I’ve heard of a case where an American man was ranting about “why can’t they speak English” despite him being in a country where it’s not even spoken (in this case: Japan), like WTF? He’s literally in another country where a different language is spoken, isn’t that already common sense? Yes, there are (some) Americans who are like this: assuming that everyone all over the world just knows English from the get go, but that’s not always the case.
Another was when an American woman wanted to pay for the bread at a French bakery using a crisp US$20 bill, but that was not accepted since France uses Euros as their main currency. I guess it stems from the fact Mexico accept that assuming that’s universal in countries where their own currency (like the Korea uses Won, UK uses the Pound, Oman uses Rials & etc). I mean, why do (some) Americans think that every country uses US Dollars?
A lot of countries do have tourist areas where staff are taught to speak English and will take USD. Like the only places in Spain I went where someone didn’t speak English were a beauty store and a taxi stand. Otherwise there was always at least one who spoke English. The card reader allowed me to choose between USD and Euros. Touristy areas are designed to accommodate foreigners.
People speaking English in tourist areas is normal, but I’ve seen Muricas complain about people speaking Spanish first or even among themselves here in Spain.
Also, no, the machine asking you USD or EUR is because your card is in USD and you can choose whether to have the bank in Spain do the conversion or let your bank do it. If you tried to give a dollar bill in that same establishment you would be informed that they don’t take dollars, or be charged an absurd conversion rate to justify his bother of having to exchange that money.
Choosing between USD and EUR is a fraud scheme, though. They have an exceptionally bad exchange rate for the non-EUR currencies. It’s basically always cheaper (unless your own bank is an absolute madhouse!) to choose payment in local currency and let your bank do the conversion.
Paying with card is not the same as paying with a dollar bill.
If you find a place that takes USD in cash in Europe, prepare to be ripped off. They only do that because they can overcharge you on the conversion without you noticing it.
Even my doctor (in Germany) doesn’t speak English. And I’m in a very popular tourist area (the Black Forest). Also, nobody in Europe accepts cash dollars.