Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
May 29th 2003, 11:17 am
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
The Reid wrote in message news:...
> Following up to gatsby
>
> >Go to the Adriatic Riviera or any of the Spanish Costas some summer
> >and see how the Northern Europeans dress, talk and order around their
> >southern neighbors.
>
> the people you are thinking of are not to be emulated and are
> ridiculed in thier own countries too.
Considering the huge numbers of European tour companies that sell
these holidays (thousands) the majority of European people "are not
to be emulated and are ridiculed in thier (sic) own countries too".
Gary Nichols
> Following up to gatsby
>
> >Go to the Adriatic Riviera or any of the Spanish Costas some summer
> >and see how the Northern Europeans dress, talk and order around their
> >southern neighbors.
>
> the people you are thinking of are not to be emulated and are
> ridiculed in thier own countries too.
Considering the huge numbers of European tour companies that sell
these holidays (thousands) the majority of European people "are not
to be emulated and are ridiculed in thier (sic) own countries too".
Gary Nichols
May 29th 2003, 12:12 pm
#47
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
On Thu, 29 May 2003, Miguel Cruz wrote:
> Derek McBryde wrote:
> > It was very common many years ago in UK to collect sixpences (2.5p in
> > today's money) in jars. The Dimple Haig bottles were particularly
> > suitable to this as the coins just fitted into the neck. People
> > saw it as a form of saving and there was increased excitement as the
> > bottle gradually filled and accumulated in value.
> Exactly what sort of excitement are we talking about here? Spontaneous
> outbursts of song? An uncontrollable urge to dance? Celebratory AK-47 fire?
Don't knock it. On cold, wet, grey evenings in the UK, even small things
can be entertaining...
...at least the beer is warm.
--
[email protected]
> Derek McBryde wrote:
> > It was very common many years ago in UK to collect sixpences (2.5p in
> > today's money) in jars. The Dimple Haig bottles were particularly
> > suitable to this as the coins just fitted into the neck. People
> > saw it as a form of saving and there was increased excitement as the
> > bottle gradually filled and accumulated in value.
> Exactly what sort of excitement are we talking about here? Spontaneous
> outbursts of song? An uncontrollable urge to dance? Celebratory AK-47 fire?
Don't knock it. On cold, wet, grey evenings in the UK, even small things
can be entertaining...
...at least the beer is warm.
--
[email protected]
May 29th 2003, 1:59 pm
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Marc wrote:
> I have noticed that when I traveled I acumulated an awful ot of change in my
> pockets. I relized that I tended to present a note or coin I knew was
> sufficient rahter than count out change from among unfamiliar coins. This
> is particularly true in Czech Republic and Poland where many establishments
> accept Euros or local currency. I have found cashiers in Europe to be very
> honest so if I get confused this seems the easiest way.
I have a large collection of change from Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia,
Poland etc. I wonder if it will still be valid by the time I make it back
there.
Does anyone know if the new entrants to the EU will be switching to the Euro
as well?
> I have noticed that when I traveled I acumulated an awful ot of change in my
> pockets. I relized that I tended to present a note or coin I knew was
> sufficient rahter than count out change from among unfamiliar coins. This
> is particularly true in Czech Republic and Poland where many establishments
> accept Euros or local currency. I have found cashiers in Europe to be very
> honest so if I get confused this seems the easiest way.
I have a large collection of change from Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia,
Poland etc. I wonder if it will still be valid by the time I make it back
there.
Does anyone know if the new entrants to the EU will be switching to the Euro
as well?
May 29th 2003, 2:05 pm
#49
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Geoff McCaughan wrote:
> I have a large collection of change from Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia,
> Poland etc. I wonder if it will still be valid by the time I make it back
> there.
> Does anyone know if the new entrants to the EU will be switching to the Euro
> as well?
That's the eventual plan, but it won't be anytime soon.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
> I have a large collection of change from Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia,
> Poland etc. I wonder if it will still be valid by the time I make it back
> there.
> Does anyone know if the new entrants to the EU will be switching to the Euro
> as well?
That's the eventual plan, but it won't be anytime soon.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
May 29th 2003, 8:41 pm
#50
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Following up to Mike Ellwood
>...at least the beer is warm.
room temperature like red wine (cellar temperature anyway).
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
>...at least the beer is warm.
room temperature like red wine (cellar temperature anyway).
