Not sure how much attention this got, I saw it referenced in someone's post (sorry I don't remember who), but it's a very good up to date look at how things work in Europe these days.
FWIW on my recent trip to Paris it was all tap to pay, easy peasy. Same on another trip to Washington DC.
https://blog.ricksteves.com/cameron/2022/05/europe-technology/
I would agree with Cameron, we found contactless to be extremely common, even in Sicily, except for cases where a person/company wanted cash probably for reasons, I think we all know.
I agree that once you get used to the train apps etc., it is easier. However, I wonder if anyone thinks about people advanced in years that just are unable to deal with the technology or even have a smartphone. My husband and I have four living parents. None of them have smart phones. There have already been tasks and transactions they needed to make that required smartphone technology. While none of them are independently traveling the world, they are relatively competent, but frequently have to rely on us for certain tasks, including making appointments and communicating with physicians. It makes them feel more dependent and diminishes them, which is not helpful to their well being.
Spain last October and France in April we taped for everything.. tickets, road tolls, meals, gelalti, snacks....there is even a
scanner in the restrooms in the Rennes train station.
Jules, have you thought about enrolling them in a class that would show them how to use a smartphone? There are many such classes out there for senior citizens. Either that or having a patient child or grandchild help them with it. Maybe you could set up everything so that all they need to do is tap a button, which gives them a bit of control.
Technology is here to stay and many elderly people have embraced it. If your sets of parents refuse to use a smartphone, then that is their choice. But many older people have found ways to utilize tech today. My sister-in-law's mother, who is 94, has a smartphone and uses it a lot. Being older does not mean you have to stop learning. Maybe point out the benefits (and the fun!) they can have from a smartphone?
I remember my grandparents taking American Express checks, or something like that, when travelling overseas.
Personally, I prefer the barter system.
I don't think its a matter of choosing to avoid technology. They all have different issues. There are probably two who could make the change if they wanted to. Their health is such that it doesn't seem worthwhile. Then there's my mother. We have worked on getting her more independent. She was given and set up on an ipad and one reason was that perhaps at some point she could get an iphone. She hasn't even mastered getting audiobooks at the library. I've demo'd so many times. . .
My credit card company does not offer contactless cards but they do participate in Google Pay. Does anyone have experience using Google Pay in Europe and elsewhere?
Maybe go with a credit card company that is in the 21st century? We've had contactless cards here in Canada (and the rest of the world) for years!
Except for hotels, I use Google Pay about 95% of the time. On my current trip through the UK, Greece, Stockholm and Helsinki, the only place I couldn't use it was on the Helsinki trams.
In Scotland right now with my Canadian CC, all have Tap, but sometimes it won't work and I have to use chip and pin. We don't know if it's me or them.
**Cash has also been happily accepted wherever I go including restaurants. Businesses especially love it when I use small change for small purchases. They've been running low on change.
I don't think its a matter of choosing to avoid technology. They all
have different issues.
My wife picks and chooses when to use technology. She hates electronic ticketing for one. She needs her reading glasses to see her phone, but can't walk with her reading glasses on. Very inconvenient at a place like an airport where she would hold up a line taking her glasses on and off.
