It used to be. But in a lot of the places I shop, it's not anymore. Especially the supermarket. And Target!
Enter your store rewards card number. Skip.
Do you want to pay with your store card? No.
Do you want to donate to our charity of the month? No.
Do you want to round up your total to save the dying baby whales? No.
Tap, insert or swipe. Wave the phone around the payment pad to find the invisible, not marked sweet spot so it bleeps.
Oh, it's a debit card! Enter your PIN. Push. Push. Push. Push.
Do you want cash back? No.
Confirm the total. Push.
Do you want your receipt printed, e-mailed, or not at all? Not at all.
Transaction complete.
Versus cash:
Your total is $28.52. Hand over $40.00.
Teller puts the bills in the slot, and the machine tells her how many bills of which denominations to give me, while my coins slide down the little chute into the change tray.
It used to be. But in a lot of the places I shop, it's not anymore. Especially the supermarket. And Target!
Versus cash: And I'm gone.