Prices: Mental arithmetic is important again

currency

In Vanguardia, since the separation from Napoleon's empire, the currency has once again been the Loudour. A Loudour is so large and, at around 356 grams, quite heavy, that electronic payment systems quickly gained importance in Vanguardia. Initiatives to introduce the euro as a European currency quickly fizzled out because there were simply too many cash reserves stashed away under pillows, in socks, and in piggy banks to exchange them all for euros on a single day.

Exchange rates

Since January 1, 2010, the Vanguardian National Bank's Loudor has been pegged to the Euro at a fixed exchange rate of 0.32 Euros to 1.00 Loudors. Tourists can exchange foreign currency for Loudors at all airports, ports, and branch banks, up to a cash withdrawal limit of 1.25 million Loudors. Current exchange rates can be found on the website www.moneyexchange.van .

Price labeling

Prices aren't displayed as 0.99 like in Germany, but as actual fractions: 11/12. However, a Loudours is divided into 12, not 10 Douces. Therefore, mental arithmetic is always essential, as some vendors might even write 2 17/12 on the price board. Anyone who then starts calculating and converting to euros will only be finished when the vegetables have gone bad or the fish has gone bad.

Tips

Tips are calculated at 10% of the price of food and drinks, so any extra small change left on the tables is due to the poor denominations of the coins and not to bad service.