Wanted to share something I saw on CoinTalk. There is a coffee stand in a "Hawker Centre" (you'll have to Google it. LOL.) with a very long line (or "queue," as the locals call it). I sometimes buy a quick breakfast and coffee there, before lectures. One hears that Singapore is high-tech, ultra modern, and super-expensive. True. But you can find so many pockets of yester-year here and there. The very long line moves quickly, thanks to this bowl of change on the counter. If you're paying with bills, hand them to the Uncle or Auntie (*) and step to the other side of the counter to wait for your food. While waiting, take your change from the bowl. If you're buying just coffee or tea, and paying with change, just drop the coins in the bowl. If you're paying with a debit or credit card, the Auntie whacks you over the head with her frying pan. During off-hours, if you help with the dishes, they'll let you check the bowl for doubled dies. (*Auntie or Uncle is a title you use, to respectfully refer to an older woman or man.) The Honor System and Trust. Alive and Well. Still in practice.
I'd like to see how this would play out in the US (or at least certain parts of the country.) Very efficient to not take all that time to make change. I wonder if big fast food chains have considered a similar method.
I've not seen this done elsewhere even here in Singapore. It's interesting. There's a bit of psychology involved. Somehow, I always feel like the guy behind me is watching to see how many coins I'm taking, just like I'm watching the guy in front of me.
So, Jeff…were you at the Hong Lim, Pek Kio or Upper Boon Keng? I did not realize you were in Singapore…a Big Ole Shoutout to you from Arkansas, US of A. Nice post, BTW…Spark
Here in my town in western KY we have an older gentleman that grows tomatoes, squash, watermelons etc. during the summer and if he's not at home or out running errands, he has a weight scale and locked change container to drop in your money if you happen to buy something from him. There also used to be a bait shop that operated much the same. The joys of living in a county of 5,000 people!
No, never been to Singapore…closest was Japan and Hong Kong in 1984. I took your advice and googled…I wondered which market you used before your lectures. I use Google Maps frequently to “visit” places, the aerial shots are always 5-10 years old, but using Street View you get fairly recent pictures. I have about 75 coins from Asian Nations, including 2 100 yen 2018 Japan that are MS65…absolutely gorgeous.
Human nature seems normally greedy, so the "honor system" usually doesn't work. I know that out in the country, items are left for sale and you are asked to just deposit your payment in the jar, and I've never heard of someone being ripped off, but alas, as drug use hits the country-sides, that will soon change. I think it is refreshing to hear about your experience. Thanks for sharing.
Not everywhere...not anywhere/anymore here much outside rural America, here where I live, if even much here. "Alive" barely...just the "take a penny/leave a penny" bowls on occasion. As for "well"...no way.
So I'm not the only one; I like to "visit" places as well via google maps, especially ones that would otherwise be very difficult to actually visit.
Some places: Abbey Road crosswalk, The Great Pyramid/Sphinx, Ski Resorts in Switzerland, numerous places in England/Scotland/Ireland…all fun and interesting. I also measure distances and compare camera angles so I can orient the local feature…like the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, etc.
What happens if you don't have exact change? LOL. If you get to take a pic, please share. It would be nice to see that set-up.
@Spark1951 @ddddd If you're interested, here are virtual tours of rooms in the Vatican. https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.html And now, I might as well throw in my favorite coin from Citta' del Vaticano! (cause it has two dates on it. LOL.)
Sure. Check out ANA's interactive tour of the Money Museum in Colorado at Money.org. I'd like to visit one day.
Do you have any from countries whose names no longer exist? I think those are cool. Like South Vietnam, Burma, Ceylon, etc.
