The first hour in a new country is spent making three things work: money, a phone signal, and internet. None of it is difficult, but all of it happens at a counter, in English, while you are tired.
1. Checking the rate
Marta: What's the exchange rate today?
Clerk: Thirty-four to the dollar.
Marta: Is there a commission on top?
Clerk: No commission. The rate is the rate.
Marta: Then I'll change two hundred.
Clerk: Passport, please, and sign here.
2. Finding a machine
Ken: Is there an ATM nearby?
Staff: Two. One inside, one by the exit.
Ken: Which one has lower fees?
Staff: The bank one inside. The other adds five.
Ken: Inside it is. Thanks.
3. Taking money out
Ken: It's asking me something about conversion.
Staff: Always choose the local currency.
Ken: Not my own?
Staff: Never. Their rate is worse.
Ken: Good to know. I'll withdraw cash in local currency, then.
Staff: Exactly. And cover the keypad.
4. Buying a SIM
Alma: I'd like a prepaid SIM for two weeks.
Seller: Data only, or calls as well?
Alma: Data only. How much data?
Seller: Twenty gigabytes for three hundred.
Alma: That's plenty. Can you put it in for me?
Seller: Give me your phone and your passport.
5. Making the phone work
Alma: It says no service.
Seller: Turn it off, wait ten seconds, turn it on.
Alma: There it is. Two bars.
Seller: Your number is on the little card. Keep it.
Alma: And when the data plan runs out?
Seller: Come back, or add more in the app.
6. Getting online at a cafe
Theo: Is there Wi-Fi here?
Server: There is. The password's on your receipt.
Theo: Which network? I see four.
Server: The one with the cafe name. The rest are neighbours.
Theo: Got it. Thanks.
7. No signal, no password
Rita: The Wi-Fi won't let me on.
Theo: Use my phone. I'll turn on the hotspot.
Rita: Are you sure? It'll eat your data.
Theo: I've got plenty left. What's your device called?
Rita: Rita's phone. I can see yours now.
8. Paying at the counter
Rita: Do you take cash?
Server: Card only, I'm afraid.
Rita: Then card. Do I need my PIN?
Server: Over twenty, yes. Under that, just tap.
Rita: It's twenty-two. PIN it is.
Server: Whenever you're ready.
Words to know
| exchange rate | How much of one currency you get for another. It changes every day. What's the exchange rate today? |
| commission | A fee the exchange counter keeps for itself, on top of the rate. Is there a commission on top? |
| ATM | The cash machine in a wall. Bank machines usually charge less than the ones in shops. Is there an ATM nearby? |
| withdraw | To take money out of your account at a machine or a counter. I'll withdraw cash in local currency |
| prepaid SIM | A local phone card you pay for in advance, so there is no bill afterwards. I'd like a prepaid SIM for two weeks. |
| data plan | The amount of internet your SIM gives you, and for how long. And when the data plan runs out? |
| hotspot | Internet shared from one phone so another device can use it. Use my phone. I'll turn on the hotspot. |
| PIN | The four digits you type to approve a card payment or a cash withdrawal. Then card. Do I need my PIN? |
Quick practice
Complete each line with a word or phrase from this lesson.
1. You want to know how much local money you get for yours today.
“What's the ________ today?”
2. You are asking whether the counter keeps a fee for itself.
“Is there a ________ on top?”
3. You are looking for a cash machine.
“Is there an ________ nearby?”
4. You want a local phone card you pay for in advance.
“I'd like a ________ for two weeks.”
5. You are offering to share your phone's internet with a friend.
“Use my phone. I'll turn on the ________.”
6. You are asking whether you must type your four digits.
“Then card. Do I need my ________?”
Show the answers
1. exchange rate 2. commission 3. ATM 4. prepaid SIM 5. hotspot 6. PIN
Common mistakes
Not: I need to load my phone.
Say: I need to charge my phone.
Load is for putting things into a lorry or a program. A battery takes charge, so phones charge — and a travel card tops up.
Not: Do you take money?
Say: Do you take cash?
Money covers notes, cards and everything else, so the question means nothing. Cash means notes and coins, which is what you are really asking.
Not: Where can I draw money?
Say: Where can I withdraw cash?
Draw on its own means to make a picture. The verb for taking money out of an account keeps its first half: withdraw.
Your turn
Say these out loud. Use the currency of a country you would visit, and say the numbers slowly — numbers are where money conversations go wrong.
- Ask for today's exchange rate, then ask whether there is a commission.
- Ask where the nearest cash machine is and which one charges less.
- Buy a prepaid SIM for two weeks. Say how long you need it and ask how much data you get.
- Ask a server whether there is Wi-Fi, and which network is theirs.
- Ask whether a shop takes cash, and whether you need your PIN for the amount you are paying.
Quick review
Three counters, three questions. Money: What's the exchange rate today? Phone: I'd like a prepaid SIM for two weeks. Internet: Is there Wi-Fi here? Then one rule worth more than all of them — at a cash machine abroad, always choose the local currency, because the machine's own rate is never the better one.