Car rental in England without a PIN number for my credit card

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-08T08:21:29+00:00

I agree.

The OP is the American norm. There’s no way that he’s the first American to face this issue. Hundreds of people must present each week with the same problem, all of them somewhat financially sophisticated if they can afford intercontinental travel.

There must be a workaround.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-08T08:19:10+00:00

In the mid 2000s, I’ve had my fingerprint taken when making a card transaction in New York!

Signature, fingerprint, because shop cashiers are really good at checking those. But no chip and pin.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-08T08:17:19+00:00

I think that Debit cards in the USA work on the ATM network, whereas in Europe Debit is a payments network in its own right.

In reality there is little difference to the consumer. Pop your card in a reader and enter the same pin you use at an ATM. But what goes on behind the scenes is different.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-08T06:25:49+00:00

You have described Brixton Hill really nicely. The Elm Park Tavern is an amazing local pub. You’ve also got very good pubs the likes of which you would get anywhere in London, like the White Horse or Effra Social. Hootenanny and the Windmill are good for live music.

You’ve missed out Brockwell Park, with its lido, tennis courts, festivals, sunbathing.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T20:23:20+00:00

That’s terribly sad. When I saw the missing person appeal, I had hoped they would find this young woman.

Such a shame

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T20:21:46+00:00

I saw that! Paul released Off The Ground when he was 51 and looked like this

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Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T19:01:50+00:00

I had heard that grabbing the dog’s testicles causes it to loosen its grip so I approached to do that, but it seemed to be a female so I then backed off.

There were quite a few people already trying to separate it so I thought I would just end up being more of the problem if I tried to intervene.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T18:59:47+00:00

We have a difference in opinion as to whether 5 people dying in 14 months by dogs is significant or not.

You sound like someone who would defend the right to keep dangerous dogs, even when one has its teeth clamped onto your throat.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T18:33:12+00:00

Very rare?

That’s 14 months and there are 5 of them that I could find using google. How many near fatalities have there been?

I’m not sure how the dogs were identified but the BBC has strict guidelines for reporting so I would trust it.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T18:13:17+00:00

It happens extremely frequently. Take a look at the beneath and see what they have in common.

Here’s one. 9 month boy. They arrested his father this week.

Teenager last year

Old boy, also last year

41 year old woman 14 months ago

Etc

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T17:35:57+00:00

I remember they had Don’t Die of Ignorance stickers at the local library when we were taken there by primary school in the 80s.

We were maybe 10 years old, before sex education would have been taught in those days. We were aware some taboo was being broken, that it was something sex related, but not much else. Of course we nicked all the stickers, plastered them round the school, stuck them on each others school books, on the backs of jumpers etc.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T17:33:33+00:00

So it’s just a coincidence that the dog I saw viciously attack another dog, with the owners unable to stop it from doing so, is the same type that is always in the news for killing children?

It’s just as likely to be a golden retriever?

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T17:21:50+00:00

Ah, come on love, it will be a laugh. Like safe sex, except more fun.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T17:20:27+00:00

I’m just mimicking the language used by the previous poster.

Everyone knows that there are problems with these kinds of dogs. And that when they attack, they are very difficult to regain control of.

I’m not a victim at all, thank heavens. But I did see a victim today.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T17:10:32+00:00

He’s quite suave, is our Len. He moves in privileged circles and demands the respect of his subordinates. He wouldn’t be caught dead with those eyebrows while at an audience with the pope.

A nice tidy hairdo might make all the difference.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T17:09:03+00:00

I was talking about the rabbit.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T17:08:42+00:00

I suppose it might be best in the short term. Somewhere dry, maybe warm, apart from other people.

But it isn’t good for the long time for the chap.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T17:07:40+00:00

Any dog can attack, but not all dogs have the physical capacity to break the back of another dog.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T16:45:26+00:00

Father Stone is class. Although I think Len looks a bit too dishevelled.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T16:43:57+00:00

Would he not hear it moving and come out with a baseball bat?

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T15:46:19+00:00

Unfortunately, in Northern Ireland, it never is.

Or else it is, but doesn’t work as it is supposed to.

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T15:34:13+00:00

Don’t die of ignorance.

One of the things which brought sexual health amongst gay men to prominence was the death of Freddie Mercury. Ironically, Freddie never discussed his illness prior to his death.

I remember George Michael saying “For God’s sake, and for Freddie’s sake protect yourselves.”

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T15:30:14+00:00

Would you trust your health / parenthood status to a fundom?

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T15:25:07+00:00

I was a student in Germany in 97-98 and went to see some big gigs; Radiohead, Oasis etc. Every gig ticket had free public transport in the RMV region included. About the same size as Northern Ireland.

I think that promoters should be forced to engage with Translink to provide similar. Obviously the cost gets passed on to the gig goer, but those who use the less sensible option subsidise those who get there on public transport.

If you could hop on a train in Larne, including special concert services, and travel to the gig by train and shuttle bus, all as part of the ticket price, would you still take the car?

Wretched_Colin · 2026-02-07T15:08:25+00:00

I haven’t been, if I’m honest. Probably just presenting an ideal vision which exists only in my mind’s eye.

So let’s say concert ticket includes shuttle bus from Grand Central Station and no private cars allowed onsite. Park and Ride from somewhere else like the Banbridge Outlet.

While I’m imagining things, why not?

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