Russian GirlsUsing Hard Currency
Shopping with hard currency
Legally the shops and market stalls of St. Petersburg are
not allowed to accept any other currency but the Russian
rouble, but they
do.
This is a necessity as it allows them to cater for visitors from cruise boats that have very little time and reap no benefit in exchanging money. Various shops selling products not targeting the tourist industry will also accept dollars or euros after little or no persuasion.
Conventional Units
Due to the Russian rouble being the Russian rouble and the
repercussions of its collapse way back in August 1998 many,
if not all, retailers follow either the US
dollar or Euro exchange rate - which ever the highest. This is achieved
by displaying prices in conventional units, the Russian
abbreviation of which is "y.e.".
The exchange rate for these units, if you haven't already guessed is the shops own (dollar or euro) exchange rate - a sign showing this rate is displayed publicly and is generally within a few kopeks from the exchange rate found in the banks. When a purchase is made this rate is used to calculate the amount required for the Rouble payment.