Originally Posted by
gojko88
No no no, from the EUR perspective it was 0.97 vs. 1.10
So quite a difference. But your point also stands (although, living in Paris, the difference is not so drastic anymore, bar the ridiculous tipping practice).
The ridiculous tipping practice - my favourite one is the
self-service cash register in a
self-service kiosk in some airport that suggests various tips: 20%, 25% or 30%, but no 0% - is one thing. Not clear whom I am tipping. The reason why I still believe in humanity is that even many Americans start finding the tipping practice obscene now.
The other thing that is just outrageous is how many European products are treated as luxury products and priced as such. A normal croissant? Between 5 and 6 USD (without tip!). But of course, if you're only other option is US-style bakery, then you pay 5.50 (+tip) for a croissant. And let's not even talk about the silly price level for wines, where you may end up paying 200 USD for a bottle that my local petrol station sells for 15 EUR.
Anyways, off topic. To the OP: buy your ticket now, it won't get less expensive, and you'll love paying 1.30 EUR for your croissant and getting wonderful wine for a fraction of what you'd pay in a restaurant in the US.