I went to see Australia versus the West Indies in the Champions Trophy at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg over the weekend. To buy beer from the bars, you first have to buy some tokens. You then exchange different numbers of tokens for different drinks.
This might be good for the bar - there is less likely to be money stolen, it means all cashing-up can be done in one single place, it can be easier for bar staff to count tokens rather than calculate change. Also, it means that you might buy more beer because you might as well finish your tokens.
But they sell this to us, the spectators, as a good thing for us. Apparently tokens are good for us, because we 'only have to queue once'. The exact opposite of what is true! Spectators actually have to queue twice instead of once! (Once to get the tokens and once to get a beer).
In addition, it means that you have to guess how many tokens you might want (the equivalent of how much beer you might drink). If it were just cash, you simply use cash. (Yes, we had to go back and purchase more tokens.)
On the positive side, you had to buy a cup (1 token = R5). You could keep re-using the cup. This is an excellent idea, and cuts down on waste.
-- Mostly unrelated, but yesterday England beat South Africa by 22 runs -- a great result! Though I am not sure I approve of Strauss refusing Smith a runner when he got cramp after an amazing batting display.
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