The U.S. just recently passed a law to stop making the penny. This is an apt example of how most Americans seem to view coinage. It’s part of our monetary system but few people will stand at a cash register and count out coins to make exact change to pay. In fact, few people carry more than maybe quarters because they’re handy for parking meters. But even parking meters are going by the wayside as the option to pay with a card is becoming more common. 

So, it was a shift in moving to Germany to find that the one and two dollar Euros are coins. (Are they even called dollars?) And yes, you definitely want to keep some on you at all times.

Part of this is because bakeries and many other local places only accept cash. No one wants to eat at a restaurant only to find out when the bill shows up that your credit card will not be accepted. 

But even more importantly—in my opinion—is that there are places where you have to pay to use the public bathroom. Are you traveling to Cochem and need to stop at a gas station for the restroom? Better make sure you have a few Euros in your pocket because there’s a turnstile to enter the facilities. 

Want to use the restroom in the Marktplatz while exploring a city? The gentleman in the booth between the doors will gladly take your payment. Ein Euro, please. (€1).

It’s little details like this that make world building in stories so much fun. Just imagine the tension of a character not realizing he doesn’t have the necessary coinage to pay for his meal or to use the bathroom. Hmmm, warning, this may show up in a future story!

Blessings,

Jennifer

The post Coins and Bathrooms appeared first on Jennifer M Zeiger.