Fear of change(over)

The lira has made way for the euro and, while some are looking forward to the changeover, others may be worrying they will not adapt to the new official currency.

"I'm totally confused and I don't know how I'm going to get used to this new system," 80-year-old Charlie* said before adding: "I barely got used to the lira as I still think in terms of shillings, let alone in euros... Perhaps it's because I'm ignorant."

But it has nothing to do with ignorance. This humble pensioner, as many like him, is just experiencing a fear of change... or changeover in this case.

Put in the words of social psychologist Mary Anne Lauri, it is very normal for one to be uncomfortable and even fearful of change.

"Even when we are convinced that it is a change for the better, we are still afraid. Let alone when we do not know about the outcome of the change. Fear is brought about by 'the unknown'. In the case of vulnerable people, the fear of the unknown is greater because they are afraid they are less able to cope with the change than other people," she said.

Dr Lauri explained that, in the case of the monetary change, elderly people will be afraid that they will not get used to the value of the new coins and that they may be cheated without knowing it. "This gives rise to a sense of loss of control which may be generalised to a perceived lack of control over one's day-to-day living."

Charlie said his son explained to him how the euro system works but he still could not get the hang of it. "Perhaps once I start using the coins it will be different," he hoped.

Jane*, a 45-year-old woman, sees things differently. She is confident that just like she and people of her generation got used to the change to the decimal system - from pounds, shillings and pence to the lira - they will also become familiar with the euro which is, after all, a decimal system.

"In fact, I think the main fear is not one of adapting to change as such, but a fear that prices will be increased. Maltese people are used to change. It's part of our history. We'll get used to the euro too. The more hype there is about this new currency, the more they scare people off."

Agreeing with this, 55-year-old Peter*, however, noted that "with all the information that came with the euro, people will get accustomed to it. Of course, the older generation will not find it so easy".

So how can those who are intimidated by the change be helped?

Dr Lauri said that people, especially vulnerable groups, must be empowered through programmes tailored to the needs of specific groups.

"Since it's difficult to reach so many people, part of the programme to teach and empower vulnerable people should use a group approach... Group training is less stressful for the individuals who are learning new things, especially when the facilitator guiding the groups reassures members and encourages them to ask as many questions as they need to ask," she said.

For this purpose, the National Euro Changeover Committee (NECC) has set up 59 euro centres around the island that are manned by euro assistants and volunteers. Free publications are also being distributed to help people adapt to the euro, NECC media relations manager Melvyn Mangion said.

Over the past year NECC has taken a number of initiatives to safeguard consumers' interests and at the same time create a level playing field for businesses.

These initiatives included: Guidelines for an early voluntary dual display of prices; mandatory dual display of prices from July 2007 until June 2008; the Price Watch project, ensuring that a substantial number of essential products are monitored on a monthly basis; and the price stability agreements whereby importers and distributors signed an agreement with the government not to increase the prices of their products.

Moreover, Mr Mangion said, through the Fair initiative, over 6,500 businesses formally committed themselves not to raise prices simply because a changeover is taking place.

And what if people still encounter situations which they feel are not so "fair"?

"The commitment of businesses not to increase prices because of the introduction of the euro is legally enforceable and a total of 70 euro assistants are daily visiting a wide range of outlets to check whether these are implementing what has been promised. When necessary and as a last resort, a hefty fine was imposed on businesses," Mr Mangion said.

"Consumers should be confident that the authorities have taken all the necessary measures to ensure that prices will remain the same and that any abuses will not be tolerated. Now, it's time the consumer does his bit as well by being on the lookout and report to the NECC any suspicion of price hikes or abuse. The NECC follows up reports and takes concrete action."

Reports can be made to the Linja Ewro 154 or via e-mail at euro@gov.mt.

*Names have been changed as those approached preferred not to be identified.