When you are shopping in China, there is one question that you are very likely to be asked. “Meiyou lingqian?” (you don’t have the exact change?) is often asked in despair when you hand over a crisp red hundred kuai banknote. Often the person behind the till will look at you like you have really ruined your day if you don’t have the correct amount in small change and have to hand over a larger note.

Besides shops, lots of taxi drivers and waiting staff in restaurants will have similar reactions when you ask them for change. Order food over the phone and it would be a mistake to assume that the delivery person will have change if you need it. If you’re feeling generous, you could just tell them to keep the change (even though China doesn’t really have a tipping culture). Sometimes they will have to go back to their restaurant to get the right change for you, although stories of people being told that they just can’t have the food they ordered if they only have a big banknote are not unheard of.

In short, it is best to pay with the right money if possible. This will help you make lots of friends in your local shops and restaurants. 

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