12 euro. Inflation and merchants rounding up evidently since the euro took over.
Prices of course more in large cities than out of the way places but of course salaries in large cities higher than in out of the way places so it all evens out.
P.S. On the other thread regarding your chile con carne. Would so love to have your receipe. I promised to be nice.
What I do know is 3 years ago zucchini for a family of 3 would have cost about 1 euro more or less.
And individual pizza about 6 euro. Now 12 euro. Inflation and merchants rounding up evidently since the euro took over.
Prices of course more in large cities than out of the way places but of course salaries in large cities higher than in out of the way places so it all evens out.
P.S. On the other thread regarding your chile con carne. Would so love to have your receipe. I promised to be nice.
Dec 3rd, 2004, 11:11 PM
#45
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Sorry BigRuss, my posting was a precis of what the Times was saying - as I've explained before. I suppose your slant is obviously correct and my piece was obviously wrong.
It's actually difficult to get a real perspective on the issue here in the UK as the matter is being reported as one of those amusing stories at the end of the news bulletins. Thatcher made sure that we don't do much in the export trade (unless they're of Japanese or Korean origin) and so all our imports are real cheap right now.
It's actually difficult to get a real perspective on the issue here in the UK as the matter is being reported as one of those amusing stories at the end of the news bulletins. Thatcher made sure that we don't do much in the export trade (unless they're of Japanese or Korean origin) and so all our imports are real cheap right now.
Dec 4th, 2004, 01:50 AM
#46
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LoveItaly, I suspect you're putting me on, or winding me up, or something ... but for the record 1 kg = 2.2 lb. So 2-4 kg is about 4.5-9 lb. Way more zucchini than I want to think about, anyway. (Stand by for chile recipe!)
Dec 4th, 2004, 02:32 AM
#47
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Suze, you bring up an interesting point about the *reality of the current currency exchange rate. What is reality when you have no sense of what your money is worth when it is devaluated on a daily basis? By the way, I wasn't wailing. Not yet anyway!!
I am for all going to Europe and cutting back on certain things here and while abroad so that a trip is possible. The benefits still out weigh the higher costs of travel these days.
I am for all going to Europe and cutting back on certain things here and while abroad so that a trip is possible. The benefits still out weigh the higher costs of travel these days.
Dec 4th, 2004, 10:00 AM
#49
praline, I may be alone in this, but when I travel I don't figure out how much each and every item I purchase costs me in U.S. dollars. I know how much I have budgeted for my trip overall, and simply get used to the prices I see (I think in Swiss Franc, or Euro, whatever). For example, I look at the posted restaurant menu and if it is too expensive I find a cheaper place to eat, same as I would at home.
Dec 4th, 2004, 10:59 PM
#50
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This is a genuine request for information.
Presumably Cdleebunny28 is American.
When did the effete Limey "arse" take over from the red-blooded "ass" as a suitable object for Americans to kick?
Or is this some regional thing?
Presumably Cdleebunny28 is American.
When did the effete Limey "arse" take over from the red-blooded "ass" as a suitable object for Americans to kick?
Or is this some regional thing?
Dec 4th, 2004, 11:08 PM
#51
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I'm reading Rome: Places and Pleasures, a 1972 book by Kate Simon. She mentions that the top rank of hotels are about $25/night. At a lower level, one could get a room at a pensione in Trastavere for $4/day, which included three meals. A bit painful to read as I prepare for my trip and figure out costs.
But it's very true that airfare, in today's dollars, is a much better deal than 30 years ago.
BTW, the book is excellent and I highly recommend it. It has highly detailed discussion of many different places in Rome. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...l/-/0394468244
But it's very true that airfare, in today's dollars, is a much better deal than 30 years ago.
BTW, the book is excellent and I highly recommend it. It has highly detailed discussion of many different places in Rome. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...l/-/0394468244
Dec 4th, 2004, 11:41 PM
#52
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Cdlee,
Well taking out all that financial garble that people seem to think they know. Here's real info and not a pretty sight lol Things are more expensive in Italy than US, a weaker dollar makes it even more expensive, not a pretty picture any way you slice it, however don't freak out over minor changes in the exchange rate...pretty much accept what the costs will be and go, have fun. Its like buying gas over there, $80 to fill it well then thats the price. Have fun!
Well taking out all that financial garble that people seem to think they know. Here's real info and not a pretty sight lol Things are more expensive in Italy than US, a weaker dollar makes it even more expensive, not a pretty picture any way you slice it, however don't freak out over minor changes in the exchange rate...pretty much accept what the costs will be and go, have fun. Its like buying gas over there, $80 to fill it well then thats the price. Have fun!
