Currency exchange (for European Escorts or ones w/ Euro Clients)

[CatnameFelix]

I'm planning my first ever trip to London, and wondering if anyone was okay in being paid the currency equivalent of their rates instead of there rate in their exact currency. So, if a guy charges £200, you pay them $260.

 

I know of course, to ask the Escort I plan to hire before hand. I'm asking more out of curiosity and if an surprise opportunity and the Chase Exchange is closed;).

[+ Keith30309]

I've touched on that question and received a chilly response - sort of "Not really but only if you have to".

 

Imagine the inverse and a UK client in the US requesting a guy to accept GBP's. If you're up for some excitement you could offer him Euros and see what happens.

[mike carey]

I would say that it is essential to ask the escort you plan to hire. Some escorts in the UK will have some use for USD while some will not. Even if they agree to accept USD, be prepared to negotiate the exchange rate (or put another way, ask him to quote his fee in USD), don't expect to use the commercial exchange rate you see in the paper. If he is going to have to take your money to the bank and exchange it for GBP, he will want the amount he gets from your pile of dollars to be £200 (in the example you quote) not whatever amount his bank is offering at the time.

 

There is a whole separate subject related to this, that of what is the best way to obtain foreign currency, with differing exchange rates and fees depending on where you do it. I have found that as a rule, withdrawing cash from an ATM in your destination country is one of the better rates. But you never know, if your escort is about to visit the US, he may be prepared to accept USD at an exchange rate that is better value for both of you.

[+ SundayZip]

Definitely ask the escort beforehand. I agree with the suggestion from @mike carey. I've had a couple of guys (not in the UK, but in other countries) welcome US currency because they were planning their next trip to the US. But, as you've said in your post, pay with USD only if you don't have access to the local currency at a reasonable exchange rate. Don't count on the escort giving you the best exchange rate.

[hunterlee]

Typically pay with the local currency, if you know that escort is just traveling from another country, for example, if someone from the states was traveling to Europe, they would probably prefer usd if it was towards the end of their trip.

[Juan Vancouver]

I am sure you are aware that rates change constantly and when one exchanges money one loses a percentage.

 

If you go online and get your quote chances are you will get your lowest possible quote at the moment, and if you go and give the escort his 227 dollars he will not only lose money but will have to go out of his way to exchange it.

 

If you are considering the possibility of paying in your currency, first of all ask, and I recommend you to tell him that knowing this is the case, you are ready to add 20, 30 dollars on top of his fee. I am sure he will not have a problem with that.

 

Paying in your own currency without asking is the epitome of rude. People would be more than justified in not accepting the currency in which they advertised.

[LADoug1]

Ask the escort. Common courtesy.

[gallahadesquire]

Not meaning to throw petrol on the fire, but perhaps some electronic exchange? I have no idea how this would work.

[gallahadesquire]

I do know that Bank of America is pretty easy with whom to exchange cash.

[GBoi]

If I'm in the escorts home country, I will pay in the local currency. If they're traveling in my home (US) I will be prepared to pay however they've advertised, usually USD. However, if I happen to have their home currency available (CAD, EUR, GBP etc) I will offer them the choice. Oftentimes they prefer USD if they plan on staying longer, but have sometimes preferred their home currency if they are about to return home.

[mike carey]

'Petrol', you'll need a translation service for those in the US! Electronic means is one I thought of but didn't mention, noting the reluctance of folks in the US to use any sort of electronic means for this sort of activity. Although, noting this article in The Economist, http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21704807-some-europeans-are-more-attached-notes-and-coins-others-emptying-tills , electronic payments may be becoming the norm in much of Northern Europe. I know here I tend to tap and go to buy a coffee (not offered at every shop, but many) rather than pay cash, but that's a different order of issue than paying an escort. As with most questions about dealing with an escort, 'ask' is the operative answer.

[+ ArVaGuy]

http://www.xe.com/

 

Here's a link to an excellent currency conversion website that I use for international travel and business. There's also an app which allow as multiple currencies. I use this app quite a lot.

 

In regard to your issue, I advise paying the escort in local currency. You should consider that he may not have ready access to currency exchanges and will be inconvenienced. You will need local currency for incidentals. Why not just add the amount for the hire to what you already have to exchange anyway?

 

Depending on your bank you can use in-country ATM machines if you need a better exchange rate. My bank sends me a text and an email to confirm international ATM transactions so I'm not concerned with any scams. I'm sure every UK financial institution has reciprocal processing agreements with the major US firms. This should not be a problem.

 

Also, IMO, paying in US$ rather than GB£ screams "arrogant American tourists" it's inconsiderate.

[Beancounter]

Also, IMO, paying in US$ rather than GB£ screams "arrogant American tourists" it's inconsiderate

 

Depends on the country you're in. I was specifically asked to pay in US$ Instead of Colones when in Costa Rica.

[+ ArVaGuy]

Depends on the country you're in. I was specifically asked to pay in US$ Instead of Colones when in Costa Rica.

 

That's a good point. I was not taking into account that some countries with weak currency exchanges versus the dollar.

[sincitymix]

I've touched on that question and received a chilly response - sort of "Not really but only if you have to".

 

Imagine the inverse and a UK client in the US requesting a guy to accept GBP's. If you're up for some excitement you could offer him Euros and see what happens.

some people like getting american dollars. i guess it depends on the country and currency