He/She/it is active on the same question under the Europe section. Have some very wild suggestions about cash, using cash. I think he is probably a troll. Certainly not an experienced traveler. Nor a good reader.

Interesting because there are some threads the OP started maybe a year ago, traveling in Europe, seemed to be using ATM's and/or other cards. I find this all very odd and petulant, but the comments have been amusing.

My guess is that the OP has been to europe once and had some sort of financial problems (card didn't work or bank being stupid or something) and is now planning on going somewhere again and his response to that is to take all cash. And is terrified of what might happen and is looking for us to provide secrets on how to hide the cash or get around Customs.

He obviously has not traveled much and all this business of old ladies having their savings seized is pure fantasy.

What about his comments about locals always wanting to take US dollars and giving a discount for dollars? That hasn't been accurate for Europe for 30, 40 years.

In reality, it is unlikely that people bringing in $9,000 cash are funding any big illegal operations. Tax dodging, maybe. But the fed's own rules say you don't have to declare anything less than $10K, and why should an individual be suspect if they are following the letter of the law?

While much customs/security screening is subjective, numbers are not. If the cash limit the government has set is too high, the law should be changed to lower it.

One thing is for sure--cash is tempting, and if a person's uniform allows them to take it from you legally, it might be easy to find a reason.

So, instead of a sheep, when it comes to large amounts of cash, I am just a chicken.

fmpden: "What about his comments about locals always wanting to take US dollars and giving a discount for dollars? That hasn't been accurate for Europe for 30, 40 years."

But that has been true in other parts of the world up until recently. Nowhere I go still does that, but not long ago places like Nepal, VN, Laos, Burma and many others wanted US dollars. It may still be true in Central Asia and in parts of Africa.

Kathie, that may be true for the areas you mention but the discussion and his comment were related to Europe.

"he" Interesting. I thought it was a she. (But not a sheep.)

In reality, it is unlikely that people bringing in $9,000 cash are funding any big illegal operations

In reality, this troll's work is done--two threads on two forums. Time to close the lunch counter.