Why was US currency not wanted in Novosibirsk, Russia?
While I agree that expecting to be able to pay with US dollars in Russia is a little strange, it’s not uncommon for some tourist-y places to take foreign currency. For example, when my wife and I went on a cruise for our honeymoon to Vanuatu and Noumea, most of the islands took Australian currency and nothing else! I guess that in these places, the previous posters are correct and that Aussie dollars are a better choice than the local currency. The only place we had to change currency was New Caledonia, because it is a built-up city. Of course, I got the impression that a lot of the places we went to were supported almost exclusively by the cruise ships, so maybe that also has something to do with it….
euros or the now de facto “universal currency” as witnessed by the relative strength of the euro This isn’t true. Perhaps in Europe (including outside the eurozone) they are, but not worldwide. And [the dollar has] never been a “near universal currency,” puh-leeze. It’s the closest thing to a universal currency that anyone living has ever seen. That said, you’d be crazy to try to insist on using it outside the U.S., even in Canada, which is probably the most USD-friendly place outside the U.S., and in which you will get a horrible exchange rate (even or worse) if they even take it. Just get local currency, no matter where you’re coming from or where you’re going. It’s just easier.
There was a time when some foreign merchants would take US currency due to the strength of the dollar. (My US dollars were happily accepted in Israel in the late 80’s…I’ve heard that US dollars were popular in the former Soviet Union). The dollar isn’t that great these days. The closest thing to any universal currency would be traveler’s checks and credit cards. There’s still no guarantee, though. “I told him to take all the money he would need in small-denomination dollars” I would actually think that would be dangerous. At least with travelers checks/credit card, there’s a degree of insurance if you lose them/get stolen.
Like grouse’s friend, I paid for my apartment in Voronezh, and also tuition, in US dollars. My understanding at the time (2003-2004) was that all large purchases were done in dollars and sometimes euros. Any car price, for instance, was advertised in dollars or euros. What’s more, I only once used an ATM in Russia (Moscow, Petersburg, Voronezh, Vorkuta, Syktyvkar and a few other places) that didn’t give you the choice of withdrawing in dollars, though often, if I remember right, only in $100 notes. Availability of ATMs with dollars may have since changed. I’ll also add that it’s beyond crazy to think a Russian selling beans in a market (or whatever small purchases the friend was trying to make) would take US dollars. I had a hard enough time trying to get cashiers to take money that wasn’t exact down to the last kopeck….
“It’s the sort of advice that might have made more sense ten years ago” My mother went on a mission to Berezniki, Russia in ’95, and she confirmed to me that, at that time, dollars were in great demand there. Her experience was much the same as jbb7 describes.
