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I agree that this is very odd indeed. The number of restaurants that accept credit cards but not EFTPOS is beyond belief. Easily more than half of the places I've been to and even those that do usually ask me to follow them to the terminal to key in my pin. Very odd indeed. It's not like this is new technology we're dealing with!
I'd pretty much stopped carrying cash before I left the UK. I'd usually had less than 10 quid on me as everything was paid for by switch. If you really wanted to you could buy a Mars bar with switch. In parts of London RBS are even trialing a new Oyster type system where, for purchases under 10 quid, you just wave your card at the terminal and it pays for you. I give it five years max before you have places that refuse cash (as it should be really). In fact I've already eaten in places in Paris that give you a very funny look when you put down cash after dinner. They just aren't used to dealing with it.
On the whole, banking has been the most bizzare aspect of moving to Oz. Like stepping back in time 15 years or so. Just as well everything else kicks ass :D
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