What is societies obsession with carrying cash?

JizzBeans · 23-12-2022 10:05pm #1

I had to wait in line for an unreasonable amount of time today for some middle-aged moron to pay for a coffee and cigarettes. More specifically, the customer didn't want to break a 20 euro note. So, instead he proceeded to empty the contents of his overstuffed wallet and dirty pockets on to the counter and try and make up the price from loose change.

The whole ordeal took nearly 10 minutes between all the pocket searching and counting out 5 and 10 cent coins. I asked the man politely if he could hurry up and just use the 20 but just looked flustered and continued to count.

And all the while, he kept saying, hold on now, I have it, one sec, let me check my wallet again. The line was at least 12 people long by the end of it. It was a totally unnecessary situation that just caused delay. I wanted to shout at him use the 20 or tap your effing card and p*ss off.

Why do some people behave like this? Why bother with physical cash if you just want to get rid of it anyway?

There has been a lot of coverage on a cashless society lately and I still haven’t heard a single good reason for carrying cash other than ah I like to have a bit of cash

ampleforth · 23-12-2022 10:12pm

Some people think that cash is freedom.

Real Donald Trump · 23-12-2022 10:13pm

Cash is king

elperello · 23-12-2022 10:15pm

Walking around plastic doesn't have the same ring to it as walking around money.

Real Donald Trump · 23-12-2022 10:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030278#Comment_120030278

Long as they are not paying in cents, i doubt they have a problem, OP just came across annoying customer who did just that so I don't blame him, it would annoy me too.

Nice username btw 🤣

23-12-2022 10:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058276852/what-is-societies-obsession-with-carrying-cash

I worked for the bank before and we had to give people a hard time if we saw any sniff of gambling activity on their accounts. Even if it was just the occasional few quid.

So for me, there are things I'd rather hide. A few hundred on Cheltenham. Buying a tray of shots at 2am.

It's nice not to have everything I buy on record.

Real Donald Trump · 23-12-2022 10:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030297#Comment_120030297

Well put, don't need everyone knowing what you spend your money on.

23-12-2022 10:35pm

Privacy.

bad2thebone · 23-12-2022 10:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058276852/what-is-societies-obsession-with-carrying-cash

Nothing wrong with having a few biscuit tins full of elasticated rolls of thousands dotted around the land hidden in dry stone walls. It's a rural thing to have thousands so that the **** sorry banks can't see what you're doing with your well earned cash.

The country side is peppered in biscuit tins wrapped in bale wrap full of cash....

If you try to take it, it'll be booby trapped with spring loaded cow ****.

Ficheall · 23-12-2022 10:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058276852/what-is-societies-obsession-with-carrying-cash

What were you buying, OP?

The Continental Op · 23-12-2022 10:50pm

OP is exaggerating a bit. I can be that guy that searches all my pockets to find change to save splitting a decent size note (50 though not a 20) and no way does the worst of my bumbling take 10 minutes, any more than 1 minute and I'd pay with the 50.

If I've a right load of change to get rid of I put it in the self service checkouts in Dunnes which I am sure are set up to be so slow at counting change in order to try and put people off putting change in them.

Ubbquittious · 23-12-2022 10:52pm

Cash is great altogether

FoxForce5 · 23-12-2022 10:53pm

Cash isn't king, cash is privacy. Governments hate privacy.

The Continental Op · 23-12-2022 10:57pm

One reason I like cash is because I can see how much I'm spending. Money in a bank account and spent with a card just isn't the same.

Mr.Crinklewood · 23-12-2022 10:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030377#Comment_120030377

.. and we all know that the OP is a government spook

Tony EH · 23-12-2022 11:01pm

Cash means you own your money.

23-12-2022 11:05pm

Dodging tax

23-12-2022 11:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030386#Comment_120030386

A bank statement or internet banking tells you exactly how much you spent, where and when.

As opposed to "oh I had a €50 note, where did I spend that"

tabby aspreme · 23-12-2022 11:17pm

Cards are fine until the system stops working, then your in a mess, I'd always try to have 50 cash on me

The Continental Op · 23-12-2022 11:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030408#Comment_120030408

But you know you can spend €50 if you have it in cash if your statement says you have €50 you don't know how up to date it is.

dollylama · 23-12-2022 11:33pm

Revolut literally tells you instantly where you spent your money and better, they give you a breakdown at the end of the year, where and on what you're spending your money. This nonsense of you don't realise your spending when you tap is just that, nonsense

A large majority of folk crying about the demise of cash are tax dodging or up to some other off radar activity. Thankfully the state are getting better at making these sh1te bags sing to the same tune as all the rest of us.. want this.. show you're tax compliant and produce financial affairs, want that.. show you're tax compliant and produce your financial affairs

They're not crying about no longer having paper currency in their pocket, they're crying because they can no longer diddle the system

Jim2007 · 23-12-2022 11:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058276852/what-is-societies-obsession-with-carrying-cash

You need to reduce your stress levels… next time just offer to pay for the old duffer’s coffee. That way you’ll avoid stress and feel good for a deed well done.

