Re:Europe's $24T Breakup with Visa and Mastercard Has Begun
by Freak_NL on Wednesday February 11, 2026 @03:49AM
(#46972509)
> Why would you expect people not living in the Netherlands to just know this?
Because this is a thing in most of Europe. Most people don't own a creditcard, and those that do use it mostly for online purchases outside of the EU. I don't travel to another continent without looking up how to pay for things when I get there.
Re:Europe's $24T Breakup with Visa and Mastercard Has Begun
by HunOL on Wednesday February 11, 2026 @04:37AM
(#46972885)
> Because this is a thing in most of Europe.
I think you wastly exegarate your observations.
Re:Europe's $24T Breakup with Visa and Mastercard Has Begun
by glenneroo on Wednesday February 11, 2026 @11:28AM
(#46977029)
According to this, he's mostly right: https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/people_with_credit...
Re:Europe's $24T Breakup with Visa and Mastercard Has Begun
by HunOL on Wednesday February 11, 2026 @11:39AM
(#46977174)
It's not about owning credit card, but about being able to use it in physical shop. In one of the parent comments author of comment to which I replied said:
> Why would you expect to be able to use a creditcard in a physical shop in the Netherlands?
And then
> Because this is a thing in most of Europe.
Re:Europe's $24T Breakup with Visa and Mastercard Has Begun
by Sharparam on Wednesday February 11, 2026 @10:48AM
(#46976428)
This is definitely not a thing in most of Europe.
Netherlands' anti-credit card stance is quite unique, perhaps only matched by Germany and their obsession with cash.
Re:Europe's $24T Breakup with Visa and Mastercard Has Begun
by mgce on Wednesday February 11, 2026 @11:17AM
(#46976856)
I was just in Germany and lived on my credit card - not a single Euro used. I strongly disagree with this generalization based on extensive personal experience.
Re:Europe's $24T Breakup with Visa and Mastercard Has Begun
by ivan_gammel on Wednesday February 11, 2026 @07:24AM
(#46974067)
> Why would you expect people not living in the Netherlands to just know this?
It’s generally a good idea to learn something about your travel destination and not to assume everything there is the same as where you live. The world is big and diverse.
In South Africa where I live, anywhere that accepts cards accepts Visa and Mastercard. Outside of the "informal business" sector (e.g. tiny "businesses" like a roadside stall), card acceptance is so ubiquitous I don't carry cash anymore and it's very rarely an issue.