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Argentina runs out of money: Carrots used as substitute.

Crube

By Crube,
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Crube Post Whore

Crube

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6163238.stm

Residents of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires have plenty to worry about, like rising crime, the economy and increasing football hooliganism.

But the most immediate daily concern of many portenyos, as city residents are known, is how to make sure you have enough change for your bus fare home.

There are simply not enough coins minted and there is a serious shortage.

Bakeries may give you a small pastry or greengrocers an extra carrot instead of the 10 centavos change you are owed.

The trouble is, the chronic shortage of coins in the city can turn you into a liar. 'Have you got 25 centavos?' asks the shopkeeper.

No, you reply, nervously fingering the coins deep in your pocket. Just this 50-peso note.

Newspaper kiosks put up signs saying "No change".

Shops implore customers to pay with the exact money.

And if you should find your pocket weighed down with abundant coins and pay the exact money, do not be surprised if the shopkeeper falls at your feet in exaggerated gratitude.

Staff at an underground station recently allowed passengers in free since they had run out of change.

A spokesman said they ask the Argentine Central Bank for 45 million 10-centavo coins a year, but only get 24 million.

Buses only take coins, with machines eating up a fare of 80 valuable centavos - about 25 US cents. So you collect and hoard those valuable coins.

They may not be worth much in financial terms to many Buenos Aires residents - but they are life or death for the thousands of poor sales people, buskers and beggars who ply for trade on the Buenos Aires public transport system.

It leaves passengers with the constant moral dilemma of whether to give that very good, blind Bolivian guitar player the 50 centavos he so richly deserves to help feed his family - or save it for the bus fare home.

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Ceraziefish Post Whore

Ceraziefish

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IF they were anarchists, they wouldn't have a problem [/irrelevant anarchist rant]

EDIT: And if they were on a Gold Standard, the would have a problem, because it isn't the value of the money that's decreasing, it's the physical amount of coins. Imagine if a quarter was worth exactly as much but there were a fourth as many in circulation.

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Belial Post Whore

Belial

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EDIT: And if they were on a Gold Standard, the would have a problem, because it isn't the value of the money that's decreasing, it's the physical amount of coins. Imagine if a quarter was worth exactly as much but there were a fourth as many in circulation.

You're like fucking Supertramp, breakfasting it up in America. Logical Song style.

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Belial Post Whore

Belial

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Anyway, I think barter economies are tight. Plus, I wish I got a carrot instead of a couple dimes I'm just gonna throw out anyway! I never use coins and I'd rather have a tasty and delicious snack anyway!

I've been to stores in Windsor and Sarnia that give candies away instead of pennies. Perhaps its because a Canadian penny is worth less than the copper its made of, or perhaps they're just trying to rip off American tourists, but I don't care, cuz I'd take a peppermint over a penny any day of the week.

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darkon Post Whore

darkon

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All of the ally heads of state were socialists.

Although I am disappointed in Churchill .

Well the problem was that Britain couldn't export anywhere because the pound was so awesome back in the 1920's. So essentially Britain was left with industries that couldn't support themselves, this is a big factor in the General Strike of 1926 and also the US being able to take over many of the places which the British formerly exported to.

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Ceraziefish Post Whore

Ceraziefish

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I've been to stores in Windsor and Sarnia that give candies away instead of pennies. Perhaps its because a Canadian penny is worth less than the copper its made of, or perhaps they're just trying to rip off American tourists, but I don't care, cuz I'd take a peppermint over a penny any day of the week.

American pennies aren't worth the copper, either (even though they're mostly not-copper).

Seriously, I just throw pennies on the ground. I don't need 'em. If I had saved all the pennies I had ever thrown out I'd probably have a total of like $10, and I'd have to do so much counting that it wouldn't even be worth it.

That or I tell people at grocery stores to "Keep the change!" I then snap my fingers and look cool.

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Crube Post Whore

Crube

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American pennies aren't worth the copper, either (even though they're mostly not-copper).

Seriously, I just throw pennies on the ground. I don't need 'em. If I had saved all the pennies I had ever thrown out I'd probably have a total of like $10, and I'd have to do so much counting that it wouldn't even be worth it.

That or I tell people at grocery stores to "Keep the change!" I then snap my fingers and look cool.

That is why you should invest in a change machine. But really, I wonder if anyone noticed the part where they were getting less coins than demanded?

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Ceraziefish Post Whore

Ceraziefish

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That is why you should invest in a change machine. But really, I wonder if anyone noticed the part where they were getting less coins than demanded?

I noticed it. It's a bit odd that the Mint would just kind of not give them the money that was ordered. I assumed there was a reason for it that the article just failed to mention.

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