I starting driving in 1990 - back then there was no pay at the pump so the norm everywhere was to pump gas then go inside and wait in line to pay. You knew you were in a bad neighborhood if you had to pay for your gas before you pumped it (you probably already knew you were in a bad neighborhood, but this confirmed it). About 15 years ago stations started to realize that nearly everyone was paying at the pump even if they were going to come inside for something else - which made it much more likely anyone not paying at the pump was trying to steel gasoline and so they went to pay first as few were inconvenienced.

I do not miss at all standing in line behind someone who couldn't figure out which lottery ticket they wanted to buy.