Why Do So Many People Still Insist on Paying in Cash Despite More Rewards from Mobile Payments?

As mobile payments, credit cards, and digital wallets become increasingly prevalent, people can now complete all transactions with just a smartphone. However, many are still puzzled as to why so many individuals continue to insist on paying in cash. Are credit card rewards and points simply not enticing enough? This question has sparked heated online discussions, with many cash advocates stepping forward to explain that the greatest advantage of physical money lies in the tangible feeling of 'watching your wallet shrink.' This psychological 'pain of paying' helps curb impulsive purchases and supports better budget control.

A netizen posted on Dcard asking, 'Why do people in Taiwan still love using cash so much?' They pointed out that modern credit and mobile payment systems are highly developed—payments are completed with just a quick 'beep' of a phone, often earning cashback, discounts, and loyalty points, while eliminating the hassle of carrying bulky wallets full of coins and bills. Yet, they observed that many people still insist on using cash, meticulously counting out change at checkout counters.

The original poster admitted that aside from small vendors or street stalls that only accept cash, they couldn't understand the rationale behind choosing cash at stores that accept cards. They asked, 'I really want to know—what's the magic of cash? Is there a sense of ritual? Does handing over bills make spending feel more real? If digital payments offer rewards, credit cards have promotions, and transactions are faster, what's the actual advantage of sticking with cash?'

After the post went viral, many respondents shared that digital payments are too seamless, making it easy to overspend without realizing it. As a result, they deliberately use cash to control desires and manage budgets precisely. Comments included: 'Digital payments are convenient, but you don't notice how much you're spending, and then you're shocked by the bill amount (many friends struggle with spending control, so they prefer cash to track available funds)'; 'Digital payments are so convenient that you spend a lot without feeling it'; 'Spending becomes too easy, leading to accidental overspending'; 'Paying with cash makes spending feel more real—otherwise, online shopping feels like drinking water, and the pain only hits when cash on delivery arrives, reminding you to be more cautious.'

Beyond financial management, other factors were also highlighted: 'It's hard to catch fraudsters in Taiwan if your card is used fraudulently'; 'Data breaches—digital payments often link to credit cards, so if the backend is hacked, the risk of unauthorized transactions is high'; 'Different payment methods have different promotions, and it's just too annoying to keep track'; 'I honestly think Taiwan's digital payment systems are inconvenient—many places only accept specific cards, some only allow debit cards, and by the time you finish setting everything up, you could've already paid in cash and left.'