Payment methods around the world

One thing I have randomly been quite interested in is how the payment methods work around the world.

Cash is one way.

Credit cards are another way.

M-Pesa was a common method of mobile payments in Kenya.

The Octopus Card was a common method of contactless payments in Hong Kong. It’s their metro card but it works in a lots of businesses and restaurants. This was the fastest payment system by far.

WeChat and Alipay was a very common method of payment in Shanghai and China, and probably the most advanced mobile payment system. Either you can scan the business QR code or they can scan your QR code. However, I couldn’t use it because I didn’t have a Chinese bank account. So it’s advanced and easy… if you are Chinese. Otherwise I felt for visitors China had one of the worst payment systems. You can see below a photo where that you should pay for your incense at a temple with WeChat.