It used to be that only the laydees got my digits
It has been an incredibly long time since I have blogged. However, given my procrastinative nature that is a supreme problem. The longer I wait, the more topics come into my head, and the more they do battle. I come to the conclusion that I can’t decide what I want to write about and end up saying screw it and don’t type anything. Welcome to my world, I shall get to you once it is urgent. (To those people whom I owe e-mails, the above is part of my cop out excuse). That, however, is not today’s topic.
I simply do not understand why businesses require their customers to provide so much information in order to purchase something. I purchased tennis balls today from a major sporting goods store. I am trying to hustle through there so less people can mock me for taking up the effeminate sport that I have and the counter lady spews at me, through her crazily crooked teeth, “can I have your phone number?” I curtly replied, “no.” I then had to provide my credit card, so she could validate the signature (what is the point of me swiping it if she has to take it anyway), and also provide my license so she could make sure it was really my card. This left me seething, which was not something desired as I exited the store into the 90 degree heat and 100% humidity.
Seriously, what the hell is the point of me giving my phone number???? Are they really going to call me and offer me coupons for cleats, jock straps, or fishing lures (or all 3)? If they did call me I would bitch so fervently for misuse of personal information that I would either get arrested for verbal assault or get a $100 gift certificate so I would shut up.
Providing the phone number is much worse than my normal other gripe, which is providing my zip code. Seemingly the employees understand when you don’t want to give your phone number, but they never do when you won’t give your zip code. They usually try multiple times, to which I simply want to say “It’s against my principles, so go back to scanning, you retail minion you.” Ok, so maybe I wouldn’t say the minion part, but it is better than other names I might call them. It shouldn’t be up to me to provide the store demographical information simply because their marketing group is lazy. I almost feel bad because the employees are just doing their job, and I shouldn’t snap at them, but it just sends me over the edge. I would like to think that if enough people complained something would get done, but I feel like the ship has already sailed. People are just too complacent and more and more places are doing it.
It is bizarre that in a time where there are more and more stories regarding identity theft that MORE information has to be provided to purchase the most basic things. It is all those stories that got me thinking and more torqued up about this issue. Just last week I had to travel for business and stay at a hotel. The reservation was made for me, through work. I could not check in unless I provided my address. It is a work reservation, for chrissake! Naturally I quizzed the gumpy goth kid that checked me in. I expected an actual answer, not the one that dumbfounded me so. “It is so we can mail you something if you leave it here.” I gave up at that point. Now he has my address and credit card number, and probably has a steady stream of hair dye and razors purchased on the internet being sent to his apartment.
Stubbornly yours,
-Michael
Odd that to leave a reply, I needed to give my address. You are one stubborn jazz musician.