Interesting, I see it from exactly the opposite perspective. By paying up front I’m putting forth trust and an expectation that the restaurant will do right by

Interesting, I see it from exactly the opposite perspective. By paying up front I’m putting forth trust and an expectation that the restaurant will do right by me or make it right through a refund at the end if I’m dissatisfied. I can’t say I’ve ever been in a position where I’ve been so dissatisfied with a meal that I’d use the fact that I haven’t yet paid to assert control over the situation. The friction reduction gained by being able to depart without worrying about the overhead of paying at the end is a win 99 times where paying at the end is a win maybe one time. I guess it depends what you consider to be an essential part of the ritual.