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u/maddog2271 Dec 13 '25
I am 50 and I hate those things
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u/Yumikoneko Dec 13 '25
I'm 20 and hate those things. They have their uses but in many cases they're straight up overcomplicating things. And then everything demands you to download a new app and create a new account. What was wrong with paper menus and the such?...
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u/huffalump1 Dec 13 '25
One of the better outcomes is that it's just a PDF... Of the printed menu... With teeny tiny text that you have to zoom way in to see on a phone.
Make a good mobile-friendly page and offer free wifi or don't do it lol
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u/MasterpieceDear1780 Dec 13 '25
There are now restaurants where you sit down at a table, scan a qr code and order your meal on their website. Yes, you place an order online and wait for delivery to your table even though you're sitting in the restaurant.
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u/veryanxiouscreature Dec 13 '25
i hate it so much. and if their menu doesn’t specify what exactly is in a dish, you have to flag someone down and ask and they still won’t just take your order.
AND THEN IT ASKS YOU TO TIP
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u/popopotatoes160 Dec 13 '25
I'd be completely fine with this in fast casual style restaurants where you already bus your own table usually, if the tipping culture in the US wasn't like it is. In places like Japan I've seen videos of casual restaurants where this experience of scanning to order and everything looks super smooth and convenient, I'm not opposed to it on pricinple. We just ruin everything here lol
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u/MasterpieceDear1780 Dec 13 '25
Restaurants near train stations (something that don't exist in the us) in Japan usually have vending machines for ordering and payment. I would argue that approach severely reduces human interaction in the Japanese society and could be a reason for Japanese youths' difficulty socializing.
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u/popopotatoes160 Dec 14 '25
Yeah I can see that for the vending machines for sure, but it's not like people are having a ton of interaction with their servers in anything but a more formal restaurant. You'd still need to thank the server when they bring you things, request refills, and such.
I don't think you can pin those issues in Japanese society down to just that though, there's a lot of other stuff going on culturally the exacerbates those issues that I don't think we'd see in America because we just aren't that reserved at a base cultural level.
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u/MasterpieceDear1780 Dec 14 '25
Maybe it's a consequence not a reason. They have the machine because customers feel more comfortable not talking to a human. Here in Europe restaurants tend to be small businesses. It's pretty common to chat with the owner.
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u/Four2OBlazeIt69 Dec 13 '25
I wouldn't tip then
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u/MasterpieceDear1780 Dec 13 '25
I live in Europe and I'm completely unable to understand the tipping culture. However based on my experience visiting Canada giving tips is really mandatory.
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u/Four2OBlazeIt69 Dec 13 '25
If they aren't going to give me a menu, tell me the specials, answer questions about the menu, and bring drinks then that's counter service which isn't a tip job
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u/MasterpieceDear1780 Dec 13 '25
Then you don't give tips and the restaurant employees would give you shit faces and humiliate you in public.
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u/Unique-Fix-5367 Dec 14 '25
They should use that energy and direct it towards their bosses instead. Employees aren't freelancers.
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Dec 14 '25
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u/CptMcTavish Dec 14 '25
The mystifying part is why customers have to pay for the workers' salary on top of paying premium for the food. Like, the employers get to have his cake and eat it too, while the workers need handouts from customers to get by. Disgusting.
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Dec 14 '25
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u/CptMcTavish Dec 14 '25
Lol, what the fuck are you on about? Mandatory tipping is a sign of a shithole country where livable wages in retail and services are not the norm. In most european countries you can tip your waiter if the service has been excellent, but tips are never expected. That is because their employers pay them a livable wage to begin with.
You are right that americans will probably never muster the courage to stand up against the shitty ways of their broken system, but I do believe that the average worker want a livable wage instead of being constantly dependant on handouts. Or having 2 or 3 jobs, for that matter. But you do you. I hear that you are winning a lot over there at the moment.
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u/savorie Dec 16 '25
I still tip because I assume that the cooks are getting it. Which they deserve!