Strumms · 23-12-2022 11:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030427#Comment_120030427

cash is flexibility, convenience for the customer/client.

the reason as I mentioned in one of the previous threads on this… that businesses don’t like cash are the extra efforts and cost to handle it.

cashless businesses won’t pass on that saving to clients so fuçk them quite frankly. They’ll just take more profit.

Lewis_Benson · 23-12-2022 11:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058276852/what-is-societies-obsession-with-carrying-cash

Because they thinknits all a big conspiracy and that "de gubbermint" is out to get them.

The Continental Op · 24-12-2022 12:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030458#Comment_120030458

I'm pretty sure my BoI account doesn't update that quickly.

Its not about not realising how much you have spent its all about knowing how much you have to spend. I don't need to go fiddling around with a smart phone to know I've €50 in my pocket.

finnyob · 24-12-2022 12:15am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030458#Comment_120030458

Cash isn't dead, clearly, and there will always be some form of hard currency to be traded because of how the system is set up. I work hard to earn what i do, but a job needs doing on the house, I've 3 kids, can't be paying over the top for it. Cash baby! Builder is happy, I'm happy-ish.

I used to think I cared if he was paying all his due tax. **** that, i care about what i have left over. If i get a deal paying cash for something, you can be sure I will.

People like me will keep that gravy train running. C.R.E.A.M

dollylama · 24-12-2022 12:21am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030509#Comment_120030509

Yeah I don't buy this knowing how much I have to spend lark.

I know without checking my pockets, my phone or my bank balance that if I make 500 in wages a week, then I have 500 to spend. I don't need a filthy crumpled piece of paper in my pocket to remind me of this. Likewise I don't need that money in my pocket to save me incase I forget myself and suddenly try to spend 20,000. Such utter nonsense

I encounter these wheeler dealer cash kings daily and they really boil my piss. If covid done one thing, it showed these idiots up for the fools they are.. when the state stepped in with instant supports for businesses.. we'll pay the wages if you show us what wages you've been paying. The cash kings were left in the corner like sulking children cause their cute hoorism, boys off the books, cash in hand ways meant they couldn't avail of any of these supports... and they had the gall to cry about it! Greedy simpletons. Can't have it both ways

Tony EH · 24-12-2022 12:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030458#Comment_120030458

What bollocks.

🤣

pro tip: Choice is a good thing.

Ficheall · 24-12-2022 1:22am

Judging by some reactions on this thread, I reckon some people don't like cash because they can't do basic maths.

cnocbui · 24-12-2022 2:34am

I love cash, it holds up wokey little snots in the line behind me who think their time is more precious than other peoples and that this is enough to have an expectation that others should behave in a way that suits them.

The J Stands for Jay · 24-12-2022 2:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030386#Comment_120030386

Yeah, using the card really helps you feel the sting of spending when you see your balance going down. Not like with cash where you can just throw out a note and barely notice

The J Stands for Jay · 24-12-2022 2:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030441#Comment_120030441

Just look up your balance like a normal person.

ED E · 24-12-2022 2:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030521#Comment_120030521

Dinosaur thinking that.

24-12-2022 4:29am

sure if cash goes away won’t be able to do the odd nixer. Bollocks to that.

blade1 · 24-12-2022 5:40am

Handy for snorting my coke.

And for anyone that says someone in front of them was holding them up because they were rooting for cash/trying to find their bank card or even open an app on their phone.... NEWSFLASH!!

That's not a money/card/app problem.

That's a person problem.

They'll hold you up no matter what they use.

Paul Pogba · 24-12-2022 5:52am

I work in a retail based environment, I don’t see any issue with cash or card. I do prefer people who pay by tap or by tapping the phone if it’s over 50.

Some people are slow to get cash out of their wallet but more people are unable to use a card machine. Ages fishing for it in a wallet despite standing in a queue for 2 minutes knowing they’re paying very soon. Can’t get it out if their wallet cos it’s rammed tight with all other cards etc.

