I think each country has its share of obsolete terms. I wasn't aware until this thread that whilst was obsolete, any more so than most people in the USA would think that there was anything strange about the word "gotten".

Even the word "folks" is really only in general use in the sense of "old folks" I always found "that's all folks" at the end of cartoons designed for children a little strange.

I will happily say to the children, "just stay in the car whilst I pop into the post office". Whilst I wouldn't say, as has been discussed:
"I could whilst away the hours
conferrin' with the flowers
consultin' with the rain." if only had a brain!