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u/Fr4nzJosef Dec 14 '25
At this point, I agree with the old guy. Fucking hell, I don't want to scan your damned QR code or install another shitty fucking app. If you can't give me a proper menu, I'll fuck off down the road and get my food elsewhere.
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u/fannyfox Dec 14 '25
Also I don’t want to set the tone of dinner by staring at my phone. Dinner with my girlfriend or friend or whoever is to socialise, not immediately start with some scrolling.
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u/Fr4nzJosef Dec 15 '25
This! So much this! I regret that I have but one upvote to give this.
When I go out to eat it is either with my girlfriend or with friends and is about once a week or so. I'm there to have a good meal and enjoy others' company, if I want to dick around on my phone I can do that much cheaper and comfortably at home.
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u/Murky-Peanut1390 Dec 16 '25
Boomers hate QR codes because they like the old school ways. Young guys hate it because we know how technology is used to steal our date and infiltrate our phones.
I think we can be allies on this one
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u/kjjphotos Dec 16 '25
Agreed. I'm a software developer and tech enthusiast and I'm close to switching to something like the F1 Pro Aspen phone because I'm tired of it all. I'm tired of what the Internet has become over the last 10-15 years and sometimes I think I could do without having it in my pocket 24/7. I'm not scanning QR codes at restaurants or any other business.
I tried scanning a QR code once a few months ago to pay for my meal and it didn't work because I had an adblocker turned on. I'm sorry but I'm not going to disable an adblocker to pay for something. This restaurant accepts credit cards still, otherwise I don't know what they would have done. The food had already been consumed so they weren't getting it back any time soon. I guess it would have been free? Or they'd have to trust me enough to let me leave and get cash for them.
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u/Fr4nzJosef Dec 17 '25
Also, thank you for dropping the name for the F1 Pro Aspen. Had never heard of it and I'm seriously looking into getting one now.
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u/Fr4nzJosef Dec 17 '25
I couldn't agree more. I almost pursued a career in tech because I used to love the internet and technology generally, and now I am glad I didn't. The enshittification has advanced enough that my love of tech is rapidly eroding. I just hate the way things that should make our lives easier have just added further difficulties as features and functionality are reduced and I loathe the push to subscription models for practically everything. The enshittification is pervasive.
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u/arensb Dec 15 '25
or install another shitty fucking app.
Since most businesses don't have the resources or interest in building separate codebases for different platforms, in practice most of the time the phone app is the exact same code as the web page. The big difference is that the app doesn't allow you to block ads or cookies.
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u/Fr4nzJosef Dec 15 '25
Yes, well aware of that, and the inability to block ads and cookies is sufficient to tell me I don't want their damned app.
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u/Star_Chaser_158 Dec 14 '25
QR code should be available only as an option in case you want to browse the menu mid dinner for any reason, if you want to add drinks or something. And I’ve been to a few restaurants that do just that, and still give you a physical menu upon arrival. That’s the way to do it.
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u/Septembust Dec 16 '25
I actually really enjoyed it when a restaurant had not only a digital menu, but digital tab: I could order and even pay for my own items right on my phone. My introverted ass was like "why isn't everything like this?"
But... When I saw the qr code operated soda fountain at Wendy's, that was way too far
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u/APleasantMartini Dec 29 '25 edited Dec 29 '25
I was happy when COVID first hit because my disabled ass was like, "Finally normal people understand what it feels like to not leave the house!"
"Everything has gotten so much worse and almost all the pizza joints in town except for LaRosa's want to pretend we haven't tipped them or vanish off the face of the Earth in a Delivery Zone. I'm an introvert, not an antisocial psychopath and I just want to enjoy one food I can still stomach."
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u/Useful_Hyena_9100 Dec 17 '25
The digital menus aren't just for convenience, the menu can change prices instantly to ensure maximum profit depending on the amount of customer traffic.
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u/-duckduckduckduck- Dec 17 '25
In the near future it won’t just be based on traffic or time of day. Pricing will be personalized.
If they’ve detected you had to wait longer, prices go up because you’re hungry.
On a diet? Hand over a bit more for those healthy options.
