A Cashless Society?

[Rocket T. Coyote]

You may have heard the ads for gold or the prognostications of certain commentators saying that we're on the way to a cashless society. Several countries have already gone cashless. Proponents say it will stop drug trafficking and having to print money. Opponents say it will end privacy as one's buying habits can be tracked and exploited, living "off the grid" would be impossible--unless one resorts to barter.     
                                                                                                                                                                 
I'm not crazy about the prospect of having my cash digitized as someone in gummint could shut off my access to my funds because they don't like my recent letter to the editor, or I have a similar name to a terrorist/fugitive.

[Kobuk]

I'm not too keen on a cashless society.  Besides the negative things that Rocket posted, my biggest gripe is when I'm at a store and in the checkout line. If a person is in front of me and is having trouble paying for their purchases with a credit or debit card, or the register/computer systems break down, etc., then I, as well as others, have to stand there waiting and waiting and waiting till the issue gets resolved. In the time it takes for their issue to get resolved, I could already have my dollar bills out of my wallet and pay for my purchase faster and be out the door long before the other person with the problems got finished.

[Keitsu]

I'm not too keen on a cashless society.  Besides the negative things that Rocket posted, my biggest gripe is when I'm at a store and in the checkout line. If a person is in front of me and is having trouble paying for their purchases with a credit or debit card, or the register/computer systems break down, etc., then I, as well as others, have to stand there waiting and waiting and waiting till the issue gets resolved. In the time it takes for their issue to get resolved, I could already have my dollar bills out of my wallet and pay for my purchase faster and be out the door long before the other person with the problems got finished.

I actually never use cash as the zip pocket in my wallet for coins is broken.

Paying with notes is the easiest and fastest way to pay with cash. This is problematic though as you get a lot of change. Coins are heavy (at least in Australia, I noticed in Canada and the United States that coins were lighter) and hard to pay with or get rid of if you have many small coins.

In Australia we have a chip on our card that enables us to use tap payments. So we can simply tap the screen of the card-reader to make a payment of under $50. It is an extremely fast method of payment.

Also, a cashless society would not prevent criminal activity. Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin have been used in illegal activities.

[Kobuk]

Paying with notes is the easiest and fastest way to pay with cash. This is problematic though as you get a lot of change. Coins are heavy (at least in Australia, I noticed in Canada and the United States that coins were lighter) and hard to pay with or get rid of if you have many small coins.

I actually don't mind carrying coins since you never know when you might have to pay for something that requires exact change.   And any change I do have leftover in my pocket just goes into a jar at home for saving.

[cause the rat]

I use a debit card all the time now. Very seldom deal in cash. It's faster and easier. I can have my card swiped and code in before a cashier is finished.  I've also got a very low daily limit on it. So if it does get lost or stollen someone wont get away with much.

Still wont use a debit or credit card at a restaurant. If I'm traveling and happen to stop at a gas station I'll use cash as well.

[Michen_S]

Honestly I don't think cash is going to completely disappear here, at least for now. It's a lot easier to pay your friends, colleagues e.d. back quickly with cash you have on-hand at the moment. Even people my age still use cash from time to time, despite the still ongoing rise of the pin.

[Storm Fox]

I do use both cash and cards, but I like cash better, it's smarter to use. Cash is accepted everywhere while cards may or may not be accepted, there may be a charge or minimum purchase (because the vendor gets charged), or the system might not be working today.
Cash always works, cash can be stolen or copied, but it can't be hacked, while cards/e-accounts/crypto currencies can be copied, stolen, and also hacked, and far more easily.


I can't imagine cash ever completely going away, but most people in society are dumb so who knows.