Ryanqqq

Thanks for your report. 
Thirty minutes I would think is the minimum time to expect from a ST bar off. An hour would be more the average. If you’re not happy with time, settle the issue before agreeing to off guy. If language an issue, ask mamasan to explain it to boy. 
You’re in the massage capital of world and encourage you to take advantage of it. On any given afternoon or evening there are easily a few hundred guys available in the Silom/Soi 6/Surawong rectangle. Most are outside their shops so you can survey many by just slowly walking past shops and see who returns smile. 
For me, this is far more efficient way of locating mutually acceptable mate for an hour or so than constantly scanning apps.  I dumped Grindr from phone earlier this trip because I found myself spending excessive, unproductive time on it. My rationale was that I didn’t travel 24 hours to look at a screen when there are plenty of the real thing at every turn. 
Enjoy remainder of trip.

Thanks for your post Flaneur.
I'm loving all the new reports on the forum at the moment.
I'm heading back to BKK next week after an absence of nearly FOUR years. I'm besides myself with excitement and these reports are getting me into the spirit.

Beautifully written!

With only a few more days left in Bangkok, I thought it might be interesting to a few to pen a few notes.  Please forgive that they are unstructured.  I hope to understand more from the distinguished posters here present for my next trip or perhaps my last few days here. For context, this is my fourth trip to Bangkok.  My first two trips were for weekends and my second was for a week so I do not try to compete with the experience on this forum.  I cannot commit to a daily report but I am visiting some other countries in South East Asia during my time away and I will try to do the same while travelling.  
 
Before flying from London Heathrow, I jumped at the chance to spend a few days with friends in Oxford as I would be in the UK anyway.  I can highly recommend the ‘Oxford Tube’ as a means of transport, which actually a bus!  It took me from central London, where I had stayed for two nights of tourism to the beautiful city of Oxford in an hour and a half.  Returning from Oxford to Heathrow required a change at Hillingdon station and one more bus for the princely sum of less than 2GBP.  Grindr in Oxford was full of handsome, university types and it was interesting to see many described themselves as ‘trans’, ‘non-binary’ or ‘queer’ despite presenting as a masculine.  Grindr in London was very busy and it was pan-European in nature, despite Brexit!  For those interested, I gathered that the going rate was about 150-200GBP though I did not partake.  
 
Eva Air direct to Suvarnabhumi on their business class product was efficient, friendly and comfortable.  The food was good, the wine flowed and the flight landed right on time after a good night of sleep.  Arrivals was very busy, there was a 10 minute wait at the fast track section but the bags were quick - so quick in fact that most people had not made it through security. 
 
I’ve been staying at Le Méridien, and it is good.  I like the evening pizza menu and breakfast is very good.  I’m not sure there has been much benefit to my suite upgrade, I have barely used the lounge and the men I have brought back to the room have on more than one occasion have been confused about why one person would need so much space (I think even regarding it as an unnecessary extravagance).  No problem with guests, key cards required for the lift, friendly staff.  Lots of gay folk, as I type from the ground floor I am looking at a middle aged guy European couple walking together wearing rainbow pins and holding hands.  Last time I stayed at Raya but I would choose here next time and save a few THB in a standard room.  The lounge is very nice and if I have time I will post a picture from the lounge, which I think may be a fair challenge for the ‘best view from a toilet’ posts previously seen on this forum.    
 
I am ambitious to become a flâneur (I cannot think of an English equivalent) in my later life and there is no better city than Bangkok to practice.  I’ve enjoyed (most of the time) my solitude, thoughts, my wandering, my coffee, my aimlessness and people-watching.  Today, for example, consider Soi 4.  At around noon, a large gathering of very smartly-dressed business types in designer suits queued for street food.  Interested, I wandered down the Soi to see about four carts in front of Banana Bar and other venues in the Soi.  It seemed to the most popular place for these hi-so workers for miles.  I wonder if these distinguished folk know the depravity that takes place just a few short hours after they have gathered their tasty morsels?  I imagine they know all-too-well and care little - and this is why I love Bangkok! I enjoy these aimless considerations.  
 