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
May 29th 2003, 8:41 pm
#51
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Following up to gatsby
>> the people you are thinking of are not to be emulated and are
>> ridiculed in thier own countries too.
>Considering the huge numbers of European tour companies that sell
>these holidays (thousands) the majority of European people "are not
>to be emulated and are ridiculed in thier (sic) own countries too".
I dont need you to correct or comment on typos thanks.
Using a package to get a good price and behaving badly are *not* the
same thing.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
>> the people you are thinking of are not to be emulated and are
>> ridiculed in thier own countries too.
>Considering the huge numbers of European tour companies that sell
>these holidays (thousands) the majority of European people "are not
>to be emulated and are ridiculed in thier (sic) own countries too".
I dont need you to correct or comment on typos thanks.
Using a package to get a good price and behaving badly are *not* the
same thing.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
May 29th 2003, 11:31 pm
#52
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Mike Ellwood wrote in message news:...
> On Thu, 29 May 2003, Miguel Cruz wrote:
>
> > Derek McBryde wrote:
> > > It was very common many years ago in UK to collect sixpences (2.5p in
> > > today's money) in jars. The Dimple Haig bottles were particularly
> > > suitable to this as the coins just fitted into the neck. People
> > > saw it as a form of saving and there was increased excitement as the
> > > bottle gradually filled and accumulated in value.
> >
> > Exactly what sort of excitement are we talking about here? Spontaneous
> > outbursts of song? An uncontrollable urge to dance? Celebratory AK-47 fire?
>
> Don't knock it. On cold, wet, grey evenings in the UK, even small things
> can be entertaining...
>
> ...at least the beer is warm.
Finally someone else besides Miguel Cruz (he's funny) with a sense of
humour. Everyone seems to be so serious about and so easily offended
by the slightest little thing on this NG. As much as I try to make
light of the U.K. and Europe I love everything over there. ESPECIALLY
British beer. I remember when a pint of "best bitter" was 3/6.
I'm going to London(my favorite city) in early December and one of the
things I love to do is to have lunch in a pub. Sausage and Mash or
Shepherd's Pie with a pint. I'm jealous as you can do this every day.
Re the sixpence. When I was stationed in the Air Force (many years
ago-1966-69) at High Wycombe there were, of course, still pounds,
shillings and pence. When we cashed our paychecks they always rounded
up to an even amount if we wanted part US money and part British
money. I couldn't figure out why until a friend clued me in. It
seems that the US penny was exactly the same size as the British
sixpence. Since sixpence was the price of almost all candy bars from
a vending machine we were not given pennies. Some people (not me of
course) had pennies mailed from home and stuffed themselves on candy
bars for a US penny. Oh those bad G.I.'s.
Cheers
Gary Nichols
> On Thu, 29 May 2003, Miguel Cruz wrote:
>
> > Derek McBryde wrote:
> > > It was very common many years ago in UK to collect sixpences (2.5p in
> > > today's money) in jars. The Dimple Haig bottles were particularly
> > > suitable to this as the coins just fitted into the neck. People
> > > saw it as a form of saving and there was increased excitement as the
> > > bottle gradually filled and accumulated in value.
> >
> > Exactly what sort of excitement are we talking about here? Spontaneous
> > outbursts of song? An uncontrollable urge to dance? Celebratory AK-47 fire?
>
> Don't knock it. On cold, wet, grey evenings in the UK, even small things
> can be entertaining...
>
> ...at least the beer is warm.
Finally someone else besides Miguel Cruz (he's funny) with a sense of
humour. Everyone seems to be so serious about and so easily offended
by the slightest little thing on this NG. As much as I try to make
light of the U.K. and Europe I love everything over there. ESPECIALLY
British beer. I remember when a pint of "best bitter" was 3/6.
I'm going to London(my favorite city) in early December and one of the
things I love to do is to have lunch in a pub. Sausage and Mash or
Shepherd's Pie with a pint. I'm jealous as you can do this every day.
Re the sixpence. When I was stationed in the Air Force (many years
ago-1966-69) at High Wycombe there were, of course, still pounds,
shillings and pence. When we cashed our paychecks they always rounded
up to an even amount if we wanted part US money and part British
money. I couldn't figure out why until a friend clued me in. It
seems that the US penny was exactly the same size as the British
sixpence. Since sixpence was the price of almost all candy bars from
a vending machine we were not given pennies. Some people (not me of
course) had pennies mailed from home and stuffed themselves on candy
bars for a US penny. Oh those bad G.I.'s.
