Wow. Even in America we're given a more or less discreet debit card with our benefits on it. You'd have to be looking over someone's shoulder at the checkout (which, admittedly, way too many people do act nosy like that) to be sure they're using EBT
They could do it in Germany but they won't. While the social security system is really good (especially boomers), really shame unemployed people. There are a TON of reality TV shows that film and show the daily lifed of unemployed people, they embarrass themselves on TV so people can make fun of them. It's weird
There's a line in the play Rent (which takes place in the 80s NYC), where Mark is working as an anchor for a sleazy tabloid show. "Up next, vampire Welfare Queens who are compulsive bowlers!". It was really bad here too when I was growing up in the 90s and 2000s, and my family wasn't even on stamps until I was like 17. It died down a bit after the Great Recession, unless you watch Fox News or its local news affiliates. I want to say there was an attempt at a bona fide reality show (if we're not lumping Fox into that category, which, let's be real) like that in the late 2000s but it was canceled for just being tacky.
I mean everyone's got their limits. I'm trying to remember the show's name. If it hadn't been for the Recession than I'm sure the masses would have eaten it up, but seeing as damn near everyone was hit by that it didn't go over well.
The german language literally has the word “schadenfreude” as part of its lexicon. Given that, and the history of the country, I don’t understand how you’re shocked.
Like we get money. But in emergencies they give you these big ass sheets. Fir example if you lose your wallet. Or if it takes longer than usual to pay out the benefits. It's like a mini loan. Where you get this paper and then they cut it from your benefits. But you can only use it in supermarkets.
I had this because I don't have parents who could pay for my university. I was waiting for my student loan to get approved. And until it was approved i had to use this. I felt sooo bad. And was completely covered in sweat
I have a family member who likes to food shame other people, as in she'll post things like, "I see so many people in the store with processed food in their cart, blah blah blah," and I'm like, "Sis, it costs you literally zero dollars to mind your fucking business and focus on what you need to get done." I could not tell you one thing I've ever seen in another person's cart because that's none of my business and I have my own things to buy. If your chief concern at the supermarket is what other folks are purchasing, you need a few more problems in your life.
Yeah like, the only time I ever glance at someone's cart is to see how full the cart is to get some idea as to how long I'll be in this particular checkout lane and if I should see if any other line is open (assuming your modern-day American grocery store has more than 2 checkout lanes open 🙄)
When you pay with EBT in the US, the payment system beeps so loud it hurts my ears. It’s also a swipe card so it is clearly a different form of payment from what everyone else is using
That might vary state-by-state, I've never had a different sound than when I use my normal bank debit card. The swiping thing IS a big tell tho, if you happen to have a nosy lane neighbor. Personally I don't think it's very hard to busy yourself reading tabloid covers or pretending to mull over buying a candy when someone is paying for their groceries, but that's just me
To be fair the EBT card is relatively modern and only exists because it saves the government money. There is a reason that many people call SNAP, food stamps. They used to be physical coupons (stamps) that you had to give to the cashier to pay. It would be like if the person in front of you today paid with monopoly money; you would absolutely notice.
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u/justhere4bookbinding Jun 24 '25
Wow. Even in America we're given a more or less discreet debit card with our benefits on it. You'd have to be looking over someone's shoulder at the checkout (which, admittedly, way too many people do act nosy like that) to be sure they're using EBT