Who ever argues with the driver? It happened all of 1 time, I never asked if they were going anywhere for vacation and where.

I simply asked the dispatcher how much is the ride per person in sheks and can I pay in USD. The dispatcher said how much it was and how much in USD, end of discussion. Had the dispatcher said its 50 sheks and you need to go change your money as thats all the drivers want, then I would have gone and gotten some sheks.

Personally I dont believe I spend $10 worth of sheks while over there, everything is via my CC. Last Oct I went with 30 sheks in hand and returned with 20 and didnt change any money. On top of that Im usually bringing friends things they ordered online and used my CC to pay for it as a US based CC was needed, this time $107 is owed to me of which I will take only $7 in sheks if that.

Now most tourists will need sheks I agree. I was in Hong Kong in Jan I only hit the ATM the day after I arrived, the airport had a high min and I knew I wouldnt need all of it. Used my CC for transport to my Hotel area. When going somewhere for the 1st time I try not to change at teh airport as I 1st want to try and assess what my needs will be. Even thou I dont pay for ATM withdrawls many folks do so its best if they can gauage what they will need and then withdraw it rather then to take several withdraws and have the cost add up or withdraw why too much and now have alot left over w/o knowing when they will be back in that Country(The Euro is an exception if a person plans on several European trips).

I know many people who like myself do not stop to exchange money when arriving at TLV either at an ATM or 1 of the Money changes, probably has to do with when yrs ago you were able to get a much better rate at the private changers in the citys