Cheers
Gary Nichols
May 29th 2003, 11:46 pm
#53
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
On 30 May 2003 04:31:18 -0700, [email protected] (gatsby) wrote:
>Mike Ellwood wrote in message news:...
>> On Thu, 29 May 2003, Miguel Cruz wrote:
>>
>> > Derek McBryde wrote:
>> > > It was very common many years ago in UK to collect sixpences (2.5p in
>> > > today's money) in jars. The Dimple Haig bottles were particularly
>> > > suitable to this as the coins just fitted into the neck. People
>> > > saw it as a form of saving and there was increased excitement as the
>> > > bottle gradually filled and accumulated in value.
>> >
>> > Exactly what sort of excitement are we talking about here? Spontaneous
>> > outbursts of song? An uncontrollable urge to dance? Celebratory AK-47 fire?
>>
>> Don't knock it. On cold, wet, grey evenings in the UK, even small things
>> can be entertaining...
>>
>> ...at least the beer is warm.
>Finally someone else besides Miguel Cruz (he's funny) with a sense of
>humour. Everyone seems to be so serious about and so easily offended
>by the slightest little thing on this NG. As much as I try to make
>light of the U.K. and Europe I love everything over there. ESPECIALLY
>British beer. I remember when a pint of "best bitter" was 3/6.
>I'm going to London(my favorite city) in early December and one of the
>things I love to do is to have lunch in a pub. Sausage and Mash or
>Shepherd's Pie with a pint. I'm jealous as you can do this every day.
>Re the sixpence. When I was stationed in the Air Force (many years
>ago-1966-69) at High Wycombe there were, of course, still pounds,
>shillings and pence. When we cashed our paychecks they always rounded
>up to an even amount if we wanted part US money and part British
>money. I couldn't figure out why until a friend clued me in. It
>seems that the US penny was exactly the same size as the British
>sixpence. Since sixpence was the price of almost all candy bars from
>a vending machine we were not given pennies. Some people (not me of
>course) had pennies mailed from home and stuffed themselves on candy
>bars for a US penny. Oh those bad G.I.'s.
>Cheers
>Gary Nichols
Good old days indeed - the old shilling was pretty much the same size
as a German 1 Mark, and the half-crown (2/6) the same as a 5 Mark. Now
what's in that vending machine???
>Mike Ellwood wrote in message news:...
>> On Thu, 29 May 2003, Miguel Cruz wrote:
>>
>> > Derek McBryde wrote:
>> > > It was very common many years ago in UK to collect sixpences (2.5p in
>> > > today's money) in jars. The Dimple Haig bottles were particularly
>> > > suitable to this as the coins just fitted into the neck. People
>> > > saw it as a form of saving and there was increased excitement as the
>> > > bottle gradually filled and accumulated in value.
>> >
>> > Exactly what sort of excitement are we talking about here? Spontaneous
>> > outbursts of song? An uncontrollable urge to dance? Celebratory AK-47 fire?
>>
>> Don't knock it. On cold, wet, grey evenings in the UK, even small things
>> can be entertaining...
>>
>> ...at least the beer is warm.
>Finally someone else besides Miguel Cruz (he's funny) with a sense of
>humour. Everyone seems to be so serious about and so easily offended
>by the slightest little thing on this NG. As much as I try to make
>light of the U.K. and Europe I love everything over there. ESPECIALLY
>British beer. I remember when a pint of "best bitter" was 3/6.
>I'm going to London(my favorite city) in early December and one of the
>things I love to do is to have lunch in a pub. Sausage and Mash or
>Shepherd's Pie with a pint. I'm jealous as you can do this every day.
>Re the sixpence. When I was stationed in the Air Force (many years
>ago-1966-69) at High Wycombe there were, of course, still pounds,
>shillings and pence. When we cashed our paychecks they always rounded
>up to an even amount if we wanted part US money and part British
>money. I couldn't figure out why until a friend clued me in. It
>seems that the US penny was exactly the same size as the British
>sixpence. Since sixpence was the price of almost all candy bars from
>a vending machine we were not given pennies. Some people (not me of
>course) had pennies mailed from home and stuffed themselves on candy
>bars for a US penny. Oh those bad G.I.'s.
