For me, bitcoin is not money. It performs the functions of gold, payment of the system and cash. Bitcoin is something in common with what I called.
I agree it's tempting to see bitcoin just as an asset. But i've use bitcoin as a currency too. So yeah it's not only a fact that bitcoin is a currency but it's also how you treat it.
Buying stuff will give you the feeling of how it is money and believe me there is plenty to buy with bitcoin.
I think that it doesnt really matters if you think that bitcoin is more as an asset than a currency or money, but these answers don't change anything.
As far as I know, bitcoin may bring many great possibilities for anyone, thanks to the availablity on the whole planet.
All you need to use BTC is being connected to the internet, and probably a way to buy BTC, so a bank account.
There is no problem to make payments to your friends or financial partners in bitcoins, this is comfortable in most cases for the both sides of the transaction.