NOTHING says “2026” quite like standing in a wet market, holding your smartphone in one hand, and realising with horror that the seller accepts only cash.
In fact, the experience was so terrifying that the man who was subjected to it actually snapped a photo of his “ordeal,” and viralled it on the cyberspace, probably to collect some sympathy points.
How could people still insist on something as ancient as physical cash in this glorious age of digital payment?
But another netizen quickly offered a rather sensible reality check.
According to @localrkyt, he should have checked with the shop owner who was an elderly man, adding that such age groups are usually not tech savvy.
Sebelum nak mengeluh lebih
1. Tengok juga owner kedai, kalau orang tua kebanyakkan tak pandai pun qr bagai ni.
2. Kena juga standby cash for emergency pic.twitter.com/1zldtX9D0P
— 🇲🇾 (@localrkyt) September 27, 2026
“Got to have some cash on standby for emergencies too,” he added, pointing out the virtues of having physical money.
To keep things simple, there are still people who believe that money should remain something you can actually hold and there is nothing wrong about it.
In the comment section, @MrPuppetwatcher believed people are becoming too reliant on technology.
Then there was @plainthinker_ saying that the year 2026 was not just a benchmark for technological progress, but a test of empathy.
And when people think technology is all bright and sunshine, a helpful netizen comes into the comment section to point out the dangers of online payment.
Also, @quaeenconberse thinks people have the right to decide if they want to transact or not, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
Netizen @korzuen observed that the cash dispensing machines are everywhere, so is there any excuse not to have cash?
The internet goes down. The banking app refuses to cooperate. Your phone battery dies at 3%.
Suddenly, that crumpled RM20 note sitting inside your wallet starts looking like the most advanced piece of financial technology ever invented.
So perhaps the real lesson from this viral wet-market episode is not that cash or QR payments are better. It is that Malaysians might want to keep both handy.—Sept 28, 2026
Main image: @localrkyt (X)
