Money Plates

Throughout Eastern Europe, but most particularly (at least of the countries we’ve visited) in the CR, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, small plates are ubiquitous on shop counters. They are used for the exchange of money – you put your bills and coins on the plate, the shopkeeper takes them off the plate and puts the change on the plate.

Keeping people from touching hands? Keeping magicians from performing sight of hand tricks? We couldn’t figure out their exact purpose, but many store owners would not take our money without it first touching the plate. I would instinctively hand money to the clerk, and they would just set it on the plate. Then pick it off the plate.

Money plate in Croatia

And one in Hungary

Since we’ve gotten to Slovenia, Croatia, and Greece, the plates are still in stores but not used as consistently. I’m able to hand over money without a problem.