One of the biggest changes compared to my trip to Spain 22 years ago is the transition to a Cashless Society. Although cashless payments have been widely adopted in Japan recently, there are still many places that use cash. In contrast, Spain felt like almost a completely cashless society, just like Korea. I was particularly impressed by the fact that I could live and travel without using a single cent during this trip.
A Country Without the Need for Cash: Spain
Whether I was having a cup of coffee at a café, dining at a restaurant, purchasing entrance tickets to various tourist attractions, using public transport, or even buying a bottle of water for 25 cents at a supermarket, everything was settled with a Credit Card. The card payment system was so well established that I didn't feel any necessity to carry cash at all.
In situations where cash needed to be used, it seemed that the other party found it more cumbersome. For example, when I tried to buy a simple snack at a supermarket to get change for a tip for the hotel housekeeping staff, I got the impression that the cashier preferred cards over cash. It appeared that counting change was bothersome and inconvenient. I felt that there was a widespread awareness of the inconveniences and inefficiencies of cash usage throughout Spanish society.
The Kindness of Spaniards Experienced in Taxis
The most memorable cashless-related episode occurred in a taxi. I took a taxi from Sagrada Familia to Park Güell, and the fare totaled 11 euros. When I handed the driver a 20-euro bill, he asked if I had a 10-euro bill, saying he didn't have change. When I handed him a 10-euro bill and mentioned I didn't have a 1-euro coin, surprisingly, he said, "You can keep the 1 euro, just pay the 10 euros."
I had actually offered to pay by card first, but the driver replied with a smile, "You seem like a good person, so it's fine." He mentioned he was from Pakistan and had immigrated to Spain to drive a taxi, and I was already touched by his kindness as he was giving me a discount rather than asking for a tip. It made me feel that Spaniards seemed to be exceptionally friendly.
Changes Brought by Cashlessness
This transition to a cashless system in Spain offers various conveniences not only for tourists but also for locals.
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Convenience: You save time and effort by not needing to withdraw cash or exchange currency.
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Safety: The risk of pickpocketing or losing cash is significantly reduced.
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Hygiene: It's more hygienic as you don't have to touch cash bills or coins.
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Transparency: All transaction records are maintained, making it easier to manage your spending.
Through this trip to Spain, I could truly feel that Spain has transformed from a mere tourist nation into a developed society equipped with a modern payment system. The warm hearts of the Spaniards I met in this cash-free convenience enhanced the joy of my travels.
In the next post, I will talk about another aspect of my trip to Spain. Since we've just mentioned the kind taxi driver, I'll discuss the kindness found in Spain in the next part.
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