>Cheers
>Gary Nichols
Good old days indeed - the old shilling was pretty much the same size
as a German 1 Mark, and the half-crown (2/6) the same as a 5 Mark. Now
what's in that vending machine???
May 30th 2003, 12:28 am
#54
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Miguel Cruz wrote:
>
> Barbara Vaughan wrote:
> > Miguel Cruz wrote:
> >> Marie Lewis wrote:
> >>> Miguel Cruz writes
> >>>> In the Netherlands the supermarket cashiers would rather wait 5 minutes
> >>>> for some old biddy to count out exact change than to spend 5 seconds
> >>>> making change themselves.
> >>>
> >>> Now, Miguel, is this not a racist, sexist remark? :-)
> >>
> >> Some of my best friends are old biddies! Honest!
> >
> > I hope you're not referring to me.
>
> That all depends on your change-counting behavior.
I usually offer them something in the vicinity of the amount due, but if
they ask me for exact change, then I pull out the old coin purse and
hold each centesimo up to the light to see if it has "1" or "2" written
on it.
Barbara
>
> Barbara Vaughan wrote:
> > Miguel Cruz wrote:
> >> Marie Lewis wrote:
> >>> Miguel Cruz writes
> >>>> In the Netherlands the supermarket cashiers would rather wait 5 minutes
> >>>> for some old biddy to count out exact change than to spend 5 seconds
> >>>> making change themselves.
> >>>
> >>> Now, Miguel, is this not a racist, sexist remark? :-)
> >>
> >> Some of my best friends are old biddies! Honest!
> >
> > I hope you're not referring to me.
>
> That all depends on your change-counting behavior.
I usually offer them something in the vicinity of the amount due, but if
they ask me for exact change, then I pull out the old coin purse and
hold each centesimo up to the light to see if it has "1" or "2" written
on it.
Barbara
May 30th 2003, 12:29 am
#55
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
"Keith Anderson" wrote in message
news
[email protected]...
> On 30 May 2003 04:31:18 -0700, [email protected] (gatsby) wrote:
> >Re the sixpence. When I was stationed in the Air Force (many years
> >ago-1966-69) at High Wycombe there were, of course, still pounds,
> >shillings and pence. When we cashed our paychecks they always rounded
> >up to an even amount if we wanted part US money and part British
> >money. I couldn't figure out why until a friend clued me in. It
> >seems that the US penny was exactly the same size as the British
> >sixpence. Since sixpence was the price of almost all candy bars from
> >a vending machine we were not given pennies. Some people (not me of
> >course) had pennies mailed from home and stuffed themselves on candy
> >bars for a US penny. Oh those bad G.I.'s.
> >
> >Cheers
> >
> >Gary Nichols
> Good old days indeed - the old shilling was pretty much the same size
> as a German 1 Mark, and the half-crown (2/6) the same as a 5 Mark. Now
> what's in that vending machine???
Once upon a time the subway turnstyles here in Boston MA would accept French
5-centime(?) coins in place of tokens, which at that time were 85 cents.
A woman I knew in grad school used to have her parents in Chartres mail her
rolls
of the coins. The MBTA finally caught on about 10 years ago and upgraded
the mechanism
and now only T tokens are accepted. Sigh.
m, cambridge
( was grad school really 10 years ago?!??!?! OMG )
news
[email protected]...> On 30 May 2003 04:31:18 -0700, [email protected] (gatsby) wrote:
> >Re the sixpence. When I was stationed in the Air Force (many years
> >ago-1966-69) at High Wycombe there were, of course, still pounds,
> >shillings and pence. When we cashed our paychecks they always rounded
> >up to an even amount if we wanted part US money and part British
> >money. I couldn't figure out why until a friend clued me in. It
> >seems that the US penny was exactly the same size as the British
> >sixpence. Since sixpence was the price of almost all candy bars from
> >a vending machine we were not given pennies. Some people (not me of
> >course) had pennies mailed from home and stuffed themselves on candy
> >bars for a US penny. Oh those bad G.I.'s.
> >
> >Cheers
> >
> >Gary Nichols
> Good old days indeed - the old shilling was pretty much the same size
> as a German 1 Mark, and the half-crown (2/6) the same as a 5 Mark. Now
> what's in that vending machine???
