I am under the impression that pretty much anywhere in the developing world USD will spend. Maybe not in the west, but places that have a weak currency like africa, the middle east, and south america.
Nope I said developing world like Central and South America. Lots of tourists places will accept Euros and dollars as long as the bills are not damaged.
Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Belize, and Colombia are places where I’ve done this personally and lots of Europeans were doing the same.
Friends and family in Costa Rica even advised that local currency wasn’t necessary and suggested bringing crisp bills from my bank.
At least in big cities in Argentina, you can pay with dollars in many places. Some shops like big supermarkets even have a sign that shows their exchange rate. (Note that the official exchange rate is AR$200, but the unofficial one is AR$400. You may get a bad exchange rate in some shops.) For buying clothes it may be more difficult because you must negotiate the exchange rate, and they may only accept only US$100 bills, and only if they look nice and is the new model that has a big face. It may be more difficult to pay the electricity bill in dollars.
(In small towns it may be more difficult, but not impossible, specially if you are nice.)
As a tourist maybe. But try to do it at any place mostly frequented locals in Europe and you will get nowhere. But funny thing. Same does not only apply to USD, but Euros as well. And EU doesn't even have army. And still on my last trip the taxis took the money.
I think the main disconnect is between developing countries (that may have currency stability issues and where folks are more likely to use dollars or euros) and the developed world, where there is no benefit in using USD for regular transactions. Plus a whiff of "F those Americans who act like they own the whole world".
And your specific comment that started this didn't read like you are only argued about developing world. My 2c.
Or at least nicely told to go and exchange it for real money (local currency) somewhere, then come back and try again. :)