Which currency will be best?
Jul 18th, 2004 | 06:47 AM
#21
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
I hold these views because in every city we go to we hire local drivers,guides etc.sometimes for days at a time. We go to many places other than the typical ones. We talk for extended periods with the people we come in contact with.Now that the Euro has recovered it is not the case that the dollar is preferred but against many other currencies the dollar is still king.Bear in mind in general terms Americans are the freest spending,best tipping tourists in the world.A tip in dollars is much preferred to no tip at all.This response is not for the Original Poster it is for others who spew nonsense.
Jul 18th, 2004 | 11:45 AM
#22
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
mgmargate,
if you felt addressed by my post, that's your choice.
I had read your post of 7.45 a.m. and repeating it does not make it any more valid.
Of course you might have a point in saying that a tip in USD will be appreciated more than none at all almost anywhere. In countries with an unstable local currency a USD-Tip or other amount paid will certainly be very much more appreciated. This, BTW is the reason I did not comment on Russia, as I can imagine that Dollars will be very high regarded over there.
BUT: The OP was asking about the Baltic countries. I happen to have some experience in that area having lived there for a while. The local currencies are just fine and the sentiment about their currencies over there is by now exactly the same as here in Western Europe about our currencies. And I guarantee you that people in my home country will certainly accept a tip in USD, but then: Who would tell you right in the face that your well meant tip is actually quite a hassle?
Just FYI: I experienced a couple of my fellow (and ignorant) countrymen last year in Denmark trying to pay for a few beers in Euros. Actually the Dane behind the bar managed to accept the Euros and hand out a couple of pints. But you should have understood what he was muttering. It was not too polite...and I bet you, the situation would not have been any different had those guys tried to pay in USD.
Let's make it clear: There are countries where USD are preferable and there are countries where USD are not such a good idea. The EU- countries certainly belong to the latter part.
Regards
hsv
if you felt addressed by my post, that's your choice.
I had read your post of 7.45 a.m. and repeating it does not make it any more valid.
Of course you might have a point in saying that a tip in USD will be appreciated more than none at all almost anywhere. In countries with an unstable local currency a USD-Tip or other amount paid will certainly be very much more appreciated. This, BTW is the reason I did not comment on Russia, as I can imagine that Dollars will be very high regarded over there.
BUT: The OP was asking about the Baltic countries. I happen to have some experience in that area having lived there for a while. The local currencies are just fine and the sentiment about their currencies over there is by now exactly the same as here in Western Europe about our currencies. And I guarantee you that people in my home country will certainly accept a tip in USD, but then: Who would tell you right in the face that your well meant tip is actually quite a hassle?
Just FYI: I experienced a couple of my fellow (and ignorant) countrymen last year in Denmark trying to pay for a few beers in Euros. Actually the Dane behind the bar managed to accept the Euros and hand out a couple of pints. But you should have understood what he was muttering. It was not too polite...and I bet you, the situation would not have been any different had those guys tried to pay in USD.
Let's make it clear: There are countries where USD are preferable and there are countries where USD are not such a good idea. The EU- countries certainly belong to the latter part.
Regards
hsv
Jul 18th, 2004 | 03:18 PM
#24
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 0
nytraveler--not all that many responders said that people in European countries prefer dollars. Several said they would take dollars, but not that it was the best way to pay for things. And what they said is true.
It was a reasonable question, and the reasonable answer is "No, in those countries you should use the local currency." Not a lecture or Sheila's aggressive "Do they take Lati in the shops where you live?" Just "No, unlike some countries where the currency is unstable, these countries have stable currencies and people prefer that you pay in the local currency." flanneruk gave a good, thorough response.
It was a reasonable question, and the reasonable answer is "No, in those countries you should use the local currency." Not a lecture or Sheila's aggressive "Do they take Lati in the shops where you live?" Just "No, unlike some countries where the currency is unstable, these countries have stable currencies and people prefer that you pay in the local currency." flanneruk gave a good, thorough response.
