Since I (along with probably a few million other people) have to take the bus (colectivo) each morning, this results in a daily struggle for coinage (so I'm glad to see this report from the AP that they're starting an electronic ticket system for buses soon). I often end up buying an alfajor or candy bar or some sort of other small snack in the afternoon, just to try to get a few coins for the bus the next day. Even this can present challenges. Today for instance, when I tried to buy 35 centavos' worth of candy at a kiosk using a 2 peso note, the shopkeeper told me she only had a 1 peso coin she could give me in change. I had to go for better candy instead (not such a bad thing, since I got a peppermint patty instead of a few starburst-like things)
Argentines are very good about using 2 peso bills instead of parting with their coins, so it takes some careful planning to hand over the proper combination of even- and odd-denomination notes to maximize change. I've taken to asking specifically for coins "para el colectivo" when I buy something, but I've never received more than 2 pesos in change at a time, and I'm often lucky to get more than 1 peso. Some people are pretty helpful--waitstaff at restaurants have generally been good to ask, since they probably get coins as tips, but this practice probably doesn't endear me to most shopkeepers. This morning I got glared at by the cashier in the grocery store when I asked for coins with my change, but she grudgingly handed over about 1 peso's worth, which nearly cleared out her change drawer.
The buses I took to and from my walk in the centro today with the program wiped out my hard-won supermarket change. And due to the peppermint patty incident described above, I'm stuck with only a 1 peso coin for tomorrow's bus. Although a driver the other day was kind enough to let me get by when I realized I was short 5 centavos, I'm not sure I'm quite brazen enough to get on the bus lacking 1/6 of the fare. It might be time to go get another snack.
No comments:
Post a Comment