Merepek

We had just finished our meal when my young friend, J called for the bill. The waiter promptly sent it over and J opened his wallet and fished out a credit card. Aisehman….this chap has no less than 5 pieces of plastics from different banks peeking out from his bulging wallet. As the waiter moved away, I just could not help commenting, “Wuaahh…..you carry so many credit cards ah? See, your wallet also not enough card slots ledi. Pay annual fees also pokkai la, lidat”

J then explained that 3 of the cards are offered to him ‘Free For Life’ – as in no annual fees payable and so, he just signed up for them. I then asked if it is not troublesome to carry so many cards and to make 5 different payments throughout the month. “That’s the point la, I get 5 credit lines of different limits and I can then spread and roll all my payments lor. That’s what credit cards are for, right?” J replied.

**roll eyes** Aiyoh…. this young ciku mia thinking kinda reckless la – I thought to myself.

Me : Ei, you mean you don’t settle full wan ah?

J : Sometimes la. Got money pay all; if not pay partial lor.

**roll eyes again**

J brings to mind what a close relative said about me regarding my earlier phobia of credit cards. Long, long time ago, I never want to have anything to do with credit cards. I always believe in cash – I’ll only buy something IF and WHEN I have the cash. (Of course la, for my car I still have to take a hire purchase loan and pay until I’m almost bent over.) Until I was fully convinced of the usefulness of credit cards, did I bring myself to gingerly sign on that tiny transaction slip. And I make sure I settle the full amount each month, which ocassionally can be quite painful – macam salah cabut gigi lidat la. A relative used to joke that the banks don’t like people like me because they don’t profit much. He went on to say that when applying for new cards, the banks would readily approve the application when they can see records that there were regular payments, albeit partial ones. This type brings profit to the banks and very much preferred, so he said.

To me, this is convoluted reasoning. Hmmmm…..better not roll eyes anymore (before the eyes get stuck up there for good). I’ll settle for a hearty bellow…..

KAKAKAKAKAKAKA!!!!!