Young people out there must think I’m a real dinosaur – but I remain unapologetic!
My kids have tried on many occasions to drag me by the scruff of the neck into the 21st century but I refuse. You see, I think most 20th century methods still work – and today’s technology is completely overrated.
I don’t keep up to date with modern technology and I rarely encounter problems.
The foremost method I use to pay is cash because I am so used to it.
I like going into a bank to draw out the notes as it helps me think about how much I might be spending, yes, it is getting more difficult, but pop-up branches are starting to appear all over the place, like in Netherfield, and I hope one day they will offer cash withdrawals.
My method of collecting cash prevents me from maxing out the credit card or going overboard with the debit card at the bar on a heavy night out.
I have also never bothered to bank online as I fear I could be wide open to someone grabbing my funds.
A cashless society also affects others – it stops the simplest of payments such as tipping waiters and waitresses and donating coins to homeless people in the street and buskers.
And last time I checked, the Tooth Fairy doesn’t give youngsters an online payment option.
I also hate being told I should make cashless payments for car parking.
At a car park I recently saw a middle-aged man, taking ten minutes or more to make a payment because he was struggling to use the app.
A cashless society also affects others – it stops the simplest of payments such as tipping waiters and waitresses and donating coins to homeless people in the street and buskers.
Out of sheer frustration I found myself yelling at him: “Give up and bloody use cash”. To his credit, he let me nip in ahead and I paid in seconds by coins.
I resent technology being dumped on us because we are expected to do work that a company employee should be doing – and without being paid for it.
I have stopped using one fast food restaurant because it demanded ordering by touch screen. I ended up having to mess around trying to use it for five minutes and got the order wrong. I now only use restaurants and cafes where human beings serve you and that still accept cash.
In food stores I go straight to checkout with a member of staff at a till rather than the self-serve machines.
It is my hope of helping keep staff in work but I notice many customers still not getting the hang of the machines and store workers have to help them.
The point is these new systems can create unnecessary work and effort – the simplest tasks are made complicated.
Another reason to use cash is it benefits our smaller businesses by sparing them from the hefty bank charges associated with card machine payments, and let’s be honest, the high street needs all the help it can get.
And a note to all those businesses who are now completely cashless: if you don’t want our money, you don’t want our business – simple!
- Have your say on Graham’s latest article in the comments section below
Graham, I’m with you 100% I think its disgusting that businesses can get away with not taking cash its “legal tender” the modern cashless systems are marketed as for our ease of use but I have been in the same position as the gent you quote in the car park, I don’t want countless apps just to get a car park space and so on. If a business refuses cash I won’t shop there.
As a society I firmly believe that we will sorely regret rolling over and letting the powers that be kill cash.
Jeezus, what an utter plonker!