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The Russian Meeting Place: A place to meet people and talk about all things Russian...
International Discussions about Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Travel, Music, Russian News, Ukrainian culture, Belarusian Dating, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kiev and other intelligent topics about life in the former Soviet Union. |
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| Get some Euros in London or Frankfurt: wherever your plane change point is. |
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Originally Posted by sidney
Cheb what is the reason to do this? I always thought there was a percent exchange rate and by exchanging money/euros twice would increase this.
Sid |
Even some shops announce prices in Euro now, while it before always was $.|
Originally Posted by GregKTM300
If I use an ATM is that just taking a cash advance on my credit card or is it withdrawing money out of my bank account?
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Originally Posted by GregKTM300 I'm assuming that out of Visa, Master Card, and American Express cards I'll be able to use one of them. If I use an ATM is that just taking a cash advance on my credit card or is it withdrawing money out of my bank account? |
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Originally Posted by I/O
TP: When you (As is USA) are at the top of the tree, there is always someone ready to knock you down. Likewise, I don't see USA becoming an economic backwater anytime soon. As to this discussion, when talking to the average Russian, they will speak in Rubles or Dollars. Dollars means dollars, that is US dollars. Euros are starting to be talked a little in some places but by and large the Boris average Russian is not very interested in Euros at the moment. I imagine that is and will slowly change more and more. A currency such as Euro which is widely usable in countries with close proximity is logically going to pervade the Russian thinking more and more but that is a future rather than a present thing.
I/O |
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Originally Posted by I/O
As to this discussion, when talking to the average Russian, they will speak in Rubles or Dollars. Dollars means dollars, that is US dollars. Euros are starting to be talked a little in some places but by and large the Boris average Russian is not very interested in Euros at the moment. I/O
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Originally Posted by Texas Proud
I find it funny how so many people diss America.... like we are a third world country....
We still have the largest GDP of any country by far.... (2005)... #1 United States: $11,628,083,000,000.00 |
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Originally Posted by Cheburashka
Right on brother Raspberry!
My how times have changed for Americans: 20 years ago just getting into Russia and walking Red Square made you special. 15 years ago giving American blue jeans, t-shirts, and cigarettes as gifts made you special. 10 years ago having American dollars and buying anything made you special. 5 years ago having cool American technology gadgets made you special. Today, absolutely NOTHING American makes you special. They want nothing from Americans, already have most of what we have, and have found out that everything that made an American special is boring. It isn't even a big deal to have a Harley or Cadillac in Russia anymore. I remember when the great wrestler Alexander Karelin rode his Harley daily through the streets of Novosibirsk, and people would stare in amazement. Now even the police cars are Porsche Cayennes. Yet somehow the only thing that is special about Americans is our own image we have of ourselves. I love this country. But we have slid downwards a very long way. But that is another thread................ |
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Originally Posted by Texas Proud
I find it funny how so many people diss America.... like we are a third world country....
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Originally Posted by stevo
If you're worried about not getting sufficient respect in Russia for being American, you could always print these lists out and take them with you.
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Originally Posted by deccie
Interesting. Completely the reverse of my experience. I find Russians generally asking for Euros over USD now. I don't even bother to take any USD with me. Only ATM cards and some Euros.
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Originally Posted by Cheburashka
But show me the "Americana" that makes [B]ANY Russian drool. We just aren't a big deal in Russia anymore. And that's the hard truth.
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I know of one little Russian that drools over my Americana and thinks Im a very BIG deal.....
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Originally Posted by Spakoyna
I believe a couple of points people are missing about China and a few other countries booming economies catching the USA are these: What is going to happen when the humanitarian issues catch them?
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| What will it cost these governments to bring their lower classes living standards and benifits up to the USA's lower class living standards and benifits(will they try or will they rebuke the United Nations?). |
| What's going to happen when they have to pay peace bribes in the form of economic aide to the have not countries? |
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Originally Posted by Cheburashka
I love this country. That’s why I live here. And if I'm wrong, I'll admit it. But show me the "Americana" that makes ANY Russian drool. We just aren't a big deal in Russia anymore. And that's the hard truth.
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Originally Posted by Cheburashka
I'm not sure where all the average Boris's are that don't speak about Euros. Some of the stores have items priced in both Rubles and Euros when two prices are listed. I'll go through my pic bank and see if I have a picture to show that.
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Originally Posted by blucatz
I know in Egypt, the US dollar isn't even recognized. At the airport in the shops there were 2 prices, Egyptian pounds and Euros, allot of them only listed Euros.
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Originally Posted by clark
This thread has gotten way off topic but don't bury the US economy or the dollar just yet as it would be very premature. China and Russia's economy has made those strides not at the expense of the dollar but because of it. The dollar is down, thats all, just down. It's been down before and it will be up and down again. The US economy and Wall Street run in these cycles of growth and correction. What we are seeing is a push to a one world economy. The dollar will eventually be replaced. So will the ruble, the pound and every other form of currency. Like it or not that is where it is heading. IMO
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Originally Posted by Texas Proud
Yet, this is one of the countries I was able to get dollars.... admit that it was in Cairo...
