Last week, Rick and I went out to grab a bite at an Evansville area restaurant. It wasn’t anything fancy, just dinner, conversation, and the joy of not having to cook for ourselves or wash dishes afterward.
Admittedly, like a lot of others in America right now, the growing cost of inflation has something as simple as going out to eat feeling like a luxury, even if it’s just casual dining.
The Sticker Shock of Seeing Two Prices
So when I opened the menu, something immediately jumped out at me: every item had two prices. One was the cash price. The other, right next to it, was a credit card price that cost just a little more.
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Why Businesses Say the Extra Fee Exists
Now, look. I’m all for transparency. I recognize small businesses are feeling the same inflationary pressure the rest of us are, and credit card processing fees aren’t cheap. I want the places I love to survive. I want them to thrive.
When Transparency Starts to Feel Like a Penalty
But I also live in the year 2025, where I’m far more likely to carry lipstick, six receipts, and an existential crisis in my purse than actual cash. Most people I know rarely carry cash at all. Paying with a card isn’t a luxury. It’s how we operate now. It’s normal. It’s legal tender.
So why does it feel a little icky to be charged more for it?…