It's The Little Things: #2 - EFPTOS

It’s the Little Things

#2 – EFPTOS

I have this adorable pink bank card, which the National Australian Bank ever-so-kindly gave to me. I love to put it to use at Coles … the Salvos … the surf shop … local theatres … I have a talent for using that pink card. Just ask my Partner-in-Crime.

Hey, why does it say Debit, if no one else does?

I also have a lovely blue card that is well worn from the number of times I've used it in the States, but there’s something just a little different about using that pink card. Despite my skill at spending, it took me some time to master the terminology.

In the States, a usual transaction goes like this:

-Me: Hi. Just a medium coffee with half & half and two packets of Splenda.

-Clerk: Sure. Will that be all?

-Me: Oh, I’ll also have a chocolate donut. Extra sprinkles. Thanks.

-Clerk. MmmmKay. That’ll be 2.95.

-Me: (hand over bank card, since the odds that I have more than 85 cents in cash is unlikely)

-Clerk: MmmmKay. Credit or debit?

-Me: Debit.

And we complete our transaction, and I proceed to enjoy my coffee.

And donut.

Be quiet.

In Australia, my first few transactions went like this:

-Me: Ummmm. OK. So. Yeah. I’ll have a … tall … black … milk … raw sugar.

-Clerk: No worries! Can I getcha anything else?

-Me: No. … Yes … a chocolate biscuit. Thanks.

-Clerk: Too easy! $7.50, mate.

-Me: Right. (hand over card)

-Clerk: Pin or sign?

-Me: Hmmm?

-Clerk: Pin or sign?

-Me: Errr. It’s a debit card …?

-Clerk: (awkward silence)

-Me: (awkward silence)

-Clerk: D’ya mean EFTPOS?

-Me: … Sure.

-Clerk: Alright! (swipes card, hands me pin pad, and completes the transaction)

And then I proceed to enjoy my coffee.

And chocolate biscuit.

Yes.

EFTPOS?

Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale.

It is nothing, if not precise.

Should you want to know more about EFTPOS, Wikipedia will be happy to oblige.

But, basically, the gist of the story is:

Debit = EFTPOS =”Pin” = Coffee + chocolate treats