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> To many in the group, northern California’s low-rise buildings looked shabby ... They didn’t see the shared bikes ... can’t believe Americans still use credit
by icobaron 9y ago
> To many in the group, northern California’s low-rise buildings looked shabby ... They didn’t see the shared bikes ... can’t believe Americans still use credit cards and cash
I too was shocked about how unappealing Silicon Valley was. I'm an American.
It was like "wow they don't know they are imagining solving problems that aren't a problem for the rest of the country"
Pull off to any random gas station on the peninsula? Sorry you need cash at the pump. Already in the line to the carwash? TOUGH LUCK! better get out your car, run to the attendant and get cash! Don't mind that the bank freezes your debit card at this location because its sketchy af, further inconveniencing everyone in the carwash line waiting for you. Where is the apple or google pay? Nonexistent.
I digress, that has almost nothing to do with anything. It is just the reality of whats in Silicon Valley, distinct from more cosmopolitan areas.
Silicon Valley's real inconveniences are partially California administrative problems. And as the article points out, the US is like a big corporation, lots of things in your way before change.
- stass 9y agoI have not seen a single gas station in California that does not accept credit or debit cards for 10 years, let alone in the Bay Area. If they do exist, it’s most certainly a tiny minority.
- sidlls 9y agoThe AM/PMs I've seen in the peninsula take debit cards and cash only. There's one debit card station to serve all the pumps.
- cardiffspaceman 9y agoRe: SV is so backward. My AM/PM here in San Diego, Calif, has debit card acceptance at each pump.
- DrScump 9y agoThe AM/PMs I suspect those gas stations are actually Arco.
- nostrademons 9y agoSome of the ARCOs, Alliances, and other small labels are cash/debit only, and their prices are typically $0.20/gal less because of it. You're right, though, they're a tiny minority. All the majors (Chevron/Shell/Valero/76) take credit cards, and you won't have trouble finding one.
- 0800 9y agoIn China, even the beggars accept cards and cryptocurrency. In South-America, street vendors accept cards. FinTech revolution is happening in China, not so much the US/SV.
- Zarath 9y agoWeChat and Alipay yes, but cards and cryptocurrency?
- jxramos 9y agoI'd have to see this on YouTube by several independent sources. Sounds pretty wild, when living standards rise so high the definition of "poverty" becomes more and more absurd.
- qiqing 9y agoI haven't seen a beggar accept cryptocurrency (yet), but I've seen them accept mobile payments. Along with informal farm vendors (e.g., guy on the corner with a bag of oranges on his shoulder) accepting mobile payments.
- DrScump 9y agoSorry you need cash at the pump. Never, ever seen that anywhere in CA/OR/NV/ID. Arco doesn't accept credit cards as policy, but they do accept debit cards. The scariest thing about pay-at-the-pump is that card skimmers are too common. better get out your car, run to the attendant and get cash How is an attendant going to "get cash", and from what? Do you mean get change for coin-op self-wash?