I felt something was ‘off’ about Tawan compared to my previous visits (when this was my favourite bar).  I have since read that the papasan in the beret, that I have before met, has recently passed away sadly and this is probably why. Much lenience is required, I suspect he was well-loved by staff. I have not stayed for a show but when visiting earlier in the evening the men working are less likely to sit alongside customers than in my previous visits.  Some older Thai men take the place of papasan but do not occupy the attention of customers. The place is looking more dishevelled than before.  That has, though, always been part of its charm.  I have a fond (?) memory of walking up the stairs from the bar to a room for a massage (if I assure you that it was virtuous, you will not believe me).  A large rat ran over my foot, leading to my loud screams and a look of horror at my exclamation from the masseur.  Happy memories.  
 
I have not found a guy to take home yet from Tawan as their huddle of men now includes a number of twinks, which are not my type.  I did have an interesting moment with a man who I think said his name was David.  He was my type and I was leaving the bar, having concluded after one drink that enough was enough.  He chased me down the road, threw his arms around me and told me he was horny.  My intention, of course, was to take a man to the room to discuss neoclassicalism’s influence on 18th century Greek literature so this admission of horny-ness took me rather by surprise.  I declined the offer, wrongly now I think about it, as I was in the mindset of marching to HotMale determinedly.  I will try Tawan again and hope that this is a temporary situation caused by the loss of a formidable figure.  
 
HotMale beer bar is still a good spot with fairly priced drinks, smiling staff and good views.  I was surprised to see cannabis being smoked at the tables (only by one group of customers on one day).  There is a very handsome man who seems to stay behind the bar there, preparing drinks rather than waiting tables.  I have been trying hard to have eye contact with him, succeeding often, but receiving a nonchalant response.  Perhaps my portly (read: fat) build is off-putting or the stars just do not align.  I will not give up yet.  Advice welcome.  
 
HotMale’s gogo has been the surprise of my trip, in a good way.  The men on stage are keen to smile and engage with eye contact, are engrossed in securing your attention and not on their phones.  Though they are thin in number, there is something for everyone and especially for me (preferring 25-45, handsome, not thin, Dadbod or muscular-but-not-too-muscular types).  Smoking being allowed will be an irritant for some, but the papasan is flexible about reseating (and it has never been busy enough for this to be a problem). 
 
The HotMale ensemble are mostly topless and wearing fetching, pillar-box red sweatpants.  The show is awkward when it is quiet but ends well with an explicit fanfare that even would make my old Aunt Agatha blush (and she a woman with a remarkable, audacious character).  I had one strange experience with a guy I offed from HotMale when motivated by the aforementioned explicit display.  His girth, so to speak, was impressive from a distance.  Back in the hotel, just as we made progress with a particularly challenging logarithmic identity, I became distracted.  Something about this girth was not quite right.  It wasn’t that there were beads or noticeable defects, but the thickness seemed somehow artificial and not in keeping with the rest of the member concerned.  He was a good egg, and no harm was done.  He showed me his Lao passport which revealed both that he was aged 29 but also that he was considerably more handsome now than when the picture was taken a number of years ago!  
 
FreshBoys has the same loud and irritating mamasan and her interest in me has been only for the purpose of generating tips.  The men are young, I would say 20-25, predisposed to mobile-phone addiction at all times when not on the stage though smiles are frequent.  I am unlikely to revisit but this place will be a gem for some.  
 
The new Sol Bar is interesting and I have no conclusions.  From a distance (that is to say the HotMale beer bar) the men look handsome on the balcony, are mostly topless and I really like the shorts with numbers on rather than the usual badges.  Inside, I had a different experience on my one visit.  In some way, the lighting is not flattering and the building looks more downtrodden than when it was Dream Boys.  Somehow, I have not yet been able to bring myself to have more than one drink but my reason is not rational and based on some ‘feeling’.  I will try again.  
 
I have not yet made it to the Dream Boy show but will before I leave and update.  I cannot be motivated to go to Jupiter or Moonlight but I must do so because the men are hot and I have seen good reports recently.  My struggle is the passive, unsmiling approach I previously saw when visiting.  Also, I feel the men are hoping a woman will ‘off’ them, there being so many and the men being straight, and I will therefore be a disappointment.  Advice welcome.
 
I would also like advice on the language barrier.  I am almost ready to ask the mama/papasans which men speak English well.  I think this relates to another problem.  My ‘offs’ have been gratifying, but short with little room for conversation.  Yesterday, I had to use Google Translate ask the guy if he wanted a drink from the minibar.  My ‘offs’ last half an hour usually and I am craving more (they are probably enjoying the easy cash!). Though I don’t want LT, I cannot sleep unless alone.   
 
