Boiling point has been reached. Difficult to believe I haven't written about this yet..

In South American Countries (certainly in Argentina), they circulate monetary bills that are useless. This disutility is not because the denomination is economically useless, or due to a military coup and Marshall Law breaking loose. Rather, the bills are TOO LARGE. The argentines inability to break a bill of high denomination is the most frustrating thing since my last Fruit Mentos pack that gave me all pinks, when I clearly favor yellows.

In the states, we've all gone to a local store with a $50 or a $100 bill and the attendent will begrudgingly accept it. Afterall, it would be negligent business practice to not accept money from customers.. Right? Verdad?? Am I missing something???

I just went to three stores trying to break my $100 peso bill, which is approximately equivalent to a $33 USD bill. (A denomination that should be surfacing in the States by mid-2007. In honor of Rolling Rocks 100-year anniversary of course). At the first store, I announced my intentions to purchase water, crackers and candy bar with a $100 bill, as this was all I had. My proposition was met with an abrupt "no esta bien" (not ok) and she coldly turned her back on me like I was trying to sell her used gum or something*.

At the second place, I didn't announce the contents of my wallet, hoping I could make a sneak attack and force him in to a $5 USD sale with a $33 USD bill. No dice. He twarted my advance with a brisk "no amigo". (No friend). He then turned to his amigo and laughed at this amigo trying to pay with a $100 bill that is readily prevalent in the Argentine economy, but never accepted because no one has ever put the crazy idea in motion to actually accept pesos and turn a mild profit. I left the items on the counter and stormed out.

The third attempt took place at a Disco Supermarket (basically the Stop and Shop/Shaws of Argentina). If anyplace could break my blacksheep of a bill, this place could. I collected a few more items to make it look like the $100 peso bill would be more equitably distributed.

I seemingly ruined the day of the cashier upon I presenting the hundo bill, and she even pleaded with me to give her a $20. I said no, standing my ground, and after she asked if I had the 40 cents to round the purchase, she yelled "CAMBIO" (change) to no one in particular. She then motioned for me to step to the side to allow other customers to pay with their cuter and smaller bills. After observing the finalized purchases of 2-3 fellow shoppers, a lady came over with change for exactly one $100 peso, and I finally received my change of $87. It took me three stores, 25 minutes and several curse words to finally obtain 2.25 liters of water, a massive Sahne Nuss and Mentos.

ps. Not to harp on the subject... But f-ing 10 out of 12 were pink. 1 orange, 1 yellow. No esta bien.

*There was a good 4-5 year time period in grade school, when the ABC gum offering joke rarely failed to kill in the humor arena) Right? Verdad?? Am I missing something???.