That's right. It is basically a flag on the account, which ends up as a notification at the POS system. So you get this hilarious crap with a U.S. card outside the U.S. where you're still signing shit, because the POS system tells them you have to sign. I lost count of the various reactions when traveling outside the U.S.:
- Why is it printing extra receipts? Oh... you have to sign one of these.
- Hold on, let me go find a pen for you to sign.
- Asks coworker what this message means. Oh he has to sign, must be an American.
And get this shit. My debit card in the U.S.? I always use a PIN for it everywhere. But when I travel outside the U.S. that same goddamn card requires a signature every damn time.
It's really fucking stupid, there's no nice way to put it.
- Why is it printing extra receipts? Oh... you have to sign one of these.
- Hold on, let me go find a pen for you to sign.
- Asks coworker what this message means. Oh he has to sign, must be an American.
And get this shit. My debit card in the U.S.? I always use a PIN for it everywhere. But when I travel outside the U.S. that same goddamn card requires a signature every damn time.
It's really fucking stupid, there's no nice way to put it.