Korea's shift toward cashless society leaves elderly behind
A 67-year-old man surnamed Cho living in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, recently tried to pay for a cup of coffee at Starbucks with cash, only to be told that the store accepted only credit cards and mobile payments. "I just wanted to pay in cash, but they told me it had been the store's long-standing policy not to accept it. I knew most people paid by card these days, but I never expected a store…
A 67-year-old man named Cho in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, encountered difficulties when attempting to pay for a cup of coffee at a Starbucks store using cash. The store informed him that they no longer accepted cash, despite it being their longstanding policy. The elderly man expressed surprise at the store's refusal, as he was aware that most people had moved to card payments.
This incident highlights the ongoing shift towards a cashless society in Korea, where cafes, buses, and even bank branches are increasingly relying on card or mobile payments. While many consumers have adapted to this new normal, those who still depend on cash are finding it more challenging to make everyday purchases. The transition has been gradual in the retail sector, with Starbucks Korea implementing cashless stores at 103 locations nationwide in November 2018, accepting only cards and mobile payments.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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