A couple of days ago, a new law took effect here in New York state that forced retail and food establishments, among others, to accept cash. Cash in 2026? Really? According to the local NBC affiliate, people who use cash were being “left behind.” No, they chose to put themselves behind.
Cash is a dangerous thing. It’s an obvious sanitary issue that puts cashiers and managers at risk. The law now forces cashiers to put their health and maybe even their lives in danger. Way back when, I was a retail manager and I always made sure that my cashiers, along with myself, had access to medical gloves because I cared about my health and theirs.
I would again point to the fact that this is 2026. Why is cash still a thing? Everyone has debit and credit cards, even teenagers. Why, then, is cash an option anymore? It boggles the mind! If you carry cash in 2026, then something’s not wrong with the system, something’s wrong with you!
Cash no longer has any validity. The law should actually be such that a business owner is protected if they choose to refuse to accept the filthy, unsanitary pieces of paper. At least these days, cashiers don’t even have to touch people’s filthy cards. That’s the way it should be. Instead, people are being asked to put their health on the lines just so granny doesn’t have to (gasp!) adapt to the times.
As for me, I don’t use cash. Again, it’s 2026, not 1996. Three months into the year and I have yet to even touch currency.