That's pretty funny actually. I'm sure if he was trying to sell a 50 dollar canadian note for 20 USD he'd get the same reaction though- people are generally non-trusting and insular these days (check out all the ipods and folks trying to avoid talking to the guy).

I remember trying to trade a 20 pound scottish note (same as the English one, but is says Scotland... only difference, same value) all over the middle east... no takers! I even (in total frustration) tried to trade an Egyptian guy pound for pound (British pound for Egyptian pound) and he said no... at the time it was worth 5 times as much.