If there’s one thing that Argentinean vendors like more than large banknotes, it is small change. Whenever we pay for something with anything other than the exact amount, they always ask do we have anything smaller. When we say no, they put on an expression of concern, fumble in their pockets and under the till, and eventually (begrudgingly) give us the required change.
This reached new heights today when we went to visit an old Navy ship in the Buenos Aires docklands. The entrance fee was P$ 2 each (about 40c). We handed in a P$ 10 note, expecting P$ 6 in change. The guy uttered something in Spanish and gave the typical expression of concern, showing us the note. In return, we put on our well practiced lost look, tapping our pockets to show we had nothing smaller.
Even though he had the change in front of him (we could see it in the till), in the end he gave us back our money and let us onto the boat without paying at all. He’d rather let us on for free than hand out his precious change!
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