I'm from the UK, I've never written a check and never saw anyone write a check until I came to Canada. Chip and Pin was fully implemented in the UK in 2004, we'

I'm from the UK, I've never written a check and never saw anyone write a check until I came to Canada. Chip and Pin was fully implemented in the UK in 2004, we're just getting it here in Canada in late 2009 and it's certainly not implemented well with some places swiping only, some using the chip only and some use the pay-pass system up to $80. Not to mention debit is barely accepted online through the Interac service. Back in the UK debit is accepted everywhere online and when it's not (usually only certain cards, IE non visa/mastercard debits) it's such an annoyance that I've actually called the company and bitched at them (yes I'm talking about you expedia.co.uk). Since I've come to Canada, everyone seems to get paid in checks (archaic), lots of people use checks for transferring money and for payment of large purchases. It just appears as though the country is lazy to adapt, and I'm not even blaming this on the ineptitude of Harper and the previous administrations protecting their monopolies from outside competition and inside advancements.