We have a strange relationship with machines of this sort. We feel that we don't trust them unless there's an inkling of an electronic thumb counting out the notes, thinking about it, and then reluctantly deciding to hand over what is after all, in most cases at least, your own hard-earned...
Hence the clicking and the slight pauses...
Meanwhile, there's an entire generation of children growing up blissfully unaware that when their parents go to the machine it's not actually "free money" they're getting (not helped by those signs) given by some great unseen benefactor, but that you have to sell little pieces of your soul to keep the account in credit...
"I can't afford it, son!"
"Well, just go to the machine and get some more money out..."
I hate the slight pause when you're not sure if it's thinking about swallowing your card - this is much more scary when it happens abroad.
I've just got a Kindle and am trying to get it into my head that while I sit on the bus clicking download on things, elsewhere in the universe this is actually costing me money...
I like the way that when you draw money out, it says 'We are dealing with your request.'
ReplyDeleteIt makes me imagine the machine struggling to come to terms with what you've just asked it to do.
We have a strange relationship with machines of this sort. We feel that we don't trust them unless there's an inkling of an electronic thumb counting out the notes, thinking about it, and then reluctantly deciding to hand over what is after all, in most cases at least, your own hard-earned...
ReplyDeleteHence the clicking and the slight pauses...
Meanwhile, there's an entire generation of children growing up blissfully unaware that when their parents go to the machine it's not actually "free money" they're getting (not helped by those signs) given by some great unseen benefactor, but that you have to sell little pieces of your soul to keep the account in credit...
"I can't afford it, son!"
"Well, just go to the machine and get some more money out..."
I hate the slight pause when you're not sure if it's thinking about swallowing your card - this is much more scary when it happens abroad.
ReplyDeleteI've just got a Kindle and am trying to get it into my head that while I sit on the bus clicking download on things, elsewhere in the universe this is actually costing me money...
And I still find myself saying "thank you!" as I retrieve said money.
ReplyDelete