Phnom Penh

[QUOTE=Exoticspirit;2921305]Thanks, this makes sense for bigger cost items like hotels and girls for US $ payments. For the tuk tuks, do we know if ride fares are cheaper through Grab / Pass or if the cash quotes from drivers are better? Also should I convert all my remaining Cambodian riels while still in Cambodia before boarding my outbound flight? I'm flying out to Thailand next after Cambodia and wondering if the money changers in Thailand will take riels?[/QUOTE]USD-Riel is pegged at 4150 so there should be no difference in price. Just do the math. If talking to a driver, you might bargain down a little versus the price on the app which deducts a commission to Grab, Move or whichever company.

And a little more on topic. Are there business cards with contact info? Where might these cards be found? In some countries they're slipped under the door.

Slightly off topic. Where are the nerds with glasses? Cafes near unis? Names? Rather give a civilian 20,50 or a 100 versus going to a bar. At night. In BJ, got lucky a few times at English Corner language exchanges. Found long termers there or they found me.

And back on topic. Are there any FREE local websites in PP with "personals"? Miss those days, it was easy, and free.

[QUOTE=ThatGuy101;2921540]I learned this the hard way if they want usd they can get higher rates for the usd from local spots ( Conversion rates ) they know than you will ever get of course they want your USD! But you're paying higher![/QUOTE]You can talk in USD without looking like a newcomer, all the girls will quote in USD anyway.

The only place I saw you're paying a bit higher by using USD was a restaurant for locals, where they quote in Riel and when they see a foreigner customer they show him the price in USD which has been converted on the average a bit higher (but you can still give them the amount in Riel if you've got them).

[QUOTE=Exoticspirit;2921305]For the tuk tuks, do we know if ride fares are cheaper through Grab / Pass or if the cash quotes from drivers are better? Also should I convert all my remaining Cambodian riels while still in Cambodia before boarding my outbound flight? I'm flying out to Thailand next after Cambodia and wondering if the money changers in Thailand will take riels?[/QUOTE]Grab and pass will always be cheaper than the driver in the street.

Change your remaining Riels while you're still in Cambodia.

[QUOTE=Paolo99;2922163]You can talk in USD without looking like a newcomer, all the girls will quote in USD anyway.

The only place I saw you're paying a bit higher by using USD was a restaurant for locals, where they quote in Riel and when they see a foreigner customer they show him the price in USD which has been converted on the average a bit higher (but you can still give them the amount in Riel if you've got them).[/QUOTE]I won't front like I know what goes down im Cambodia because I don't ( talking my experience in DR) but in Dominican if you ever speak in usd first you will look like a new Comer only exceptions when I negotiate it in their currency than clarify that in usd but why talk in usd when your in a country that has a diffrrrnt currency? Even anywhere else if I girl talks in usd I'll shit that shit down and say no we're are (in this country I'll talk this price) it helped me a lot in DR by doing that but like I said I won't front I haven't been to Cambodia but I'll never talk usd up front if you have and that's worked for you well that's great for you but personal I won't ever do. Same reason why I wont negotiate taxis in usd or street food in usd etc ..

I’ll never say Paying in usd I'll clarify what it is in usd but never say I am until I got to

[QUOTE=ThatGuy101;2922393]why talk in usd when your in a country that has a diffrrrnt currency?[/QUOTE]Cambodia use 2 currencies, not only Cambodian riel.

The good thing is you have the choice to use anyone of them. It's just more convenient to use USD for amount over 4000 riels, and use riel for under 4000 riels.

Everybody use both currencies except locals with little money.

Cambodia is not DR, no need to compare both countries.

[QUOTE=Paolo99;2922394]Cambodia use 2 currencies, not only Cambodian riel.

The good thing is you have the choice to use anyone of them. It's just more convenient to use USD for amount over 4000 riels, and use riel for under 4000 riels.

Everybody use both currencies except locals with little money.

Cambodia is not DR, no need to compare both countries.[/QUOTE]I don't ever use USD anymore because I have a Cambodian Bank account and I don't do Cambodian Bar girls. Every few weeks I get $50 worth of 5000 reil notes, that covers rides, coffee, noodles, tips, etc.

[QUOTE=Paolo99;2922394]Cambodia use 2 currencies, not only Cambodian riel.