Once upon a time the subway turnstyles here in Boston MA would accept French
5-centime(?) coins in place of tokens, which at that time were 85 cents.
A woman I knew in grad school used to have her parents in Chartres mail her
rolls
of the coins. The MBTA finally caught on about 10 years ago and upgraded
the mechanism
and now only T tokens are accepted. Sigh.
m, cambridge
( was grad school really 10 years ago?!??!?! OMG )
May 30th 2003, 12:30 am
#56
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Derek McBryde wrote:
>
> On Thu, 29 May 2003 13:49:56 +0200, Barbara Vaughan
> wrote:
>
> >
> >In the US, most cashiers have the change ready before you can open your
> >purse and get annoyed if you start counting coins.
> >
>
> I found that many tills in US had automatic change attachments that
> dispensed the coins down a chute to a cup at the bottom. I don't
> know if it is still practised but I particularly liked the custom
> where people would leave their odd pennies in a dish and if your
> purchase included some odd pennies, you could pick them from the
> dish. In that way you only carried manageable change.
I've suggested that penny-dish idea in a few little shops in my town,
but although the shopkeepers think it's amusing, none has decided to try
it.
Those change-dispensing tills aren't very common in small shops, though.
Barbara
>
> Derek
>
> On Thu, 29 May 2003 13:49:56 +0200, Barbara Vaughan
> wrote:
>
> >
> >In the US, most cashiers have the change ready before you can open your
> >purse and get annoyed if you start counting coins.
> >
>
> I found that many tills in US had automatic change attachments that
> dispensed the coins down a chute to a cup at the bottom. I don't
> know if it is still practised but I particularly liked the custom
> where people would leave their odd pennies in a dish and if your
> purchase included some odd pennies, you could pick them from the
> dish. In that way you only carried manageable change.
I've suggested that penny-dish idea in a few little shops in my town,
but although the shopkeepers think it's amusing, none has decided to try
it.
Those change-dispensing tills aren't very common in small shops, though.
Barbara
>
> Derek
May 30th 2003, 12:33 am
#57
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
"motorgirl" wrote in message
news:E8IBa.1073382$S_4.1081277@rwcrnsc53...
> Once upon a time the subway turnstyles here in Boston MA would accept
French
> 5-centime(?) coins in place of tokens....
ack! I mean turnstiles.
news:E8IBa.1073382$S_4.1081277@rwcrnsc53...
> Once upon a time the subway turnstyles here in Boston MA would accept
French
> 5-centime(?) coins in place of tokens....
ack! I mean turnstiles.
May 30th 2003, 3:59 am
#58
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
Barbara Vaughan wrote:
> Miguel Cruz wrote:
>> Barbara Vaughan wrote:
>>> Miguel Cruz wrote:
>>>> Marie Lewis wrote:
>>>>> Miguel Cruz writes
>>>>>> In the Netherlands the supermarket cashiers would rather wait 5 minutes
>>>>>> for some old biddy to count out exact change than to spend 5 seconds
>>>>>> making change themselves.
>>>>> Now, Miguel, is this not a racist, sexist remark? :-)
>>>> Some of my best friends are old biddies! Honest!
>>> I hope you're not referring to me.
>>
>> That all depends on your change-counting behavior.
> I usually offer them something in the vicinity of the amount due, but if
> they ask me for exact change, then I pull out the old coin purse and
> hold each centesimo up to the light to see if it has "1" or "2" written
> on it.
What percentage of the coin purse's volume is taken up with bits of string,
loose mints, and photos of grandchildren?
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
> Miguel Cruz wrote:
>> Barbara Vaughan wrote:
>>> Miguel Cruz wrote:
>>>> Marie Lewis wrote:
>>>>> Miguel Cruz writes
>>>>>> In the Netherlands the supermarket cashiers would rather wait 5 minutes
>>>>>> for some old biddy to count out exact change than to spend 5 seconds
>>>>>> making change themselves.
>>>>> Now, Miguel, is this not a racist, sexist remark? :-)
>>>> Some of my best friends are old biddies! Honest!
>>> I hope you're not referring to me.
>>
>> That all depends on your change-counting behavior.
