Ah, BitCoin. The crazy-cool online currency that set out to change global finance. And is, naturally, being used increasingly for illicit drugs when it’s not being hacked. Man, all I want is to buy a meal with my internet money! Wait. I can? In midtown??
Blogger Pseudonymous was recently invited by maker and Logan Airport terror scare alum Star Simpson to write a post about bitcoins. He or she presented this quirky anecdote that resulted in a delicious hummus lunch. WITH OLIVES.
Being in midtown Manhattan, I decided to hop over to Meze Grill for a bite to eat. The restaurant is a block or so from Columbus Circle and sports a rather professional-looking “Bitcoin Accepted Here” sign in the window.
I walked up to them. “Excuse me,” I said, “I heard you accept Bitcoins here?”
“Yes, of course,” the owner replied, nonchalantly.
The owner responded so confidently, I felt as though I had asked if they took US dollars. What kind of a restaurant did I think this was – of course they accept Bitcoins!
You’re lucky we don’t throw you out! Accept Bitcoins. Puh! Kids today!
As if on cue, a young man I’d prefer to remember as wearing a trenchcoat, mirrored sunglasses, and with slicked-back hair walked in, with his entourage… The young man said he was a Bitcoin blogger and Android app developer…
Definitely not there for the drugs.
Feeling satisfied as I enjoyed my lunch, I remembered how many people I’ve heard continue to call Bitcoin imaginary, or a pyramid scheme. But I used it in a retail point-of-sale transaction and got a tasty meal, with nothing more than a cryptographic signature…
Ok I’m at least half convinced. But it might be just that I’m hungry. [Star Simpson via NY Mag]