Is it just me?
Save using gift cards, or the rate app portal, I basically have no choice but to use a bitcoin debit card if I actually want to spend my BTC. I have never actually seen a real store that actually accepts bitcoin. At least a brick and mortar. I live in NC, near the SC border. save the Research Triangle, bitcoin is still absolutely unknown in these parts. Is it better in more metropolitan areas, or is this pretty much the case across the whole US?
I live between New York and Philadelphia; even in the cities, I haven't come across any places that accept bitcoin. Like you said, bitcoin-linked debit cards are basically the only option right now if you want to actually spend your bitcoin; selling them on an exchange is quick, but then you have to transfer the money out, which takes at least a day. It's not ready to be used for everyday transactions large-scale yet anyway, transactions are far too slow. Nobody wants to wait an hour and a half for 3 confirmations just to pay for their groceries. Running errands would be impossible without planning it all out hours before.