The Visa Version:
There’s a crowded restaurant at lunch. Choreographed masses spin with loaded trays. Lunch-goers approach the register, present a magic Visa card, a quick swipe, the card is handed back and they walk away. Some poor clod gets to the counter and tries to pay with cash – the dance is brought to a halt.
The Real Version:
You approach the register. You hand them a $20. The cashier gives your change. Or – some poor clod hands over a Visa card. Maybe the cashier wants to see ID. There’s a swipe. Then a wait. Then the little machine prints out a tiny piece of paper that unavoidably curls up. Need a pen now… where’s a pen? Then a signature is placed on that little paper – only to be ignored by the clerk. Finally, the card is handed back with 2 receipts for your $7.95 lunch.
Variations:
What about when you’re at a restaurant, and you need to split a check among 8 people? You get to spend the next 15 minutes shuffling cards and trying to explain to the wait staff how to charge the various cards. Then it all comes back again, for a round of paperwork.
Visa, what’s the point? Are your cute ads trying to convince us that your procedures are, in fact, convenient? They’re the exact opposite of reality. Today’s credit card is yesterday’s personal check. Whip that card out at certain places and watch the people behind you grow impatient.
Tags: 4 Comments
yes, they are trying to conince us that their procedures are convient. that is the whole point of the ads. they know their weekness. they know that americans believe whatever is spoon fed to them via media.
guilty fact: i like using cards, because i take pennies out of circulation, but i also know how much money i lose every year by doing so. i know if i use my card, i keep my pennies.
Hey, how come we aren’t on your “roll”?!! And how come you don’t post any pics?
I have an idea for your next posting….my bro-in-law will be applying to Law School. Tell us the process, what you know now that you wished you would have known, how many schools you applied to?, LSAT tips, LSAT score (if you feel comfortable), and anything else you feel would be helpful! This is just a suggestion! :) If not, you would mind emailing me about this stuff?? Thanks! You’re a pal!
derek you have a blog.
OK THEN, you are officially tagged. I also would like to say for the record I am not cheating on scrabble. I wanted to play que on the “u” but apprently that is not a word. I knew the only other q word without “u” is qi and I got lucky with 2 “i”s. So good luck and let the best woman win!