I've been living in China for 9 years, and am back in the USA for the summer. Recently I had to send some forms in the mail and pay a processing fee -- by check. Credit cards were not an option. I haven't written a check in 10 years. I don't have a checkbook, though I have a US bank account. So I had to buy a money order from a nearby gas station.
Checks are obsolete, but the USA has a long way to catch up with the rest of the world.
:) i can vouch the USA will catch up soon with the rest of the world