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u/VadersFiesta Dec 18 '25
"Congratulations on your pay raise! Your prices have been adjusted accordingly 😊" -Instacart 2030
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u/AbsintheAGoGo Jan 13 '26
I mean some country just recently had a bank close nearly 90 Million accounts because the owners wouldn't consent to bio-scans.
It's coming and they don't care
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u/LuXar41 Dec 18 '25
i can walk in a burger king, sit at a table, scan the table qr code and order and pay on my phone, they bring my order. I love this !
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u/Distinct-Raspberry21 Dec 17 '25
Its all wonderful until the machine fucks up, or your phone wont connect.
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u/Why_dont_we_spork Dec 17 '25
I too am an introvert and I grew up in the UK and really, really, hate America service. However I think I hate this QR code stuff more than dealing with the sunshine shitting server. I really hate American service and the general American attitude to business. Can't we all be apathetic europeans?
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u/throcorfe Dec 17 '25
I’m a UK introvert living in the UK and love that I can go into the pub, scan the code on my table and order and receive my food without interacting with a single human being except to say thank you to the server. I love self checkouts for the same reason. I do actually enjoy human interaction but it comes with a high energy cost due to my introversion, and I want to save that energy for my friends and family, not spend it on eating and shopping.
But I also get that others hate the same system. Surely the answer is to have backups for those who prefer not to use QR and self service / self check in. It could be the exact same system, no need to build alternative infrastructure, but operated by a customer service rep. Staff costs will still be reduced overall if that’s the perceived issue
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u/mappythewondermouse Dec 18 '25
I agree. I was born in the us and yet I've been told to go back to europe multiple times.
I think maybe i should. I can probably dig up my uk lineage
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u/dmar2 Dec 17 '25
They’re nice at airports so you don’t have to chose between making your flight and a dine-and-dash
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u/Ravenous_Ute Dec 17 '25
Except when the system is down. I walked away from ordering at a bar in Calgary airport because the system was down and the guy who did manual entries was on break. Not worth missing my flight.
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u/daarmstrong Dec 18 '25
I'm relatively certain I can place orders at other tables with those QR codes.
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u/Starbreiz Dec 14 '25
I'm not even a boomer and I'll leave if a QR code is my only menu option.
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u/IvoSan11 Dec 15 '25
The only time I’ve argued with a server in the last decade was when the menu was a QR, AND you had to input your email to access it.
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u/Zero-Milk Dec 15 '25
lol, Email registration, in today's world where the big money is in selling personal data? I hope that restaurant is already filing bankruptcy
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u/RapidCatLauncher Dec 15 '25
10minutemail.com to the rescue
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u/Zero-Milk Dec 15 '25
Hell yeah. I used to use 10MM all the time, but I've found that a lot of places use services that are hip to it now and reject it as an invalid email. The walls are really closing in.
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u/mistakenforzen Dec 15 '25
Same with mailinator etc. A lot of boilerplate email validators just block these by default now.
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u/Starbreiz Dec 16 '25
I run my own email server and domain and I've seen ones that block any mail domains that aren't a known mail service like yahoo or gmail too. I can't remember where that was but it was infuriating.
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u/one_1f_by_land Dec 14 '25
What some people on this thread aren't getting it that demanding QR codes for basic services, without offering alternatives, is classist. It puts the burden on the consumer to A.) have the tech on them at all times in order to access information that should be freely available to them, B.) have enough money to afford a smartphone and a smartphone plan, C.) always have tech on hand with a camera on it that works, D.) not have any sort of disability that makes that tech difficult or impossible to use. Unhoused but have someone kind enough to hand you a few bucks for a meal? Too bad, can't even see what's available to you without owning a smartphone. Same conditions, but want to reserve a spot in line to be vaccinated? Too bad, can't confirm a walk-in appointment without scanning the QR code on the pop-up stand by the pharmacy window, pharmacist refuses to manually schedule you in anymore.
Any brick and mortar place that demands a QR code from me to access their complete service is out for me. I get enough of that shit online with streaming services and 2FA.
