You know you are getting old when:

[3fingers]

Tap and go, Apple pay, google wallet etc. is great for those who can handle it. For some though, it is simply a way to get financialy irresponsible people in trouble. We have already seen it with cards and borrowing, this is the next way to separate people from more of their money. Already broke, they are now paying fees and charges for overspending.
People who struggle with spending have a disconnect in their brains that apparently doesn't recognize plastic or their phone as the equivalent of money spent.
As Lizzie said, with cash you've got what you've got. At least when it's gone you are done until you acquire some more.

 

[Zombie_61]

...People who struggle with spending have a disconnect in their brains that apparently doesn't recognize plastic or their phone as the equivalent of money spent...

I learned this lesson in the late-70s/early-80s, or whenever it was that video game arcades started cropping up like weeds here in the U.S.. Back then you needed quarters to play the games, so the first stop was the change machine; put in a dollar or two, retrieve your quarters, and you're off to your game of choice. Then you run out of quarters and repeat the process. At some point, in the mind those quarters lose their monetary value and become nothing more than something you need in order to have more fun. So another trip to the change machine, more quarters, more fun...that is, until you suddenly realize the $20 you walked in with is gone and you have nothing more to show for it than vague memories of a good time.

 

[EngProf]

I agree with Trenchfriend about keeping my privacy by using cash *only* for in-store purchases. I haven't made any sort of card purchase in probably ten years.

Those phone purchases make sense only if they work. In the recent past I was behind a guy who was buying a snack-size bag of potato chips at Lowe's Home Improvement, of all places. He kept waving his phone at the counter gadget and nothing kept happening.
The line was backing up and finally a manager came over and led him away to another counter so he could keep waving his phone, accomplishing nothing, and the rest of us could get our purchases done.
Exactly the same thing happened at a Dollar Store a few days later.
I think the people stuck in line wanted to take the phones and stomp them to bits.
Get some money or get out!

 

[Fading Fast]

I agree with Trenchfriend about keeping my privacy by using cash *only* for in-store purchases. I haven't made any sort of card purchase in probably ten years.

Those phone purchases make sense only if they work. In the recent past I was behind a guy who was buying a snack-size bag of potato chips at Lowe's Home Improvement, of all places. He kept waving his phone at the counter gadget and nothing kept happening.
The line was backing up and finally a manager came over and led him away to another counter so he could keep waving his phone, accomplishing nothing, and the rest of us could get our purchases done.
Exactly the same thing happened at a Dollar Store a few days later.
I think the people stuck in line wanted to take the phones and stomp them to bits.
Get some money or get out!

I have had that happen with Apple Pay a few times, so, after a few swipes, I just move on to paying with my card or cash. To me, that's just curtesy to those in line behind you.

But let's be honest, I am regularly in line behind people paying cash where some wait until the absolute end to unzip their purse or take out their wallet, then get out the money (which can be a process) and, then, ask for their change in some specific denominations. Of course, some who pay with cash, have it all ready to go when asked for it. And with a card or Apple Pay, you'll never have to wait for the cashier to pull out a register draw, get a coin roll, "smack" it open, unroll it, drop the coins in the register and, then, resume counting out your change.

And we are all familiar with the person who opens up their wallet (again, not early on but only after being prompted as if they didn't know they'd have to pay when their items were being rung up), and mentally debates which one of twenty cards to use, then the first two don't "take," until they finally arrive at a card that works. Of course, many people pull their card out before it's needed, hand it over, swipe or insert it immediately and all goes well.

Basically, any process can be made easier or harder if the person engaged in it isn't thinking or isn't trying to make it move along efficiently and quickly. Overall, credit cards or processes like Apple Pay are faster. Also, in the few years I've been using Apple Pay, it's gotten better and more consistent.

Pay any way you like, just be thoughtful to the people in line behind you.

 

[scottyrocks]

I have had that happen with Apple Pay a few times, so, after a few swipes, I just move on to paying with my card or cash. To me, that's just curtesy to those in line behind you.

But let's be honest, I am regularly in line behind people paying cash where some wait until the absolute end to unzip their purse or take out their wallet, then get out the money (which can be a process) and, then, ask for their change in some specific denominations. Of course, some who pay with cash, have it all ready to go when asked for it. And with a card or Apple Pay, you'll never have to wait for the cashier to pull out a register draw, get a coin roll, "smack" it open, unroll it, drop the coins in the register and, then, resume counting out your change.

And we are all familiar with the person who opens up their wallet (again, not early on but only after being prompted as if they didn't know they'd have to pay when their items were being rung up), and mentally debates which one of twenty cards to use, then the first two don't "take," until they finally arrive at a card that works. Of course, many people pull their card out before it's needed, hand it over, swipe or insert it immediately and all goes well.

