Have you seen the Visa card commercial where people are paying with their check cards and transactions are zooming along like clockwork at an uninterrupted, brisk pace? Then one guy pays with cash and everything comes to a screeching halt, complete with nasty looks from the cashier and other customers. The message this company is trying to send is “Because Money Shouldn’t Slow You Down.”

I highly disagree.  Money most definitely should slow you down.

Cold hard American cash is quite lovely to use. People shouldn’t be made to feel ostracized or rushed for using it.  Too many times when I have been at a gas station or store and opted to use cash, I have had people nipping at my heels for me to get the heck out of the way the second the cashier placed the change into my hands.

Are we really in that much of a hurry that we can’t allow the person in front of us 12 extra seconds (or less) to place the change into her wallet and purse, then gather herself before leaving the cashier counter?

And you who allow yourself to be bullied and step away from the counter with your wallet wide open, cash still in your hand – why do you make yourself vulnerable by leaving before you’ve gathered your belongings and cash?  That is just asking for trouble.

So what if the person behind you starts huffing or making a rude comment – we’re talking all of twelve seconds to fold your dollar bills back into your wallet and place your thirteen cents change back into the proper compartment before grabbing your keys and zipping up your purse.

I so very often mention the importance of having domain awareness at all times.  If you’re juggling money, a receipt, belongings and an open purse do you really think you’re fully capable of having keen awareness to your surroundings?  Or is it possible you’re sending a message that you’re easy prey because you’re distracted in four different directions at once?

The next time you’re at a counter stopped to pay for something; take a deep breath, ignore anyone behind you who has decided that 12 seconds is going to make or break their life, and gather yourself before you leave.

We only get one life – make the best of it and stay safe!