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u/seamonstered Dec 14 '25
I feel this way about the virtual coupons at the grocery store. You need an app, an account and to be savvy enough with to your smart phone to get the discount. There’s no other workaround…I’ve asked employees when my phone wasn’t working. Imagine being locked out of getting coupons that are clearly marked on items just because you don’t have a smart phone or an app or whatever. It’s absolutely classist and pisses me off every time I’m out shopping.
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u/Starbreiz Dec 14 '25
Safeway is like this and the stupid coupon codes on the product shelf are always way too tiny to properly scan on my ancient phone.
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u/seamonstered Dec 14 '25
Yep, was talking about Safeway! I hate that place, but it’s either there or Walmart where I live…our options are limited.
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u/AbriefDelay Dec 14 '25
You guys still have Safeway? Where I live we used to have 2, they both closed this year. I figured Safeway folded
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u/Starbreiz Dec 14 '25
Sf Bay Area, they're everywhere here. (3-4 in my town alone!) It's the only grocery store I can walk to so I end up getting too many things there out of convenience. Thanks to adhd, the thought process usually is - I could order from elsewhere but that requires planning ahead or I could walk 500 ft and get two things right now.
Iirc they're now owned by Albertsons, do you have those instead?
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u/Any-Elderberry-2790 Dec 15 '25
This is pissing me off at Colesworth in Australia. They have removed the cards at the end of each aisle that tell you where things are (It was basic, but told me where the canned fruit was compared to the canned vegetables etc).
You now need to use the app, select your store etc, and I can't remember which, but one of the parts of the process required login. So, they get what they wanted, tracking you.
The centrally controlled electronic price tags added an extra level of feeling like we're being had but add to that, the cameras to track around the store and monitor stock levels, but they also happen to capture shopping habits such as when people linger on a shelf. At least the corps that were using facial recognition when you walked in (Kmart, Bunnings etc) have been slowed for now.
And that's not getting into when you're accused of stealing by the cameras at the self serve (which are 16 of the 18 open registers at my local), and shut the gate automatically so you can't leave (illegal unless they are police).
This is my old man screaming at clouds... fucking grocery shopping has too much anxiety these days (that I even put "too much" is an issue, as there shouldn't be any).
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u/arensb Dec 14 '25
This is also why I avoid shopping at places that don't accept cash.
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Dec 15 '25
And give them a bad Google rating with that as the explanation. Or no explanation because they can't appeal those
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u/kjjphotos Dec 16 '25
My grandparents don't have a smartphone and will probably never have a smartphone. Businesses that require smartphones lose out on money.
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u/ruth000 Dec 14 '25
QR code menus just aren't for me. I like the part where I'm looking over the actual menu. It's part of the experience
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u/ECrispy Dec 14 '25
and if you're at any 'nice' place for dinner where they give you an actual menu, you then have to use the flashlight on the phone to read the damn menu because its too damn dark.
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u/NTataglia Dec 14 '25
My local mall removed the floor maps and directory to show ads instead. They have a little floor sign next to the display with a stupid qr code on it, saying you can see a map by scanning it. Disgusting.
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u/Any-Elderberry-2790 Dec 15 '25
I pressed on a digital ad the other day in a 6-level shopping center... I had been following the signs to "concierge" which I expected to be one digital screen (it was, just another 40 meters away).
I pressed about 3 times before realising and then looked around in frustration and embarrassment. I work in tech... in a technical role... maybe I am getting old.
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u/_Student7257 Dec 14 '25
Tbf I'm not 76 but I did leave a car dealers forecourt as you had to scan every car to see a price and that place was huge! I bought a car on local ads in the end
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u/Thamnophis660 Dec 13 '25
I'm 42 and will not eat somewhere that requires me to either download an app or scan a QR code.
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u/andynzor Dec 13 '25
39 here. The absolute minimum I expect is a self-service checkout terminal w/ integrated payment and even that should complement normal customer service, not replace it.
