5
5
0
"Cash is king" is an age-old saying. For much of Germany, however, the phrase is still up to date.
When in Berlin, do not count on getting around easily with just a credit card. "Cash Only" signs hang on front doors of shops and restaurants across the city.
This may be surprising to some. After all, Germany is Europe's leading economy and famous for technological know-how. But, even while some of its neighbors in Europe and elsewhere are quickly swapping physical money for new pay technologies, many Germans prefer their euro bills. Cash is quick and easy to use, they argue. It provides a clear picture of personal spending, keeps transactions more private and is widely accepted in the country.
"I usually pay cash. This way I have the feeling of keeping track of the money I spend," says Madeleine Petry, 29, as she shops at a supermarket in Berlin. "Sometimes when I couldn't make it to the ATM, I use my debit card in the store, but I never use my credit card for shopping in the real world — just for online shopping."
When in Berlin, do not count on getting around easily with just a credit card. "Cash Only" signs hang on front doors of shops and restaurants across the city.
This may be surprising to some. After all, Germany is Europe's leading economy and famous for technological know-how. But, even while some of its neighbors in Europe and elsewhere are quickly swapping physical money for new pay technologies, many Germans prefer their euro bills. Cash is quick and easy to use, they argue. It provides a clear picture of personal spending, keeps transactions more private and is widely accepted in the country.
"I usually pay cash. This way I have the feeling of keeping track of the money I spend," says Madeleine Petry, 29, as she shops at a supermarket in Berlin. "Sometimes when I couldn't make it to the ATM, I use my debit card in the store, but I never use my credit card for shopping in the real world — just for online shopping."
For Many Germans, Cash Is Still King
Posted from npr.org
Money
Germany
Culture
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
2
2
0
CPT (Join to see)
Agreed. Have often been able to cut a deal by paying cash and if not, I just settle for some extra mileage points on a credit card.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Agreed. Cash = King. Also reminds me of the wisdom embedded in Shep's book title: In God We Trust - All Others Pay Cash.
As for Shep, he as a WWII Signal Corps Vet. Known by some as the creator of "A Christmas Story," but perhaps appreciated more by the legions of fans that listened to him on WOR and heard many a tale about his time in the service as well as his take on countless subjects, the I Libertine hoax notwithstanding.
http://www.jmarkpowell.com/the-bestseller-book-that-didnt-exist-how-the-author-of-a-beloved-christmas-classic-pulled-off-the-hoax-of-the-century/
As for Shep, he as a WWII Signal Corps Vet. Known by some as the creator of "A Christmas Story," but perhaps appreciated more by the legions of fans that listened to him on WOR and heard many a tale about his time in the service as well as his take on countless subjects, the I Libertine hoax notwithstanding.
http://www.jmarkpowell.com/the-bestseller-book-that-didnt-exist-how-the-author-of-a-beloved-christmas-classic-pulled-off-the-hoax-of-the-century/
The Bestseller Book That Didn't Exist: how the author of a beloved Christmas classic pulled off...
You know Jean Shepherd as author of the beloved A Christmas Story. But before that, he conspired to get a book that didn't exist onto The New York Times Best Seller List. Read how he pulled off the Hoax of the Century.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google