On my first visit a few years ago, I think I got lucky and saw the same man three or four times (now sadly ‘gone’ as per the report of the papasan) and we went for a few drinks before our deliberations on counterurbanisation in the room began.  I enjoyed his company and sense of fun.  This has not happened naturally for me yet. I would like company than extends beyond 30 minutes in the room talking through a phone. Advice welcome.
 
Although I have adjusted to the jetlag, I do also have a dilemma about adjusting to how late everything happens.  I am trying to dine around 2030, as things just don’t begin here until about 2230.  I cannot do a 2am finish and a breakfast that finishes at 10am!  I need more to be occupied with between 1700-2200 and cannot drink alcohol during this time as I will be drunk by midnight!  
 
I will post again and await thoughts and advice eagerly.  
 

Putting my views into context, ten years ago, after a bad experience with cabin crew in Royal Laurel (mileage upgrade), I stopped flying with EVA having flown with them 23 times LHR-BKK-LHR. With both Air France and Cathay Pacific wanting ridiculous fares for this August I swallowed my pride and flew with them again.
Looking at the stats for the last 90 days or so, it does seem that this is a somewhat simplistic analysis by flightstats.com Many of the flights, if not most, were delayed at that awful place Heathrow. To what extent that was the fault of EVA we don't know but I suspect that Heathrow had a lot to do with it. The other interesting feature is a comparison between the scheduled time and the actual average flight time. It's very easy to pad the scheduled time and many airlines do so in a dishonest fashion. British Airways, on internal flights, comes to mind. All EVA had to do  was to add 30 minutes to the scheduled time and the problem goes away. They are being more honest than many airlines.
 

I have returned to Thailand with Eva from London , used my miles to upgrade from their premium economy to royal laurel  business class well worth it in my opinion.
Staying at Baan Souy again which I suggest is excellent, great rooms, decent location between boys town and jomtien, no problem returning with "company" almost expected, lovely pool and gym and fantastic hosts and team at the hotel, I cant recommend enough!
On first evening met a boy from Toy boys I met before, the bar had maybe 30 boys in pants and good mix, I think a drink  was about 280 THB but a good bar we had some food at nearby Fra Pattaya always excellent!
On Sunday bars all closed for holiday I met my friend from Saturday again, had stacked up the fridge in my room from nearby 7/11 so we enjoyed the amazing pool a few beers at hotel,  then walked to nearby market at Jomtien near entrance to jomtien park.   If you like excellent Thai food an amazing selection, all good and very cheap, they were also "turning a blind eye"  to drink restrictions! 
So Monday night went to explain little.....
Dream boys - maybe 15 boys all in jeans but no shirt and a fair mix but other than one of the slimmer style 
x boys - again maybe 15 all in pants but more slim type so nothing that appealed to me!
New bar site of old Cupid next to panorama maybe 12 boys with a bit of a mix, all in just pants.
 BOYZ Boyz.....   Probably 40 plus but all pretty fully dressed ...... In the main Aimed to be catering for Chinese lady cliental all be it Very welcoming to me!
I met a boy from the old Cupid, nice evening but early night as hopefully a friend from Bangkok is arriving Tuesday and joining me for a few days in Pattaya before we both return to Bangkok!
 

You got me worried, shortage of tips may be result of Chinese being biggest part of an audience, taking over from more generous farangs. But surely , with lack of tips more progressive parts of the show may be thing of the past.
that chicken dish tip seems to be in vogue there recently but to their credits last few times they asked for tip to buy that  , few minutes later I actually saw them eating it so at least my money (and hopefully yours ) seems to be spent as intended.
One of many nice things about  Tawan is that they have good rotation and as you noticed , some guys are coming only on some days. As for massage there , perhaps you came too early  as guy who was / is doing that has day time job somewhere in Huyai Kwang which is also sadly reason he is not interested in long time.
Happy to hear you have good time there, waiting impatiently for next day's report
 
 

