Newby smartphone question: Scanning QR codes [View all]

I just went into a local restaurant where they wanted me to scan one of those square-pixeled "bar" codes (QR code I think) to bring up their menu on my smartphone.

I don't have a smartphone so I asked for a paper menu instead. They eventually produced one, but seemed a bit shirty about it.

Was it just because I put them through the hassle of having to find a paper menu, or is there some advantage to the restaurant for making me do this? Does it give away personal information and put me on their mailing list or something? Do they get kickbacks when customers scan the code? Is it a URL that my browser goes to?

Just curious, as I seemed to be the only one not able (or wanting) to bring up the menu this way. I suspect this will probably become more common and it will be yet another way I'll get left behind without a smartphone. Not that it'll make me get one, mind.