When was the last time you used actual cash money, like banknotes or coins, to pay for anything?

Still trying to conjure up the answer?

Well, you're definitely not alone.

A new survey commission by MoneyTransfers.com found 32% of Canadians would welcome transitioning to electronic payments only.

Now, MoneyTransfers.com may be biased in all this because it's in the business of electronic transfers.

But, the survey is a clear indication we're using cash less, paying more electronically — be it debit care, credit card or e-transfer — and we're prepared for, and even welcoming of, the day we go cashless.

Canada is in the middle of the pack when it comes to its desire for electronic payments only.

India is No. 1 at 79%, followed by Malaysia at 65%, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates at 63% and Vietnam at 60%.

The countries not particularly keen on electronic-only are France at 18%, Germany at 20% and Sweden and the USA at 24%.

The no-paper-no-metal money debate has been raging ever since computers made a cashless society possible.

But COVID accelerated the discussion as some people avoided cash fearing the coronavirus could be spread on banknotes and coins.

By the way, the World Health Organization says there's currently no evidence to confirm or disprove the virus can be transmitted through bills or change.

Yet, the pandemic has pushed the electronic and contactless payment trend ever further.

The fate of cash may be tied up in just how easy and expected it is to pay electronically.

The clerk at the convenience store won't roll their eyes if you use debit to pay for a $1.79 pack of gum.

Places that used to be cash-only, like vendors at the farmers' market and concession stands, are now set up to take electronic payments.

And you certainly don't need cash when you buy anything online, your mortgage and car payments are taken directly out of your bank account, you pay bills online and you can just insert your card at the pump at the gas station.

In fact, when was the last time you actually went into a gas station to pay cash for the fuel?

Likely when you also wanted to pick up a pack of gum.

I actually paid cash Friday morning for two take-out cups of tea at The Bean Scene in Kelowna's Landmark District.

The barista told me it would be $6.05 and immediately punched the number into the handheld point-of-sale terminal, assuming I would be paying with debit or credit.

Imagine her surprise when I whipped out a $5 bill, a loonie and a nickel to pay.

In fact, I still have seven $20 bills, a $10 bill, a toonie, five quarters and three dimes in my wallet.

I might very well use some of this cash this May long weekend to buy some beer, flowers to finish off my hanging baskets and lunch on a patio.

I may be showing my age by having cash on hand, but that's exactly what it is — cash on hand.

I'm all for debit, credit and e-transfer when it's more convenient or the only option, but I'm also not adverse to using cash.

In fact, I go to the ATM weekly so I always have cash on hand and sometimes I even go to a real-live teller if I yearn for the $100 bills that the ATM doesn't dispense.

I flummox my kids when I give them cash to pay for something.

They'd prefer nothing more than to get ahold of my debit or credit card, complete with PIN, or simply receive an e-transfer.