...and people still showed up. [...] ...so people stayed...
These people are sheep, as cliche as the term is. They will endure any amount of abuse (while complaining, of course) if they're told they have to and everyone else is doing it.

People wanted to try food. They wanted things to work out so that might happen, despite seemingly minor obstacles.

They are presented bait and a positive rationale for the hook. It's up to you and me to convince them not to bite when these things come up.