Skybird I am surprised you found Brits getting hostile when asked for ID to match the signature to the card.
Up until about 4 years ago in the uk we still had to sign when using our debit cards, of course we don't carry other id with us so you just match the signature on the receipt to the one on the card.
In the UK we are all chip and pin now or cash. Cheques are only used for paying by post or if you are paying a business such as a a building contractor or nursery for example.
The thing with chip and pin is I use my wifes card and she uses mine as we know each others numbers.
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