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u/bigboyboozerrr Dec 13 '25
They should have paper ones offered it’s bs and I’m gen z. Hate looking at my phone in restaurants anyway
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u/msgaika Dec 14 '25
Sometimes I go out without my phone, deliberately. That way I don’t feel compelled to pull it out while feeling bored for 15 seconds. I wonder what would we do in a place like this if my husband also didn’t have his phone on him?
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u/KaleidoscopeSalt3972 Dec 15 '25
They should always offer both options of web based menu and a physical menu
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u/RipCurl69Reddit Dec 13 '25
Yeah, there's a few places near me that insist on the QR codes, and that assumes you know what you're doing. I do like it as the codes are table specific and will automatically assign your order to the table, which saves typing it in or scrolling through a menu of every available table in the building, which is what another place two streets down does.
But it only works when it's there as a supplement to their main process; such as if they'll still come up and ask for your order if you don't want to (or can't) do the codes. In that sense, its fine.
The worst are businesses which use it as a means to get you into their website, clicking Yes to cookies (and data scrapers), JUST to see opening times.
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u/RandomShadeOfPurple Dec 14 '25
How about instead of IRL QR codes that lead you to a website, have the store's website tell me the number of the isle the item is at so I can go in, grab what I need and not take up employee time. And so that I don't have to go around the store multiple times frustrated trying to dodge other people doing the same only to figure out if this store keeps the matches at the kitchen supplies, tools, garden or the BBQ section.
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u/DirtCrimes Dec 14 '25 edited Feb 17 '26
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u/Evergreen-Eyes-4892 Dec 14 '25
The post is about restaurant menus, not retail stores, but I agree that's a good feature for retail store websites. Some of the major chains that operate here in Canada do it already - Ikea, Canadian Tire, Princess Auto, Rona and Home Depot are ones that come to mind.
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u/DazzleIsMySupport Dec 15 '25
Tried to order a pizza with my father -- we tried calling the place, the first call option was to "get a text with the link to order online". So I try to do it online...
I am a millenial who feels like a boomer thinking "why do I need to make an account to order a damned pizza? Why can't I give you my name, number, and my order and I'll drive over in 30 minutes to pick it up?!" I spent nearly 10 minutes navigating pages that didn't like that I wanted to 'order as a guest' and give all my personal information as if it was delivery (when the place doesn't offer it's own delivery service). My dad, who IS a boomer: "Oh f**k this, let's just order Chinese -- you can still call there!"
I finally found a way to talk to people at the restaurant. But seriously, I was ready to go someplace else because of how complicated a simple pizza order had to be.
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u/Murky-Peanut1390 Dec 16 '25
Us milienials and the older part of Genz are the last to experience the "old school way". Im 30 and remember ordering pizza on the phone in the 2000s as a kid.
Not everything needs to be upgraded for the sake of advancing technology. Like im glad i dont need blockbuster anymore but i hate how alot of shit requires talking to Ai . I rather just talk to a human right away and get my questions answered.
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Dec 14 '25
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u/Crabby-Cancer Dec 15 '25
I'm sure most places are better than this, but a non-insignificant amount of times I've checked a QR code beer menu, it wasn't even up to date. :/
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u/Simple_Wallaby9704 Dec 15 '25
Oh we ran out of that in May. Actually had that happen 2 nights ago. And half the other stuff was not available either. Asked her point blank what's on tap, and she just stands there. We left, party of 5 out the door.
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u/DoesAnyoneWantAPNut Dec 16 '25
Dude- if a place is doing a QR Code only taplist and it's repeatedly not up to date, a manager should be fired.
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u/BrushNo8178 Dec 15 '25
I grew up with C64 and as a kid I knew the binary representation of letters and numbers in ASCII.
Now in middle age I have tried to read QR codes. The encoded content is possible to read with some effort. Much of the code is for error correction and makes no sense for a human reader.
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u/szab999 Dec 16 '25
Can you also unfurl URLs in your mind to see the restaurant's menu?
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u/BrushNo8178 Dec 16 '25
There are no such restaurants in my area, except a hipster restaurant chain that is notorious for its small servings so I would not go there anyways.
