I arrived back from my Mainland trip with an old friend with whom I stay when I'm in the Glasgow area. We originally met in 2006 in New Zealand when our respective Families had barbecues. We have been good friends ever since. After a week visiting mutual friends she left on the plane yesterday evening and I am catching up with visiting those of my friends who are now house/bed bound.
Age cometh not alone.
The medical aspects of my journey South all went very well and hopefully that is me sorted for another 4 months. If I say it quickly I can forget that an eighth of the period has already gone.
On Monday I took the car to the carwash because it was a lovely day and the car was showing the dirt of 2 weeks travelling. I went to pay the car wash fee and remembered that I had left my phone at home. I am totally lost without my phone. Apart from anything else since the banning of cash during Covid I have used it to pay for everything. The only cash I have is £1 and 50p coins I keep in my coat pocket for the car park in town (which still uses coins) and tips in the cafés.
So I pulled out my credit card but that wouldn't work because I need to verify it using the PIN and I've never done that. The other card was new and also needed verifying.
I stood there stumped for a minute when one of the girls said "You can use cash." Cash! Of course, banknotes! There in my wallet was a lonely £10 note. My car would be happy!
I have completely got out of the habit of using cash for anything at all and more and more places realise that electronic transactions mean no cash counting at the end of the day and it's cheaper to 'bank' electronic transactions than it is to bank cash.
Some businesses and people prefer cash, of course, because it can be 'banked' at home rather than via the taxman but, on the whole, the electronic world has arrived.
Despite that I still find it hard to believe that I actually forgot that I could use cash for my carwash.
We are a chip away from being hybrids.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are home safe
You have a point there, Maywyn.
DeleteI don't think you are alone, Graham.
ReplyDeleteThat's comforting, David. Leastways I think it is.
DeleteI've stopped using cash but I am reluctant to trust my phone to always pay, so I continue to use my card and if I don't trust my phone yet and still carry a card, I may as well just use the card. Cash is dying quickly but as you suggest, in spite of banking savings, business do like cash that is not caught by the taxman.
ReplyDeleteAgeing is good in the mind but physically, not so much.
Andrew, I must verify my card using the pin so that I can use it contactlessly. Unfortunately I didn't know the PIN and it was in the phone. For me the jury is still out on ageing! I'm just hoping that my appalling memory for names doesn't get any worse.
DeleteI do wonder about people who 'don't trust banks' and rely on cash to conduct their daily lives. It's increasingly the case that (large) businesses expect people to have smart phones.
ReplyDeleteJabblog, I was surprised to be told by a friend recently whom I owed a reasonable sum for an opera ticket that she was reluctant to give me her bank details so that I could transfer the cash. She is one of the rare people I know who still uses cheques which give her bank details to everyone willy nilly.
DeleteI use my card for most things now but still keep cash for the odd occasion, such as the local Saturday market stall or the small charity shop that doesn't have a card machine. Also, cash is still handy for the local charity collection boxes when they have fundraising events. Perhaps we are still behind the times over here.
ReplyDeleteJayCee I've been astonished to discover that most 'market stalls' now have card machines running off their cellphones. I help in a charity shop and it has the same facility.
DeleteI'm a card man. Phone is text and calls only.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that, Tasker. I'm sad to say that I am totally wedded to my phone as a mini-computer.
DeleteThe thing that stumps me is that here you pay extra fees in some cases if you use a card, esp. in small shops.
ReplyDeleteDebby, that's a thing of the past here as far as my experience goes. Even the coffee shops expect you to pay with a card/phone for your coffee. Charging a fee is a throwback to times past when it cost such a lot to use credit cards. Or it is just a way of getting a bit more money from people. Of course if they don't bank cash then they are saving the bank fees and possibly tax and prefer you to use cash.
DeleteI use cash or my card but never my phone to pay for things. I'm afraid my phone won't work or I'll push a wrong button. It's hard for me to keep up with technology as I get older...
ReplyDeleteEllen, I can understand that. I'm just a lover of technology and a bit unusual for my age.
DeleteWhen shopping I use my card, either at a check-out desk, or a DIY machine. The actual cash in my wallet has remained much the same for months. I can't wait to visit my local, and pay for a pint with actual MONEY.
ReplyDeleteCro, I was astonished recently to be told the price of a pint. I thought I'd need a bank loan never mind cash if I had to buy a round.
DeleteI remember in the mid-80's my pint reached 50p. These days it's about £5, which is why I drink wine at home instead.
DeleteFunny Cro should mention his local taking cash. The last time I met friends in Cambridge they could not find a pub that took cash; all would only take contactless payment. As for carrying cash, I am like you, carry a little for emergencies and coins for tips and parking.
ReplyDeleteRachel, I think our approach is definitely becoming the norm. When I first went to New Zealand in 2006 I was astonished to see everyone paying for their coffee with a debit card. So I got used to it early.
DeleteI can't imagine how you came to leave your phone at home, Graham. I rarely have cash on me but for some reason I always have a ten dollar note in my purse. A sort of security blanket. But I do have a little stash of cash in the house in case of power outages in storms or natural disasters.
DeleteSorry, Graham, forgot to check who I was,
DeletePauline, I got distracted on the way out and my usual routine of checking for phone, diary, keys and so on was disrupted. It was an Arghhhhh moment when I realised.
