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 CurrencyIt’s easy to get confused when shopping abroad, particularly if you’re travelling from country to country, dealing with different currencies in each one. Don’t get caught out and buy what you think is a bargain wall-hanging for seven quid, only to find you’ve actually spent £70! Get it sorted in your head before you shop. Come up with a calculation you can use to get a rough approximation of what you’re spending in pounds. For example, an American dollar is currently worth 53.6p; halve the dollar price of whatever you’re buying and you’ll get the rough price in pounds. Click here >> for a good online currency convertor Caution Be particularly cautious when you spend money abroad. If you’re using a card, check the amount you’re signing for before you sign; if you’re paying by cheque, make sure that your ‘90’ can’t be changed to ‘900’ by somebody unscrupulous somewhere down the line. This isn’t to say that people in foreign countries are more likely to scam you; just that you’re more likely to fall for it if they do, being unfamiliar with the currency, language and local ways of doing things. Haggling Whether you see it as a fun part of travelling or a pain in the arse, haggling is a key part of shopping in many countries. If the price of an item is displayed clearly, haggling won’t be necessary, and might cause offence. If it isn’t, then whatever you’re buying, assume that the price is negotiable.  Haggling works like this: the seller suggests a price considerably higher than he expects to get. You act shocked and come back with a price considerably lower than the maximum you’d be prepared to pay. The seller acts hurt and you argue it out until you reach a price you’re both happy with. As a buyer, it’s impossible to find out how much items ‘should’ cost. In countries without Watchdog and Which? magazine, there’s simply no ‘should’ about it. Shop around, talk to fellow travellers, and you won’t get ripped off too badly. There’s only one hard-and-fast rule when it comes to haggling, and that’s to do it with good grace. Yes, the stall-holder may be charging you five times more than he’d charge a local, but that’s because, to him, you seem very rich. Your plane ticket to get to his country cost more than he’ll earn in his lifetime; don’t think he doesn’t know this. Be assertive by all means, but be polite too, and above all, smile. Beggars If you’re travelling to developing countries, you will encounter many people begging in the streets. They will target you, as a western traveller, because - and you can disagree with this if you want, but in comparative terms it’s undeniable - you are rich. This can be upsetting, but - and I know this sounds callous - to some extent you’ll get used to it. Debate rages about whether it’s right to give money to beggars - child beggars in particular. It’s hard not to give money to a small child who clearly needs it, but kids are on the streets because it’s more lucrative for them to beg than to go to school (which would obviously be a better move in the long term). In giving them money, you could be said to be perpetuating this. It’s really down to you. If you choose not to give to beggars, why not donate a few quid to a charity that works in the country when you get home? There is one special case, and this is severely disabled people in developing countries. In countries without welfare, begging is often the only way severely disabled people can put food on their table, and so I can see no reason not to give money to disabled beggars. You’ll find local people will do the same. |
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