> I usually offer them something in the vicinity of the amount due, but if
> they ask me for exact change, then I pull out the old coin purse and
> hold each centesimo up to the light to see if it has "1" or "2" written
> on it.
What percentage of the coin purse's volume is taken up with bits of string,
loose mints, and photos of grandchildren?
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam
May 30th 2003, 4:06 am
#59
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
On 30/5/03 1:28 pm, in article [email protected], "Barbara
Vaughan" wrote:
>
>
> Miguel Cruz wrote:
>>
>> Barbara Vaughan wrote:
>>> Miguel Cruz wrote:
>>>> Marie Lewis wrote:
>>>>> Miguel Cruz writes
>>>>>> In the Netherlands the supermarket cashiers would rather wait 5 minutes
>>>>>> for some old biddy to count out exact change than to spend 5 seconds
>>>>>> making change themselves.
>>>>>
>>>>> Now, Miguel, is this not a racist, sexist remark? :-)
>>>>
>>>> Some of my best friends are old biddies! Honest!
>>>
>>> I hope you're not referring to me.
>>
>> That all depends on your change-counting behavior.
>
> I usually offer them something in the vicinity of the amount due, but if
> they ask me for exact change, then I pull out the old coin purse and
> hold each centesimo up to the light to see if it has "1" or "2" written
> on it.
To the usual tourist vocabulary I have added: "I'm sorry, I have no change".
It's not true, but the excuse is usually accepted.
J.
Vaughan" wrote:
>
>
> Miguel Cruz wrote:
>>
>> Barbara Vaughan wrote:
>>> Miguel Cruz wrote:
>>>> Marie Lewis wrote:
>>>>> Miguel Cruz writes
>>>>>> In the Netherlands the supermarket cashiers would rather wait 5 minutes
>>>>>> for some old biddy to count out exact change than to spend 5 seconds
>>>>>> making change themselves.
>>>>>
>>>>> Now, Miguel, is this not a racist, sexist remark? :-)
>>>>
>>>> Some of my best friends are old biddies! Honest!
>>>
>>> I hope you're not referring to me.
>>
>> That all depends on your change-counting behavior.
>
> I usually offer them something in the vicinity of the amount due, but if
> they ask me for exact change, then I pull out the old coin purse and
> hold each centesimo up to the light to see if it has "1" or "2" written
> on it.
To the usual tourist vocabulary I have added: "I'm sorry, I have no change".
It's not true, but the excuse is usually accepted.
J.
May 30th 2003, 4:33 am
#60
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
"Barbara Vaughan" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Derek McBryde wrote:
> >
> > On Thu, 29 May 2003 13:49:56 +0200, Barbara Vaughan
> > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >In the US, most cashiers have the change ready before you can open your
> > >purse and get annoyed if you start counting coins.
> > >
> >
> > I found that many tills in US had automatic change attachments that
> > dispensed the coins down a chute to a cup at the bottom. I don't
> > know if it is still practised but I particularly liked the custom
> > where people would leave their odd pennies in a dish and if your
> > purchase included some odd pennies, you could pick them from the
> > dish. In that way you only carried manageable change.
> I've suggested that penny-dish idea in a few little shops in my town,
> but although the shopkeepers think it's amusing, none has decided to try
> it.
> Those change-dispensing tills aren't very common in small shops, though.
> Barbara
The majority of these, in the U.S., are found in the supermarkets. Just like
bar code scanners it speeds up the process.
Tim
news:[email protected]...
> Derek McBryde wrote:
> >
> > On Thu, 29 May 2003 13:49:56 +0200, Barbara Vaughan
> > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >In the US, most cashiers have the change ready before you can open your
> > >purse and get annoyed if you start counting coins.
> > >
> >
> > I found that many tills in US had automatic change attachments that
> > dispensed the coins down a chute to a cup at the bottom. I don't
> > know if it is still practised but I particularly liked the custom
> > where people would leave their odd pennies in a dish and if your
> > purchase included some odd pennies, you could pick them from the
> > dish. In that way you only carried manageable change.
> I've suggested that penny-dish idea in a few little shops in my town,
> but although the shopkeepers think it's amusing, none has decided to try
> it.
> Those change-dispensing tills aren't very common in small shops, though.
> Barbara
The majority of these, in the U.S., are found in the supermarkets. Just like
bar code scanners it speeds up the process.
Tim