DeleteRachel, you will be surprised. If in a moment of absentmindedness I don't have my card on me, neither do I have a smartphone as I don't need one, if someone wants my business they will accept cash. Guaranteed.
DeleteU
I ran into one place that didn't take cash. I had to go home and get my credit card.
ReplyDeleteSo Canada is on the same path, Red.
DeleteI had to give this some thought ... I always carry "emergency cash," but only use my credit cards for purchases.
ReplyDeleteJill, one advantage of a credit card for more expensive purchases for example on line is, of course, the guarantee if the goods are not supplied.
DeleteCash and not credit is the best way to stay out of debt. You are a smart cookie!
ReplyDeleteMarcheline, I'm fortunate in being old enough not to have any debts. I am exactly the sort of customer the credit companies do not want.
DeleteI barely use cash any more. I used to keep cash so I could pay back small debts (like when someone buys me a coffee or a bottle of milk) but I don't even do that any more because people don't really want the cash! I make lots of little bank transfers these days.
ReplyDeleteThe amazing thing about your story is that you actually had some cash on you!
I'm glad the medical stuff went well and I understand only too well that it will soon be time to go again :)
Kylie, a couple of times recently when I've been out with a large group where they always divide the bill by the number present and plus a tip plus a charity donation and pay cash, and I've had no cash and had to borrow it from one of the others. I try and remember to have my wallet and cash on such occasions now.
DeleteI can't even remember the last time I paid cash for anything. That said, I will need to make a visit to the ATM later today. X
ReplyDeleteJules, being of the younger generation you are more likely to be part of the electronic generation than people of my advanced years.
DeleteHere in Germany, we are way behind when it comes to digitalisation. Some of it has to do with people being wary of leaving a trace of data every time they buy even just a loaf of bread or a coffee, and so they prefer cash. Also, many shops such as the bakery round the corner or my hairdresser‘s have electronic cash registers only and are not equipped to accept card payments. On the other side, the pandemic years have introduced conctactless payment in areas where it was not available before, and most such places also accept smartphone payment. But the average person still uses cash in many instants, while cheques have not been around anymore since the 1990s. I remember how amazed I was to see people using cheques everywhere during my first (and so far, only) trip to the US in 1999.
ReplyDeleteAt lunch yesterday, Meike, I was astounded to hear one of those present say he still used cheques. It turned out that he was the only one of the 9 present who did. Everyone else paid bills electronically and transactions were they were present by card or phone. The exception seemed to be cash being used in the pub for drinks. However they paid electronically in restaurants. The one exception being the one I mentioned above where we all split the bill.
DeleteA subject that raises my hackles. I pay for most things in cash. Yes, really. It gives me pleasure. Sensual pleasure of notes and coins changing hands. Call it primal. The real thing.
ReplyDeleteAnd despite what some of your other readers say I have yet to find any business that will refuse cash over the counter. And what of, dare I mention it, cash in hand for your gardener, cleaner, babysitter, whatever small business transactions there are. Still, I suppose drug dealers and prostitutes do it still the old way too.
I am enraged at how we lose more and more connection with what's real. Anyway, by the time humans are being taken over by AI (artificial intelligence) I hope I'll be dead.
U
Cash is almost non-existent these days. The only time I use it now is to pay my rent...monthly. That is what the landlords want, so I obey their demand. I would prefer to do a direct debit to their bank account, but so be it.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Graham. :)
Again, I have to disclose "Anonymous" is me, Lee!!!! Grrrrr! Blogger is out of control these days!!
ReplyDeleteYes, Lee, Blogger is becoming a pain on the 'anonymous' front. Cash, of course, usually avoids the tax man.
DeleteOops, I read this post days ago but seems I did not get round to commenting. In Sweden there are more and more places now that don't even accept cash any more. On the buses you can't pay in cash either. Since the pandemic, I've almost stopped using cash myself, and pay by card even for minor purchases now. But I do still carry some cash in my wallet "just in case" (technical trouble etc). Just the other day I heard that our Central Bank published a new report recommending that the government and parliament must make it possible by law for people to be able to use cash to pay at least for essential things and services (like food and health care) as there are still quite a few people who rely on that.
ReplyDeleteMonica, I think that most individuals still accept cash for services because the 'black economy' is flourishing in the UK. However even small businesses realise that using a card cuts down potential theft and is cheaper and easier to bank than cash. I've not heard of any move to make a cash option compulsory.
DeleteFirst, Graham, glad you are back home and that you car is clean as well. It's very nice of you to visit those homebound friends and sure they also very much appreciate visitors.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like we are becoming a cashless society with the increasing use of cards and now cell phones. Even laundry machines here in the mill apts can be paid for using an app on the cell phone, but I prefer to use a card that has been pre-loaded with a cash amount. I would hate to lose that card, but even more so my phone. I do carry cash with me, but admit to using a card more often than not depending on the amount of the purchase.
Thank you, Beatrice. and with the fabulous short spell of weather we are having I have been spending as much time as possible getting the garden ready for the spring and summer planting. I've actually started making sure that I do have cash with me now having twice had to borrow from friends because I didn't have my wallet with me. I do keep some coins for tips and the car park machines in Stornoway which haven't been converted.
DeleteThat's a problem leaving your phone behind. I use my phone to pay for most things now. It saves carrying a purse/handbag.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I am lost without my phone for so many reasons.
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