Cashless Convention

I believe that the oddest thing I had to deal with in Indianapolis recently has been the cashless nature of the concessions at the Indiana Convention Center. I did not like it.

I understand that there are myriad reasons for their having done it. I understand too that there are advantages to a person in using credit or debit. But I don't care a fig about any of that. I have the right to use cash. I should be able to.

This may not be anything more, I admit, than hard headedness. I want to give you four actual dollars for a cup of coffee and you should be willing to take it. And give me the coffee too of course. That's how, well, maybe not how but it is one way, one very legitimate way, for the economy to work. And I have the right to do business that way. Period. In fact I think we're more secure paying as we go, as cash transactions are untraceable. That does allow us a certain bit of freedom and anonymity, you know.

Or maybe I'm just being crotchety this morning.

Not my fault

I blame my kids.

They debit card just about everything. Me, I carried a debit card for several years but really only began using it extensively in about the last few months. 

Now I use it more than cash. And that irritates me, because I find I'll use it when I have the cash against a relatively small amount. I have to make myself use cash.

I took me Mom out as usual yesterday and I swore I would go cash only. I did, but it was, oddly, a challenge, especially when our purchase at McDonald's was only $4.95 (more on that tomorrow as there's a funny story over it). For cryin' out loud, give the guy at the window a five dollar bill, Marty. You have two!  

I managed to do it, but it was tougher than expected.

I get it: there's safety and security in using debit. But I'm still old school in many ways. One of those ways is that you pay cash for routine purchases, particularly small ones.

I blame the kids. It's what good parents do.