Why are people so willing to acquiesce to stupidity?

I've been out to eat a handful of times recently and I will say only 1 place enforced this. In that instance I didn't have a mask so I asked if that would be a problem. I said ill just cover my mouth with my hand until we get to the table. They gave me a mask anyway and i held it up to my face with my palm. We walked to our table 8 ft from the door.