> drinks are free but there's still an etiquette that you should leave a tip which generally means cash.

In my experience on such rare few occasions I was able to tip with Venmo.

Is there a "tip with venmo" poster displayed or do you have to ask the bartender their venmo account name? I've never seen this before, but agreed that it's rare.

A potentially malicious third-party selling your financial transaction history is not the best choice... by far.

I wasn't arguing in favor of Venmo, but are VISA and MasterCard really better options in this regard?

They are required for the CC transaction, this adds an additional player that should not be necessary. In civilized countries they have direct bank to bank transfers.

> In civilized countries they have direct bank to bank transfers

I'm sure whatever country you're from (or otherwise alluding to) is a fine place, no need for the transparent insecurity. :) Narrowly, I agree that secure (and fee-less) bank-to-bank transfers would be preferable to CC.

> They are required for the CC transaction, this adds an additional player that should not be necessary.

We're positing a situation where CC's aren't available, so it's not an additional player but rather a different player.

>> CC's aren't available

A misstatement by me, still they are extra to what should be a bank to bank matter.

No argument from me here. I would like to see better financial infrastructure. Specifically the idea that VISA is permitted to collect a 4% sales tax on virtually everything is a real bummer.

Come to think of it, perhaps I was thinking that since most folks would rather have/trust a credit card, an additional path is just that, somewhat redundant.

"Civilized" countries?

That don't require tipping?

Like the euro countries with IBANs?

NZ and similar has had bank to bank payments for ...decades?

Fee-less and effectively instant? That's the state we are at, now, though it doesn't work for all banks due to the separate clearing system for instant transfers. Normal transfers just take a bank day delay if you're unlucky.

Yes, though I actually prefer non-instant... at least once I fixed my bill-pay amount before it cleared at 10pm that evening.

Oh sure, that instant effect is more important for transactions where you don't feel like waiting for it clearing before getting the "reward". Say, being able to buy at an online shop before noon to get it shipped the same day, without any credit history or such required.

I'd just say "sorry I run out of cash, can I Venmo/Zelle you?"

The EU terminals have support for tips separated from the primary amount.

If I understand you correctly, we have those here in the States as well, but the problem is you're not using your CC in the first place (in the "open bar" scenario) so you never actually use the terminals.