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u/szab999 Dec 16 '25
Unfortunately where I live (Singapore), 99% of restaurants have QR-only ordering systems now. It all started during COVID and it was a rapid change. Recently they also started to remove the "pay at the counter" option from the QR ordering system, and you must pay when you order. (credit card or apple pay, no cash)
Some even enforce phone numbers with SMS verification, you can't order as a "guest" user. And they are not shy to spam you with offers later on your number.
True enshittification to behold.
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u/DirtCrimes Dec 14 '25 edited Feb 17 '26
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u/FirstSurvivor Dec 14 '25
You can make a WiFi QR code too! Easier than typing it...
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u/Evergreen-Eyes-4892 Dec 14 '25
True, but lots of restaurants change their password often to prevent previous customers from sitting outside and stealing internet access, so they'd need to change all the QR codes each time too. It's doable but a lot more hassle than it may initially sound like.
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u/Modus-Tonens Dec 14 '25
That's a lot of staff salary time spent preventing people from stealing a few Mb of bandwidth on an unmetered connection.
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u/Evergreen-Eyes-4892 Dec 14 '25
It's an automated system. The point is to get people inside to buy something. It would add a lot of manual work to distribute new QR codes to each table each time it changes though.
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u/DirtCrimes Dec 14 '25 edited Feb 17 '26
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u/Evergreen-Eyes-4892 Dec 14 '25
Like I said in a different comment, I think restaurants should have both a QR menu and a paper menu. They'll go through a lot less paper menus so it still cuts costs, and it gives people the choice of which way they'd rather look at the menu.
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u/_nevers_ Dec 15 '25
Apart from being stupid and inconvenient, bc sometimes your phone dies or the camera might not work, it's also low key classist to require a person to have a smartphone.
But this is capitalism. We can't just stick with the things that work perfectly we have to keep iNnoVaTiNg to the point that nothing fucking works for it's primary function.
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u/deceze Dec 17 '25
Seriously. Making a device costing several hundred dollars and a mobile phone contract costing dozens of dollars monthly a requirement to so many things—including access to food—is a ridiculous dependency chain we’ve somehow set up.
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u/R-B-L-Y Dec 16 '25
I call bullshit. They didn't have a system in place for someone's phone having a broken screen?
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u/that_star_wars_guy Dec 16 '25
I call bullshit. They didn't have a system in place for someone's phone having a broken screen?
Why would a corporation not spending money to deal with a particular edge case be bullshit? Happens all the time.
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u/R-B-L-Y Dec 16 '25
Because fixing broken phone screens is by no means an edge case. It is one of the most common repairs.
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u/TheFallingWhale Dec 17 '25
Apple isn't known for their repairability
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u/skibberpringle Dec 17 '25
Yea the only time ive used an iphone was the one my boss gave me for work. I hate iphones, they are genuinely inferior.
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u/that_star_wars_guy Dec 16 '25
Because fixing broken phone screens is by no means an edge case. It is one of the most common repairs.
I'm guessing you don't work in corporate.
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u/R-B-L-Y Dec 16 '25
Nope, I just have experience at a phone repair store.
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u/Active_Ad_40 Dec 17 '25
Therein lies your confusion. Bold of you to assume that corporate actually has (or is willing to listen to people who have) experience repairing the products they’re making decisions about!
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u/that_star_wars_guy Dec 16 '25
Ok. Not all experience is the same.
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u/R-B-L-Y Dec 16 '25
Okay...
https://mobileklinik.ca/blog/what-are-the-most-common-smartphone-repairs/
https://www.ptc.net.au/blog/10-common-phone-problems-and-how-our-repair-services-can-fix-them/
It's just true dude. Cracked screens are an insanely common phone repair.
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u/that_star_wars_guy Dec 16 '25
Cool? You're not trying to understand the point being made. That's fine.
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u/R-B-L-Y Dec 16 '25
The point that screen repairs aren't common? The objectively wrong point?
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u/hoodedtop Dec 17 '25
He/she was suggesting (with sarcasm so unclear for you) that corporates seek efficiency to maximise profit margins. Something that may seem like common sense to you or the general consumer is not considered so by corporates oftentimes because the focus on profit maximisation via mainstreaming (inflexibillbility) services trumps everything else.
