>>507858270To the contrary, most people weren't poor.
Yes they had no iPhones, no computers, no automobiles, they didn't even wear denim, but 10 days of labour paid a year's worth of taxes, about 120 days of the year were festivals and holidays, and peasants wore so much decoration and such fine fabric that an average bsinessman today looks impoverished by comparison.
And how would a shop keeper benefit?
A shop keeper needs nails and pins and scissors, a hammer here and metal brackets for his shelving there.
If he doesn't hold that door open for the blacksmith's wife, he might have to pay the full whollop.
But if he does, "for you my shopkeep friend, special price".
And in turn, he's gonna hold the door open for the shopkeeper's wife, which means he gets a discount on the coal he needs for his furnace.
You lack insight.
Stop projecting.