Fishy Chips

A detail we weren't all that worried about in the UK was being able to use our ATM cards and credit cards. These things are GLOBAL, right? Unfortunately, the shops here are used to credit cards with little microchips in them that you don't swipe like we expect in the States. Instead, they just put them in a slot and BAM -- your purchase is approved... unless you have an American card. Then, well, it doesn't go so smoothly. They have had these 'chips' over here long enough that when you tell the teenage tosser behind the counter that your card doesn't have a chip, you typically get a dazed look in response as he is trying to push your card more forcefully into the chip reader. They have to find the old, crazy guy in the back that they keep around for when the Yanks show up. A crowd gathers (angry customers from in line behind you along with the rest of the checkout staff) as he shows everyone how to swipe a card and you see their eyes light up as they realize what the slot on the register with a picture of a credit card is for. The first time I almost lost it with British customer service was as we watched the checkout girl type in 6 digits for a 4-digit credit card expiration date over and over and over all the while telling us that it just wasn't going to work...