Gosling's Grouse: An overheated exchange

An overheated exchange

Last week, as I dropped a friend off at the airport, I popped inside to change some US dollars into euros ahead of a holiday later on in the summer.

It was not a huge sum of money – $174 to be exact, or around €180 – and certainly not enough to make a dent in anything, even the bankrupt Greek economy. Greece: Contained or contagion? You can imagine my surprise when the currency exchange outlet at the airport asked for a boarding card and passport. I patiently explained I had neither on me as I was not travelling that day, but was merely planning ahead. The cashier, however, refused to do the exchange citing 'money laundering' rules.  When it is hot and you are faced with such petty rules, it is hard not to get a bit overh...