I can see certain theoretical benefits to a cashless society. Some people think it's more convenient than having to carry cash. Also, if you lose cash somewhere out in public it's not coming back.

I don't think there are enough benefits to outweigh the potential downside though.

Earlier this year, on a Saturday night, all the card machines stopped working. All the ATM's were down too. People with no cash had to end their night early because they couldn't purchase drinks/food/entertainment, and some were stranded without the ability to pay for taxis home. Granted these kind of events may not be common, but still a huge PITA when it happens.

Then there's the more sinister aspects, like being able to monitor everything a person or group are doing, or freezing the bank accounts of people for idealogical reasons (like the protesting truckers in Canada).

I must admit I roll my eyes when folks get all lathered up a cashless future. There will always be cash for the very reasons you mentioned… bottom line is that technology is always suspect to failure… and that’s when cash comes into its own. Just recently the Australian government had a discussion paper to ensure that cash payment would always be possible into the future. one thing they did highlight was that cashless ness may be a plus for the consumer, but not so for small businesses (especially in more remote areas) - they find it a pain in the ass - as they have to physically take that shit to a bank and dispose of it - and sometimes banks are far away - a thing that had never occurred to me.

Cash is great on its own to fill the space that technology can’t

Crap. I don't buy from brick and mortar businesses that do not accept cash. Maybe that makes me a dick and an idiot. Whatever. Nothing is more convenient than cash. Fuck you.

Crap. As if buying illegal drugs wasn’t enough of a hassle already.

enframed wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:51 pm Crap. I don't buy from brick and mortar businesses that do not accept cash.

I'm the same, if they're card only, they're on the boycott list.

llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 8:43 pm Crap. As if buying illegal drugs wasn’t enough of a hassle already.

I don't honestly think going fully cashless would make that much difference here, dealers can be very resourceful. But I agree with your point.

Cash is great. I use it way more often than anyone who isn't a restaurant employee or a drug dealer should.

Wanna make sure you don't overextend your finances or have to pay way too much attention to budgeting? Simple. Just pay cash.

I pretty much only use credit cards for infrequent online purchases, large wine hauls, and plane tickets. And abroad, since the exchange rate is better on certain cards than at the ATM.

I don't fuck w/payment apps at all.

If it ain't broke...

Curry Pervert wrote:

enframed wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:51 pm Crap. I don't buy from brick and mortar businesses that do not accept cash.

I'm the same, if they're card only, they're on the boycott list.

Same.

enframed wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:51 pm Crap. I don't buy from brick and mortar businesses that do not accept cash. Maybe that makes me a dick and an idiot. Whatever. Nothing is more convenient than cash. Fuck you.

You're lucky to have that freedom, I tell you.

Cash isn't that convenient. How do you get it? You go to an ATM. How do you get cash from the ATM? With a CARD. You could have just used the card where you were going to spend the cash and saved the trip.

The only place I use cash is in restaurants, specifically to tip the wait staff. I don't like carrying money; it's fucking filthy. If I have a few bucks and I see a panhandler I usually give it to them just to get that bullshit pestilence paper out of my pocket. I especially like chip cards because I don't have to press any dirty buttons. Suck it, cash.

Not sure about concept of cashless society, but the only time I use cash is from a catering dude at work who sells his stuff for half the price but only accepts cash, so roughly once a week I take some money from ATM and put it into a drawer at work. Other than that it just makes no sense to me whatsoever to use cash.

Boycotting a place just because it's card only? WTF, people.