Hello all,
I have been to the United Kingdom a few weeks ago and do not understand why Britons don't want to enter the euro-zone.
Most British people use the euro when they are on holiday abroad and are used to it. In the center of London you can use your euro coins to make a call in the public BT telephones.
On the other hand, a recent survey here in The Netherlands showed most people want the old currency, the guilder, back as soon as possible. Dutch people believe prices have gone very up because of the euro.
Tourism is very important in Europe's economy and euro makes tourists lifes way more easier. People can travel from a country to another without spending time and loosing money changing currencies. I am thinking about travelling to the Nordic countries to see the "aurora borealis" in a near future and I think I will pick Finland. Stockholm might be nicer than Helsinki, but I won't have to change my euros to Swedish Kronas. Also prices are standarized all over the continent, which makes you feel you are not beeing swindled: something that costs €1 in Spain will cost €1 in Greece, in The Netherlands or in Ireland.
I seriously believe the euro is overpriced right now, though. But I also believe it will become stable at its real value in the future. The UK should join the euro-zone. It will be easier for them to trade with other European countries and the euro is cheaper than the pound, so they may become more competetive: a thing the United Kingdom is not at the moment.
I doubt however this is going to happen. Most British people love their traditions and the face of the Queen printed in the banknotes. Nothing wrong with that; my country also has lots of traditions and I love them very much. But let's wait and see. Who knows.
Marcos
I have been to the United Kingdom a few weeks ago and do not understand why Britons don't want to enter the euro-zone.
Most British people use the euro when they are on holiday abroad and are used to it. In the center of London you can use your euro coins to make a call in the public BT telephones.
On the other hand, a recent survey here in The Netherlands showed most people want the old currency, the guilder, back as soon as possible. Dutch people believe prices have gone very up because of the euro.
Tourism is very important in Europe's economy and euro makes tourists lifes way more easier. People can travel from a country to another without spending time and loosing money changing currencies. I am thinking about travelling to the Nordic countries to see the "aurora borealis" in a near future and I think I will pick Finland. Stockholm might be nicer than Helsinki, but I won't have to change my euros to Swedish Kronas. Also prices are standarized all over the continent, which makes you feel you are not beeing swindled: something that costs €1 in Spain will cost €1 in Greece, in The Netherlands or in Ireland.
I seriously believe the euro is overpriced right now, though. But I also believe it will become stable at its real value in the future. The UK should join the euro-zone. It will be easier for them to trade with other European countries and the euro is cheaper than the pound, so they may become more competetive: a thing the United Kingdom is not at the moment.
I doubt however this is going to happen. Most British people love their traditions and the face of the Queen printed in the banknotes. Nothing wrong with that; my country also has lots of traditions and I love them very much. But let's wait and see. Who knows.
Marcos
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