The conversation got off to a rather snarky start. After one American shared that their debit card details had been stolen, a fellow American hit back with: “You use a debit card at 31 years old.”

You use a debit card at 31 years old https://t.co/KmSHC76tcb

In the US, credit cards are often considered a financial essential, helping people build their credit history while earning cashback, rewards, and other perks. In the UK and parts of Europe, meanwhile, many people are happy sticking with debit cards and spending money they already have, rather than borrowing to cover everyday purchases.

Credit cards are certainly used outside the US, too, but the incentives vary between countries – and this particular debate has quickly turned into a bit of an informative culture clash.

can someone actually explain this to me like heaven forbid I spend the money I actually have?? do y'all buy everything with credit cards then just pay them back later? ain't that just extra steps??? https://t.co/D3bPmTDUmT

Is this a cultural thing? I’m 37 and the only time I ever used credit cards was my 4 years in the US cause I was told I needed to start building credit. I’ve always used debit in Norway and so do most of my friends/family, am I missing something? https://t.co/9a5WwzfdyE

Why is everyone so mad at this. Just treat your credit card like a debit card and you get a little bit of cash back with no downsides. You should be building credit score if you live in the US anyways. Whats the problem https://t.co/L5yXhrOiEZ

A lot of us don't live in the US and in other countries credit card rewards are less worth it and we have better protections for debit card payments.

i will forever be team debit card. there’s no need for me to have access to money i don’t possess. some of us have addictive tendencies, others genuinely make poor financial decisions which banks exploit.

If you live in the US it make NO SENSE to use a debit card for your regular expenses. For one, if it gets stolen, it's your money that's stolen and it's a headache to get them back. With a credit card, it's the lender's money, not your problem. Second, the credit score system… https://t.co/VqKEvn6OCo

Idk why using debit cards is looked down on by people on this app https://t.co/V4qEIHX2g6

Additional thumbnail photo credits: skynesher/Ake Ngiamsanguan (iStock)