4 ms·

As a Dutch person who does hold a credit card, i am always baffled by the near-taboo reaction when it comes up in conversation (noticed this in both France and

As a Dutch person who does hold a credit card, i am always baffled by the near-taboo reaction when it comes up in conversation (noticed this in both France and the Netherlands). People seem to take pride in an almost pious/religious way in the fact that they want nothing to do with credit cards. I just don't get it. I know what the downsides of using a credit card can be (e.g., high interest rates) but they certainly have advantages, too (they work everywhere i travel, there are neat insurance policies). I use mine as a debit card for online and foreign purchases: there's an automatic payment at the end of the month from my current account into the credit card account, so i end up never ever paying interest, it only costs me the €x per year in card fees.

Shorel 11y ago
The public attitude in Colombia towards credit cards is very similar.
bkor 11y ago
Credit card is more difficult to keep track of your finances. You don't notice your balance changing until the end of the month. Further, you're doing things on credit, where most Dutch mentality is to save, then spend. The insurance policy is there because of a lack of security. Plus you pay it back anyways. E.g. if you pay with your credit card abroad they make money on the currency conversion plus they charge the merchant significantly more. Hidden costs that you don't notice. The bank cards / Meastro system is way cheaper. If you stay within the EU you can just pay with your bank/debit card. Only if you travel outside of the EU you'd really need a credit card. Not too many people need that, so someone having a credit card is not that common (though IIRC Rabobank automatically gives you one). Plus the whole confusing difference between credit card and the bank cards. I'd highly prefer things to go out of my bank account immediately. My bank card doesn't have the credit card number and isn't accepted. I'd wish my bank provided a better (integrated) overview.

Shorel 11y ago

The public attitude in Colombia towards credit cards is very similar.

bkor 11y ago

Credit card is more difficult to keep track of your finances. You don't notice your balance changing until the end of the month. Further, you're doing things on credit, where most Dutch mentality is to save, then spend. The insurance policy is there because of a lack of security. Plus you pay it back anyways. E.g. if you pay with your credit card abroad they make money on the currency conversion plus they charge the merchant significantly more. Hidden costs that you don't notice. The bank cards / Meastro system is way cheaper. If you stay within the EU you can just pay with your bank/debit card. Only if you travel outside of the EU you'd really need a credit card. Not too many people need that, so someone having a credit card is not that common (though IIRC Rabobank automatically gives you one). Plus the whole confusing difference between credit card and the bank cards. I'd highly prefer things to go out of my bank account immediately. My bank card doesn't have the credit card number and isn't accepted. I'd wish my bank provided a better (integrated) overview.