Wow. Honestly, I'm perfectly aware of what a debit card is and how it is different to a credit card. I really don't want to spend time debating how they can be looked at as the same thing; they're not, they're entirely different concepts I promise you! It seems as ridiculous as arguing that bread and pasta are just carbohydrates at the end of the day.

I'm sorry if my original post put you in this pedantic mood. Maybe I wrote it like another "what can't every country be like mine" message, but it wasn't meant to be. There are lots of things Switzerland does better than the other places I've lived. I like it here

The only 'outrageous' thing about this is that my bank manager wasn't aware that the concept existed in other parts of the world and I attempted to write my post in a slightly hyped manner to show the humour in this.

Anyway, to avoid further confusion, my questions for debate were simply:

* Is it true that Swiss banks do not offer a VISA (or similar) debit card that I can use for buying things online?
* Is the concept of a VISA debit card widespread in more countries than just the UK and Denmark, or is my bank manager a little sheltered?

I think the first has been answered now, but I'd still be interested to hear how many other places use this and if anyone knows the reasons why Switzerland doesn't.

Russell.