They have to be told to put in the card even though they’re looking at a machine that says ‘please insert card’. Putting card in upside, chip not going in first, not pushing card in fully, forgetting their PIN, have to be told to press the green button after entering it, have to be told to take the card out. Boils my piss so it does.

Amazing also how many people have their PIN written on a piece of paper in their wallet. One good reason for keeping cash is that around 3-4 times a year the card payment system malfunctions for maybe 2 hours. No option to make a transaction then only cash. Plus I would say the vast majority over 65 don’t have smartphones to pay or check balances. A lot of post offices and banks have closed in rural villages and towns.

whisky_galore · 24-12-2022 6:26am

Both have their place. Cash is great for private buying and selling, I'm hardly going to get a bloody card machine to move on my unwanted stuff.

kippy · 24-12-2022 6:34am

The choice should always be there if feasible.

If you think about it for a while you'd see that banks and payment processors make an absolute fortune off card transactions.

The fifty euro you pay by card to the merchant instantly becomes fifty euro minus fees into the merchants account.

The merchant spends that via card and money becomes less again in the next persons account and so on and so on. The fifty euro is gone pretty quickly in this type of cycle in fees.

Fifty Euro cash is always fifty Euro cash.

This is more important and easier to understand the smaller the business you are.

There are other reasons as well, all outlined here but we need to be careful about where we are heading when it comes to this.

https://www.frugallivingnw.com/using-cash-important/

a pretty good article on the topic above which may outline the main point I make better than I have.

spakman · 24-12-2022 8:06am

There is no obsession with cash - it's use has declined massively in recent years and continues to do so.

Count Dracula · 24-12-2022 8:07am

Op, I was arrested before for assaulting a customer who asked me to hurry up whilst purchasing something. I dragged her half way down Henry Street by the scruff of her hair, whilst simultaneously slapping her arse with her leather boot which I had removed in a most deplorable temper.

People need to know how to mind their own phucking business.

If you are happy to order complete strangers around in public.... then you should be happy to accept any feedback they offer in return?

My 10 cents

FunLover18 · 24-12-2022 8:08am

People who prefer cash are definitely having their options reduced but that isn't the fault of those who prefer cards, it's the fault of a system which prefers cashless. Those who prefer to be cashless are not having their rights encroached upon by the people who prefer cash nor do they benefit from their demise because there is room for both.

It's a preference, not everything has to be a **** battle in the culture war 🙄

hynesie08 · 24-12-2022 8:16am

The merchant spends that via card and money becomes less again in the next persons account and so on and so on. The fifty euro is gone pretty quickly in this type of cycle in fees.

It doesn't though, if the charge is 1% then I lose 5c for processing a card fee, the next person doesn't lose 10c, then 15c, then 20, that 50 euro will always be 50 euro.

Fifty Euro cash is always fifty Euro cash.

Right, but unless businesses are paying other businesses out of the till directly, that money has to be lodged, which comes with a fee.

Crocodile Booze · 24-12-2022 9:13am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030781#Comment_120030781

Please tell me you also spit on your palm and give a meaty handshake during these transactions, to appease my imagination. Thanks.

Still stihl waters 3 · 24-12-2022 9:15am

Cash is great, when I was in the buildings you literally couldn't keep it spent, a handy nixer on a weekend would have 4 to 500 cash out of it, put enough through the bank to keep revenue happy and keep the cash a ton of coal, holidays, jobs around the house and a few pints now and again

The Continental Op · 24-12-2022 9:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120030781#Comment_120030781

Reminded me I had to pay for an expensive item this year and credit card limit wouldn't cover it so I preloaded the credit card with cash.

Airyfairy12 · 24-12-2022 9:46am

I prefer cash because I can more easily keep track of my own spending, If I take out 50euro and limit myself to the 50 so I don't overspend, i've less chance of sticking to that limit if im trigger happy tapping my card. Also, if I ever did manage to get to the point were id be able to apply for a mortgage, id be persecuted for the amount of takeaway coffees and random little spends on my statement that eat into my money. You can always tell when someone is privileged and disconnected from from 'lower' economic classes because they dispute amenities, products, services ect that less well off people depend on. It might be surprise to you but theres allot of people who don't have bank accounts, homeless people and the elderly are often totally dependant on cash. Society has to cater to all people, not just those who are in good positions in life.

24-12-2022 10:05am

Why the obsession with people who like using cash?

The benefits and drawbacks are well known. Recently a bar owner told me card payments are a godsend for the hospitality industry, the more alcohol people drink, the less interest they seem to have in how much they are spending, tap, tap, tap.