SETTLING IN - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - page 143

particularly unfavourable. Ask for the rates before proceeding
with the transaction, even if they seem to be posted;
occasionally they seem advantageous, but they may only be
for large transactions. Also, do not be taken in by signs that
say 'no commission', for no bureau de change may charge a
commission—the profit is built into the rate. Occasionally the
exchange seems flexible, depending on the person behind
the window, but don't ever think you are getting a rate that
is better than what the next cash point will offer.
Most currency exchanges are open on Sunday. This
includes American Express and the city-wide chains of
Thomas Cook, Global Change, Travelex and Chequepoint.
See Change in the Yellow Pages .

American Express; 11 rue Scribe, 75009; tel: [phone].
For the bureau de change, tel: [phone]; website:
http://www.americanexpress.com. Open seven days a
week; on Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Banks offer the most favourable rates of exchange, but
they charge a commission, usually one to two per cent of
the monies changed. Some banks display a sign saying
'no cash', and unfortunately, banks close earlier than
bureaux de change . And most, though not all, are closed
on Saturdays.

Traveller's Cheques
Banks, currency exchanges and post offices exchange
traveller's cheques. Neither American Express nor Thomas
Cook charge a fee for exchanging their own cheques, but
unless you want to keep large cash reserves or you can get
your traveller's cheques without a commission from your
bank, it's best to just get euros when you need them from
a distributeur .
Traveller's cheques are helpful only if you would otherwise
make many small withdrawals from the distributeur , as
banks in your home country and in France may charge
a fee each time. So, it's best to withdraw large amounts
occasionally or to have traveller's cheques, which your own
bank may issue you without charge.