It comes from the Internet cafes that would sell drinks and have PCs available in the 90s. Then Starbucks popularized wifi access and independent cafes were for

It comes from the Internet cafes that would sell drinks and have PCs available in the 90s. Then Starbucks popularized wifi access and independent cafes were forced to figure out how to offer it to compete. No one cares about being polite at Starbucks, but I would say the expectation at independent shops is still to purchase something periodically. Not everyone follows it. I don't see many independents limiting access with expiring authentication or codes given at purchase anymore. In the US, many attempting to do that don't seem to even know they're also running a free xfinity hotspot...