BUT, you are right.... US$ is not a big thing in Egypt because there are so FEW Americans that go there anymore... when you were there... did people think you were British or American?? Most all thought I was British... and were very surprised when they found out I was American... at the one hotel, I was the first one that whole year... (it was June already)... |
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Originally Posted by GregKTM300
I'll be going to Russia in July (Tomsk) and am not sure how to take money; cash or travelers cheques? I'm assuming that out of Visa, Master Card, and American Express cards I'll be able to use one of them. If I use an ATM is that just taking a cash advance on my credit card or is it withdrawing money out of my bank account?
I've talked with several people with conflicting results. I've looked at threads on here and haven't found answers to all of my questions. Thanks for any advice. Greg |
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Originally Posted by I/O
Interesting. My comment is simply based on family and friends from 4 different substantial cities, however obviously you guys are moving in different areas with different results.
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Originally Posted by Manchester
Forget travelers cheques. Forget Amex too.
Russia is predominantly still a cash-based society, so abandon thoughts of using your credit cards everywhere. You need cash in Russia; big name international cards should work in most cash machines (ATMs) but don’t count on it. It is better to have ample cash to cover your needs and any eventualities. Many shops that advertise they accept cards will suffer from a “broken machine” if you try to use your card. Either they never took them at all and just wanted to look good with a window full of signs or they will try to refuse them in favor of cash. Cash is mostly untaxed, and Russians don’t like paying taxes. So pay cash if you want to be sure. Cash means local currency only; seldom will you find stores willing to take Euros, Sterling or US Dollars. Dollars have lost favor somewhat due to volatility of that currency in recent years. Most FSU currencies are relatively stable nowadays, so dependence on other currencies is less important. If you find a foreign currency used anywhere in the FSU it will most likely be Euros. Money change outlets will accept any major currency. An important point about money is that the foreign currency that you exchange needs to be in good condition. Money that is dirty or dog-eared or with writing on it will be segregated and you will be offered a lesser exchange rate on it if it is accepted at all. Try to amass nice clean, preferably new notes of your currency before you go. |
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Originally Posted by deccie
I don't beleive this is a normal cycle clark. I beleive we are actually in a stagflation cycle this time around which we haven't seen since the oil shocks of the 1970's. Can anyone else name another point when interest rates were so low but inflation was so high?
China and India are both influences in this in terms of demand for commodities. Throw in the curve ball of speculation with lots of moeny moving from both the stock market and real estate looking for a new home (given the sub prime fiasco) and you have the situation we have today. I do think the US will recover from it's current position but it will be in a new paradigm. Even in the Middle East they are seeing a shift unknown in recent times. Professionals are GOING HOME in increasing waves because they can earn more money there than they can working in the gulf. |
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Originally Posted by GregKTM300
I'll be going to Russia in July (Tomsk) and am not sure how to take money; cash or travelers cheques? I'm assuming that out of Visa, Master Card, and American Express cards I'll be able to use one of them. If I use an ATM is that just taking a cash advance on my credit card or is it withdrawing money out of my bank account?
I've talked with several people with conflicting results. I've looked at threads on here and haven't found answers to all of my questions. Thanks for any advice. Greg |
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Cash Machines (ATMs) Throughout Europe, cash machines (ATMs) are the standard way for travelers to get local currency. European ATMs work like your hometown machine and always have English-language instructions. Using your debit card with an ATM takes dollars directly from your bank account at home and gives you that country's cash. You'll pay fees, but you'll still get a better rate than you would for exchanging traveler's checks. Ideally, use your debit card to take money out of ATMs. You can use a credit card, but you'll pay more. Before you go, confirm with your bank that your card will work in Europe and alert them that you'll be making withdrawals while traveling — otherwise, the bank might freeze your card if it detects unusual spending patterns. Some banks automatically block US debit card use in certain countries — including the United Kingdom — to protect against fraud. (Credit-card companies do the same thing — inform them of your plans as well.) You don't have to tell them specific dates you'll be away. Just saying you'll be in France in July is sufficient. ATM transactions using bank-issued debit cards come with various fees. Your bank may levy a flat $2–5 transaction fee each time you use an ATM, and/or may charge a percentage for the currency conversion (1–3 percent); the ATM you use might charge its own fee, too. If your bank charges a flat fee, make fewer visits to the ATM and withdraw larger amounts. (Some major US banks partner with "corresponding" European bank chains, meaning that you can use those ATMs with no fees at all — ask your bank.) Other fees may apply; for all the details, see The Sleaze of Fees, below. These additional expenses can pile up. Quiz your bank to figure out exactly what you'll pay for each withdrawal. Note that if you use a credit card for ATM transactions, it's technically a "cash advance" rather than a "withdrawal" — and subject to an additional cash-advance fee. If you plan to use a credit card rather than a debit card for ATM transactions, ask the issuing bank about all the associated charges |
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