Nerd Dating: how to pay for stuff
This post is a little outside of the progressive chronology I have been trying to maintain, but it occurred to me today that I have not yet addressed the question of how to pay for stuff. This actually is kind of important and pretty situational.
First of all, make sure you have both cash and credit cards in your pocket. An assortment of $20’s and small bills is best, as you might need to tip someone for hailing a cab or something.
The most important thing about paying for stuff is you don’t want to look like a pain in the ass while doing it. That is why you should never try to use a weird credit card, such as Discover or Amex (yes, I love my Amex card. I just don’t try to buy dinner with it). Also, stay away from $50’s or $100’s. You will look like you are trying desperately to look cool like a poser, and there is a good chance the person you are trying to give it to might not have change. Also, 
everyone looks carefully at those bills and you don’t want to be called out for having a counterfeit bill.
Sorry , Ben (Franklin image from the political t shirt category).
The general guideline is as follows; for purchases over $10 credit card, under $10 cash. Only losers and homeless people pay for stuff with cash, so with a few exceptions try to use your card. Here are a few specific cases:
Credit card: dinner, tickets, gasoline, most material purchases.
Cash: tips, cab rides (regardless of amount), donations to street performers (to look like you are supporting the arts), condoms (ha ha ha good luck, but kudos if you need them. I guess that would mean the student has become the master)
Also, use a card that functions as an actual credit card rather than a debit card that requires your PIN. Again, you want to look smooth and entering your PIN makes you look like you are buying groceries.
That’s pretty much it. Remember that money is dirty and most women don’t want be involved in it (they mostly just want to be involved with what it can buy. Not that I’m bitter).
Oh, one more thing. Never count your change when paying cash. You will look like a tool, and the last thing you want to do is make a stink about being shorted $.25. For that matter, don’t argue about money ever with anyone. If you paid $10 for the valet on the way in and they want another $10 on the way out, just suck it up and move on without looking idiotic.
That’s it for today. I think I have some good stuff for tomorrows post, but need to think about it. Talk to you soon.
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