You are American and ask yourself, why we in Germany do not pay with credit cards? Believe me, that ask themselves some Germans too.
Some scream literally for cashless paying, there are actually formations here, that regularly lock themselves into bubbles regarding this.
But in the end it is crystal clear:
We are all grown up with cash. Already as children we ran with 50 Pfennig into the next corner shop and bought us sweets. I ask myself the question, if my parents would have let me buzz off with the whole credit card…
Naturally that is not the only reason. There is nothing, what we hate most:
Control of the state. Surveillance, extradition.
Are you really happy, when the state possesses this sovereignty, to be able to simply turn off everything for you?
We are all not satisfied with the politics of our respective country. Many conflicts and many decisions, that are simply pulled through. Much too often past the people. What is, when it has you completely in the hand? Do we really want to give every control to an instance, that often does not act in our sense?
Cash is freedom, because cash means, that you have possibilities. If someone wants to charge your card or wants to transfer something - in a blocked channel nothing arrives anymore. But everyone can press bills into your hand.
The danger of pennilessness is simply much too high.
Last but not least: It is beautiful, when one does not only see a digital number on the display, but can rub this elegant paper between his fingers.
. You go to a restaurant, eat a massive steak, and when the bill comes, the waiter just gives you that cold German stare: “Cash only, card reader is broken.” Like, c’mon man, we are living in 2026, not the 90’! 
Back home in the US, you can scan your phone just to grab a quick soda at a gas station, and here you feel like a criminal if you don’t have a crispy 20-Euro bill on you.
you made one point where I actually have to step back and say: facts. The whole state control and surveillance thing.
