Bernd,
Bartering to me is a way of life, without it, I wouldn't have half as much in my shop, and my house would be falling down.
But I don't confuse it with friendship. That is a totally different matter.
If a friend contacts me or asks for something, and I have it spare or can do the job, then it is gratis, with no strings attached.
WE do have all different kinds of welfare, I am on welfare myself, but one related to health.
It only just pays enough to survive. Without my other pensions and stuff, I would be queuing at the soup kitchen.
We use coins in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 50p, 1 squid, 2 squid. A little while ago your dollar was worth about 50p, now it is climbing towards 1 squid. So get your special little bits from the UK while the exchange rate is so good. I've got my list ready for when the dollar drops. I spent about 2K dollars in the US last year, but it is a lot more expensive at the moment, so I will hang back.
Still cold Bogs.