Europe must be in a bad neighborhood

Where in Europe is this? I’ve never paid before eating at a restaurant anywhere I’ve traveled in Europe. You pay at the end when the bill comes except at places where you order at a counter, same as the US.

I've lived in multiple European countries, and visited and dined in many more. Never once paid before a meal. Where in Europe are you from?

You order everything up front and pay up front? What if you decide you're having a good time and you want to add on another drink?

In America, paying before eating usually means the restaurant expects you to dine and dash. Basically, you’re being treated like a criminal.

You usually only see it in fast food (where the pay before eating is mainly to prioritize efficiency) or in really shitty “we probably shouldn’t have stopped here for food” neighborhoods.

Honestly asking. Yes, American, but I didn’t experience that in the UK or Germany …

That sounds better honestly. I don't think I've ever in my life decided to order anything else after my plate arrived, except of course at a bar where the amount of drinks I'm ordering is variable, but then bars make you pay for drinks up front...