Dec 4th, 2004, 11:52 PM
#53
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I see few American-made products n Australia, other than computer software and aircraft (at least Seattle is laughing, even if Starbucks hasn't caught on). US companies own our #2 and #3 biggest car makers, but most of their imports come from their European subsidiaries, eg Opel, so any way you look at it the repatriation of profits isn't doing much for American job creation. The problem is, American cars aren't very competitive - who in their right mind would buy a Chrysler Neon over a Toyota Corolla, or a Jeep over a Mitsubishi Pajero? It's all very well to say (as many "experts" say here) that all you have to do is specialise in the things that others don't do so well - service industries mainly - and everything will pan out OK, but it's not much help if you end up with half your labour force working as waiters and merchant bankers, a few thousand in niche opportunities like medical technology, plus a diminishing number of farmers to feed the rest.
Yesterday I was phoned by a telemarketer who claimed to be calling from Melbourne but who I'm 90% sure was sitting in Mumbai. He was trying to get me to switch phone companies, but ironically the transmission quality was so bad (and the salesman worse) that it was an almost laughable sales pitch. Almost, but not quite.
Yesterday I was phoned by a telemarketer who claimed to be calling from Melbourne but who I'm 90% sure was sitting in Mumbai. He was trying to get me to switch phone companies, but ironically the transmission quality was so bad (and the salesman worse) that it was an almost laughable sales pitch. Almost, but not quite.
Dec 5th, 2004, 12:04 AM
#54
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Neil,
Too funny on the phone company! I couldn't agree more with US car manufacturers...I'm in the US but have never owned a US made car, currently have 3 german cars, previously either more german cars or japanese. US car companies greatly lacking, well at least for my needs....hard to get a standard trans ugg!
Too funny on the phone company! I couldn't agree more with US car manufacturers...I'm in the US but have never owned a US made car, currently have 3 german cars, previously either more german cars or japanese. US car companies greatly lacking, well at least for my needs....hard to get a standard trans ugg!
Dec 7th, 2004, 01:12 PM
#55
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There is a very amusing piece in today's Times where a columnist admits that although he lives in the USA, the Times still pay him in ££. He says that since he arrived in 2000 when he got $1.40 to the pound, he's had a 38% pay rise by the currency fluctuation alone! He's now looking at a V6 Mustang for the money that would buy a Fiat Punto here in the UK. He actually looks forward to his credit card bill so that he can see how much his American purchases cost in pounds!!
Dec 7th, 2004, 03:07 PM
#57
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Did anyone see NBC news tonight? Europeans are flocking to the US to buy goods. A retailer interviewed said that 90% of her customers are European. They interviewed Irish, Spanish, and German shoppers who said it doesn't make sense to buy things at home when things are so affordable here. So there are some people who are quite happy about the present state of the dollar!!!
Dec 11th, 2004, 03:42 PM
#58
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I look at all of this in a way not mentioned yet in this thread.
My husband and I are in our 50s and 60s. Who knows how many more good, healthy travel years we have left? Who knows how many years any of us have at all? Life is short no matter how you slice it.
We waited way too long to start traveling, always thinking "it was too expensive."
Now is the time. Each year is precious. The memories we have of each of our 3 trips to Italy are so dear to us. I don't want to waste anymore years, by not going because it seems too expensive.
We are going again this May, and I watch the currency exchange rates daily. We went ahead and prepaid our lodging, our car rental, and have purchased our airline tickets ($620--not bad!!). I cringe every time I see the dollar go south. But, I thank my lucky stars we are planning another trip, and that we can afford it if we stay in agriturismos, rental an economy-sized car, plan on lots of great picnics, and vow not to buy a lot of stuff once we get there.
We are blessed beyond measure.
My husband and I are in our 50s and 60s. Who knows how many more good, healthy travel years we have left? Who knows how many years any of us have at all? Life is short no matter how you slice it.
We waited way too long to start traveling, always thinking "it was too expensive."
Now is the time. Each year is precious. The memories we have of each of our 3 trips to Italy are so dear to us. I don't want to waste anymore years, by not going because it seems too expensive.
We are going again this May, and I watch the currency exchange rates daily. We went ahead and prepaid our lodging, our car rental, and have purchased our airline tickets ($620--not bad!!). I cringe every time I see the dollar go south. But, I thank my lucky stars we are planning another trip, and that we can afford it if we stay in agriturismos, rental an economy-sized car, plan on lots of great picnics, and vow not to buy a lot of stuff once we get there.
We are blessed beyond measure.
Dec 12th, 2004, 04:11 AM
#60
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Macroeconomics control the value of currency. Individuals have no control over this phenomenom. Microeconomics are controlled by individuals. Local prices are controlled by supply and demand. Individual buying decisions depend on needs and wants costs and an individuals ability to pay for them. The question could be: Can I afford this trip in my usual style at present prices?
