I was listening to Mr. Tony’s 6/30 show yesterday and heard him recount a story that makes me feel old and out of date. He walked into a bank (not one in which he was affiliated) and asked for change for a $100 bill. He wanted four $20 bills, one $10 bill, and two $5 bills. And the teller refused, based on the bank’s policy.
Realistically, I know the policy probably centers around counterfeit concerns. And while I understand that, does a bank trust a “member” not to cheat them more than a random stranger? I guess the answer is yes. Or more to the point, the bank has a paper trail (so to speak) if the party is a bank member, because that transaction is logged somewhere and can be pointed to in any (potential) future dispute.
Having said all of that, come on. This is a $100 bill. Cash. As Tony said, it’s legal tender in the United States. Why exactly can this transaction, this trade of tender, not be fulfilled? Would it be any different if it was a $20 bill?
We (and by “we”, I mean society) would crucify a convenience store, for example, for refusing to accept cash. Conservatives would lambast them for being too “woke” or whatever, and liberals would scream about the individual’s rights in an increasingly oppressive state. I already hear old people (including Tony) complain about others NOT carrying and using cash more often.
In this case, specifically, I’m with the old man 😉
P.S. Ironically, he did end up getting the change from a customer who was standing nearby. He had change on hand because he had just gotten back from a job…as a male stripper. 🤣
