Why Do Americans Hate $2 Bills (Excluding Collectors)

When it comes to spending money the American public is more traditional and conservative that the Brits used to be, 100 years ago.

Most countries have coins and notes denominated in
1 minor unit
2 minor units
5 minor units
10 minor units
20 minor units
50 minor units
1 major unit
2 major units
5 major units
10 major units
20 major units
50 major units
100 major units
etc.,

I am one who thinks when someone gets a $2 bill they think it's unique (like a Half dollar or a one dollar coin) and they keep them.Get rid of the dollar bill.Start using the dollar coin along with the 2 dollar bill and dump the penny.

jg.Perfect.There was a beer bar days back that did the same thing.And again getting one of those was special so we kept them.The Gov.could provide some sort of incentive to buss. owners to start the same thing so they could get rid of the dollar bill(save money)use the dollar coin(save money) and dang it.Get rid of the penny.

I can agree with most of the aforementioned...it pretty much boils down to "change" and most people do not like "change". If the American people have a say so in the matter, the one-dollar bill will continue to be printed.

I say get rid of the One Dollar Bill and the Cent.

Interesting topic so far.

What about snack machines, do they accept $2 bills? I have never tried one, but this thread has got me thinking for reasons why we Americans as a whole don't like $2 bills.

I used to live close enough to the border (grew up there) that I was also immersed in Canadian culture(s).

Your question is one that has always puzzled me also.

The only possible thing I can think of that might have had an influence on this mindset is that - bear with me and ignore actual currency conversion values - the prices in Canada have always "looked" more expensive. In other words, the numbers themselves are larger valued numbers. It made a lot of sense that a $2.00 bill would be more easily used.

Ironically, it always was a bargain for me to shop in Canada, b/c although the numbers looked higher, the actual prices were more reasonable and the exchange rate, for quite some time, really made it a value.

I am 50 yrs. old. The reason my grandparents always gave me as to why they did not use the 2.00 bills is b/c a nbill of this denomination was unnecessary. Most things they bought (lunch etc.) were less than 1.00.

But neither of these ideas say anything as to why people in the US did not adopt the 2.00 bill when it was re-issued in the 70s.

BTW - look up an old singer ... Hank Williams (not Jr). Here are some lyrics from his famous 1951 song, "Hey Good Lookin':"

...
I got a hot rod Ford and a two dollar bill
And I know a spot right over the hill

There soda pop and the dancin's free
So if you wanna have fun come a- long with me.

Say Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin'
How's about cookin' somethin' up with me.
...

Note that 2.00 was the price it would cost for a night on the town where the dancing and soda pop was free...
A buck each!

This is true and I agree. Could be worse though. You could be lopsided from an empty wallet. Lol.

This is a bit off topic, and I know I'm going overboard on my quest to circulate halves, but, to those of you who prefer to carry more $2 bills and less $1 bills, would you also want to carry more halves and less quarters (regardless of them not working in many vending machines, and being a big bulky coin, and you'd end up with the same amount weight in your pockets anyway)?