Day 2: I awoke early, perhaps not accustomed to the new timezone I am in and the new bed that the hotel provided. I just lay in bed until around 10am and decided to go around Lumpini park to stretch my legs. The major structures in the park seem to be in renovation mode with most of them cordoned off the public. I passed by the public gym, but doesn't seem to have the usual cruisy vibes as years before. After a quick walk around the park, I decided to try my luck again on the silom complex facilities. This time though, I think I was too early for the action. I walked back to the new silom edge building, and found that they offer relatively affordable food court fare in their basement despite the relatively up scale eateries on the other floors.  They also have a public shower facilities on the 2nd floor. I had a quick lunch at their basement level for less than 100 baht. 
I noticed I was running low in cash, so decided to head on to x-one in Suriwong. They have a mobile app, so it was easy to compare the rates of the different money exchange along the way. So far it seems to have the best rate. Along the way, I passed Tawan - they might have stopped their massage services as there was no touts outside at that time.  I saw signs for Super A and later nature boy, these bars were reported to open early, but it was close when I passed them around lunch time. Saw the Queen's club has closed down - what a tragedy. Along the way, I passed by a huge local market selling cooked food for take out. I bet these would be more affordable and more authentic than those found in the restaurant malls.
After changing my cash to Baht, I was just wondering around the area. I went to silom plaza, but didn't proceed to arena as the greeter was not my type. On a whim, I decided to hop on to the bus to reach the small outlet center in the jewelry bldg in silom for some shopping. Unfortunately, nothing caught my eye, and their "sale" price wasn't really a bargain anymore. As there were a lot of time to spare, I decided to head to Heaven Sauna. It was early afternoon, I paid the 200 Baht entrance fee, and was surprised by the number of people already in the place.
There were lots of more mature daddy type or men with bigger builds in there. I saw one perfect bear specimen. I could've been sworn he was a porn actor in farangland, not for his lesser than average junk. The small jacuzzi at the rooftop was no more. Lots of actions happening in the dark room as well as the steam room and private cubicles. A lot to enjoy if you are into mature and bigger built guys. 
After it got dark, I decided to treat myself to a buffet in holiday inn. Food selection was ok, and the price was not that steep. After an hour of chomping down on the dinner buffet, I decided to go back to Tawan for the show. When I arrived, I was ushered by a handsome tout with a tribal tattoo that spans his forearms. First time seeing him, he was quite professional, not clingy as the guys inside. When I reached inside, I noticed a few of the same customers that were there yesterday. Tonight Mr K, was not present. Mr P though was a surprise appearance, he later told me that he only comes on weekends as he works at a gym. The cute Myanmar or is it Lao guy was also present that day. Even though he was not part of the big cock show, and as mentioned before, I was trapped behind a row of seated customers for the guys in the big cock show to reach me, he was resourceful and got an ample reward for it. The show was mostly the same, but this time the BDSM part has Mr C tied up on a chair on stage and another guy using a vibrator to explore his nether regions. it would've been more effective if you can actually see the vibrator move. The F show also featured a handsome bottom. Not fem at all, which makes it more interesting. I later found out that Tawan is the only bar that still have the F show, it's a shame though that it only last a few minutes. And the tips are not coming in from the audience unlike previous times. So tonight, for the chuck wow portion, there was just enough tip for 1 guy to shoot his load on stage, the other guy had to leave the stage empty handed.
On exiting the bar, another tout was tailing me, asking me why I didn't off, and asked if I wanted to off him. I don't seem to recall knowing him, but he said that he worked inside before. He asked for tip to buy chicken from the vendor outside the expanded 7/11. he seems kind enough so I gave a 100 Baht and bid him good night.

