US Currency: How Pristine?

John...saw a post on TA forum, from a guy who changed $oz at Yangon airport, in Nov 2016...doesn't say name of changer, or rate he got, but is on the left after Immigration and baggage claim....
Will send you details of private changer in Yangon.

Who said anything about a small amount from a market vendor. Go ahead and purchase something for $100, $300, whatever. Same thing applies. The vendor will initially refuse, but ultimately will take the money if given no choice. As long as the money is legal tender it will be accepted, that's just a simple fact. But because so many tourists read sites like this that insist bill must be absolutely pristine, and are only too willing to do whatever they can to ensure their bills are pristine, this practice continues to exist.

Vietnam was the same 20 years ago. Vendors, hotels etc would refuse bills that had any folds etc. But then too all you had to do was make it clear it was the folded bill or nothing, and 100% of the time they accepted it. Today it's a non-issue because tourists have stopped playing that game.

I recall reading posts on here from people that will iron their bills before going to Myanmar, insisting that it's absolutely necessary. What utter nonsense. Don't mistake a preference for a requirement.

Things are different when dealing with a gov't employee or someone with little to nothing to gain from the purchase however. Sure those guys can refuse to take your money. They couldn't care less if you walk away.

You would be hard pushed to find anything in a Myanmar market worth $10 yet alone $300. The average person who posts on here takes $US to change into Kyat or to pay accommodation bills and in that case anything other than bills in very good condition ARENT accepted. That's why it is always advised on here to take ^pristine^ notes. It's not a case of ^playing the game^, it's how it Works!

Chris #12
+1
SS

Yes well you can continue worrying about having pristine bills and I'll continue to hand over bills that are less than pristine. And we will both travel with few currency-related problems.

What makes you think I ^worry^ about having pristine Bills? When I get $US before departing for Myanmar I just ask for notes in good condition- it's as simple as That! I'm guessing you haven't been to Myanmar yourself in recent Years? If you had then you would find out the hard way that a pocket full of tatty old Dollars isn't going to get you very Far! Comparing it to Vietnam 20 years ago bears no significance to anything.

I think J's Jacking himself and doubt he has even been to Myanmar at all.

Exactly! If he had then he would know better than to make the comments that he Has!

Thanks for the link. I Have been watching the situation unfold. We will not be going to Rakhine, and it has made me think twice about moving forward with this trip. So far, still going, but going to be prepared to think of backup plan if necessary.

ha ha ha. good point!