“Because I'll stop fucking paying you if you don't"

We're already playing.

They don't exist in the US.

My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius and you can call me at 0118999881999119725 3.

Oceans are now battlefields.

Same thing happened to me in Screwfix the other day. I had to put a name in the little touchscreen thing and when I got to the till to pay (cash) they started by asking for my postcode. No. Then my email address. No. Just hand over the goods.

Why is it needed for Starbucks?

Its not your problem.

Because I don't like that you asked me for a reason.

How else would you pronounce it? It's H-F-U-H-R-U-H-U-R-R, isn't it?

It is serious. As well as ridiculous. Don't ask people personal information. You don't need it. It's also a complete waste of time. Just run the transaction.

I don't have a name.
You don't... have a name?
That's right. I don't have a name. I was given a number at birth.
What's your number, then?
1337
Hmm, it seems I can't type digits in the name field. Are you sure you don't have a name?
Yes. Just type it.
But...
I SAID TYPE IT!
Customer name: one three three seven

I used to work for a major outdoors chain, and since so many cashiers would just skip past the phone number prompt to speed things up, corporate started tracking a cashier's phone number capture rate, and if it fell below like 95% it counted against the cashier in their evaluations.

I just got good at making up random numbers using local area codes.

I tell people the name is "batman" and then when they yell it out I look flustered and say "oh please call me Bruce".

Idk if they find it funny but I get Starbucks like twice a year maybe.

No not wrong they ask for the information because places like that sell your information. RadioShack was notorious for this back when they were still in business.

My Name is Jenny and my number is 867 5309

Yeah, i always refuse phone number or email when they ask and have never had a problem. Just say no when they ask

Ahh, I didn't know that, you'll have to check which numbers are reserved in your country then

I mean come on, when are drug dealers going to start asking for your personal information? What's the world coming to?

I've seen hardware/electronics stores do this. It was to put on the bill/warranty paper.

Normally I just pay the cashier and get a receipt.

However, some stores I've gone to, lately they want a bit of customer information for their database if you're a first-timer, ostensibly for potential offers and discount sales. You can just say no, or go find another store that doesn't ask for more than your payment.

You're not weird or paranoid. They're assholes. I have a catch-all email address for my mail domain, so I test clerks who ask on those rare occasions.
"BestBuyCanSuckmyBalls@mydomainname.tld."
It's entertaining to see the look they get when they're faced with typing it in or just taking my fucking cash.

I know Radio Shack would ask for your zipcode to see if their advertising spending was working.

I'm sure it cuts down on shoplifting, just the illusion of someone checking. They wouldn't pay someone to stand there and do that if it didn't work.

It's not your fault, but it's also not the cashier's fault.

Their boss signed up for some shitty customer management app under the guise that you can get online receipts or see high-value customers and sell to them.

Best you can do it no, sorry I don't want to give out my information, If i'm going to be tracked, I'll just buy it online.

Absolutely! Appearing secure is MUCH more effective than actually being secure.

They call out your name when your drink is ready.

There's a whole cottage industry of influencers now who still think it hasn't been overdone yet to try to get them to shout something ridiculous, unpronounceable, or impossible to spell when they write it on the cup.

Mine is basically fuckme@gmail.com, usually gets a laugh.

For those times I am Rufus Fuzzgrizzle (that's 4 z's ) from a random place and phone number .. or 555- 5565 now gimme my crap.

What a coincidence...

However, some stores I've gone to, lately they want a bit of customer information for their database if you're a first-timer

Hair slons are the worst for that in my experience.

One place wouldn't let me past the front counter unless I gave them my phone number and email.

I walked out and got my hair cut somewhere else.

try to get them to shout something ridiculous, unpronounceable

I've always been partial to Heywood Jablomi

not even Starbucks needs to know your name. You should get an order number/code like everywhere else.

I'm standing right here, I'm the only customer in the place right now - you don't need my name.

I do occationally, especially if it's a new cashier who is still worried about pleasing the boss.

My usual workaround is:

First name: cash

Last name: sale

And my companion is Anne Uumellmahaye

Appearing secure is MUCH more effective than actually being secure.

Cheaper too.

Where I live that goes to a working number that plays a recording of the song.

Apparently it's owned by a guy who runs a small ISP who did it just for the lulz.

I make things up. "Name?" "Jimminy." "email?" "ObamaKillsBabies@Yahoo.com" etc

So, after that song rose in popularity, phone companies de-registered it entirely

In my area code, the number was intentinally bought by a local guy who runs a small ISP. He has it connected to an answering machine that plays the song.

I don't think you will find someone on Lemmy who thinks you were in the wrong here. Unless you are buying something that is legally regulated and requires you to identify yourself there is no good reason to be demanding personal identifying information. I always just say "no thank you, I get enough junk mail and spam already" and try to keep it friendly. Every once in awhile they might insist and I tell them I am not going to do that and then they give up. I think most cashiers are at best ambivalent about their employer and don't really care about enforcing company policy, as long as you are friendly and respectful they would really rather just drop the issue and move on with their job.

Kinda relevant.

I have used this in gas stations across multiple states over the past few decades. I don't know how much the discounts have added up to over that time but it has to be at least hundreds of dollars by now. It is kind of amazing how widespread that number gets used, it's probably the most popular phone number for these discount schemes by a wide margin.

No. This is the way.

I usually turn the tables on them by asking for their personal phone number.

Same with telemarketers, because I like to practice languages. Tell me about your insurance policy? What? Why aren't you with your employer if they have the best deals?

No, not wrong. But I usually give a silly name, like Glutomis Maximus! Yes, there is an exclamation point in the name.

Had a server who laughed at this and retorted, "oh, so it is an ironic name, like they called the bald stooge Curly."

Yes, I have no ass. Bitch. I am going to tip you so hard now. 30%.

My new use name is Wojtek, pronounced "Voy-tek".

I would just play the witchy card, true names have power. Plus im onto that fey crap, you may not have my name, you can call me John. Now would you mind holding this iron horseshoe?

And no your not wrong, refusing to feed the infromation economy is the first steps to freeing yourself from it. It is effort, the modern world has too many traps, but you can do it.

It's confrontational toeards a person who has no power in this interaction and will only prolong it.

They have a script they're trying to follow so they get get you out of their line and on to the next one. The easiest way out of this is to just lie. It doesn't have to be subtle. Any answer that fits the script works for them. Think of it more like madlibs than lying.

My phone number is 8765309. If they ask an area code, tell them it doesn't matter, whichever is their favorite. If Ludacris's got hoes there, the number goes there.

If they need a name, would you believe it? my name is Jenny. I may be a 6 foot tall Bear looking dude but my name is Jenny.

That's pretty benign.

Sure, but they're trying to present a less cold and impersonal atmosphere. Order numbers are for computers, names are for people.

Yah, people would always freak out over that "Why do they want my zipcode!?"