Don't upset the people who feed you!

I have a small story I would like to share with you all. A girl from the international office showed me where the ATM was on campus and since I didn't know the value of rubles I just chose the highest value which was 4000 rubles (about 100 euro) Not a lot of money but they where paid out in 4 bills of 1000 rubles. Next stop was the canteen where I could get something to eat for students price. And I asked Xenia if it was alright to pay with a 1.000 RR bill? Yes a lot of students does that, she replied "and besides - you don't have a choice" she added. When I got to the desk the value of my tray was a surprisingly low value of 63rr (=1,5 euro)and I pulled out my 1000 rubles and the sad looking face behind the desk turned quickly into an unhappy and irritated face. She angrily found my change and slapped them on my tray. I promised that I would never do it again and that I was very sorry for the inconvenience, she didn't reply to that but I hope I get to buy food there again.

Later I have found out that in general people prefer that I pay in exact money. They do not like to give change and I don't really understand why. Even small amounts of change seem to irritate them.