By March Twisdale
Throughout most of 2023, I wrote about the ubiquitous “transaction fees” that have quietly infiltrated our modern lives. I refer to them as “Bank Taxes” because they occur with all debit and credit card transactions, skimming money off the top of communities with every purchase. These are an unavoidable burden placed on businesses and consumers alike over which, unlike government taxes, we have no legislatively based control.
In my article, “The Nuts and Bolts of Paying with Plastic,” I end by saying: “… the only true way to avoid incurring “Bank Taxes” for your favorite Island business owner (and yourself, as these fees cause product prices to rise), is to pay with cash. Remember to give your favorite ATM a lot of love, grab the cash you’ll need for the day, and have fun painting the town green!”
This intentionally cheerful ending reflects my conversations with at least two dozen business owners (mostly here on Vashon, but also the owners of C&P Coffee in West Seattle, Light House Espresso in Port Orchard, and even Zeek’s Pizza).
Along the way, I discovered that all business owners express a complete lack of irritation toward customer purchasing methodology. The “card-based transaction fee” system is, after all, created by the business industry and brought to the customer/client by the business owner him or herself. While our participation, as consumers, has helped to drive the industry’s success, it is ultimately the business owner’s choice to accept cards and other digital methods of payment.
Ultimately, consumers should NOT feel judged for their chosen payment method. Business owners stressed this to me, again and again, firmly shifting my own opinion (and my writing) away from earlier feelings of judgment I had on the topic.
Still, I would sometimes find myself wondering, “Why don’t people use cash more often?”
Then, in midsummer of 2024, I filed for divorce. During our first state-required court hearing, we were given instructions about acceptable expenditures. This presented me with a choice: continue to spend primarily cash (and save endless paper receipts) or pay for everything with a card (making the tracking of expenses a million times easier). I chose the latter.
Which brings us back to my own curiosity. Is it our business to know, or even to wonder, why a person might pay with cash or a card? I think there’s a beauty to sharing information that encourages a specific outcome while intentionally cultivating a respectful attitude for whatever choice others make.
One day, midway through my divorce, I pulled out my card to pay for groceries and a woman (who has known me for years and has read my “Cash vs. Plastic” articles) made a comment. It was of the “raise an eyebrow and accuse someone of being hypocritical” garden variety of comments, which could make a person uncomfortable. As I stood there, I consciously chose not to explain myself, even though I felt the subtle urge to do so. And this? This is exactly the type of judgmental interaction I, and local business owners, have discouraged over the years.
My advice? Unless you’re ringing up someone’s order, don’t pay attention to how other people pay. You can share ideas on Facebook or write articles all you want. You can “lead by example” and put bumper stickers on your car! But when you’re in community, try not to notice or pay attention to how other people pay. There are plenty of reasons behind every choice, and you simply don’t have the capacity to judge because you’re not in their shoes.
One day soonish, I’ll be able to return to using cash. I’m looking forward to it! Until then, I’m glad to have the option of using plastic.
