I was travelling with my family by car in Budapest and entered the Castle District on Saturday. On the way back in the early afternoon I was stopped to pay a HUF 500 parking fee on Palota út. An unpleasant woman cashier informed me that I could only pay in local currency; no credit cards and no euros.
I had three kids aged 17 months to four years in the car, and I begged her to let me pay EUR 5 cash and she wouldn’t even have to give me any change. But she was rude and refused to help me. Her only answer was: “Only Hungarian forint.”
I understand that maybe in Hungary you have regulations about payments, etc. but you need to inform people that it is not possible to pay in any other currency than forints, and you need to inform them in other languages besides Hungarian. There was no such information, and if there had been, it wouldn’t have been a problem for me because I speak five languages.
Your workers cannot behave as if the only way to treat people is to be unpleasant, officious and without human sensitivity. I was not alone, I was with crying kids. What kind of person must she be not to help in any way? I never experienced such treatment anywhere in the world and I have visited more than 30 countries on different continents.
What will I remember about Budapest? Only those 20 minutes, running to other cars, waiting in the queue and asking other drivers to change EUR 5 to forint.
I will advise all my friends never to go to Budapest because of this very poor treatment.
I’m sending this email to the General Directorate of the Hungarian National Tourist Office, the Budapest mayor’s office and to the Hungary Tourism Authority in my country, Poland.
Sincerely,
Lukasz Wrobel, Poland
(When we go to Poland we promise we will take zloty. – Editor)
Welcome to Hungary! Can’t even use a debit card at the airport car park and the people inside do not like to change notes. As for everything written in Hungarian try finding a movie in English its all dubbed. This is something new, when we first arrived there were loads of movies in English (Original language). However, as in lots of places the workers paid by the local municipality don’t give a service because their pay isn’t very good so why shouyld they be nice:)
People wearing uniforms are different then the rest of the population. I experienced it in several countries. Hungarians are generally kind and helpful.
Accepting credit cards is a good solution for XXI century!
I am not surprised as I find Hungarians rude and with the personality of a wet fish.
A boring country with boring people and horrible food.
I treat them with contempt when meeting them in the Uk.
horrible food? from uk? COME ON!!!! you make yourself a joke
I think a letter with such a ridiculous complaint doesn’t need to be on here. You go to another country and are upset when you can not pay in foreign currency? Doesn’t it only make sense to exchange your money to the local currency, or withdraw it from an ATM, when visiting another country? You say you have visited 30 countries so I would expect you to be a more experienced traveler.
Furthermore, why are you complaining about this woman not accepting your euros? She is just doing her job! The woman does not own the parking lot, she collects money for the business she works for. Euros are not legal tender in Hungary so no one is obliged (or expected) to accept this. You don’t need to be informed about this, it is self-explanatory. Imagine you work in a shop in Poland that you do not own, and a Russian tourist wants to pay in Ruble, will you accept it? Or Chinese Yuan? Thai Baht?
Regarding her attitude, it probably isn’t the most exciting job to sit there all day collecting parking fees, and she probably just does it because she can’t find a better job. Then an arrogant tourist shows up, insisting no paying in foreign currency.. you are a guest to that country so you are the one who should adjust.
Language barrier? So what? If anything, you are the one who should make an effort at Hungarian. I speak six languages myself, but that didn’t get me anywhere in China. Did I complain about it? No, I learn some simple phrases, and use some hands and feet.
If this is all you remember of Budapest, I feel sad for you. I visited myself and its a great city, good food, good people, nice sights.. but the only one to blame is you yourself.
Well Lukasz I have to say that I find your original post to be idiocy of the highest order. When I first came here to look for property I made sure that I had enough Hungarian forints to pay taxi/train fare/hotel bill. If you did not have forints in your pocket then that was your problem – not the Hungarians. I understand what you say about the attitude but that does not apply everywhere.
@M Campbell Well, you sound like exactly the Brit that was behind me in the departure lounge at Ferihegy airport – “Giz a cup ‘a coffee luv”.
I do hope that the Hungarians in the UK treat you with return contempt that you richly deserve as well. I have lived in my little isolated corner of Hungary for five years now and have to say that here at least the Hungarian people are the most open, friendly and helpful people that I have ever met.
@man – Spot on
Lukass and Campbellend,
Hungary doesn’t need arrogant tourists like you. As far as my impression of Brits in Hungary is concerned they are the most arrogant, uncivilized, alcoholics I have ever met. The people with your attitude come to Hungary and dance on the tables with their pants down (observed twice on different occasions at Szimpla)…STAY HOME NOBODY WANTS YOUR MONEY…KEEP THE CHANGE GUVNA!!!