Evening star., 1960-05-22
T bird
in q
Series

~- tation-m -made-easy
now turns to such things as
what to do about foreign
money, languages and shop
ping.
Biggest boon to the Ameri-
can traveller since the dis
covery of seasick pills is the
currency converter, obtain
able from most any bank.
1t operates like a Simplified
slide rule and registers money
value in American standards
and its equivalent for each
foreign country.
The safest and easiest way
to carry your money is in
Travellers Checks, mostly in
$40 and $40 denominations,
with one or two $50 checks.
A bank is the best place to
change money, though most
hotels and shops will be glad
to oblige.
Before you sign your name
to anything, be sure to check
the current rate of exchange.
Also, expect to show your
passport each time you go
through this transaction.
Bills from one country may
[; be exchanged in the next.
though they have a tendency
to devaluate rapidly once
across the border. For this
! reason attempt to change
! only as much money as you
plan to spend in each coun-
: try, and here's an added
economy tip: Take along 20
American 81 bills. They will
be negotiable nearly every
where and are particularly
useful when you are about to
leave a country and don't
want a fiStful of German
pfennigs for the trip to Italy.
What to Do With Coins
Coins are not exchangeable
In the various countries, with
the one exception of the
British Isles. Before hopping
the packet from Dublin to
Liverpool, ask and you will
receive your siXpence change
bearing the English crown
instead of the Irish harp.
Foreign money may be pur-
chased in the United States
before departure and in
Switzerland at a good rate Of
exchange. You can also turn
in leftover foreign currency
for its fair value in both
places, and in Switzerland
it's wise to restock that sup
ply of 81 bills.
Final note on money: Save
some for your trip home.
Communication
The art of communication
In Europe is an amazingly
simple one. Most Europeans
understand and speak at least
a little English. ana where
words fail. try pantomime-
1t generally works.
Basic vocabulary for each
country consists of hello,
goodbye. please. thank you,
yes, no. how much, too much,
and the delicate phrase which
distinguishes those Two closed
doors as to powder room and
its masculine counterpart.
Here's the equivalent of
the above list in each of the
major foreign languages:
French: Bonjour, au revoir,
sill vous plait, merci, oui, non,
combien de, c'est trop, danes
and messieurs.
German: Guten tag, auf
WiederSehen, bite, danke
schon, ia, nein, wievil kostet,
zu teuer, damen and herren.
Spanish: Buenos dias,
adios, por favor. gracias. 81,
no, cuanto, mucho, senoras
and caballeros.
Italian: Bon giorno, arrive
derci; prego, grazie, 81, no,
quanto costa, troppo-and the
last two are the trickiest, so
pay attention. It's signore for
the ladies, and signori for the
men.
And bon voyage" for
everyone.
And the Shopping
Shopping in Europe can be
more fun than a game Of
frisbie, and just as exhaust
ing unless you know what to
buy and where to buy it.
Each country has its special
ties and each has its share
of tourists traps. Be on the
lookout for both.
Shop at the department
stores in large cities, bargain
at the shops in small towns
and in general be careful of
the places your tour guide
may lead you. Chances are
he's getting a cut from the
marked-up price you pay, a
customary procedure in
much of Europe.
A shortcut seminar to the
best buys in Europe follows:
Ireland: You can't go
wrong on the hand-woven
tweed, and make sure you
buy enough for that custom
tailored suit at the time Of
nyioino1 nI1rahoca nooo .