Three quarters of Romanians consider cash is not hygienic while three out of ten people say they wash their hands after using banknotes and coins, according to a study conducted by MasterCard in Romania, cited by local Mediafax.

In terms of alternative payments, 77 percent of respondents prefer card payment, 56 percent would use online payment, 27 percent prefer payment by phone, and 18 percent would use contactless card as a payment method.

Almost three out of then Romanians say they wouldn’t like dozens of strangers to use the cash before them, but only 9 percent are revolted by the idea of not washing hands after using cash.

Most of respondents would be willing to carry wipes or antibacterial gel with them, and 44 percent are willing to use a card or contactless payments instead of paying with cash, for extra hygiene.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com