Maybe he needed something in his ass, I know it helps me 😉

This is my first trip after I called it quits in the corporate world. I would've made this the trip earlier but didn't want to burn bridges with my ex-employer. Anyway, let's just jump to Day 1.
Day 1: Arrived at the airport around noon. There seems to be a VIP in swampy during my arrival as there was a portion that was cordoned off to the public, and a few camera men on standby. Surprised with the paperless immigration process, this is an improvement - at least in the ecological sense. Took the skytrain to the silom area - where my hotel was located and decided to do some fruit shopping in the basement supermarket of silom complex. They no longer give plastic bags for free, instead they sell it for 1 Baht. I also found an affordable prepaid sim available on AIS shop - 50 baht for the sim, 200 baht for the month long 30GB internet and unlimited wifi for a month. The store clerk mentioned that I can keep the sim active by topping up 20 Baht per month. This seems to be a better deal for me than having to buy the tourist sim every time I come to Thailand.
While in the shopping mall, nature called. I was surprised to see quite active cruising happening. Both local and farangs were obviously cruising. Saw a few above average cocks that are surely stage worthy in the nearby bars. At first I thought this would be a good alternative than hitting the bars, but the often interruptions by the cleaners was a downer. I wonder which other places have cruisy facilities in Bangkok?
After checking in to my hotel, resting and freshening up, it's time to hit the night life. I tried small Joe salad place just below the BTS station. It seems to be good value for 300 Baht, I had a medium salad and entree. After dinner, I went straight for Tawan. I was surprised to see different handsome touts now welcoming the customers. The owner/cashier is stationed at the entrance to collect the 500 Baht fee. The place was the same as I last visited but with the added 2nd floor of the stage. When show time started, the crowd had ballooned and the crew added plastic stools  in front to original setup. The customers' drinks were capriciously placed behind them on the existing small round tables. And as expected, they experienced at least one spillage every night that I was there.
I saw some old faces and some new ones. One of my fave muscle guy was on this bulking phase, so not the type that I would off . So after a short hi/hello, he got the point and left me with the other guys sticking by.  K who I had the hots for was on form, and he seems to have grown body hairs which is a plus. But I am wary to off him, as I think I would easily fall for him. Some new muscle guys were present, some a few non muscle guy - bordering on the rough looking ones also now part of the rosters.
At around 1045pm the show thankfully started without the long welcome to Tawan prologue in 3 different languages. Unfortunately though, it was opened by a traditional Thai dance, and followed by a couple of cabaret acts. I think it was already 11pm when Ten's candle act started, which was followed by the usual muscle show, bdsm, and big cock show then another set of cabaret acts and then culminated with the fuck show and the aborted chuck wow show since there were very few tips despite the large crowd.

Where I come from - Asia - there used to be very little by way of a "community", if only because, as @Marc K observes, most of us were too busy maintaining facades and ensuring that our less licit activities remained under the radar. Growing up, the gay men around me were by and large judgmental, hierarchical, resentful. It wasn't great, to put it mildly. Things are a little better these days, thanks to the interwebs and the adoption of American notions of queer pride and community by a younger generation, but I still only have a small handful of gay friends. When I think of a "gay community", it isn't the pride parades that come to mind, but the sniping, morose, conflicted bunch in "The Boys in the Band" - which was brilliantly true to life. RIP Crowley and Friedkin.

The idea of gay community is important to me. There have been a few very close gay friends in my life in Thailand but sadly, they are no longer with us. As they were much older than me, I was so happy to have them as part of my life and listen to their stories and history. I learned a great deal from conversations and correspondence. The one friend I had in Pattaya passed away a while back and I have had zero desire to visit there since. He was the reason I went to spend long weekends and without that, I find I had rather go to other places. I do think very important to have a wide variety of friends. Most of my friends in most cities are not gay. But, where I spent most of my adult life (New York City), the opposite is true. I still have those gays that are as close as family and I see them often and hang out with them often. Gone are the days of discos and nightclubs and sex clubs, now to the days of brunches without handovers, dinner and the theater, and just getting together to play games (I taught them Rook so they would have a bit of my childhood).
 

Congrats, that's great! And your last sentence is the key. Not just drinking friends, or traveling friends, or companions, or sex-friends, or gabbing friends, but friends you can count on. And ask yourself how you can be counted on by others, too.

Good job! Having friends is often life long exercise and require going through a lot of thick and thin. only then we reap our reward.
Mu uncle who died in good faculties at 94 remarked that no matter what , at some point of life you find yourself lonely because most of people you knew all your life are gone or they already don't know who you are. He called it 'penalty for living too long"

Whatever its faults, this website does allow some human/gay connection. I would miss it if it ceased operating.

The only friends I have here in Pattaya are gay friends;  I would be lost without them! And we are concerned about one another.

Don’t agree that gay community is an outmoded concept, although I certainly agree that “We don't take very good care of "our kind" whether they be the elderly, the disabled, the dispossessed or despairing.”
If I found that l had less than a handful of gay friends, however, I’d be poorer for it.