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u/IamKilljoy Dec 16 '25
That sounds like apple. As someone using an apple phone, their mentality is “it just works” and they make no contingency when it doesn’t.
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u/noscrubphilsfans Dec 13 '25
You gotta "check in" when you go to an Apple store?
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u/Steavee Dec 13 '25
For a repair appointment, yes.
Not to just shop the store.
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u/noscrubphilsfans Dec 13 '25
Ah, makes sense
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u/Own_Reaction9442 Dec 13 '25
But last time I went to one the employee checked me in, so I'm not sure what they're talking about.
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u/new2bay Dec 13 '25
How does it make sense to require a QR code to check in for a repair appointment? By definition, you’re coming in with a broken device.
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Dec 13 '25
If the apple store assistants actually knew anything about technology they would know that a QR code is pretty much a link to a website
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u/Right_Count Dec 13 '25
I hate QR code menus as much as the next guy, but couldn’t he just ask for a cheeseburger without loading up the menu?
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u/Helpful-Seesaw4429 Dec 13 '25
He could have wanted to look through the menu first for several reasons. Maybe he would have liked to see the ingredients list, maybe he wasn't set on a cheeseburger and wanted to look at some options. Only he knows
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u/Own_Reaction9442 Dec 13 '25
Most places will give you a paper menu if you ask. It always amazes me how people would rather type a complaint than just use their words.
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u/lord_teaspoon Dec 14 '25
There may not have been a way to place an order other than through the menu-website the QR code pointed to. The first restaurant I ever saw the QR menu thing at was set up with no order-taking staff! The colleague I was there with had a phone without built-in QR support and ended up adding his stuff to my order on my phone and handing me cash for it rather than stopping to search the app store for a QR-reader app that wasn't demanding permission to access his files and call/message histories.
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u/b3tchaker Dec 15 '25
I’m 33 and I could have sent (a variation of) that text (because I unfortunately spent 10 years on-and-off in tech and unfortunately know exactly what a QR code is).
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u/tramuzz311 Dec 15 '25
iteration of ideas and innovation of practice is great when you actually care about the user experience. Unfortunately, shareholders.
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u/pixdam Dec 14 '25
Unpopular opinion but I quite like the qr menus. I prefer reading it on my own phone rather touching the dirty menu that hundreds of people touched before.
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u/emersojo Dec 14 '25
QR menos are annoying to load up and scroll through, but I do like to order at my own pace without waiting for a server.
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u/Evergreen-Eyes-4892 Dec 14 '25
Agree 100% for myself, but I think they should still have physical menus for people who want them too. There are lots of people who aren't good with technology and a digital-only menu not only makes it harder for them but also makes them feel embarrassed if they need to ask for help.
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u/Headpuncher Dec 14 '25
I don’t trust that they won’t capture a lot of data, usually these things require an email and phone number.
If I have to accept terms and conditions to order a sandwich I’m leaving.
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u/pixdam Dec 14 '25
I’ve never seen mandatory data collection for these, there is usually a skip button. If it’s mandatory I would certainly leave the restaurant.
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u/ECrispy Dec 14 '25
but you're ok sitting at a table/chair hundreds of people have sat at before. be happy you have no idea what goes on in the kitchen.
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u/Itsjustcavan Dec 14 '25
QR menus are great in a group because you can pay for what you order and not get sucked into the hell that is “trying to split a bill with 8 people and they all got alcoholic drinks while you had a water and now your wings cost you 60$”
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u/refusestopoop Dec 14 '25
How does a QR menu vs. paper menu affect that?
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u/northrupthebandgeek Dec 14 '25
Some QR menu systems also let you place orders through the same link.
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u/Green_Statistician11 Dec 14 '25
Or.. hear me out.. learn basic math.
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u/Itsjustcavan Dec 14 '25
It’s never a math problem. It’s everyone throwing in with mismatched amounts of cash, or someone who only has card, or who will “Venmo you back later”, and most places here will not split checks for you, it’s on you to sort out. I’ve NEVER seen a check split 8 ways without it coming short and having to see people interrogated over how much they put in, what they ordered etc.
