From wikipedia:

Contrary to popular conception, there is no evidence that societies relied only on barter before using money for trade.[73] Instead, non-monetary societies operated primarily along the principles of gift economics, and in more complex economies, on debt.[74][75][76] When barter occurred, it was usually between strangers or would-be enemies.[77]

  • Semi-Hemi-Lemmygod@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Back in the late 60s and early 70s the banks in Ireland went on strike to protest some laws. They thought that they’d cripple the economy and people would demand they reopen. Instead, people used cash for most transactions and if they needed to write a check they’d go down to the pub and the pub owner would vouch for their credit. The banks eventually gave up because their tantrum didn’t work.

    Another example was when the British pulled out of Hong Kong. People who were paid with checks from a British bank would just endorse the check to someone else, who’d endorse it to someone else, who’d endorse it to someone else. The checks were rarely cashed, they just kept circulating.

    • dactylotheca@suppo.fi
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      3 months ago

      if they needed to write a check they’d go down to the pub and the pub owner would vouch for their credit

      Well that was an unexpectedly hilarious turn

      • Semi-Hemi-Lemmygod@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        It’s Irish AF. They recently relaxed drunk driving laws because rural elderly were just sitting at home drinking, which is apparently less healthy than sitting in a pub drinking.

        • NOT_RICK@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          It is healthy to get out and socialize but I’m not sure elderly drunk driving is the answer

          • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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            3 months ago

            Yeah I think that calls for public transit. But what do I know I’m an American who’s pissed because I’m in the process of leaving the land of a dollar beer from a vending machine