going to Germany, wondering what I should take with me...

I know zilch about the modern German culture. Why is that?

Chris

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Umm, DM coins are obsolete (but redeemable), and while having some euro cash is certainly a good idea when traveling to the euro area you can use credit cards (most places will even accept the "chipless" US cards) and/or get money from an ATM. If buying € cash in advance can be done conveniently, sure, why not. But it's not really necessary.

Christian

 

In German, "Fräulein" was used when referring to unmarried women. Today it's usually just "Herr" (+name) for a man and "Frau" (+name) for a woman.

Christian

 

It's considered politically incorrect and passe.

 

I've never bothered to get Euros beforehand, but if I have any sitting around, I bring them. ATMs work well, and they're easy to find.

How difficult is it to redeem Deutschmarks these days? I've occasionally seen merchants that take them...

 

Basically all notes and coins ever issued by this country (Federal Republic of Germany) can be redeemed. There is one type as far as I know that is not redeemable (2 DM 1951), but that is usually worth more than face among collectors anyway. The only problem is that you have to go to one of about 40 Bundesbank branch offices (closed in the afternoon and on weekends), or mail the DM cash to Mainz.

So from time to time you will see campaigns (single stores or entire chains) that say "bring your marks", and the store will then take the cash to the Bundesbank. Convenient for those customers who still find DM cash somewhere at home, and the store can advertise an extra service ...

As for the Fräulein, yes, it is not really used. Not sure how many women would find it really offensive, but why come across as a jerk. On the job it is definitely a No-no.

Christian

 

Thanks! I was at a Weihnachtsmarkt in Berlin last year where someone was accepting them. I never knew or asked for the specifics, possibly because all the good food distracted me.