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Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

(slate.com)
527 points lxm | 5 comments | 29 Jun 21 03:25 UTC | HN request time: 0.015s | source
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er4hn ◴[29 Jun 21 04:31 UTC] No.27671788[source]▶
As a counterpoint, QR code menus work very well in China. I've been to places where you scan the code to open a menu that lets you place all your orders. You can also pay for your table via per table QR codes.

As a side note, you don't customarily tip in restaurants in China, so a non high-end place with good food will typically have rushed and curt wait staff. Ordering through the phone will give you a better experience!

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whimsicalism ◴[29 Jun 21 04:42 UTC] No.27671847[source]▶
It would be lovely if we could move closer to the Chinese consumer model re: QR codes in general. Wechat pay/Alipay are incredibly convenient.
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1. seanmcdirmid ◴[29 Jun 21 05:11 UTC] No.27672041[source]▶
I find paying via QR code to be much less convenient than NFC that is more popular in the west. Tap and pay is really quick, especially in countries like Australia.
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2. Spivak ◴[29 Jun 21 14:45 UTC] No.27676539[source]▶
With "App Clips" or "Instant Apps" or whatever you want to call them QR codes for me take the lead again. Get a receipt at the table, open camera, scan, app pops up with receipt, add tip, click click pay, done.

Skipping the second waiter trip to swipe all the cards or the awkwardness of bringing out the PoS system to the table is immediately worth it to me.

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3. whimsicalism ◴[29 Jun 21 15:03 UTC] No.27676801[source]▶
Hm, maybe.

But can they afford to have an NFC reader at every single table?

Can street vendors without access to electricity/mobile connection just hold up a QR code cut into some wood and you can pay that way?

NFC seems to put the onus on the vendor, Wechat pay/Alipay has no such problem.

It's definitely not quick in the US, where it hasn't been really adopted at the same level, it might be fast in Australia.

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4. seanmcdirmid ◴[29 Jun 21 18:55 UTC] No.27680185[source]▶
Different culture. You pay at one place, no or few street vendors, modern convenience stores abound.

I've seen and used NFC pads attached to cellphones using Square adapters, so you can go that route if you want.

NFC is definitely much faster in Australia than in the USA.

5. seanmcdirmid ◴[29 Jun 21 19:33 UTC] No.27680689[source]▶
Ya, I get that. Red Robin has screens/computers/payment kiosks at each table to avoid that problem. They won't use QR codes at sit down restaurants in the states for payments because of tipping, however. Psychologically, you are more likely to tip more if the waiter is directly involved in the billing.