A long time ago people would routinely slow down lines at supermarket checkouts by performing this ritual: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheque

I don't really know how common it is in retail nowadays. It's certainly preferable to card for high value payments. E.g. try paying income tax or property tax by card. It will cost you a certain % extra in fees.

Edit: I forgot about this famous check. Happened a few years ago. I wish I had the assets to be able to hand-write a check for $975 million: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/01/0...