Based on the sign, it’s a reasonable stand to make. If you’re a cashier working at a convenience store, you already have to put up with quite a lot of day-to-day nonsense, so why make it more unpleasant?

The sign in question was found at Bones Smoke & Brew in Killingsworth, which mostly sells products such as E-cigs, beers, ciders, pipes and other associated items. It makes sense then, that most of their sales will be relatively small transactions which are paid for in cash.

In genral, businesses love money, but it makes sense that they do not want to accept payment from the sock, bra or undewear of a customer. After all, studies have found that cash can harbor a variety of bacteria, including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella, among others. Whilst this risk can be negated by washing your hands, you don’t really want to do this several times per hour.

After all, it should be common courtesy to respect a cashier enough not to pull out $10 from your underwear and expect them to hand you change with a smile.

The bureaucracy of cash payments in Oregon

In the state of Oregon, businesses are generally allowed to refuse cash payments, although there are some restrictions.

In 2021, Oregon passed a law that prohibits most retailers from refusing to accept cash as payment. Under the law, retailers must accept cash for transactions up to $10, although they can still refuse cash for transactions above that amount.

There are some exceptions to the law, such as for online purchases or if a retailer has a legitimate safety concern. Additionally, the law does not apply to businesses that operate vending machines or parking meters.

It’s important to note that the law does not apply to all businesses in Oregon, and it’s always a good idea to check with a lawyer or the Oregon Department of Justice if you have questions about your specific situation.

Of course, with this kind of wording, it leaves more questions than answers and isn’t really clear cut.