" Things seem very complicated over there. "

It's not more complicated to bank in person or to use cheques, in my opinion, though it does take more time because bank hours are becoming more limited as more people use online banking. I have a US dollar cheque I need to deposit, and I don't trust it will be deposited in a foreign currency correctly on the app, so I want to go in to a bank and do it in person.....I'm sure they'll say it would have been fine to do it electronically, but I figure it's easier to deposit it in person than it is to have to go in person to correct it later ;)

I still do business with some people who prefer to pay (or to be paid) by cheque. Fewer than there were 5 years ago, though, so that's a positive move towards fewer cheques. I think Covid helped with that change.

My inlaws in Toronto had a bank where they could request US$ at the ATM. It was handy for giving gifts to their US kids or to take with them to Cuba on vacation.

well I got a letter from the bank, that said if I put cash in the night drop again they would close my account. It was 250.00 on a weekend. Asked why and was told because they could not see who it was. If I have cash to place in my account I mut go inside, or use the cash machine outside. I did not know you could put cash it one of those, and I will not be learning how.

" . I was concerned I didn't have change for a public toilet a while back. "

floraluk, things seem very complicated there. Public toilets here are free, no payment required. ;-)

Schoolhouse, you maybe need anger management tools. Your incident is hardly something to make such a fuss over.

I don't ever do in-person banking but the few times I've had to go in to one in the last 10 years, like for a notarization or safe deposit box access, I was very underwhelmed by the staff. Even the branch managers seemed to have limited powers of thinking and reasoning.

My main banking is done with USAA and I'm not sure if indeed they have any physical branches. If so, they're limited and not near me. All banking, including check deposits, is done electronically and couldn't be faster or more convenient. Best bank ever. Just one example- when I need to call them, the call goes quickly to a live person who's informed, empowered, and capable of quickly handling my needs.

I don't think I've ever in my life had cash to deposit. Those who do must own a business and accept cash payments? That's a different story than personal banking.

IIRC, the bank's $ limit for deposits was $5k. Also, it was total...I had 2 checks to deposit of less than that, but added together they exceeded the limit and it was denied. I contacted another bank I use that is on-line only and asked if they had a deposit limit and I believe they said it was $100k. So clearly that's not federally regulated but a choice by the bank.

Also, IIRC, it's the Federal Reserve that requires banks to report cash transactions of $10k or larger.

"Schoolhouse, you maybe need anger management tools. Your incident is hardly something to make such a fuss over. "

Oh you're the one who always makes "such a fuss", where did I say I got so very angry? I just used the word "snark", as in annoyed. Reading and understanding the emotions of others seems to be one of your pitfalls.

I dont think a ”small wth” calls for anger management. It’s ok to get an annoyance off your chest

Not just off your chest but to me at least, it presented an interesting question of why ask for name.

I do think Elmer’s comment about complicated public toilets deserves an LOL though!

That certainly piques the curiousity. How much does it cost to go to a public bathroom where Floraluk lives? If you forget your card are you as they say, SOL?

I think SOF (floor)

Many toilets are free. But a few are not. They're usually 20p. In the past they were one old penny. Hence the euphemism 'going to spend a penny'. The situation here is not good. Many local authorities are shutting public toilets to save money. One of the positive things about visiting the US is the quality and frequency of public toilets. But the skimpy doors come as a surprise when you're used to floor to ceiling.

I recall paying for the public toilet in Europe. They were pretty clean! I have heard/read the euphemism ”Excuse me, I’m going to go spend a penny.”

My dad's family was from London, so I heard that often as a kid 🙂

This talk of toilets brought a memory back to me. Many years ago while living in Germany courtesy of USAF stationing my DH there, I went into the restroom at a Gasthaus (bar/pub). I entered the door marked ”Damen” which was next to the door marked ”Herr”. I was quite startled to see that both doors opened into the same room.

floraluk, you've identified why we refer to ourselves as the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. The first part is self-explanatory. The second part refers to our ability to boldly and fearlessly travel far from home, because we know should the need arise, we can expect to find appropriate facilities to use even if penniless and lacking plastic payment cards.

I had a somewhat similar European experience, KW. I spent an afternoon with a group of work colleagues very comfortably paddling and drifting down a slow flowing river in one-person kayaks while drinking beer we each were advised to bring along. It was an enjoyable fine day.

After several hours and more than a few beers, the need to visit a restroom was extreme. A businessperson with foresight built an attractive tavern adjacent to where the kayaks were turned-in at the downstream end of the trip so that weary travelers could use the facilities and get refreshment and a bit to eat before heading off. (I used the word "tavern", it was on the Continent, not in an English-speaking country).

Anyway, I walked in, followed the signs and came upon a line of women coming out a corridor that continued into the main room. Figuring they were waiting for a seat, something I didn't need, I asked to be excused as I passed those in line to get to what I was looking for. What came next about halfway down the corridor were a number of urinals mounted on the wall. At the end of the corridor was a larger room with toilet stalls and a wall of sinks for handwashing. I thought "Ah hah, the drill here is to stand in front of a urinal while surrounded in pretty close quarters by women, then go to the end of the corridor to wash hands". It was fine with me, I had to go. Those near me as I lowered my pants and started the relieving flow chuckled just as I did. A memorable experience.

