They do not accept credit cards at the restaurant in our hospital
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40193)
Canada
March 23, 2010 10:05pm CST
My husband went in for some surgery and I had to stay with him all day. So naturally ate at the hospital cafeteria. Well I found out that they do not accept credit cards, but just debit or cash. I think that they figure that we are going to drop dead at the spot after eating and they do not want to take any chances.
Now with a credit card, I am expecting my pension in a few days, and I can go and pay it off in full right then, but with debit, I have to have the money in the bank right then and if I want to use most of the money to pay off a credit card, I have to wait until our pension comes in. So I guess I will have to live on the cheap and try to keep the dining out to between 5 and 10 dollars because I heard my husband will not be discharged until Friday.
3 people like this
6 responses
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
28 Mar 10
I use our joint debit card, but I would rather use my credit card as I can get points. They also accept cash, and in the Tim Hortons there that is all they accept. And that Tim Hortons, does not have any Chili.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
24 Mar 10
That really stinks. I hope your husband is doing ok. Could you use from your debit and replace it when your pension comes in? I know how hard it is when you are stuck in the hospital. We were there for 2 weeks last year. It can really take a toll.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Mar 10
The money is from our joint account and I do not have that much in my own checking account because I already had things on budget and I am getting the pension next week. My husband did get a refund because of his disability from the year before so that money was to go into the joint savings account to make up for the money we took from the retirement fund to pay for the upgrade of the house. But now I can only put some of it in, as I need the other money in reserve until we get our pensions.
He was supposed to be out of the hospital today, but they say it will not be until Friday.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
24 Mar 10
Sorry to hear that, I do hope your hubby does well..and that you don't have to go to hungry or eat to much nasty food..because the cheap food usually if the worst tasting. I do hope that you are getting enough rest and that those chairs aren't killing your back and legs.. I know they did mine when I stayed with my niece in hospital for a week..takecare...and don't forget tot get enough rest.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Mar 10
Luckily at lunch time, they have this Chinese food there, so I had stir fry yesterday, and soup the day before, but at supper there is not that good a choice. I had soup and a calzone last night, and a wrap the night before. But on weekends, there is no fresh food unless you can get those packaged salads. As for their fish and chips you could wound someone throwing that fish at someone. It is that bad.
Chairs are all right. And I am getting enough rest. Do not have to get up to move my husband now.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157563)
• United States
24 Mar 10
That does make it somewhat difficult, with him having to stay in. I hope all went well with the surgery and he can come home as you are planning on Friday.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Mar 10
It does because we need the money in the bank. I have some change out, but that is for Church offerings and even though we can put checks in the offering plate now, or bag, I want to have some coins just in case. Also with the debits, they come immediately, but with the credit card, they usually wait until the end of the week so I do not have a whole lot of piddly entries.
The surgery went well. Now we have to learn to use the feeding tube and I hope that the instructor is there when we are all there, that is me, my friend who was a chief nurse in Holland, etc.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
24 Mar 10
A lot of times places like that hospital don't accept credit cards because of the fees the card issuers charge them for each transaction. That's one way credit card issuers make money.
I hope your husband is feeling better very soon!
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Mar 10
They charge for everything there, even the tv my husband rented, parking etc. and often times, they can put a sign saying that they do not accept credit card for anything (including combined) at one place under $5.00. When I shop at some dollar stores, that is the rule they have = if I buy one item for $1.00 I have to pay cash or debit, but if I buy a whole bunch for $5.00 or more I use the credit card.
And with the hospital, I send about between $5.00 and $10.00 on the average at mealtimes.
I hope he gets better soon.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Mar 10
hi suspenseful that is the pits, I would have thought they would
take most credit cards in any hospital cafeteria. A thought though
is there a restaurant close by the hospital,most restaurants around here all take major credit c ards.too you might enjoy getting out of the hospital for awhile while you eat your lunch if its close enough to walk, or do you drive? try a nearby cafe for a change.good luck and hope your husband is better soon.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
28 Mar 10
There is a restaurant downstairs, that may accept credit cards, but it is in another wing, and it is a long walk. There is none in the area, that is not that good as the hospital is in a down town area and no one has that much money there.