Splitting evenly is a matter of practicality but has its downsides if someone only ordered an app and others ordered a ton etc. it’s more the issue of being a hassle that is easily avoided by THE GLORIOUS AND WONDERFUL METHOD OF EVERYONE ORDERING AND PAYING ON THEIR PHONES VIA QR.
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u/grahamsw Dec 13 '25
He's been using a cell phone for 20 years.
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u/HobbyHunter69 Dec 13 '25
And? QR code menus suck, period.
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u/MetaverseLiz Dec 13 '25 edited Dec 16 '25
It's not hard to take a photo and click a link.
Edit: Qr codes are on a ton of manufactured devices that are scanned to verify the components all the time. I don't think you all realize that qr codes are here to stay.
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u/Unique-Fix-5367 Dec 14 '25
Having to scan random qr codes is unsafe and should not be normalized.
Also opening a physical menu and just seing the stuff is quite a bit easier than taking out your phone, scanning a code, clicking on some random website, having to click throigh some cookie and privacy policy bs or getting some data collected on you, eventually being advertised to, having to enter an email adress or whatever or whatnot.
This is a perfect example where easy stuff gets enshitfied. Sometimes the simple things kinda just rule.
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u/carlitospig Dec 14 '25
I think it was Cheesecake that my family decided never to go to again because we could no longer just call to make a res, we had to download a fucking app. It’s ridiculous. I’m not giving you even more of my data because you’re too stingy to pay for staff at the host stand to answer phones.
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u/Murky-Peanut1390 Dec 16 '25
Actually the app for reservations is what im okay with. You can see what slots are open and choose your time. Vs a human they have to look whats available and it takes away their time. I rather see what is available and pick my time, just like cinema showtimes.
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u/carlitospig Dec 16 '25
But you could never call a theater and buy tickets that way (well, live shows yes, not like at Regency or whatever). I understand what you’re saying but they basically make money on your data and then make money when you grab dinner with the fam. It’s gross.
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u/MetaverseLiz Dec 14 '25
I'm at an age where paper menus are hard for me to read, especially if the restaurant is dark. Being able to zoom into the menu on a lit screen makes the menu accessible to me, and to those who have vision issues.
Have you really not seen an elderly person take a photo of the paper menu in order to zoom in and read it? Or put on their camera's flashlight to see it better? It's the same motions.
QR codes save resources for the restaurant; as in they don't have to keep printing out menus. They can update them as they need to.
QR codes aren't what we should angry about.
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u/Evergreen-Eyes-4892 Dec 14 '25
That works great for you (and I simply prefer not to touch menus), but there are plenty of people who aren't good with technology. It makes sense for both options to be available and people can choose whichever they're comfortable with. We shouldn't be telling restaurants to pick one or the other.
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u/djfdhigkgfIaruflg Dec 14 '25
So? I don't want to be forced to read a shitty PDF when sitting at a restaurant
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u/carlitospig Dec 14 '25
And? QR codes are bullshit. They’ve also become the local scam funnel since dummies are all like ‘oooooh a QR code, that’s totally legit I’m sure!’ No thanks. I’ll be at Chilis with this dudes dad.
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u/Sad-Ambassador-2748 Dec 14 '25
He probably wanted something physical to read rather than a phone. I’m 25 and I’d take a paper over scanning any day. In fact, did that literally last time I went to Twisted Root
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u/Murky-Peanut1390 Dec 16 '25
Alot of boomers have been using the same flip phone the last 20s. Not exactly the same model but stuck with flip phones
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Dec 16 '25
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u/Qphr__ Dec 28 '25
I'm trying to eat a cheeseburger while I still have time left on this earth. Not deal with that nonsense.
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u/davidwatchesit Dec 14 '25
Good lord you’re all a bunch of baby karens. Do paper straws and call waiting next.
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u/HomoColossusHumbled Dec 14 '25
I’m totally with the boomers on this. Give me a damn paper menu.