“frequency of public toilets.”

floral, Not always!

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/22/business/public-restrooms-bathrooms-us-city.html#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20the%20United%20States,bathrooms%3A%2056%20per%20100%2C000%20people.

https://www.route-fifty.com/infrastructure/2023/08/cities-struggle-solve-public-restroom-problem/389812/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/09/08/public-restrooms-hard-find-comic/

"I don't think I've ever in my life had cash to deposit."

---Ever?? What world do you live in?? Strange "bubble" you live in.

"Schoolhouse, you maybe need anger management tools. Your incident is hardly something to make such a fuss over."

---Pot...kettle

" I don't think I've ever in my life had cash to deposit. Those who do must own a business and accept cash payments? "

Or have cash gifts. Or small level savings at home ("a dollar a day"). Or have held a garage sale. Or they won it at a casino.

When I was a kid, my dad taught helped me open up a bank account. I would deposit babysitting money there. Thanks Dad! It helped me buy my first car.

I helped my children the same way. They learned how to deposit cash.

I don’t deposit cash any more. Or write cheques. I visit the bank once a year now.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve deposited cash. I’ve got a coffee mug that at any given time will have between $0 and $1000 or so in it. Any cash I stumble upon replenishes that. When my kids want to deposit cash, they give it to me. I transfer money to their accounts and put the cash in the coffee mug. Yeah, something has been lost since the days my dad would take me to the savings bank, I’d hand them the cash and my passbook which would get updated with the new balance.

" I’ve got a coffee mug that at any given time will have between $0 and $1000 or so in it. "

I keep a few hundred in cash at home, but not that much........Not wrong, just different.

I’m remembering the pride I felt when my dad took me to open my first savings account. When we returned to bank to make my second deposit, my dad got many laughs telling the story about my asking the teller for reassurance that my money I was handing over that day would be put with ”my other money’. At 7 years old I had a vision of my own personal bank vault. My imagination or understanding of how banking worked must’ve been from that money bags miser cartoon character who was always counting his money in his safe.

Toronto & foas - We keep @ $1k in our fireproof safe. Not so we won’t burn the $ should we have a fire, but so we will have some cash on hand in the event of a natural disaster & loss of power - no ATMs & no way to access cash. We also have MRE food in garage & always some canned & dry dog food though those kinds of food are not what I feed my dog.

" telling the story about my asking the teller for reassurance that my money I was handing over that day would be put with ”my other money’ "

I can just imagine the teller trying not to laugh while assuring you that your money would be fine.

" in our fireproof safe "

I also have some things in a small waterproof, fireproof safe. It's small enough to walk away with, so it's only a "safe" in the sense of fire and flood. I have some cash, a flash drive with some important stuff, and a few stock certificates in private companies.

KW, I also keep a bunch of cash at home. I dip into it every so often just to have a bit of cash in my wallet. It also comes in handy if kids come to the door selling cookies, or boyscouts come for a bottle drive or raffle tickets….things like that. I seldom dip into it though.

I tap for most purchases or pay online.

Do we have public toilets in the US? I remember the brouhaha about the self-cleaning toilets they wanted to install in NYC and the handicappers were up in arms because they weren't handicap accessible. My thought was better that most of us should be better off than all of us suffer. Not sure whatever happened with that...I think they did install a few eventually but someone else would know better. In the city, I always ended up at a hotel, walking in like I belonged and using theirs. Otherwise, some places you eat, hang on to the receipt which has a code printed on the bottom for restroom access.

I guess the public toilets are like those at highway rest stops, though many of those have closed. I always considered McD's and Burger King America's potties...the only time I've been in either was for that or a cup of tea or coffee in the last 30 years.

They have them in some parks as well, though many of those are pits...watch out for spiders!

I was stationed in Germany in the 80's and for the first time had to pay to use a public toilet. I think it ranged from 20 to 30 pfennigs (had to google to find out how to spell it lol). I didn't mind because they were always clean, unlike a lot of public toilets here in the U.S. I've had to walk back out without using some toilets here in the U.S. I also miss the privacy thing. Why do we have 1 1/2 inch gaps in our bathroom stalls here?!! I've been in some stalls where the bottom of the door is almost level with the toilet seat. Why?! Sorry, Schoolhouse, I know this is way off topic but had to put my two pfennigs in. ( :

Here there are public toilets in public places such as parks, courthouses, hospitals and clinics, and so on.

This thread makes me sad, illustrating further areas where where human contact is diminished -- additional opportunities to foster connection and empathy...lost.

Well, the advantage of shorter stall doors is, it's easy to look for someone's feet to see if it's occupied. If the doors are full length and there's no indicator on the outside, the only way to tel if it's available is to give a push and then maybe barge in on someone who didn't lock it properly!

Elmer your story reminded me of the men's room at the Madonna Inn. Don't know if you've been there, but women often barge in to see it, fountain and all!

The door catch always has an indicator on the outside. Red or green or, on older doors, 'engaged' or ' vacant'. No need to push the door.

