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On the other hand, normalizing bitcoin, by at least hearing the word frequently in the context of a payment method, can be important, especially in the least likely place for adoption.
The problem is still the lock-in with the vendor, but that is not your problem, it's theirs. They're probably locked in without Bitcoin too, fwiw.
If you ask yourself "what do I want to do with my sats?", is "spending them it at this bagel shop" one of the things that comes to mind? If it is, then it is worth spending time on this. But if it isn't and it's just a maybe-nice-to-have then I wouldn't focus on it. "Adoption" in a setting where other people that you have no business with go from not accepting Bitcoin, to accepting Bitcoin - maybe we should call this "3rd party orange pilling" - is a great virtue signal but unless you aspire to be the Bitcoin Helpdesk, is it really something that helps? I generally try to orange pill only people that I do business with or that I would actually send sats; then it isn't hypothetical, it's just straight-forward(ish) business.
The rubber hits the road when I'm standing there ready to pay. If I can pay with bitcoin, I will, whether or not I'm benefitting anyone but myself. Maybe it's just to make myself feel good. I can't help thinking that paying with bitcoin is better than not paying with bitcoin, even if the real benefit is negligible.
paying with bitcoin is better than not paying with bitcoin
This I agree with. Note that to me personally, being able to spend sats directly is very important. Even though you get to know and hang with a lot of people if you depend on selling sats to friends for cash to survive, it would be better to spend sats at the person delivering the service. No "middlemen". Last week I had to buy a gift card for a supermarket chain to feed myself, instead of my usual mom&pop groc shop, which sucks even more.
I would go for it if I were in your place.
I understand you and your frustration. You are just trying to do the right thing, I know.
Sad truth: americans will never see more than Square adoption for the merchants.
That's why they are all so excited to see a merchant with a Square terminal.
I don't disagree with you completely, and I'm not excited. I guess it's a matter of perspective. Widespread adoption isn't a goal for you, which is understandable (most people are too stupid for bitcoin😀)
On the other hand, normalizing bitcoin, by at least hearing the word frequently in the context of a payment method, can be important, especially in the least likely place for adoption.