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Thanks to Venmo, We Now All Know How Cheap Our Friends Are

nytimes.com

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Re: Thanks to Venmo, We Now All Know How Cheap Our Friends Are

#201

Post by dsr_ »

Terr_ wrote: post #176
rjbwork wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I only know 1, I also work in tech. I, have found developers and other tech workers to be, somewhat ironically, more "Ludditic" than the general population.

I think it's because we've seen behind the curtain. Product X isn't as magical, and we've seen how it can go horribly wrong. I wonder if mechanical engineers tend to be safer drivers...

I think it's a u-curve. Either you are hypervigilant about your personal information and security, or you relax and accept the inevitable.

Re: Thanks to Venmo, We Now All Know How Cheap Our Friends Are

#202

Post by erdojo »

I guess I'm too old. Have heard of Venmo but don't know of anyone who uses it. My friends and I trade off treating each other. It's fun, and no one is keeping score. I enjoy being generous.

I also suspect this author writes off anecdotal info, not actual data.

Take his comparison to libertarianism. Anyone who studies the actual political platform/ideology of libertarians know that describing it as "every man for himself" is a gross oversimplification. I'm not a libertarian myself but I know it doesn't discourage generosity or philanthropy.

Such lazy references make me think the author heard someone riffing about Venmo at a bar and decided to write rant.

Re: Thanks to Venmo, We Now All Know How Cheap Our Friends Are

#204

Post by stordoff »

atmosx wrote: post #177
tedivm wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't follow your logic at all. The person in this article is saying that people are being cheap by not just splitting the bill evenly. I'm pointing out that if everyone did that it would put people with less money at a huge disadvantage. The fact is my friends did not do this, and now that things like venmo exist it's even easier to manage this.

> I don't follow your logic at all. The person in this article is saying that people are being cheap by not just splitting the bill evenly. Could be a cultural thing. I live in a small town of a rather poor country. Where I live, friends pay in turns, today I'll pay and the next time he'll pay and so forth... and not even very strict turns[1]. If could split the check in half, that's acceptable. Splitting the bill to…

> Could be a cultural thing

Also situational. When I was at university, if we went out anywhere, you'd just pay for your food/drinks individually. Now we're all in a position where money isn't as tight, buying rounds of drinks and not paying close attention to who's turn it is or the price of the drinks is much more common.

Re: Thanks to Venmo, We Now All Know How Cheap Our Friends Are

#206

Post by jamescostian »

thanksgiving wrote: post #147
jamescostian wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm 19 and most people I know use Venmo. I'm curious - around what age are your friends? My parents don't know what Venmo is, and I don't think many of their friends (most in the age range of 40-60) do either.

> I'm 19 and most people I know use Venmo. I'm curious - around what age are your friends? My parents don't know what Venmo is, and I don't think many of their friends (most in the age range of 40-60) do either. Made in 1987 here. I have Paypal as well but I prefer Google Wallet. Google Wallet is directly connected to my bank account. I don't trust Paypal to connect it to my bank account. Why would you trust Venmo wi…

I can actually relate quite a bit to this. I waited somewhere between 1 and 2 years before setting up Venmo just because I didn't want to hook it up to my bank account. Only after seeing all of my friends using it did I finally set up a Venmo account.

If you don't trust Paypal, I can understand why you don't trust Venmo.

Re: Thanks to Venmo, We Now All Know How Cheap Our Friends Are

#207

Post by vilmosi »

regulation_d wrote: post #141
detaro wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bank transfer. No fees, fast enough (at least inside a country next business day, I think internationally it's allowed to be a bit slower?), if you want to do it mobile there are enough banks that have apps.

I can do bank transfers from my bank, but I feel awkward saying, "hey, can I get your routing and account number?" Even if I didn't feel awkward, with Venmo and Square Cash, I have all the information I need if either we're FB friends or have their email address.

Well it's not more awkward that the initial "can I have your phone number" or "can I add you on Facebook". You only do it once when you need it and never again.

Also, there's plenty of alternatives, bank transfers are usually the last resort. There's Revolut, Monzo, Ping It...

(UK perspective)

Re: Thanks to Venmo, We Now All Know How Cheap Our Friends Are

#208

Post by prodtorok »

tunetine wrote: post #136
prodtorok wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ever been a college student?

"Separate checks, please."

"can we split for this case of beer?"

"can we split for this pizza delivery?"

"can we do an iou for my friend who forgot their card?"

"can we split this utility bill?"

Re: Thanks to Venmo, We Now All Know How Cheap Our Friends Are

#209

Post by stordoff »

cbhl wrote: post #83
mjevans wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You were either too proud to tell your friends the truth or had bad friends.

Even if all your friends know, you will feel bad if someone -- anyone -- pays for you. Being able to pay for yourself feels like control, and it's doubly important to have that feeling when you're poor.

Probably variable. I've said a few times that I can't afford to go out, and had friends offer to pay (to be paid back if/when I can afford it), and it never really bothered me (I was extremely grateful to have such good friends TBH).

I did make sure to pay them back when I could (a few months later), and when I had a bit more money a few years later made sure to buy them all a few rounds of drinks though.

Re: Thanks to Venmo, We Now All Know How Cheap Our Friends Are

#210

Post by gonehome »

schrodinger wrote: post #200
dbg31415 wrote: post #184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You old? (= I am. My neighbor's kid introduced me to it. Now I can't live without it. Being able to pay my maid or gardener when I'm not home... priceless. I never carry cash or a wallet any more. Slip an ID card in my phone case... good to go.

Be careful, they technically don't allow commercial transactions and will freeze your account (and reverse transactions) if they catch you. I got a stern warning after selling something on Craigslist and accepting payment via venmo, they must have figured it out by the note and lack of network of friends with the buyer.

That's a bad idea because you're likely to get scammed: http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2015/09/venm...

Basically if you're doing a transaction with an untrusted person the time it takes for things to clear means you can be taken advantage of.

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