Basically, any process can be made easier or harder if the person engaged in it isn't thinking or isn't trying to make it move along efficiently and quickly. Overall, credit cards or processes like Apple Pay are faster. Also, in the few years I've been using Apple Pay, it's gotten better and more consistent.

Pay any way you like, just be thoughtful to the people in line behind you.

I have always been taught to be considerate of others. To this day I go out of my way to not inconvenience others.

Example: when I food shop, I have my store card and credit card in my hand ready to go as soon as the food items are on the belt. Store card gets swiped. I bag my own items and am usually done with that just as the cashier finishes totaling up the order. Credit card goes into the scanner, I sign, and I'm out of there.

Plus I dislike wasting time on things I don't particularly enjoy.

 

[LizzieMaine]

What always gets me are the people who stand in line, get to the window and say "one please" or whatever, and you say "eight fifty please" and they look thru the glass at you as if *they hadn't expected you to ask for payment.* They then *sigh*, take off one glove, use that hand to take off the other glove, look for a place to put the gloves and finally decide to stick them under their arm, unzip the L L Bean down vest, unbutton the North Face coat, reach inside the coat and then realize they're about to drop the gloves. and fidget around again until they decide to put the gloves in their mouth, reach in again to some secret orifice and pull out a little zipper wallet, look at the MasterCard and Visa signs in the window, and take out a Discover card. When told that, sorry, we can only take MasterCard and Visa, they sigh again and replace the Discover card, rezipper the wallet, turn it over, unzip another compartment and select a Visa card, pass it thru the slot, and as soon as the sale is rung up they say OH I"M A SENIOR. The transaction has to then be voided, a step requiring four sequences of screens on the sales terminal, and a new transaction rung up. You then hand them a ticket. They take the card and the ticket and the receipt and place them in the wallet and rezipper it. They then -- without leaving the window to make way for the next person in line -- rebutton the coat, rezipper the vest, and carefully pull the gloves back on. Only when fully arranged do they leave the line and enter the building.

Once inside they're greeted with "Good evening, I can take your ticket" and react with surprise that such a statement should be made. They take the gloves off, place them in their mouth, unzip the vest, unbutton the coat, reach in deep to retrieve the wallet, and open several compartments of the wallet looking for the ticket. They then take the gloves out of their mouth and tuck them under their arm to say "Well, I know it's in here somewhere" before the ticket taker spots it in the wallet and helpfully points it out. They then extract the ticket and place it in their mouth while closing and replacing the wallet, buttoning the coat, and zipping the vest, and then finally hand it, soggy with saliva, to the ticket taker.

Repeat seventy-five times a night within a thirty-minute period.

 

[Fading Fast]

RE the three above posts, I repeat "...as if they didn't know they'd have to pay when their items were being rung up" Seriously!

 

[tonyb]

I'm sure I've already mentioned at least three times how I shall never understand how a person mentally and physically capable of getting her rump to the supermarket can't figure out how it might be a good idea to slide her loyalty card and payment card and enter the PIN and all that WHILE her purchases are being rung up and bagged. Worse yet are those who pay by check and wait until the whole process is complete BEFORE she starts digging through the old snot rags and spent lipstick tubes and whatnot in her purse in search of her checkbook. Oh, and then there's the "Oh, would you happen to have a pen, dear?"

 

[scottyrocks]

In my supermarket, we are not allowed to put the credit card into the machine until all the items are rung up and the cashier says to do so. We can, however, have the card at the ready.

 

[GHT]

What always gets me are the people who stand in line, get to the window and say "one please" or whatever, and you say "eight fifty please" and they look thru the glass at you as if *they hadn't expected you to ask for payment.* They then *sigh*, take off one glove, use that hand to take off the other glove, look for a place to put the gloves and finally decide to stick them under their arm, unzip the L L Bean down vest, unbutton the North Face coat, reach inside the coat and then realize they're about to drop the gloves. and fidget around again until they decide to put the gloves in their mouth, reach in again to some secret orifice and pull out a little zipper wallet, look at the MasterCard and Visa signs in the window, and take out a Discover card. When told that, sorry, we can only take MasterCard and Visa, they sigh again and replace the Discover card, rezipper the wallet, turn it over, unzip another compartment and select a Visa card, pass it thru the slot, and as soon as the sale is rung up they say OH I"M A SENIOR. The transaction has to then be voided, a step requiring four sequences of screens on the sales terminal, and a new transaction rung up. You then hand them a ticket. They take the card and the ticket and the receipt and place them in the wallet and rezipper it. They then -- without leaving the window to make way for the next person in line -- rebutton the coat, rezipper the vest, and carefully pull the gloves back on. Only when fully arranged do they leave the line and enter the building.

