Being asked to keep cash?

[SpringDreams26]

AIBU to be a bit annoyed the UK Goverment is now asking us to keep cash, where it’s otherwise been effectively eradicated.

I never carry cash and numerous places don’t accept it anylonger!

“People like me” what who follow a path of logic. I don’t think extrapolating and trying to account for every possible eventuality is helpful.

Keeping cash in the car routinely is a totally different scenario to what is being proposed in terms of keeping cash in the event of a cyber attack.

So basically you’re saying ‘I would do anything for an emergency but I won’t do that’.

‘That’ being keeping some cash handy.

My post was never about my lack of resilience but what I saw as a bit of hypocrisy from the government in terms of the keep cash message and what that actually looked like in the events we are anticipating would lead us to need it.

So why not say that in your OP?

If the power is down, you won't be getting any fuel as the pumps work on electric. You'll also have to wait for the car park attendant to come and manually raise the barrier as they work on electric too!

The discussion has evolved as the statement made in the OP has been explored.

You're going all over the place with your comments. That doesn't answer, at all, what I pointed out about your selective use of words. You do what suits you, but try not to assume you're right about everything- because no one is.
I'll leave you to it. Other posters, I'm happy to interact with.

I think the message being sent is unhelpful in practice for the reasons I’ve given.

I’m not going “all over” the place. Yes, I accept my use of the word “everyone” was misplaced and I said that, explained I meant a substantial number. I’m not sure what else you want. You’ve gotten hung up on my use of one word in the English language and ran with that.

Your use of that one word completely changes what it meant. For example "everyone has blue eyes" is not the same as "some people have blue eyes." In the context you used it, it means what you said is wrong, on a topic that matters more than eye colour, obviously- and you are quick to jump on other posters with sarcasm when their posts have been polite/logical.

That's your choice, I have no problem with that. I was merely giving you a couple of suggestion in which cash could be required out of the multitude of possibilities, to illustrate the potential need. Your response is pedantic.

According to you, following your "path of logic" makes you far more informed than the government issuing the advice. I think your logic is called the "ostrich syndrome - head in the sand", each to their own.

You asked for opinions and I gave mine, you can chose to agree and follow it or not. The Government have offered their advice and similarly you can follow it or not, no one is making you. Its precautionary and, it seems sensible to me to follow the governments informed advice.

I acknowledged my error in two further posts. It’s not a topic of debate. I have agreed with you.

Ok @PrettyPickle yes. You are perfectly entitled to your view. I did not mean to be pedantic.

But the crisis may not be a power down, someone may take the banking system down, and power stays on, that is why we are being asked to keep some cash.

It's not a topic of debate to you. To me it is bloody annoying, because you happily went ahead with your dramatic everyone will rush in panic to the shops. Then wanted to change it because it was wrong, not because you didn't intend to type it. Drama.

A few years ago the card system went down at Asda and it was absolute chaos. Loads of places still take cash, it has not been "eradicated" people are just being over the top about being asked to display a bit of common sense. I never go anywhere without a bit of cash.

I’m sorry I annoyed you by saying
”everyone” when I meant a substantial number of people. I think that’s the third or fourth time I’ve acknowledged this point now so I hope you’re able to move past it and yes. I meant it when I typed it but recognise it didn’t hold up factually and that “substantial amount” is likely more realistic.

Yes, but lots of posters upthread have mentioned using cash to pay for things in power cuts which may be more problematic that they realise!

Totally and utterly ridiculous that anyone got suckered into never having cash. Your own fault, you should have never bought into that BS and insisted on always keeping and using some cash occasionally because it's just sensible.

It doesn't have to be a lot, just what people can afford to.

I'd imagine if everything went down then a lot of communities would bargain or barter on goods between themselves. I.e I've got a kilo of flour can I exchange that for some size 5 nappies etc. We have a very individualistic society at the moment and I think with a bit of thinking most people with a few adjustments would probably manage.

But you quoted me and I never said anything of that nature!

The government advice, is generic "catch all" advice to help mitigate a multitude of potential threats to the UK. People are offering examples and people are being very pedantic in taking those examples down.

Yes, power can go down and so the barriers won't open at sites, but then how are you going to get home...your money may help offer an option. The point is, we do not know the scenario, we can only put in place risk management strategies to try and minimise any issues.

Warfare and hostile attacks of any nature, are changing, its not necessarily boots on the ground anymore and they are trying to help prepare the nation for many potential issues.

Just went out shopping this morning and at least 2 shops were having issues with their card readers. In the first only one till was able to deal with cards, two other tills could take cash only. There was a looong queue.

Didn't seem to be due to a cyber attack or anything particular other than things break down now & then. Most of our local large supermarkets have some self service till which will take cash and obviously the actual cashiers will.

I rarely carry change and have got used to relying on my cards. But after the timely reminders of the two storms that have just passed through leaving parts of the country temporarily without power and dealing with bad water damage think I'll have to get some 'just in case'.

I paid with cash in the last 6 months in a supermarket when the card readers went down. We generally keep about £200 at home and I have around £50 in my purse

Cash hasn't been eradicated just because you don't use it

Nearly all my local hairdressers round here in Somerset only accept cash or bank transfers. Ill have to find a new hiding place in the house. Mattresses are a bit obvious.

I usually use a card but fine if cash is here to stay, I prefer that to some posts and threads where some want it all digital.