The word "tender" is tripping up some folks in this discussion because it has a very specific legal definition as a noun, and a more colloquial definition as a verb (i.e., to offer something).

If I have a "no cash" sign at the burger counter and you order a burger and "tender" cash to me, you are proposing a modification to the terms of our incipient contract. I am then within my rights to refuse your proposal, keep my burger, and prevent any debt from arising in the first place.

If we don't discuss payment method in advance, and I render services (or goods) to you and then spring my "no cash" rule on you when you try to pay in cash, then my choice is either to accept the cash or take the L. If I took you to court to recover the debt, your defense that you tendered cash would win.

If I have a no cash sign at my doctor's office, but then I take you back and give you your checkup, and then you try to pay in cash on your way out, I would have to take the cash. My rendering the service before payment would be an implicit modification of my initial offer to treat you only in exchange for cashless payment.

(08-09-2023 12:12 PM)illiniowl Wrote:  If I have a no cash sign at my doctor's office, but then I take you back and give you your checkup, and then you try to pay in cash on your way out, I would have to take the cash. My rendering the service before payment would be an implicit modification of my initial offer to treat you only in exchange for cashless payment.

What if the patient does not state in advance that they intend to pay in cash? Not sure you meant it that way, but you're saying that unless the doctor insists on being paid in advance, he has to accept cash whether he has a no cash sign or not.

(08-09-2023 11:43 AM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(08-09-2023 11:41 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-09-2023 11:32 AM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(08-09-2023 11:30 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-09-2023 11:02 AM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  You could, like, look it up:

legal tender
noun
: money that is legally valid for the payment of debts and that must be accepted for that purpose when offered

So, no, chickens are not legal tender by the dictionary or statutory definition.

MUST be accepted? So the truckloads of pennies MUST be accepted?

My grandfather, I am sure, voluntarily accepted the chickens.

It's very specific to payment of debt, not services rendered.

So, if you render me a service, such as heart surgery, don't I owe you a debt?

No, you owe me payment for services rendered.

Hence the signs, "Payment is due at time services are rendered" or words to that effect. It becomes a debt if you fail to pay me promptly.

OK, thanks. I am in your debt.

(08-09-2023 12:12 PM)illiniowl Wrote:  The word "tender" is tripping up some folks in this discussion because it has a very specific legal definition as a noun, and a more colloquial definition as a verb (i.e., to offer something).

Some of us were just making or repeating the joke that the chicken was 'tender'... as in the adjective.

(08-09-2023 01:45 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  OK, thanks. I am in your debt.

Hahahaha

(08-09-2023 01:56 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  Some of us were just making or repeating the joke that the chicken was 'tender'... as in the adjective.

You can actually go to a chicken restaurant and order tenders - and if they aren't tender you won't return. People tend to like tender chicken.

And of course there are ships called tenders, and bar tenders, and child tenders. I tend to see multiple uses here.

But IAC I thank Frizzy and Illini for setting me straight on the legal meaning of tender.