Taiwanese banker baffled by pounds

OUR ATTEMPTS TO change up some cash in Taiwan were fraught with difficulty.

Reluctant hotel workers sent us to floor five of Taipei 101, the world's tallest building, where they said we'd find the financial centre.

Sent from one bank to another our third attempt seemed to land successfully.

"Yes sir, we can change money for you, what currency?"

We handed over a couple of crisp twenty-pound notes, which the teller looked at dubiously and held up to the light.

"They're pounds Sterling," we offered up, hopefully.

"What country?"

"The UK. Um, Britain. England."

"English? No, no. No English. Dollar. Or Euro, or Yen. Don't you have dollar?"

His look was withering. µ