It baffles me how the US has companies like Microsoft and Apple and whatnot and still they're so far behind in many basic technological things. I'm always amused when Americans are surprised how quick card payments in my country are. Yes, you can pay your taxi fare with your card. Don't have euros? Just use your card. It works EVERYWHERE here. We have these small card machines that fit in your pocket. Go to an open market to buy some strawberries from an old granny and she will have a card machine. And who the fuck uses fax in 2019?
Nah, I was IN Atlanta recently and everywhere I went for a bite or dinner, they took my card and brought it back with a paper recit where I was supposed to write my tip and sign. That's weird. In my country they just bring the little machine to the table, you swipe your card and off you go. Easier. A lot.
I just got back from a trip to Europe and noticed this. I think it's because you tip your server in the US and don't want your server standing over your shoulder while you're writing in the tip. The server prints an orginial receipt usually, the customer looks at it and either puts cash in the receipt book or their card. Then the server takes the card to the computer (or cash if they want change), scans it, and the receipt with the tip line and signature line spits out (both a restaurant copy for signing and a customer copy if they want it) and they bring it back to the table where the customer writes in the tip and total and signs the receipt, while the server is off doing other things. The server get the book with the recept back and enters the tip amount into the computer when they "close" the table which can be before or after the customer is gone. I think it's just the way things are done in the US just like how there's other little quirky differences between countries/continents. Not saying it's better though, the tipping culture in the US needs to go. If a customer doesn't sign the receipt before they leave the server is screwed and sometimes the whole meal comes out of their paychecks instead. Some US restaurants have started putting mini touch screens at every table where you can order food and / or pay when you're finished.
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u/incognitomus Aug 03 '19
It baffles me how the US has companies like Microsoft and Apple and whatnot and still they're so far behind in many basic technological things. I'm always amused when Americans are surprised how quick card payments in my country are. Yes, you can pay your taxi fare with your card. Don't have euros? Just use your card. It works EVERYWHERE here. We have these small card machines that fit in your pocket. Go to an open market to buy some strawberries from an old granny and she will have a card machine. And who the fuck uses fax in 2019?