I think you're right that working in certain areas (geographical or professional) gives you an ability to grasp all kinds of English.

I've worked in universities and in tech, in New Jersey, LA, and Silicon Valley, and I feel like I can understand just about anyone's English.

Ironically, the ones I have the hardest time understanding are almost always Brits.

I think you might be right and I think I'll like some of the consequences and hate some of the others.

More in-person stuff feels like a win to me (and I say this as someone who probably counts as introverted).

Not being able to trust any online interactions anymore? Seems like a new height in what was already a negative.

I feel like this kind of glosses over the fact that a lot of people (I'd say an overwhelming majority) prefer the cashless options anyway.

I don't know if I have any friends who miss carrying coins and cash, or who miss carrying individual bus/subway tickets, but if they do, they're awfully quiet about it compared to the friends who happily say they can't remember using cash.

I'd say that if anything, cashless things are catching up to the general public.

Personally, I'm in favor of keeping things cash-friendly because people shouldn't be forced to be cash-free, but that's only to support a small minority of people.

> from bitter experience as a buyer rather than a seller of those services over the last 5 years --- "no game-over vulnerabilities" is a very common outcome!

Why bitter? Did they miss some?

Otherwise, isn't that the goal to begin with? Shouldn't you be proud instead?