In Ireland, the change has gone with complete, boring efficiency. The attitude here is:

* A common currency for all 300 million Europeans will mean prices are transparent across Europe

* Travelling to neighbouring countries won't mean we have to pay expensive bank charges each time we change currency, carry two or more wallets of different currencies, become confused about how much things cost, etc, etc

* It's the first time since the Roman Empire that all of Europe will have the same currency

* On the other hand, all of the countries of Europe have given up their right to set their own currency rates, effectively devolving their power over their industries to the Central European Bank, which some regard as crazy.

By the way, a lot of the big British retailers - shops like Marks & Spencer, for instance - said they will accept both euros and sterling.

The British are going a bit cracked about it all. I can understand getting sentimental about a lot of things, but money...?