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Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

(slate.com)
527 points lxm | 1 comments | 29 Jun 21 03:25 UTC | HN request time: 0.463s | 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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cunthorpe ◴[29 Jun 21 05:19 UTC] No.27672091[source]▶
Unlocking your phone, opening an app, possibly unlocking that one, tapping to scan, and then accept is NOT more convenient than NFC in your card. Unless your talking about costs.

For private free money transfer, the US and many other places have similar if not better methods.

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barbazoo ◴[29 Jun 21 06:02 UTC] No.27672351[source]▶
Or NFC in your phone. I can't imagine it being more convenient than that.
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1. whimsicalism ◴[29 Jun 21 15:04 UTC] No.27676817[source]▶
The problem is that you have to have an NFC reader that they bring to you or that is at every table (if you are, say, in a restaurant).

By contrast, QR codes are cheap to manufacture, so you can put it on every table and anyone anywhere can pay without having to go to the counter or whatever.

Plus, NFC doesn't work over distance. Nor is it bidirectional.

I think there is something about QR that helps it gain critical mass over NFC, I have not seen anywhere penetrated as heavily by NFC as the QR codes are in China. Alipay QR codes are showing up in DC & SF too now.

I'm curious if those commenting have been to China/used the QR code system, I was likewise very skeptical before visiting.