1. CCs are in general a much less common way of payment than in the US, generally restricted to rental cars, online purchase and maybe some high-end hotels and restaurants and stuff. Many regular store chains do not accept CCs, and even many supermarkets do not.
That's true in only a small part of Europe (Germany being the main culprit). In other countries CC use is much more widespread, and in some countries most transactions are done by CC (including with contactless technology for smaller charges).