KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 -- The other day, I visited a new cafe with some friends and was taken aback when the cashier said that they only take cash... I thought I had heard wrong.

After all, these days, it is more common to hear the exact opposite: "We don't accept cash."

Right?

If you belong to Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, you won't even remember a time when cash was the ONLY way to pay for anything.

Credit card usage was not widespread then. It was used only for big purchases like airline tickets, deposits for other significant purchases, and at fancy restaurants.

And yes, the only wallet then was the one in the pocket of your pants or handbag. E-wallets were not yet even a glimmer in anybody's eyes.

But today, cashless tr...