Floral - those indicators ”occupied / vacant” is what we see on this side of pond. But, I’d forgotten about them because I don’t see them on doors of public restrooms I see most often - medical clinic & gym!

Annie - your comment reminded me of my visit to men’s room while on business travel with group of coworkers - at top of what then was Sears Tower in Chicago now is Willis Tower. The view over city was floor to ceiling - almost scary to stand & look. The question we had was why did only the men’s room rate this phenomenal view?

That's the way portable toilets work here, floral - and airlines too.

I work at a city rec center in a public park, and we do have outside restrooms that unfortunately get routinely vandalized, so they are often locked. We do have inside bathrooms that are free to the public, tho.

I well recall dealing with the issue of having to answer the call of nature in NYC back in the day. Most places did not allow the public to use theirs - and many didn't even have one (or at least said they didn't)

I do understand that there's a really nice public restroom in Bryant Park - with music and fresh flowers daily.

Okay, I have a complaint. Why do most portable toilets at outdoor venues have the urinal right at eye level for women when they are using the toilet?

@roxsolid 🤣 another one of the many reasons I have to be really, really desparate before I can enter one of those things! Right up there with airplane toilets.

"

"I don't think I've ever in my life had cash to deposit."

---Ever?? What world do you live in?? Strange "bubble" you live in."

Easy question to answer. A world where cash is rarely received and rarely spent. Just as I think it is for most people I know.

Regarding your unneeded comment suggesting I need anger management, you couldn't be more wrong. I almost never get angry or annoyed- I can't remember the last time. It's certainly never about piddly little day to day things that are to be expected. I go with the flow. How about you?

" This thread makes me sad, illustrating further areas where where human contact is diminished "

I'm not sure what in particular you're referring to, chisue. I have to say that my experience with the wall hung fixtures in a narrow corridor full of women was for me perhaps the most memorable, unexpected and extreme moment of human contact. Nothing since has compared.

You go with the flow? Now, that's really funny. I don't believe that for one second. If you are any indication like you are on here-in real life, you DO NOT go with the flow. There is no way you keep your rude comments to yourself even in public. You have to know that is annoying.

"Just like most people I know". Like I said, you live in a "bubble". You've needed to get out more. Now...in current times, with venmo etc not so much, but in past years I cannot imagine cash never been deposited by most people at some point. That's just common sense.

FWIW, people who work for tips get cash regularly - and marijuana dispensaries usually have to deal in cash too - loads of it. There are many other circumstances I can think of as well.

I am continually mystified by the apparent lack of knowledge &/or imagination on display...

" Elmer your story reminded me of the men's room at the Madonna Inn. Don't know if you've been there, "

Of course I've been there but not lately. It seems very 60's and passe to me. Mostly for visitors touring the Central Coast.

California has a tradition of structures/places with oddball or quirky features. Most seemingly in SoCal - the Madonna Inn is one of them. There's apparently a style name some use to describe the phenomenon - "California Crazy".

For anyone interested, I found two websites that mention several:

Weird Buildings

Architectural Oddities in California

This is where I keep my cash.

My stepmother gave me this coin purse, and it is just so kitchy. Everybody always loves it. This was long before Corgi butt

" people who work for tips get cash regularly - and marijuana dispensaries usually have to deal in cash too - loads of it. There are many other circumstances I can think of as well. "

This is a very small percentage of the economy, involves relatively few people and is hardly worth mentioning. More significant is the so-called black or underground economy. People who work for cash and whose income is unreported and untaxed. Estimated to be 10% or more of the economy.

" I am continually mystified by the apparent lack of knowledge &/or imagination on display. "

This certainly applies more to you than to me. Pay attention to what goes on around you, read newspapers and magazines and talk to people. You'll catch up.

Edit to add - Amounts collected by dispensaries are in cash and kept in cash (not deposited in banks) because under federal law, such revenue is considered as coming from prohibited, illegal businesses and bank transactions are not allowed. That may have just recently changed because of changes in federal drug laws. It's not something I follow that closely.

A clarification - people who work in the cash, black economy do so expressly because bank deposit and credit card transactions leave a record that tax inspectors can trace. Cash transactions do not. Such money is collected in cash and remains in cash.

" I don't believe that for one second. "

As you wish, I don't care.

As for common sense, I think your comment history paints a picture of someone whose thoughts and views, including common sense, are in their own category, one dissimilar to mine and that of many others. Who cares about that either, be as you wish. Don't expect silence when you say something people disagree with.

I have noticed there are some people who seemingly scour the internet looking for things they disagree with...

Do you think in-person conversations or online exchanges in which participants only agree with one another and have nothing further to add are interesting? I don't.

" the advantage of shorter stall doors is, it's easy to look for someone's feet to see if it's occupied. "

And for emergency access and exit if there's a medical problem.

Cat butt

I worked for 37 years (beginning in 1984) at a business at which the sales were primarily cash transactions. We didn't start taking credit cards until mid-Feb of 2001. Cash was often half or more of the transactions even after cards were accepted. No questionable or illicit products were involved, not even alcoholic beverages.