"Perd├│n" or "perdone" is used to get someone's attention. In other contexts, it can also mean ΓÇÿI'm sorry.ΓÇÖ
"Se├▒ora" is used to address a woman when you don't know her name; for a young woman, one normally uses "se├▒orita;" for a man, use "se├▒or."
It would strike a Hispanic as impolite if you were to approach him or her with a direct question. You should always begin with
"perd├│n, se├▒or," "perd├│n, se├▒ora, etc. before asking your question. Phrase your question as courteously as possible. A good way to begin is with "┬┐Puede usted decirme...?" (ΓÇÿCan you tell me...?ΓÇÖ)
The "peso" is the national currency of many Latin American countries, including Mexico. In Ecuador, it is the "sucre"; in Venezuela, the "bolívar"; in Costa Rica, the "colón:"; and in Spain, the "peseta." The exchange rate can vary from day to day, so it is always a good idea to ask what the rate is before you change money. You do not need to change all of your money at once. At the airport, just change enough to get you to your hotel and perhaps pay for a meal or two. Later, you can change money at any bank. Many hotels will also change money for you. In Mexico and some other Latin American countries, taxi drivers, shop keepers, and restaurants will sometimes accept American dollars, but you can't be sure of getting the best exchange rate this way.
In Mexico the currency is now New Pesos. Essentially the difference is that three decimal places have been removed from prices and what formerly cost 3,000 old pesos now costs 3 new pesos. Many signs, however, are still in old pesos as well as new, and prices are still more often then not quoted in old pesos (that is, in thousands of pesos). As of 1993, both old and new peso notes and coins are in circulation. Soon, however, the old peso notes and coins will not be accepted in circulation.
