Originally Posted by
JEFFJAGUAR
It's really rare in the UK to come across merchants who don't take credit cards or really pressure you to pay cash although some are reluctant to take plastic for small purchases.
More than rare. I live in the UK and I haven't been anywhere that hasn't taken card in the last 3 years or so. Although the UK is the second or third most cashless country in the world according to MasterCard. France is very similar from experience, even very small (2 or 3 tables) restaurants in the middle of nowhere still usually take card. I agree about the odd convenience store that won't take card for under £5 transactions but they normally cave in if they think your going to walk out :P The self service machine in my local Sainsburys (Supermarket for those of you who don't know) don't actually take cash anymore, so even if your just buying something thats 30 or 40p you still have to pay by card (Usually contactless).