My dentist's office keeps offering to let me bring my bike inside, as they don't have a rack, and the receptionist thinks "it's a rough neighborhood". Bringing it inside seems like a big hassle, so I usually just lock it to a lamp post or tree.
But yes, I try to carry my bike helmet in places to subtly signal that I rode my bike there. And I'd love to see the city or someone offer grants to businesses to install usable racks.