Yesterday, I picked up a couple items from the local Bed, Bath, and Beyond. As most companies do now, they asked me for my zip code. As I do now, I told them no. Most of the time, the cashiers do not react much and either enter all zeros or the zip code the store is in. The person helping me this time, however, chuckled in a you’re-an-idiot sort of way and then made some jab as I was leaving. Oops, I’m so sorry for personally inconveniencing you–I know how that data personally helps you collect your well-deserved paycheck–and I am sorry for taking a stand against the continued encroachment on personal privacy!

Today, I made another stop at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, to return an item I bought the day before. While doing my exchange, the cashier asked me for my name. I asked her why and she said it was part of the exchange policy. What makes this unusually strange is that I paid in cash, so there is no need to check the name I tell her with the name on the card used. I gave her a fake name (John Smith) and there were no problems. So why bother asking for a name for a return? Especially if you are not checking to ensure it is legit?

I intensely dislike this nonsense.