On the other hand, having traveled extensively in Europe the Americas, and Asia, Germany does use cash far more than other countries even in Europe, although yes not to the extent cash is preferred in Asia.
Getting a MasterCard or Visa was harder in Germany than it should've been. They're optional and cost extra, standard debit cards for a checking account are Cirrus/Maestro, which can't be used to pay online or abroad or in many places. It was easier to just use them to withdraw cash. Sparkasse for some reason gave me a MasterCard that had it's own account, so I had to transfer money from the checking account to the card if I wanted to use it. Maybe things have improved.
There's a well developed banking system that allows for fast, cheap, and easy transfer, standing orders, and direct debit. Checks fell out of favour many decades ago, unlike in some more, well, traditional societies. There was the "ec-card", then Cirrus/Maestro debit cards, now cash card, which allow for cheap immediate cashless payment.
Why would one want to let a large part of the economy run through oligopolistic credit card providers, just to let them skim some 2% or 3% off it? It's absurd, if you think about it.
Of course in the UK fees have been "banned" a few weeks ago, which means everybody will get charged the fees via price increases, effectively subsidizing card users.
Most merchants accepting credit card are not allowed to charge extra for credit card use (by the merchant agreement), thus card users have always been subsidised, with the difference being that credit cards do charge 2% to 3%.
My point is that both cash and modern cashless payment systems (debit/cash cards) are way better than oligopolistic credit cards with their gaudy marketing and high fees.
You just have to look for the right bank, I've been happy for a couple of years with DKB now. Debit card and Free Visa CC, worldwide cash withdrawal (with CC) without any charges or fees.
> Sparkasse for some reason gave me a MasterCard that had it's own account, so I had to transfer money from the checking account to the card if I wanted to use it.
That's afaik normal for Germany, prepaid CC are probably the only CC you gonna get without a girokonto.
Yup, 2 years ago I went into a large chain store in Germany to buy a camera, no credit card accepted, in a place selling mostly expensive gear such as cameras, laptops, dishwashers... Boggled my mind. Fortunately I had enough cash this time.
I'd be surprised if any place here in the Netherlands would take a credit card. We are fully used to debit cards. Essentially, credit cards are only needed here for travel and international purchases. Everyday stuff is all with debit cards, cash is unusual.
