Question for Germans

I have a friend who currently lives in Germany. He's been living there for less then a year and he gave me some thoughts on how he compares living there to living in Finland and Thailand where he has also lived. He told me that despite the notion that Germany is hailed as a technologically advanced nation, average everyday things are still surprisingly difficult and not as 'smooth' as they are in Finland or even in Thailand.

Now I wonder how the Germans here in GT feel about this, I'm not trying to diss you nation, on the contrary. My buddy could be just stupid. I'm just interested to know what it's like in Germany for a recent immigrant or a person who has moved there for work when it comes to everyday average things.

Edit. Ok a concrete example, when you guys go to the store, what do you pay with usually? Cash, bank card, credit card, cheque, something else maybe?

[Aramike]

Good topic, OTH. While I have nothing to really contribute (I haven't been to Germany in around a decade), I'm looking forward to the answers.

Perhaps you could answer the same questions about Finland???

Well personally it's pretty common to pay with a bank card or similar for groceries etc. here. There was a renewing of the bank card system that is still in progress, all bank cards must have the visa electron - thing in them. The electonic chip-thing, don't know the exact term. This means that one has to punch in the bank card code when using the card at the check-out desk, in some stores.

It used be just a swipe of the card and sign the receipt and that's it, made it easier but also more dangerous to have one's card stolen and misused by someone. Now it's a mix of just signing the receipt and having to punch in the code depending on the store. As if the thieves wouldn't know to use the card where only a signature is needed and just forge the signature.

There's talk of making the cell phone the 'wallet', that is the thing that you pay for things. Cell phone could also be the key to the car/apartment further lessening the amount of stuff in the pockets.

[Sledgehammer427]

it is a great idea, other than the fact cellphones are easy to break, easy to mess up, easy to steal, and, for some, hard to use. my dad has a hard time with cellphones because his fingers are too big.

[Aramike]

Well personally it's pretty common to pay with a bank card or similar for groceries etc. here. There was a renewing of the bank card system that is still in progress, all bank cards must have the visa electron - thing in them. The electonic chip-thing, don't know the exact term. This means that one has to punch in the bank card code when using the card at the check-out desk.

It used be just a swipe of the card and sign the receipt and that's it, made it easier but also more dangerous to have one's card stolen and misused by someone.

That's interesting, because I have been arguing with people for years that the "signature approval" system of credit/bank cards was pointless. It's not like your average cashier is enough of a handwriting expert to dilleneate between a real/fake signature anyway...

The PIN system works best, in my opinion - instant fraud protection and verification. So you all are WAY ahead of the US in that regard.

I've heard that cheque books are pretty common in the States, which I in a way understand because the USA is a big country where changes to the system would require huge national standards to be enforced.

I've also heard, from my buddy, that cheque books are also pretty common in Germany which surprises me a bit.

I would say that it's pretty important for Finns that things work smoothly, and being a relatively small nation it's relatively easy to standardise and optimise things although we have our share of bad city and other planning.

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by OneToughHerring

I've heard that cheque books are pretty common in the States, which I in a way understand because the USA is a big country where changes to the system would require huge national standards to be enforced.

I've also heard, from my buddy, that cheque books are also pretty common in Germany which surprises me a bit.

Heh, only when it comes to middle aged women...

No one really uses checks anymore.