Cash Free Society

In a cash free world the real losers are the homeless.

Something interesting happened today. I was on the train when a homeless woman came walking through the cars asking for change. Or food. Or anything, we all know the script. Of course, she was quickly dismissed. Even as she claimed to be two months pregnant, people just minded their business. Or maybe no one could hear her, since everyone owns a pair of headphones and an iPhone. 

The train arrived at the next stop and she made her way out. And just as everyone on the train felt the discomfort escape from their faces, enter the next homeless man.

But this one was different. 

He had a plan. 

The homeless man entered the train and started his elevator pitch. 

“Look I know homeless people walking through the train begging for change makes you all uncomfortable. And I don’t want to ask for handouts cause I know Every man needs to earn his keep. So I came up with a plan. I started a business. I have water bottles here that are sealed and brand new and $1. Is anybody thirsty?”

I’ll admit, at this point I stopped listening. Not because I wasn’t interested but because I was so intrigued it got thoughts running through my head. How did this man, at the bottom of his life, still find the confidence to try to lift himself up selling waters? This guy is obviously willing to work, so why can’t he seem to find work? Where the hell did he buy bulk cases of water from? How is he navigating the subway with all these waters?

So many questions running through my mind I hadn’t even realized I was already reaching for my wallet. I excitedly open my wallet to buy a few because, first, I was thirsty and second, I admired his drive and just as I was opening it up, I remembered; no cash. And that single moment made me think. 

In a world where cash is obsolete, how does a homeless man get back on his feet?