It's pretty uncommon in the US to pay at a store with a check. I certainly haven't done it in years and it's probably been a long time since I've seen anyone else do it. Larger retail chains tend to use some sort of electronic check verification system but they don't make it easy to pay by check (if they allow it at all) and it's pretty rare these days.
However, it's still the norm to pay service people who come to your house or individuals who you owe money to for something by handwritten check.
However, it's still the norm to pay service people who come to your house or individuals who you owe money to for something by handwritten check.