I called all over town to get an appointment. Most places were booked, thanks to the annual daddy/daughter dance. I finally got us an evening appointment—at 6pm, we were off!
My mom’s only had her nails done a handful of times, so it was a real treat for her. We were able to catch up in the small town salon; just her, me, and Miss Nail Lady.
After almost 4 hours, our fingers and toes were perfectly manicured.
“How much do I owe you?” I asked, handing over my debit card.
Miss Nail Lady looked at me for a second, then quietly said “Sorry... I don’t take debit cards.”
WHAT?! NO DEBIT CARDS?! AM I IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE?!
For over 10 years, I’ve rarely carried cash on me. Unless I was going on a toll road, or a vacation, the paper money stayed right where it needed to: the bank. I’ve never had an issue. My little blue card has always been run through and processed, sending me on my way, with newly-purchased goods in hand.
Granted, I live in heavily-populated Texas, so vendors don’t really have a choice. But in small town Kansas, I guess that’s the way things are done. You better believe I’ll ask next time.
But, back to the issue at hand: how would I pay this lovely woman, at 10pm on a Saturday?!
Luckily for me, my mom sensed this may be the case (both that it was a cash-only establishment, and that this “big city girl” wasn’t prepared), so she ducked out while I was getting my nails done, ran to the bank and pulled out some money.
Yes, mother does know best. Looks like she did something nice for ME, too.
Thanks, mom. :)
Do you carry cash, or rely on your debit card?
I hardly ever use cash.
ReplyDeleteI never use cash either. In this day and age I thought everybody took plastic.
ReplyDeleteI'm a hairstylist, and I stopped taking debit/credit a year ago. The credit card processing fees are outrageous. You may have paid and tipped her well but after the credit card processor gives her your money they take a chunk. And since credit cards are stolen more.and more these days the processing centers make you pay fees to make sure your machine is updated and doesn't store numbers. Makes small businesses hurt!
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