"The problem is that we do not have much change and the queues at the bank are too long," said a hawker in Merchants Street, Valletta, on the day he started trading in euros yesterday.

"We had to give change in Maltese currency ... They should have let people change their money a month ago to be prepared... They are coming with Lm10 notes to buy something small. With the coins in one starter pack (€56.24/Lm131) you can give change to three customers who come with a Lm20 note to buy something small," he said.

At the kiosks at the bus terminus in Valletta, that phenomenon shifted as the day progressed and, towards the afternoon, the liri started to give way to euro coins.

"When it comes to the elderly, you practically have to tell them the whole story of the euro from the beginning," the hawker laughed, scratching his head. And there were other anecdotes from the Monti open air market in Valletta. "We have had customers wanting only the coins with the Maltese cross for change in the belief that anything else is not valid," said a couple at their stall.

Some elderly customers are convinced the Maltese currency is here to stay and that nothing has changed, they said. "They have no idea what change you give them...

"We ran out of euro notes and there were queues at the banks, but slowly, they started coming in," they said.

"We started quoting prices in euros but everyone asked us to tell them in Maltese liri so, after one hour, we switched over," they continued, adding that "many are seeking currency converters, but they have run out of stock.

"Customers are being very careful about their change, using converters and conversion sheets; they are studying the sales assistants to see if they would cheat them," they said.

"It is a bit confusing when they come with a Lm10 note but you sort it out and get over it," a young hawker said.