Or, in the US at least, signing the bill at a restaurant and writing in the tip (many places also take signatures on electronic devices these days). Or, in work and academic settings, writing on a pad to take notes (many, but not all, schools/classes allow students to take notes on electronic devices these days).

I don’t think I’ve been required to use a pen that wasn’t provided to me in the US in years. In other countries, I have though, with Japan being the most recent example I believe. Those situations are extremely frustrating, but when a pen is provided, I generally don’t mind. I can’t see it being some big conspiracy about pens though - unless you consider the slow adoption of technology in general a conspiracy, which I’d be more open to.