Have you ever been to a country where they ask for your passport
 

to exchange currency?

Yes, many times.

damn, silly.

Never been asked for any I'd to exchange money. Where did that happen?

only in the usa

You do if you are exchanging travelers cheques and your passport number is on them.

Maybe it depends on the amount and the exchange company.
I think the last time it happened for me was in Singapore at the airport

yes, but it seems it depends on the company. Happened to me in USA, Mexico and Spain that I remember and I know my bank in Argentina asks for Passport for foreign currency operations (or ID for the locals)

Yes. Also been asked to see my passport to use an internet cafe in China.

Cut the crqp and stop whining

Just show your passport.
Been to more than 100 different countries and have shown my passport at so many different places it's not even worth it to try to mention them all. That's just how it works, and as a foreginer you often don't hold any argumentative power. You might know and handle English however perfect you want, but if they don't don't, and you still want what they have, you still have to do as they say and follow their rules.

That's the beuaty of travelling!

Yep and once in Amsterdam they still wouldn't cash travelers checks, even with the passport, and then because they were already signed, nowhere else would cash them either. Had to wait till I got home and put them in the bank.

Don't remember if I've had to do it for raw currency but I definitely have with travellers cheques on a regular basis.

From today I am even being resident to show passport in my shitty country!

For cash, only the UK.

Forex here is retarded. I'm picking up a bunch of euros later today from my bank, but I had to book it yesterday as they don't hold stock. It's the only currency in 17 of our nearest neighbours but still they keep none on tap...

Last time I was at the airport I had a few Hungarian Forints I didn't need so went up to the forex place - what's your rate for Forint to Euro?. Answer, we don't have one, you have to do Forint to Pound and then Pound to Euro. Double fees. Nasty.

I've had it happen mostly in third world countries, I suppose because fraud is so rampant.

What he said :2 cents:

Same in many places in India.

Yes, eastern europe and the usa

Yes. US, and Mexico

Australia is looking at bringing in the same law. Australia is becoming worse then communism these days.

Never happened to me

ID needed
 

I worked in the home office of one of the biggest movie theatre chains in the US. Every month we got stung for or 3 counterfeit travelers checks. Young, naive cashiers, who have to get a line of people in the door.
You think they would stick to funny money. Get caught, you can always claim you got it in change, as long as it isn't a $100. A travelers check, you can't say that. But then again, they're harder to detect.

yes here you need passport to change money at banks and western union places. you also need to let them hold it if you are to rent a car as they somehow think you will not be able to get another one at the embassy to leave the country :)