I will be visiting London, Paris, Bern and then all throughout Italy. Was wondering if I could use Euros in Switzerland - that way only have to carry two types of currency.<BR><BR>Any advice?

The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc. While some merchants may, as a courtesy, take Euros they are still a foreign currency in Switzerland. <BR><BR>So you will need three kinds of currency I am afraid.

I suppose you could try using some Canadian currency at your local grocery store (in the US, assuming you live in the US). That might give you some insight into what they will do in Switzerland. I'm sure that some places will take the euro. I hope you wouldn't mind if they add 10 or 20% to the prices for having to go buy Swiss francs with the _foreign_ currency you give to them.<BR><BR>I realize that this sounds snotty. It's just one of those ugly American things that grates on me (and I don't even know for a fact that you ARE American). Different pet peeves for different folks.<BR><BR>It's the notion that "it's all just Monopoly money anyhow, why should take it serious as the symbol of national identity that is - - and learn how to use it and so on?"<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Rex, just for the record, if my local grocery store advertised its specials in Canadian dollars as well as US dollars, then I'd probably actually expect them to accept the Canadian dollars. I have seen dozens of Swiss hotels recently advertise their rates in Euros. It just stands to reason that if that's how they advertise them, they would be willing to accept them -- or in fact encourage them. Is there something wrong with that thinking?

I have seen French hotels advertise prices in US dollars so Americans would have some idea how much 900 francs was at the time. But I doubt very much if you could have paid your bill in green backs. Better try the Ukraine or Bulgaria for that where they like to get their hands on US money, particularly new $20.00 bills.<BR>

This board is really starting to get me down. A question was asked and answered nicely and correctly by Jeff. But then Rex has to come in and belittle Suzanne for asking such a question. Eventually, people are going to get fed up with such nonsense and just stop coming to this board for help, and isn't that what this site is for????? Yeh, I know, I'll get bashed for this, but I really don't give a damn.

suzanne:<BR><BR>Most businesses in the border regions and most hotels in the tourist areas will accept Euro bank notes (bills), but not Euro coins. Change will usually be given in Swiss francs. Expect the exchange rate to be slightly worse than at a bank. Maybe you would better use your ATM card to get Swiss francs, when in Switzerland.<BR><BR>Rex and Bob: your thinking is right on target.<BR><BR>xxxxxx: Okay, go ahead and pay in Euro! But just don't complain about being fleeced with an inflated exchange rate.<BR><BR>bettyk: why are you so embittered (I already met you on the Venice thread)?<BR><BR>phil.

I have written replies almost identical to what bettyk has said here. It's human nature. One question will hit a nerve with someone - - "regular" or not - - and evoke a moody, snippy, dark or even hostile answer. Someone else will come along and write this kind of "Gee, I don't know why so-and-so had to do that" and predict the demise of the forum because of meanness to newbies. I've written such statemtns before, too - - sometimes with syrupy sweet "welcomes" - - hope you'll come back with more questions, etc.<BR><BR>New visitors ARE the lifeblood of this foru. I have said that a thousand times. And I do everything I can think of to keep them coming here.<BR><BR>On the flip side, everyone will occasionally express a pet peeve. Identifying it as such is one small thing that can soften the flipness of an answer like the one I posted.<BR><BR>An apology won't kill me.<BR><BR>I apologize to Suzanne. And to Betty, if she feels I attacked the sensibility of the board at large.<BR>

Let me just say this....and it is not aimed at anybody in particular.<BR><BR>Americans are kind of naive when it comes to questions about money outside the US. I have seen countless people not being able to comprehend the simple fact that currencies are different outside the US. I have seen people wanting to give tips in US currency; not understanding why people will not take US currency. I have seen people not comprehend why merchants would not take TC's in US currency. I have seen Americans demand to know when somebody tells them the price is &pound;25 how much that is in dollars......I've seen the same and I will use the word stupidity in asking a merchant, and I saw this happen, when told the price was 7750 francs, how much that was in cash.<BR><BR>I see Americans (and rarely other foreigners) in England when told the price is &pound;1.40 hold out their hands with change and ask the merchant to take the money. Now while I understand that upon arrival in a country, it might be a little hard to deal with the coins, when you've been in a country for 3 or 4 days, that's enough time to understand the coins which are all clearly marked.<BR><BR>Now the board is meant to assist people but the point was well made by the 2nd poster about turning the situation around. If you ran a boutique in Portland and a Canadian came in and you told him the cost was $93.20, do you think he would ask how much that is in cash? Or in real money? Do you think after pulling $90 out of his wallket, he would hold out the coins and ask you to take the rest of it?<BR><BR>Again, not meant to get anybody upset, but this business of money is really a pet peeve of mine too.....

I guess I don't get what "inflated" exchange rate you are talking about. If the hotel advertises that the rate is a certain number of Euros, then that is the number of Euros they'd charge you for the room. The exchange rate has already been figured into the posting of the prices. The ones I've seen have been at the same exchange rate as current currency exchange table shows, so I don't see this as an opportunity to "fleece" anyone.

Ouch!!<BR><BR>Thank you for the appology, Rex. <BR><BR>Let me explain where I was coming from.<BR><BR><BR>The point of view I was thinking about when I asked this question was that Switzerland is sandwiched between 4 EU countries and must do lots of trade. Although the country has not joined the EU yet, I was wondering if businesses readily took the Euro - not because of Americans - which I am - but because of the thousands of Europeans that come in and out of Switzerland. It was not that "stupid" of a question. I am used to Mexican, Caribbean, and Central American businesses that readily take US dollars and I bring along a calculator to make sure I am not being cheated in the exchange.<BR><BR>I was just checking to see what the business situation was like in Switzerland. That's all. No big deal to get Swiss Francs. I was just wondering if I needed to, that's all.<BR><BR>Thank you to all of your advice. Phil, I will probably get my francs from an ATM.<BR><BR>Some food for thought - once upon a time, several of you who are now seasoned travelers were once European "virgins". I can understand frustration at questions like - "whats there to see in Paris" where the person could easily read the information in a travel book. But this is the kind of info that is not in a book or a general tourist website about a country. Trust me, I have been reading and preparing for this trip since August, 2001! I appreciate this site very much and am deeply grateful for all that I have learned hear. And I am thankful for all the wonderful advice I have gotten, including from Rex.<BR><BR>

I recently returned from a ski trip to a resort on the Austrian/Swiss border. All the shops and restaurants on the Swiss side had their prices posted in both CHF and Euros and cheerfully asked which currency you planned to use before they rang up a purchase. As we were staying on the Austrian side we were carrying Euros and nobody blinked. I recognize the situation could be different further away from the border, but I can't comment on that.

Thanks for the kind words, Suzanne. This is an imperfect medium. If you had offered all that additional info - - to put your question into context - - you might have gotten attacked as wordy! - - as I have, at times.<BR><BR>Some questions contain too little info. Some answers contain too much - - according to some of my detractors.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR>

of the teller line<BR>