Meh bringing the terminal to the table because the card being out of sight is scary to Europeans (and some Americans) is also weird. What's the waiter going to do? Steal your money? Well, yes. But Chip and PIN being brought out so many years because theft via magstripe was so common in some areas of the EU by organized crime isn't something I'd really brag about.
Which is a PITA but ultimately the card company will cover it.
The way payments in restaurants are typically handled in much of Europe is convenient but to the parent's point, the obsession with never letting go of your card sometimes seems a bit excessive.
I would say the habit of not needing to trust the waiter with our cards means that when we're in a situation where we have to, it's very uncomfortable. Just like I would feel very uncomfortable giving my passwords to a coworker, even though I generally trust them not to abuse it. There's a strong sense of inappropriateness.
> Chip and PIN being brought out so many years because theft via magstripe was so common in some areas of the EU by organized crime isn't something I'd really brag about.
Ah, yes, "if it's NIH, it's probably because we're so honest we don't need it".
