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The whole idea that a particular card gives you monetary value is completely foreign to most Europeans I know ( I am European myself ). The only value perceived
by the-dude 6y ago
The whole idea that a particular card gives you monetary value is completely foreign to most Europeans I know ( I am European myself ). The only value perceived is the ability to pay in the first place.
From the perspective in NL, with its ubiquitous PIN and iDeal system ( online PIN ), it seems like a totally unnecessary tax on economic transactions. The rates are not comparable ( a couple to maybe 20 cents per transaction ).
- chrisseaton 6y ago> The only value perceived is the ability to pay in the first place. Right I get that with my (European) AmEx almost all the time... plus free (amortised) first-class flights. Why would a rational person turn that down? I already need to carry a backup card for emergencies so it’s no extra burden.
- the-dude 6y agoI think there is a couple reasons why creditcards are not popular in Europe. They don't like buying on credit ( even less so in DE vs NL I guess ). The cards only got widespread in the 90s. We have our own systems. If I had a physical shop, I would probably decline AmEx purchases. In the shops which do accept them, expect them to hate you for it. I happen to travel very little and know almost all shopkeepers who I buy groceries from / shop with ( including at my supermarket ). I get more value from being loved. edit: Now I think about it, a history with severe inflation might have to do something with the EU attitude too.
- chrisseaton 6y agoIn a society with severe inflation surely the very last thing you want to be holding is cash in your literal pocket like Germans do?
- the-dude 6y agoIf you are an individualist maybe you are right. I think the Germans are more aware of the Tragedy of the Commons. Personally I do not like the hyper-individualist, credit-laden neoliberal economic system which is slowly creeping into the EU. Targetting the individual with ever more convenience and more-for-less. Finally, cash is untraceable and therefore of vital importance to me and free societies.
- valuearb 6y agoMore for less is now bad? I thought it was the definition of progress?
- luckylion 6y agoThere's no such thing as a free lunch. Especially no larger free lunch that you'll get paid to eat.
- valuearb 6y agoNo one mentioned free lunches, just progress.
- maest 6y agoThe parent most likely means "More for less if you ignore externalities".
- valuearb 6y agoGetting more with fewer externalities isn’t progress?