Currency Exchange Reminder

[socaldave]

Just a reminder for those of us with smartphones:

 

There are a number of apps that convert currencies in an instant which makes us more knowledgeable travelers, consumers and hagglers (is there such a word).

 

Enjoy your travels. :cool:

[Ashland]

Just a reminder for those of us with smartphones:

 

There are a number of apps that convert currencies in an instant which makes us more knowledgeable travelers, consumers and hagglers (is there such a word).

 

Enjoy your travels. :cool:

We used an app for this on our China land trip...also a language converter...both came in very handy.

[Hlitner]

Some of us might think that those devices create a generation of idiots that cannot even make change without a computer to tell them how much. Mental math is becoming a lost skill since the advent of calculators, smart phones, etc.

 

Hank

[Ashland]

Some of us might think that those devices create a generation of idiots that cannot even make change without a computer to tell them how much. Mental math is becoming a lost skill since the advent of calculators, smart phones, etc.

 

Hank

No problem when I travel with my DH as his math skills are quicker than all the above gadgets...but the conversion apps are what's handy for us.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

We make Currency convert's charts before we go so you don't have to carry around your phone ..

[dorisis]

We used an app for this on our China land trip...also a language converter...both came in very handy.

 

Don't you hate that phones are smarter you?

[KirkNC]

Just a reminder for those of us with smartphones:

 

There are a number of apps that convert currencies in an instant which makes us more knowledgeable travelers, consumers and hagglers (is there such a word).

 

Enjoy your travels. :cool:

 

Thanks for the reminder!

[SadieN]

We use xe.com

 

I haven't trusted calculators since we found TI not to be reliable for Stats in the early 80's. Hopefully they've changed their programming.

[celebrity]

Some of us might think that those devices create a generation of idiots that cannot even make change without a computer to tell them how much. Mental math is becoming a lost skill since the advent of calculators, smart phones, etc.

 

Hank

 

Hank, I couldn't agree with you more. When I went to Europe last year, I knew the conversion rate and whenever I considered a purchase, I calculated in my head whether or not I considered it a good value.

Don't get me started on spell check. Another crutch that enables people to become lazy.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for the reminder.

 

Keith

[Laughing Angel]

Some people can dance. Some cannot. Some people are good at different sports, and some are not. Some have artistic skills, and some do not.

 

I am a professional with two degrees, but have always struggled with math. Using a conversion app does not make me lazy. It makes me smart enough to get help with the things I don't know.

 

We can't all be Alan Turing.

Edited August 3, 2014 by Laughing Angel
To thank socaldave for the tip

[Keith1010]

The reality is that as we become more advanced that we al don't use the skills we might have.

 

Before the cash registers of today (terminals) people had to figure out how much change they had to give you. Today they don't.

 

In school before calculators people had to know the fundamentals. Today they don't.

 

Before automatic transmission everyone had to drive manually. Today most don't.

 

That's life.

 

The apps are a big help. You still have to think if you want to think.

 

Keith

[Velvetwater]

Even though I am a young sprite I agree with what Hank said.

 

There are of course some exceptions but mental maths is not too difficult once you have got the pattern. I am dyslexic and a teacher and I have taught myself how to get better and quicker and processing information/problems.

 

I guess one of the most important things is getting a good exchange rate for your money before your start. :)

Edited August 3, 2014 by Velvetwater

[notentirelynormal]

I went to the store today. I had a 20% off coupon. My total is $218. The clerk gives me $10 off. I said, I don't think so. He says well, what do you think it should be. I said, well using quick math, 10% of $218 would be closer to $21 so 20% would be closer to $42 - not $10. Oh, okay and he plugs in the amount, asks for a supervisor override and off I go.

[jan can]

Notentirelynormal, that's a painful story. Too bad it isn't entirely abnormal.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[dancinman66]

Very wise to know your exchange rates for bargaining

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Hlitner]

The reality is that as we become more advanced that we al don't use the skills we might have.

 

Before the cash registers of today (terminals) people had to figure out how much change they had to give you. Today they don't.

 

In school before calculators people had to know the fundamentals. Today they don't.

 

Before automatic transmission everyone had to drive manually. Today most don't.

 

That's life.

 

The apps are a big help. You still have to think if you want to think.

 

Keith

 

ROFL Keith. You are assuming that folks remember how to think. Many younger folks have learned how to think and some of us older folks are too demented to remember how to think :). But I am a senior who happens to be a techie and it scares me. I used to have an amazing sense of direction and could drive a car almost anywhere in the US or Western Europe with little aid other then a lousy map. But after several years of using a GPS I am not sure I could go around the block without a GPS telling me where to turn.

 

As to manual transmissions, both DW and I are very good with stick shifts and I actually love to get them in Europe. But on a few occasions we have actually had rental car agencies (in Europe) try to convince us to get expensive upgrades to automatics because "Americans do not know how to drive a manual."

 

And then there are ATMs, which we use to get all of our cash on our extended European trips. To be honest, we do not even think about getting currency since its just a matter of getting to an ATM wherever we happen to be. But we have actually met fellow seniors that are afraid to use an ATM. On our recent Ruby Princess cruise we met one couple (in their early 70s) who told us they had never used an ATM. Go figure,

 

Hank