Canadian Money

The Canadian monetary system is very similar to the UK system in many respects.

Money has evolved a long, long way from its birthplace and purpose, all those years ago. It no longer represents things of concrete value, but abstract ideas and values. A currency grows stronger and weaker based on relative economies, financial dealings....

But thats not the point here.

*clink*

In the UK most money is held in banks, for the large part. Almost everyone has a bank account of some description - without one, being paid is damned near impossible, in any legal sense.

Here in Canada I know many people who casually walk around with 200, 300 dollars at a time. Banks arn't as essential here - cash your pay cheque, use the cash.

Even the university offered to pay me by cheque. Yep - with all the attendant paperwork.

But a word about the coins.

*clink* *clink*

They use coins almost exactly the same as american coins - up to a dollar.

No, really. 1, 5, 10 and 25 cent coins are identical in size and weight. The only way to tell them apart is the design. So much so that maybe 1% of small coinage in canada is really US money.

No one really minded when the US dollar was worth more. Or even now, when its worth less.

Odd people really. Short change them (a little) and they don't mind.

*clink* * clink * * clink*
You've got 4 dollars and 61 cents in pennies you git.

How many US ones?

Arrrgggghhhhhhh!