The good thing is you have the choice to use anyone of them. It's just more convenient to use USD for amount over 4000 riels, and use riel for under 4000 riels.

Everybody use both currencies except locals with little money.

Cambodia is not DR, no need to compare both countries.[/QUOTE]Yes obviously not Dr but great to know bro thanks for the report let's keep adding to the forums much love Canada All I'm saying is.. I don’t recommend using using Usd.

But every man to his own.

[QUOTE=Paolo99;2922163]You can talk in USD without looking like a newcomer, all the girls will quote in USD anyway.

The only place I saw you're paying a bit higher by using USD was a restaurant for locals, where they quote in Riel and when they see a foreigner customer they show him the price in USD which has been converted on the average a bit higher (but you can still give them the amount in Riel if you've got them).[/QUOTE]It's just a personal experience and what I saw in DR once you talked usd you were looked at as a ATM and don't know the game and get higher price but maybe it's different there I can't say as I won't lie I haven't been but my past experience in DR if you talked usd your gringo get the cash ahaha so I never talked North America currency we are in their country I'll talk their currency and negotiate theirs if you feel different that's cool bro I'm not here to fight or argue but to share what worked for me in other parts of the world if it works for you to talk usd there that's great and I won't tell you to change that but I won't talk usd from my experience.

[QUOTE=ThatGuy101;2922686]It's just a personal experience and what I saw in DR once you talked usd you were looked at as a ATM and don't know the game and get higher price but maybe it's different there I can't say as I won't lie I haven't been but my past experience in DR if you talked usd your gringo get the cash ahaha so I never talked North America currency we are in their country I'll talk their currency and negotiate theirs if you feel different that's cool bro I'm not here to fight or argue but to share what worked for me in other parts of the world if it works for you to talk usd there that's great and I won't tell you to change that but I won't talk usd from my experience.[/QUOTE]I've been to PP.

Is your plan to negotiate in riel and then pay with USD?

[QUOTE=Vendelo;2922697]I've been to PP.

Is your plan to negotiate in riel and then pay with USD?[/QUOTE]I would be inclined to ask what prices are without referring to one currency or the other and see what they say. If they quote me in US $ then I'll ask what the rate is in riels. If the exchange rate is roughly factor of 4, then I'll go from there to see if there is any significant difference on what they quote me and if I have enough in either currencies, then I'll opt to pay the lower of course.

[QUOTE=Vendelo;2922697]I've been to PP.

Is your plan to negotiate in riel and then pay with USD?[/QUOTE]Ahaha nooo I was responding to a different report and telling them if all they had was usd talk the price in the local currency and then double confirm that's the amount in usd than you can pay it in usd but don't negotiate in usd to start with if they that's all they had my last drunk report didn't make sense but as long as you confirm. That's what it = to in usd than that's what you give them they have no problem With it (from my experience if I ever negotiate in a different currency they always want higher amount) hope it makes sense and I cleared it up.

[QUOTE=ThatGuy101;2922911]Ahaha nooo I was responding to a different report and telling them if all they had was usd talk the price in the local currency and then double confirm that's the amount in usd than you can pay it in usd but don't negotiate in usd to start with if they that's all they had my last drunk report didn't make sense but as long as you confirm. That's what it = to in usd than that's what you give them they have no problem With it (from my experience if I ever negotiate in a different currency they always want higher amount) hope it makes sense and I cleared it up.[/QUOTE]I've never had a girl in Phnom Penh ask for anything but USD. Low of $60ST and high of $100 LT. My first visit to PP was 6 years ago after moving to Bangkok so I'm sure others have received lower prices.

[QUOTE=HoustonPlayer;2922922]I've never had a girl in Phnom Penh ask for anything but USD. Low of $60ST and high of $100 LT. My first visit to PP was 6 years ago after moving to Bangkok so I'm sure others have received lower prices.[/QUOTE]I paid USD $50ST and US $100 LT last November. As stayed below, girls negotiate in USD.

Riel to USD has been virtually pegged for at least 10 years. The rate fluctuates depending on the time of the year from 4000 to 4100. Not a big difference. If you know where to go (like certain gold or phone shops in particular markets) you might get as much as 4110. Unless you're changing huge amounts, it doesn't matter. USD is still easy and good.

I am here for two days. I went out last night, great time. Lots of people out last night watching the games too. Will head out tonight again. Anyone around?