Once inside they're greeted with "Good evening, I can take your ticket" and react with surprise that such a statement should be made. They take the gloves off, place them in their mouth, unzip the vest, unbutton the coat, reach in deep to retrieve the wallet, and open several compartments of the wallet looking for the ticket. They then take the gloves out of their mouth and tuck them under their arm to say "Well, I know it's in here somewhere" before the ticket taker spots it in the wallet and helpfully points it out. They then extract the ticket and place it in their mouth while closing and replacing the wallet, buttoning the coat, and zipping the vest, and then finally hand it, soggy with saliva, to the ticket taker.

Repeat seventy-five times a night within a thirty-minute period.

When someone, in any country that pays it's senior citizens a state pension, becomes eligible for said pension, they should have Lizzie's post, printed on a glossy pamphlet, sent to them letting them know that this is what they can now do. They might also add that they can now hold meetings, with their like minded friends, on the threshold of the supermarket, where everyone else needs to get by them. And now they can stand at the ATM cash machine and count the money that has just been dispensed. Why do they do that? Are they going to remonstrate with the machine if the cash amount is wrong?

 

[tonyb]

In my supermarket, we are not allowed to put the credit card into the machine until all the items are rung up and the cashier says to do so. We can, however, have the card at the ready.

The systems here ask if the purchaser approves the amount on the display. You tap either the green yes or the red no. By the time that step in the process rolls along, my cards are back in wallet and my wallet in my hip pocket and my purchases either bagged up or nearly so. I often help with the bagging, to expedite matters. Those people behind me got places to be, too.

 

[scottyrocks]

And heaven forbid anyone criticizes, or even offers to help these bubble-heads (as in 'living in their own little 'bubble' with no regard for others around them').

 

[scottyrocks]

The systems here ask if the purchaser approves the amount on the display. You tap either the green yes or the red no. By the time that step in the process rolls along, my cards are back in wallet and my wallet in my hip pocket and my purchases either bagged up or nearly so. I often help with the bagging, to expedite matters. Those people behind me got places to be, too.

I think we're splitting hairs on this one. We have the same process, too. My main focus is making this, and most other processes, as smooth and painless as possible.

Now, don't get me started on self-checkout! ARGH!! haha

 

[tonyb]

I think we're splitting hairs on this one. We have the same process, too. My main focus is making this, and most other processes, as smooth and painless as possible.

Now, don't get started on self-checkout! ARGH!! haha

I resist self checkout. I accept that I may be among the last casualties in the lost cause. But I ain't giving up without a fight.

 

[HanauMan]

We mustn't forget, however, that for many senior citizens this transaction at the counter might be their highlight of their day and that it breaks the loneliness that many suffer through lack of social interactions with family, who may live a distance away, and an ever dwindling circle of friends.

Just read in the paper today that British schools and universities are changing their analog clocks for digital ones because many of the Millennial Generation apparently cannot read a clock with hands on it as they are so used to their cell phones clocks which give, of course, a digital reading. I've actually noticed that many folk no longer even wear a watch.

 

[scottyrocks]

You should see the looks I get from some of my kids when I wear a watch with roman numerals (140 year old Elgin) on a chain.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I dunno, I've worked closely with millennials every single day for the past twelve years, and I've never yet had one who couldn't read an analog clock. They also know how to recognize a fifty-cent piece and a two-dollar bill, and are better at adding figures in their heads than I am.

That said, they do spend too much time on those damn phones, and there's actually a reason for it: the Boys From Marketing have specifically manipulated them at the time of their most vulnerable phase of cognitive development, to be physiologically and psychologically addicted to the dopamine rush generated by social-media interaction, for the purpose of force-feeding them advertising.

Don't think so? Read this, right from the whorses' mouth. Yes indeed, there ought to be t-shirts saying "Mark Zuckerberg Made Billions Selling My Data And All I Got Was A Lousy Dopamine Jones."

One of my young millennials recently celebrated her thirtieth birthday by burning her entire social-media presence to the ground and walking away from it cold turkey. That, believe it or not, is actually a current millennial trend, and I say "The kids are all right. " My dear old mother, on the other hand, will go to the grave clutching her smartphone, and her last word will be a Facebook post of a dog lying on its back with its legs sticking straight up over the hashtag #i'mdeadlol.

 

[tonyb]

We mustn't forget, however, that for many senior citizens this transaction at the counter might be their highlight of their day and that it breaks the loneliness that many suffer through lack of social interactions with family, who may live a distance away, and an ever dwindling circle of friends. ...

Yeah, I know. That's why I peruse the magazines in the racks rather than snort or scoff or visibly roll my eyes. Lotsa pretty pictures in Sunset and Better Homes and Gardens. But ever since the Weekly World News ceased printing the tabloids are a total wasteland. They aren't even inadvertently amusing anymore.

Which has me wondering what the push toward self checkout will have on sales of all those publications.

 

[Zombie_61]

...But ever since the Weekly World News ceased printing...

No wonder I've been having such a hard time finding it. How the hell am I supposed to stay up to date on Bat Boy now?

 

[LizzieMaine]

You haven't sensed the trend.