Chip and pin in UK

We had no problems using American credit cards in Edinburgh, Scotland, at any establishments or businesses in August ’07. These included restaurants, museums, theater box offices, retail establishments and grocery stores.

A real plus at the restaurants — almost without exception, when I went to charge a meal the server came to our table with a handheld device in which my card was swiped.

If the establishment did not automatically include the 10% service charge, which is apparently standard operating practice in the U.K., the screen on which I signed and accepted the charge permitted the addition of a gratuity.

Garden Grove, CA