On Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:14:22 -0500, S Viemeister
> wrote:

> On 2/22/2013 2:57 PM, sf wrote:
>
> > You've had a lot of things for years. The thing I liked best that I
> > saw on my very first trip to Europe was that waiters had a handheld
> > credit card machine, took care of the transaction on the spot and your
> > credit card never left your sight. We've never seen waiters here use
> > them and have no idea why it hasn't caught on.
> >
> About 15 years ago, I took my daughter on the train from London to
> Inverness. She really enjoyed the trip (the weather was good, so the
> scenery was visible), but what really impressed her was the dining car
> with its white tablecloths and attentive waiters who treated her like a
> grown-up - and when the bill came, the waiter whipped out one of those
> card readers. "But it's a _train_! How can they authorise your card on a
> _train_?"
>
> I really hate having my card disappear from sight, as happens in US
> restaurants.

You never know what happens. Fortunately for us, most service workers
are honest... but that portable card reader is so much better for
customer goodwill, conservation of staff energy - well, you know.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.