doctorp said:
Every time I've been in a Canadian strip club the girls always want US$. I just want to avoid any embarrassment if I give the girl $250 Canadian when she's thinking she'll be getting$250 US. I know it sounds like a stupid question, I just wanted to be sure.
Of course, after quoting $20 a dance, the girl wants to be paid in paper that fetches a 25-30% premium. Wouldn't you?
But when you're in a foreign country, the laws of the land and etiquette require you to use that country's currency, unless otherwise posted. And if she didn't do that 'posting', she'll take $20 Canuck bucks like always.
But you can't expect her to take $US 15 as the equivalent. The only businesses that 'must' give you the exchange are the ones that advertise they will. For everyone else, those papers with presidents' pix on them are worth, not what you think but, whatever both parties agree on—like baseball cards. The only legal tender here says "Canada". So if she says, "American at par", you better cough up, or hope management'll do better. And with an unpaid dancer waiting impatiently, you're not in the best bargaining position.
With your SP, since the whole deal gets discussed at some point, you certainly have the opportunity to try for a good rate, if you want to use foreign currency. But—just like you—she won't get the best rate you saw in the
Wall Street Journal when she converts, and she's unlikely to offer it. Changing your money's a hassle she can do without, unless she profits from the deal.
Best to exchange/use an ATM at a bank, get the best rate and stop worrying.
Enjoy your visit. Not all Canadians are as pompous as me.