Walk into a coffee shop. Look at the wifi password, usually a sign near the register. Log onto the wifi network using the wifi password. Browse in peace.

Is this sort of flow normal elsewhere? It's certainly normal where I live.

???

I'd walk to a local library and use their wifi. Or walk to a local McDonalds and use their wifi. Or walk to a friend's/family's house and use their wifi. Or...

I know right. There are entire business models where “comfortable place to connect to WiFi” is an important part of the strategy.

I'm in the US. I do have government ID, but I don't recall showing it to my network providers. Certainly, some telcos want a social security number to run credit; but that's often avoidable. I'm pretty sure could also wander down to an electronics store (maybe a grocery/drug store too) and pick up a prepaid cell phone with internet access, pay for it with cash, and get that going without government id in the US. It's a bit of a hike to get to the electronics store from where I live, but I can get part of the way there with the bus that takes cash too.

Prepaid SIM from one of the EU countries that still has them, such as Denmark. Purchase in cash from a kiosk.

Prepaid 5G phone bought with cash and activated by dialing 611.