I consider myself very privileged to have met some of the friendly members on this forum. During my recent weekend trip to Bangkok, I spent so much time chatting with a fellow forum member that I did not visit any gogo bar during the 3 nights! Even though there were 4 gogo bars and lots of fine looking guys around us! We chatted about our lives - the past, present and the inevitable future. The waiters were sensible enough to leave us alone when the topic of conversation became serious and solemn.

and it worked intended way very well. Whenever option for meeting other member emerged it was almost always ' lets meet at Coffee Grindr" 

Truly sorry to hear about your friend. Unfortunately he was not the first who found himself in such dire straits. 
As a community, we have done little to address the fate on the aged members of our tribe. I read periodic comments about the  number of lonely men, particularly in Pattaya but they also exist in Bangkok and beyond. 
We understandably glorify the attraction of youth; that’s what drew most of us here in the first place. But time and age inextricably take their toll and all too often social isolation sets in.
Last week I was discussing the closure of the Coffee Grinder with the two men who opened the shop on Bangkok’s Soi.  Tarntawan. It was, they said, their intent to open a place that could serve as a gathering place for the city’s gay community during the daytime hours. There are many options in the evening in the Silom area, they reasoned, but no opportunity otherwise. They wanted a welcoming environment where folks could spend time and interact with others.
Sadly, due to conditions beyond their control, the shop had to close last month. I miss it already. I used it to meet with other members and it was a joy to be in those surroundings. We, as a community, need nurturing places.

I decided to try Copa Hotel for a change in Boyztown, overall i was happy with the experience. I'm wondering if any of the Boyztown hotels have rooms with a balcony where I don't need to go downstairs to have a cigarette, suggestions welcome if anyone has a tip on that?
Second road outside the Boyztown entrance is a mess with construction (still), I swear that last time i was in Pattaya the road works were just 100m up the road, they must be paid by the hour.
I spent some nights in Castro for the shows, one of the backup dancers i previously fawned over at the Venue is in the show at Castros now. I didn't try to pursue him with tips this time, he seemed uninterested and I had other interests that needed my attention.
I ventured into Toyboys on a few occasions, most nights 10-20 guys on stage, mix of twink and twunk. On the last night i spent there I had been ushered in and sat down with a drink while the stage stands there staring at me, waiters/papasans? constantly asking me who i want and me repeating every minute or two that i'm not sure yet. I eventually called down a guy and ordered him a drink, not 1 minute later a guy I would consider a solid 9/10 struts into the bar putting on his number, he doesn't even get one leg on the stage before I point at the empty side of me. Now i need to break it to the first guy that he no longer is required, i sheepishly deliver the decision with the red note runner-up prize in hand and make my leave with a new shiny regular added to my growing list of repeats.
Finally, I spent a few nights with the Winner crew in Sunee. Still no sign of the much rumoured new Sunee venues, but we can live in hope as I see the 7/11 that was closed during covid is back at least. a 7/11 nearby can only mean one thing, there is still life and baht in the area, or hope.
Anyway, Winner is still somewhere I have a good time anytime I go. I went there one night telling myself I'm just going for a drink and to chat with the owner and guys for a bit, no offs tonight. Hours later i stumble out drunk after all kinds of rambunctious actions under cushions arm in arm with someone new.
That's about it for this instalment of Pattaya, I will be back there sometime soon. I took the Jomtien bus back to Bangkok where I'm currently planning my next steps and chasing down some guys on that hitlist of mine. 
To be continued..

girlfriend not boyfriend. Do you think I'm gay ?

Rob , you robbed the bank

Something similar happened to me when I used the ATM outside of the The Bangkok Christian Hospital....the sun reflection was so bad on the screen I couldn't read the screen, and I thought the conversion OK, was Continue. When I saw the receipt I almost shit. I took a picture of the screen showing it was nearly black.

I knew I wouldn't win the DCC (Dynamic currency conversion) dispute, so I disputed that the machine didn't dispense any currency. I won the dispute because the Thai bank never responded to the dispute request and their time to do so ran out....I suspected that would be the outcome. My justification was that's what they get for being so greedy with their DCC % 😉

Like mavica said, nothing new but thank you for OP for reminding us about that dreadful 'dynamic conversion rate" as it is called.
Banks are getting more sophisticated to catch us off guard. It happened to me once even if I was aware of what's going on. I took it as a lesson.
Few times when paying  for purchases with card I was not even asked if I want charge in local currency or get it converted right away, the same big No, No