Has The Laundromat Defined Our Future?

Change Is Coming

In 1985, I worked as an assistant manager for Avon. My manager spoke often about a day when we would have a cashless society. She said we would buy and sell only with credit cards, which would be part of the Antichrist's reign.

Revelation 13:16-17 King James Version

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

My middle brother shared these sentiments and said not being able to use cash would be the mark of the beast and lead to the end of time and the return of Christ. I recently noticed a change that startled me and has me thinking about what I was told forty years ago.

More people around the world today use debit and credit cards and apps. Still, cash remains a choice. I know of three local businesses: a deli, a restaurant, and a night spot that only accept cash.

I have been told that many young adults have been stunned because they use their apps for everything. I was recently startled for a different reason.

Resistant to Change

My washing machine is not working, and I have been using local laundromats. A few days ago, I went to one I had not been inside of since before my washer was first installed.

I was ready to put money in the change machine until I realized this was no longer a coin-operated facility. To wash clothing, you must purchase a card for $1.00. If you use a $5.00, $10.00, or a $20.00 bill rather than a debit or credit card, the remaining cash is loaded onto the card.

I don't like the idea of not getting my cash back to do with as I please. For 68 years, whenever I went to a laundromat, the washers and dryers required quarters. The idea that I could no longer use money gave me a panic attack.

I pondered a possible totally cashless society and was sad about all that would be lost. No more giving money for cash tips or money to kids who cut grass or shoveled snow. I realized that the young man who had cleared my sidewalk for the past two winters requested payment through CashApp.

Are We There Yet?

A society where paper money and coins are no longer viable would mean that those who give to the homeless would not be able to hand them a few dollars.

As I think about the laundromat, I realize I don't want my choice of whether to use cash or technology to be taken away. The snack and drink machines in most local coin-operated laundromats have been using cards rather than cash for a while.

I was unbothered by the change, but now things are different. I will no longer see the joy on the faces of children who find a quarter or two that got left in the washer. I will not be able to enjoy the sound of the manager pouring the quarters out of the washers and dryers into his container.

We Are Already Here

This is just the beginning, and other coin-operated self-service laundries are sure to follow. Even after I can purchase another washing machine, I will continue to disagree with the disappearance of cash from society in every form.

I don't know if those who interpret Revelation chapter 13 are correct that one day you won't be able to buy or sell anything unless you use technology. If this is true, I have no idea how far in the future a totally cashless society might be.

What I do know is that laundromats where change is not needed have arrived. In time, I will adjust as I have to other technological advances, but for now I feel as though I am grieving the loss of a friend. We are here and only time will tell how far it will go.