Hey Boy - Vibes of the Debit Card
The inspiration to present this topic popped in this morning when I found that My Metro rail card was low on balance & to add more to the situation, nor did I have the required cash in hand to get the needful done.
I was feeling like a miser, lethargically pulling out my card at the counter. Yeah, but that shouldn’t be making much of a difference because it is the same as paying by cash or card, where money is involved in the physical form or in an electronic version respectively. To me using the debit card is the last resort, but then there have been times where cash is not accepted, to my horror.
The Paradigm Shift
Post demonetization, carrying out payments in cash has become a daunting task. Not that cash is not accepted, just that people insist on digital payments. Even a coconut seller & a roadside samosa seller insists on card payments, especially when he says- Bhaiyaa Change nahi hai, tum Google Pay Se kar do. To me, this entire dramatic shift is like a bolt out of the blue. People are even shying away from accepting loose change of INR 2 & 5. Holding & paying by change is now considered cheap. Remember, if you present change in a high end mall or any eatery, the mere looks from the cashier would make you feel disgraceful. Then why even mint coins? I have not done any crime, err..blame the RBI.
Crisp, fresh printed currency is an eye candy. Soiled & wrinkled currency notes are like Eww, I am not taking that. The Power of plastic has reached its best altitude. It makes you feel great, light, proud, confident, arrogant , Comfortable, miser, spendthrift etc. When did the first debit card come up & where, is always an agenda. Some say the first debit cards originated in Canada, while others mention the United States.
For some reason I am attracted to debit cards. Their inviting & colourful appeal with a hideous meaning is something which people should consider before falling for them. Mouth watering cashbacks, Discounts & Girls going mad behind them is a daily scene. Debit cards vary with banks. VISA, Master Cards, JCB, RuPay, American Express are major financial partners that tie up with international & local banks to cater their services to the customers. I will stick to RuPay Debit Card because, It is an initiative by the Government Of India, giving a direct competition to Visa & Mastercard.
The good & the bad
I am really happy with my debit card. First reason being a debit feature, unlike the credit card, Total freedom, No exorbitant annual card fees & charges, Best suited for Domestic & e-commerce transactions & last but not the feeling of a desi touch to the card. Trust me, I am satisfied with no complaints whatsoever. Best part is these RuPay Cards are now valid in France, Bhutan, Nepal, UAE & Singapore. The drawbacks being, these cards cannot be used for international websites & abroad.
There are very good chances where your debit card might be damaged without your knowledge, since the card looks perfect from outside. Either the magstripe has gone rogue or the EMV is on a weekend. Not to mention, when both are working then the POS terminal is the defaulter. I have faced this myself. I am sure many of us would have too. So cash & change comes handy in such times.
Who cares? At Least I don’t. The concept of payment methods has evolved to such heights that our smartphones now act as a lifeline for payments virtually, just by tapping & scanning the QR code.
I was keen to share this piece of writing for quite sometime now- Just share my writing & not my CVV number. Payment Successful — Swipe with Confidence
- Pramod Sharma, Hyderabad
