Differences

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--- paris_yank:go:nice:eat:manage_your_cash [2025/01/09 04:32] – [Contactless Payments] parisyank
+++ paris_yank:go:nice:eat:manage_your_cash [2025/08/24 06:53] (current) – [Euro Checkbook] parisyank
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-======  Personal Cash in France ======
+====== Cash in France ======
 Managing cash in France requires a mix of preparation and awareness of local banking practices. Here's a detailed guide to ensure smooth transactions and avoid common pitfalls:
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 ====Can You Pay by Bank Card Most of the Time?====
-Yes, most businesses in large French cities accept bank cards, particularly those equipped with chip-and-PIN or contactless payment features. This includes:
+//**Yes, pay with plastic**//, most businesses in large French cities accept bank cards, particularly those equipped with chip-and-PIN or contactless payment features. This includes:
   * **Restaurants and Cafés**: Even small bistros typically accept cards.
   * **Public Transport**: Many urban transport systems allow card payments for tickets, especially at automated kiosks.
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ===== How Much Cash Should You Carry? =====
 Carrying a small amount of cash is practical and avoids unnecessary risks. Suggested amounts:
-  * **Daily Budget**: €20–€50 is usually sufficient for minor expenses.
+  * **Daily Budget**: €10–€50 is usually sufficient for minor expenses.
-  * **Emergency Reserve**: An additional €50–€100 stored safely in case of card issues or emergencies.
+  * **Emergency Reserve**: An additional €50–€100 stored safely in case of card issues or emergencies. We carry enough of emergency cash to return home by taxi, just in case. Home reserve is several hundred euros for those very rare emergencies.
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   * Be precise when entering your PIN; after three incorrect attempts, your card may be blocked.
-==== Avoid Card Blocks ====
+==== Avoid Blocking your Card ====
   * Notify your bank of your travel plans to prevent transactions from being flagged as suspicious.
   * Use cards with international chip-and-PIN compatibility.
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   * Check with your bank for international transaction fees and currency conversion rates.
   * Opt to be charged in euros rather than your home currency when given the choice at ATMs or payment terminals—this avoids poor exchange rates.
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-=====4. Dealing with Card Issues=====
+=====4. Dealing with Card Problems=====
 ==== Blocked Card ====
   * If you accidentally block your card, call your bank’s 24-hour helpline. Most international cards have a support number printed on the back.
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 ==== Lost or Stolen Card ====
-  * Report it immediately to your bank and request a temporary freeze or replacement.
+  * Report your loss immediately to your bank and request a temporary freeze or replacement.
   * For French-issued cards, call the national card-blocking hotline: **+33 (0) 892 705 705**.
+====Plan "B"====
+Be sure to carry two physical Visa and/or Mastercard cards in different places [e.g., pockets]. We advise a backup in the common event of loss, theift, ATM card-eating, or just misplacement of an important bank card.
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 ====Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)====
-  * Some merchants and ATMs offer to convert euros into your home currency. Decline this option and pay in euros to avoid poor exchange rates.
+  * Some merchants and ATMs offer to convert euros into your home currency. **//Decline this option and always, **ALWAYS**, pay in euros, "local currency" to avoid merchants giving you very poor exchange rates.//**
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-======  Carrying & Spending Cash ======
+======  6. Carrying & Spending Cash ======
-=====6. Managing Cash=====
   * **Carry Some Cash**: While cards are widely accepted, smaller businesses, and markets may prefer cash. Often tips are preferred as cash.
-====Receipts====
+====Managing Cash====
   * Always request receipts from ATMs and keep track of your balance.
   * **Break Large Bills**: Bills are maximum €50. Use €50 bills at supermarkets or banks to get smaller change. Sometimes a vendor at a Fresh Market will gladly break a €50 bill because they accumulate many small bills during the day's business.
   * **Avoid Carrying Excess Cash**: Use a mix of cash and cards for safety. Keep a mix of cards and cash in different **//zipped//** pockets.
-  * **Keep Coins Handy**: €1 and €2 coins are useful for parking meters, vending machines, or small purchases.
+  * **Keep Coins Handy**: €1 and €2 coins are useful for parking meters, vending machines, small purchases, or tips.
 ====Contactless Payments====
 Widely accepted in France, especially for small purchases (with a limit €50 per transaction).
+----
+===== 7. Do you Really need a Checkbook? =====
+====US Dollar Checkbook====
+In a word, no, you do not need a US Dollar checkbook.
+  * **US Dollar Checkbooks** are totally valueless in Europe.
+  * **Why Carry a USD Checkbook?** Paris Yank does indeed carry a US Dollar checkbook in Europe but only for super emergency events. For example, If there is a family event and I must return to the US from a location other than home, I have a USD checkbook at home and one hidden in my luggage. This would be a very rare situation.
+====Euro Checkbook====
+Checks in France are still being used. But less and less frequent. A visitor will never need a euro checkbook.
+  * ** Medical Providers** such as Doctors and Dentists sometimes require either a check or cash for co-payments.
+  * ** Deposit ** as a check is sometimes requested but it is rare.
+If someone asks for a check, I always complain and ask why they make it difficult. The answer varies such as card payments are expensive, etc. If I must, I give cash and dramatically lay out each bill and double count as a childish way to demonstrate that checks and cash are obsolete.