I think it's a pretty standard process. I usually watch an episode or two before deciding. However, there are some things that just shut me down in the first episode. They're so epically bad or distasteful, I can't. According to Myanimelist, where I track my anime viewing, I have a ridiculously high rate of dropping anime. I tend to drop within the first two to four episodes. I'm actually surprised I make it four or so in.