I have never used a surge protector, and I don't think I've ever seen one in a home or office.

Much of Europe uses buried cables, so there's less risk from lightning strikes, and I think the higher line voltage (230V) reduces the effect of something like a dodgy elevator motor in the same billing.

I have visited the US a few times, where I remember the lights would dim momentarily if the garbage compactor or the dryer were used.