AIBU to think that sterling is sterling- not "foreign currency"?

[carabos]

I went to Belfast for a meeting yesterday. I bought a cup of tea in the airport while waiting to fly back last night. I was given a £10 sterling note issued by Ulster Bank and a £5 sterling note issued by Bank of Ireland in my change. I thought nothing of it and put them in my purse.

Today, I was told by Tesco that I couldn't use the notes in the store as "they aren't legal tender, they are foreign currency". When I pointed out they aren't foreign currency, they are sterling notes, they responded "they aren't the same sterling. They are Irish sterling". .

When I pointed out that Ireland uses the Euro, not sterling, so they couldn't be Irish, they asked where I had got them. I said "Belfast". They said, patiently because by now they think I'm an idiot, "that's in Ireland".

I said that Belfast is in the island of Ireland, it's not in Ireland, it's in the UK. The Tesco chap said "whatever, it's still foreign currency".

AIBU to think that I'm right here?

This drives me crazy!! Tesco are usually v good about this though so surprised you experienced it there!

carabos, that's a touchy subject. I believe the folk of Northern Ireland are able to choose whether to represent Ireland or the UK in sport, for example. And the rugby team is All-Ireland.

It's a lot more nuanced than "You are just British, surely."

Belfast is in NI. NI is part of the uk. It uses sterling. You can usually get notes from NI banks accepted in England by saying 'I think you'll find that's legal tender' or you can just exchange them in a local bank.
I'm amazed at how dim people can be when it comes to NI. Someone on a website tried to tell me that Belfast was 'abroad'.
It's really quite a nice place. Honestly!

Hester I understand that it's a touchy subject, I've been travelling back and forth on business for more than 25 yrs. However, as things stand, someone born in Belfast is British aren't they?

I can't believe how thick some people are about what constitutes the UK. It's not hard.

I am friends with a lot of people who were born in NI and they consider themselves to be Irish and British, just like I am English and British.

Yes, they're British. But they can also have Irish citizenship as well can't they?

I went to university with a couple of lads from Belfast. They wouldn't even describe themselves as Irish, but were utterly firm about the British thing. Being a Welsh/British person, I found that a real eye opener.

Someone else from further south in Nn Ireland, said they were Irish first, British second.

And someone else said they were Irish full stop.

The religion thing again I guess..........

Carabos, people born in NI can claim to be either Irish or British under the Good Friday Agreement and can get a passport from either or both. Mind you I've met a few staunch republicans with British passports because the fees were less ;)

Any business in the UK can accept them, send the notes back to the named banks, ask for 'English' notes in exchange.

The legal tender bit in my last post was what I was informed of by my bank, so I'm only going on what they say.

I'm imagining the uproar if the businesses over here refused to take Bank of England notes and strictly dealt with only BOI, UB and NB notes.

It's not religion, it's cultural. Religion is just part of the culture.

Hester I don't think I am being thick about what constitutes the UK. I thought it consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, together with various other smaller islands. Great Britain is England, Scotland and Wales.

Happy for you to correct that though.

It is a lot to do with religion too though. Catholics generally regard themselves as Irish and the protestants are loyalists who support the Queen and regard themselves as British.

And carabos, not implying you are dim when it comes to the Uk etc, more tge cashier you dealt with.

Sorry if I sound rude. But it really ISN'T hard. And some people don't get it even when it is there and easy to understand.

Scottish notes are not legal tender anywhere (including Scotland) - read all about it on Wikipedia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banknotes_of_the_pound_sterling#Scotland_and_Northern_Ireland
You should be able to exchange your note at a bank - the Scottish banks (presumably NI too) have to lodge the amount of actual money covered by the notes they issue for two days a week (or something) with the Bank of England. Your money is safe!

Carabos, the thick comment didn't refer to you. Apologies if it looked as though it did.

Altinkum, I'm Scottish, passport may be British but only as I had no choice... I look forward to applying for my new Scottish passport, if the referendum goes well !

It never ceases to amaze me how ignorant people are about Northern Ireland.

not saying the op is in this case but seriously I manage to understand issues concerning the rest of the UK so can people not get what the situation is here?!!

It's not that hard!

Hester accepted. .

I think my impatience comes from having been brought up in Wales and having that perpetual chip on my shoulder